Juicy, Big And Little

oil 10x10 Purchase info here. I reworked this painting from September. I don't often go back into a dry painting, but here I think it was successful. The surface color was too orange. The added grapes give it some small dark shapes, and the cooler, neutral surface and background are more harmonious with the fruit. What do you think? Here's the original version:

Cherries!

MORE CHERRIES! This little series of cherry paintings is part of the "All You Can Eat" Show at Studio C, Claremont. This great little gallery is owned and operated by my friend, Elizabeth Carr. Currently, there are small affordable works hanging, and as always, ceramics, jewelry, fiber arts and all kinds of handmade things by local artists. It's a great place to pick up a one-of-a-kind gift. You can shop safely because Elizabeth is COVID conscious. Please wear your mask. She even has beautiful handmade masks for sale! Studio C Claremont 260 W. Bonita, Claremont, CA. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-6. Dear Daisy 5x5 inches on cradled panel, ready to hang. $125 at Studio C and online here.

Sweet Tweet 5x5 inches on cradled panel, ready to hang. $125 at Studio C and online here.

Peek-A-Boo 5x5 inches on cradled panel, ready to hang. $125 at Studio C and online here.

In-N-Out Cherries 5x5 inches on cradled panel, ready to hang. $125 at Studio C and online here.

Clippings, Coffee & Cream

oil 12x12 inches I'm delighted to announce the acceptance of this piece into The American Impressionist Society's 21st Annual National Juried Exhibition. Illume Gallery, St. George, Utah October 22-November 21, 2020. I'm especially excited to be included for two reasons: St. George is a drivable distance, so I'll be able to attend the AIS festivities and paint-outs for the first time. Here's hoping COVID has died down by then! Secondly, this is the 5th consecutive AIS show I have been included in, so in the fall I can apply for AIS Signature Status. I'm very grateful and humbled to be included with so many master impressionist painters. Follow me on Instagram: karenwernerart Website: www.karenwernerart.com

Olive Oil

oil 16x20 Available through Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, Laguna Beach, CA. 949-280-1550. Another fairly large piece with a simple color scheme of greens and yellows. I really enjoyed painting this piece because of the variety of greens. I also experimented with a bit of calligraphy at the finish. Below you'll see a picture of my set up. If you visit my page on Instagram (karenwernerart), you can go back in my posts to find 4 time lapse videos of me painting this piece. If you're in Southern California, be sure to visit Vanessa's gallery. It's a sweet little beach cottage chock full of beautiful Califonia, French and Russian Impressionism and Realism. A feast for the eyes!

Sunflower Blues

oil 16x20 inches This painting is available through Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, 418 Ocean Ave. Laguna Beach, CA 949-280-1550 www.vanessarothefineart.com I'm very honored that Vanessa has selected some of my work for her gallery. This is a larger piece for me, and one of the first in which I employed a simplified color scheme at her suggestion. In this particular case, yellows and blues in an impressionist style. I've always admired Russsian Impressionist paintings. When I brought a few still lifes into the gallery for the first time, Vanessa remarked that they would go well with the gallery's Russian Impressionist works. I was thrilled to say the least! If you're in Laguna Beach this summer, be sure to visit Vanessa Rothe Fine Art. It's easy to find, and within walking distance of Main Beach.

Sweet Bowl

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here.

Rainiers On Blue

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. More pretty little cherries this time on an icy blue. I love the contrast of warm and cool.

Rainiers On Green and NEWS!

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. 

I've been waiting a few months for Rainiers to show up in the stores. Yippee! These are such beautiful little cherries! IN OTHER NEWS: I sincerely thank you for your interest in and purchase of my artwork. I've been selling my work online for ten years and will continue to do so, but today I'm very excited to announce that my work can now be seen in two galleries in Southern California! Please plan a visit when you're in the area. MISSION FINE ART GALLERY Located directly across from the San Juan Capistranto Misssion, this gallery exhibits outstanding work by fifteen So Cal artists. I invite you to join me on my first full day in the gallery, SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH. I'll hold a one day only "TRUNK SHOW" (additional work) and have refreshments. Gallery hours 10-5. For more info on the gallery, click here. 31760 Camino Capristrano, San Juan Capristrano, CA 92675 949-291-7738 VANESSA ROTHE FINE ART I'm very proud to be a small part of this charming gallery in Laguna Beach! Vanessa has meticulously curated an amazing collection of California, Russian and French Impressionism as well as Contemporary Realism. Located within walking distance of Main Beach. For more info on the gallery, click here. 418 Ocean Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA. 92651 949-280-1555 I hope you'll plan a visit to the galleries soon!

