Again With The Apples

 

Again With The Apples  oil 6x6

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Apples are my default subject when I haven't painted in a while.  I painted this in January, and experimented with laying in transparent darks with a hog bristle.  The effect really doesn't read right in a photo, but when you see the painting in person the dark passages are luminous rather than like a dark hole.  You can see the texture of the canvas and the brush through the dark transparent paint.  In contrast, light areas of the subject are painted opaquely which makes them look even more lit.  

Autumn Patterns

 

Autumn Patterns    oil 18x18 inches  

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Sometime in October I had this idea of a still life from bird's eye view.  With a tablecloth on the floor, I arranged objects to create a kind of rhythm.  It's all about pattern.  This painting is beautifully custom framed in a modern white wood frame about 1 1/2 inches wide with a smooth white finish.  Currently, it is on display in the front window of Mission Fine Art Gallery, San Juan Capistrano, CA.  

Mission Spring Fountain -SOLD

 

Mission Spring Fountain  oil 11x14

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Flowers abound in the Spring at Mission San Juan Capistrano!  A couple of years ago I planted myself in a shady spot and enjoyed painting this view, which is a favorite of other plein air painters as well.  This painting is beautifully custom framed and is currently available in person at Mission Fine Art Gallery, directly across the street from the Mission.  

Sunflower Song

 

Sunflower Song  oil 20x16 inches

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A simple color scheme in yellow, green and blue.  I painted this from life in my studio featuring  a pitcher that belonged to my grandmother.  This piece is in a handsome custom wood frame, dark, distressed with gold lip.  Pictured below.    

Apples Again

 

Apples Again  oil 6x6

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In January I had a lull in the action.  Like everyone, I have my ups and downs, and sometimes take a break from painting for maybe a week or two.  When I come back to the easel I expect to feel rusty, so I paint what's familiar: apples.  This is a pretty little painting in person.  It really did not cooperate for the camera.  All my work is sold satisfaction guaranteed.  If you don't think it's better than the picture here, return it for a full refund!

IN OTHER NEWS:  Today I recieved the good news that my painting Camelias & Bordeaux has been jurited into Oil Painters Of America's Salon Show in Georgia.  This was my first time entering an OPA National Show, so I'm very grateful to be included.  

OTHER OTHER NEWS:  I have a few openings in my May 22-23 Workshop.  If you're interested in more info, email me!  karenwernerart@gmail.com    

Afternoon Angel

 

Afternoon Angel  oil 12x9

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For a few days in January I repeatedly walked past this scene just off my kitchen slider; my mother's patio set from the sixties, an angel statue I had given her, and the last few roses left after winter pruning.  The light shining through the little white pitcher and rose petals caught my eye day after day until I set up to paint it.  See the tiny skull shape on the far right?  It's a little pot with succulent, a little thank you gift from a kind person who took a workshop from me.  

Jacaranda Too

 

Jacaranda Too  acrylic 9x12 inches

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In January I purchased a set of acrylic paints.  I wondered what it would be like to work with a medium so fluid, vibrant in color, and fast drying.  Turns out it's a lot of fun!  This is my first painting in acrylic. For a bit of familiarity I used one of my own oil paintings for reference.  For exploring any new medium, a good starting point is a subject you have already done in your familiar medium.  

You can see this tree in San Juan Capistrano right across the street from the new Mission Basillica.  This was a little Mexican Restaurant, but I think it has changed hands having not survived the pandemic shut down.  The tree continues on.  

Afternoon Tea With Lewis & Rossetti

 

Afternoon Tea With Lewis & Rossetti  12x12 oil

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I painted this in my backyard on a warm January day.  Tea and gingersnaps with two good reads: CS Lewis and poetry by Christina Rossetti.  This painting in on a homemade panel with rough tooth, so the painting is full of texture. 

 

I have a few spots open in my May 22-23 Workshop.  Open to beginners and intermediate painters in oil.  Email for more info: karenwernerart@gmail.com

Winter Bouquet

 

Winter Bouquet  oil 12x12 inches

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Taupe is an illusive color.  Not quite gray, not tan, not beige.  In this piece, my goal was a dominantly neutral painting.  I experimented with raw umber in my color mixes.  Better in person.  

NEWS FOR SUBSCRIBERS:  These emails with my new posts come to you via Feedburner.  I have just been informed by Feedburner that come July 1 this service will no longer be available.  I hope to copy my subscriber list and find/install a new service.  I hope I don't lose any of you in the process!  There is nothing subscribers need to do, but I wanted you to know what's up.   

Ginger Jar Mums

 

Ginger Jar Mums  oil 8x8  

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These mums came with the house.  All my pots of mums that come from the grocery store end up in a hidden corner of my backyard where they grow and bloom over and over again.  When we bought our house the previous "lady of the house" (boy, that's an old term!), planted her mums there also, so I have a nice variety.  The easiest flower to paint is a daisy type in my opinion.  They typically have a large circular center with one or two rows of petals coming out.  Sunflowers qualify also.  This type of flower can be painted simply which gives it a fresh, not overworked look.  I paint the center first, then the petals in shadow, followed by the petals in the light.  When the stems, leaves and vase are in I "cut in" around the flowers with the background color, This allows for some soft edges and irregularity of petal shape and placement.  Easy peasy!  And fresh.  