Cherries In Black

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. I'm really enjoying painting cherries! In my next post I'll have an EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! Stay tuned!

Cherries For Tea

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. Even better in person. It's too bad I'm not a better photographer!

Cherries On Cornflower Blue -SOLD

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. Bing cherries in a little Japanese dish. I love cornflower blue, though I've never actually seen a cornflower in person.

Bings On Green

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. Better in person, as the previous. If you're a painter, you know that photos generally are not as good as the painting in person. These cherries are an extreme example! When you buy one of my paintings, your satisfaction is guaranteed. See my return policy by clicking the link. Have a great day! Get out in nature. Do something you've never done before. Share your smile with everyone you meet!

Cherries On White - SOLD

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. It's cherry painting season! This painting is SOOO much prettier in person! Trust me. The alizarin crimson in the shadow side of the cherries just does not cooperate for the camera. It looks like black in the photo, but really its a beautiful deep cool red. Here begins a series of cherry paintings. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did eating my props.

Tea Time And A Dog Portrait

oil 11x11 inches Purchase info here. Here are some of my favorite things to paint: liquid in a cup (tea or coffee), lemons, old books, and flowers. This is the last of the four 11x11 paintings I did in November. Below, an easel shot of one of my favorite dog commissions: "Shadow." I didn't get to meet this dog, but he sure looks sweet! The photo reference was especially unique, with very warm afternoon light coming from below the dog's head.

Madeline

oil 11x11 inches Purchase info here. I really enjoy painting the things of childhood. It conjures up memories of my own childhood and thoughts of my children and grandchildren. It's a magical time. When was the last time you smelled a brand new crayon? This painting is on hardwood 1/2 inch deep with sides stained. It is ready to hang or frame in a simple floater frame of your choice.

Goodness

oil 11x11 Purchase info here. Second painting of four 11x11's. Ready to hang, or it would look great in a simple floater frame of your choosing. These squares would look great grouped together. Two more coming up!

Abundance And Other Stuff

oil 11x11 Available at Square i Gallery in Claremont, CA. Call 909-625-2533 to inquire. After I finished the 30 Day Challenge in September, November continued to be a great month of painting. I completed four pieces for Square i Gallery's 11x11 Show for December. It was my first year entering this odd-sized show. This piece is painted on a wood panel 1/2 inch deep and stained on the sides. I prepped the panel with muslin and gesso, which made a great light toothed surface. It is ready to hang, but would also look great in a simple floater frame of your liking. Below you'll see my conglomerate photo of the September paintings (one missing) laid out on my studio floor. Also below, a dog portrait commission for a fellow artist. I loved painting Bounder! The client gave me a great photo to work from. It's 14x11 and was a gift for her husband. I love being part of surprising someone with a heart-felt gift! To commission a dog portrait, email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com

Just Glass

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here. On the last day of the 30 day challenge I had a mild migraine. I chose a familiar subject; glass. When I have a good excuse for not painting but need to paint anyway, I think of the master watercolor painter, Milford Zornes, who continued to paint when he was nearly blind. I think of others who learn to paint with their mouth or feet. Painting frequently is important for me to stay fresh and grow as a painter. Once I push past the excuses in my head and get into my studio I'm usually glad I did, and often I feel better. What strategies do you use to "show up" when you don't feel like it?

When Trolls Were Fun

oil 8x6 inches Purchase info here. 

 When I painted this I was feeling a bit of whimsy and irritation at the same time. Trolls were fun when I was a kid. I could always relate to the troll hair as mine was very curly/frizzy and got bigger if I brushed it. Curly haired girls, you know what I mean. I made little troll clothing by cutting and hand stitching pieces of felt. Sweet memories of an innocent time. Nowadays we have internet trolls who have nothing better to do than to interject their unsolicited opinions on social media. Irritated by one such troll that day, I chose to celebrate with this painting the good days when trolls were fun.

Backyard Branch

oil 9x12 inches Available through Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, Laguna Beach, CA. Last September our backyard apple tree gave us a bumper crop of there were plenty to paint, eat, and make into pies! Currently the tree is just beginning to leaf out. Here's hoping for more apples!