I have two spots open in my May 22-23 Workshop.  Email for more info: karenwernerart@gmail.com

Autumn Lillies

 

Autumn Lillies   12x9 oil 

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Of the Fall paintings, this is my favorite.  This photo is a little blurry.  If you buy this painting, I'm pretty sure you'll love how it looks in person. Even so, I always offer a money back guarantee for all my work purchased online.  You can read my Return Policy details by clicking the link above.  

Small Joys

 

Small Joys   oil 8x8 inches

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I very much enjoy painting on a square format.  This design in particular is typical of my work.  The eye moves around the painting. Nothing is smack dab in the center.  The weight of the vase and sunflower is balanced by the tangerine and foliage above.  Objects are unequal distances apart, and there is a variety of sizes and shapes.  I think about these things when I compose a still life.  I hope you like it!

Flowers & Grapes

 

Flowers & Grapes  oil 12x9 inches

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Here's a floral I did in November. I hope you like it. I love painting the colors of Fall,  but weather-wise, give me Spring and Summer!  Finally I have pole beans sprouting, bulbs blooming and California poppies popping with color.  I've been working on a large beach scene from a photo which is not my favorite way to work.  Can't wait to get out to paint!  If you celebrate Easter or Passover, I hope it's a happy and meaningful one with family and friends!  

IN OTHER NEWS: There are two openings in my May 22-23 Workshop.  Email me for more info:karenwernerart@gmail.com

Great news!  Recently Oil Painters of America invited me to write a post for their blog.  It published last Monday, March 29.  The title: STILL LIFE: More Than What You Might Think.  To read it, click here. 

The American Impressionist Society's National Juried Small Works Showcase has opened in Charleston, SC at Reinart Fine Art, and runs through April 30.  I am grateful to be included in the show with the piece below, Toast & Jam  12x12.  I'm not able to be there, so if you visit the show, please take a picture of my painting and email it to me!  Thank you!

Toast & Jam  oil 12x12

Tea By Candlelight

 

Tea By Candlelight  oil 9x12 inches

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One of the great benefits of art posted on social media is the way one artist can inspire other artists.  In November an artist I follow had painted a glowing candle.   Here's mine.  I especially enjoyed capturing the light glowing through the wax at the top of the candle.  That teacup is part of my wedding registry dishes from 47 years ago!  The floribunda roses are wide open, becoming a jumble of petals.   

Tootsies -SOLD

 

Tootsies   oil 6x6 inches

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Leftover Halloween candy gladly posed for a portrait.  I dropped a big handful onto the table surface and with some minor adjustments, proceeded slowly.  In a complicated scene like this the trick is to slow way down and enjoy yourself.  The only ones I really love to eat are the fruity ones.  But as soon as I pop one in my mouth a little voice in my head says "bettter be careful, you could lose a crown."  Must be my dentist.  I painted more of them than I ate.  

Tea & Hydrangeas

 

Tea & Hydrangeas  oil 8x8 in.  

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This little 8x8 has a springy feel, though it was painted in November.  We have an atrium near our front door where hydrangeas thrive.  They grow as tall as 6 feet and produce pink blossoms.  A few years ago I learned that in the Pacific Northwest, where soil is more acidic, the same hydrangea will produce blue blossoms.  Interesting.  Tbis is my first attempt at painting their delicate blooms.  It turned out to be less difficult than I thought.  I like the the softness and the lost edge in the upper left.  

Eat Your Broccoli

 

Eat Your Broccoli   oil 10x10 inches

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The is the last of my Eat Your Veggies series.  I painted these last October, so basically I paint faster than I post on my blog!  If you would like to see what I'm currently painting on a regular basis, please follow me on Instagram.  Last week I spent the week planting a veggie garden.  We had wonderful warm sunshine, so I did some digging and tilling, and sowing of seeds and seedlings: tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, pole beans, zuccini, carrots, and cucumbers.  This week we have cold rain and even a bit of tiny hail yesterday.  Good for the garden!  In a rainstorm I thank God for being able to paint still life in my cozy studio.  What do you enjoy doing during a rainstorm?

IN OTHER NEWS:  I have opened two in person Paint The Lively Still Life workshops.  Dates: April 24-25 and May 22-23.  Beginner/Intermediate  6 MAX.  Location: Upland, CA.  Email me for more info/to register.  

Eat Your Corn

 

Eat Your Corn     oil 10x10 inches

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The second in my Eat Your Veggies series.  This one was so much fun!  My favorite part of this painting is the onion.  I buy the large sweet onions.  They have such pretty color and mild flavor. I enjoy the challenge of painting something intricate such as the kernels of corn in a way that suggests, rather than each kernel tightly perfect. Design-wise, this painting has a variety of sizes and shapes.  Many vegetables and fruits are round, so for good design I always try to include line: the edges of the white cloth, the green onion, and the corn cob.  This painting is ready to hang.  

Eat Your Carrots

Eat Your Carrots   oil 10x10 inches

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This painting is part of my short series titled "Eat Your Veggies."  One sold in the exhibit I painted them for.  There are three available for purchase.  The paintings are on cradled wood panel and framed.  I very much enjoyed the smooth surface.  My favorite part of this piece is the purple rubber band.  Does this make you want to eat some veggies, or make some vegetable soup? 

 

Lovely Radishes

 

Lovely Radishes  oil 6x6 

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I've painted radishes a few times, but I think this one is my all time favorite.  The green leaves wilt SO quickly that I painted them first, as fast and simply as I could.  Reflected light from the white cloth up onto the radishes gave them a soft, almost frosty look.  To me, there is a delicacy here that I don't often capture.  I hope someone will love it as much as I do.