Cinnamon Stop -a plein air painting from Balboa Island -SOLD

oil 8x8 inches magnify Blue Chair Bakery on Marine Ave. has the most delicious cinnamon rolls! I started painting during the morning overcast and added the light near the end of my painting session. Cars and people came and went. I snapped shots of people on the bench as I painted and added them in last. No time to eat a cinnamon roll, but I treated myself the next morning. This painting is framed and available at Huse Gallery, 229 Marine Ave., Suite E, Balboa Island, CA. 949-723-6171

Morning Walk -a plein air painting from Balboa Island, CA -sold

oil 12x9 inches magnify I chose a nice cool spot Wednesday morning. The street lamps were still on when I started. The sun eventually broke through. This view is looking toward "the little island" from Balboa. The painting is framed and available at Huse Gallery, 229 Marine Ave., Suite E, Balboa Island, CA. 949-723-6171. This is one of my favorites from the week, having a quiet peaceful feel to it. WORKSHOP NEWS: I have one space in my October 8-9 Workshop, and three spots in my November 5-6 Workshop. We paint still life from life in my large studio building in Upland. Limited to 6 students, you'll get a lot of individual coaching. Suitable for beginners with some experience and intermediate painters. If you're in Southern California, treat yourself to some good instruction. One of my recent attendees told me, "I feel like I got two years of art school in two days!" For more info, email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com I'll email you a description of the content and cost.

Pots, Pots, Pots! -a plein air painting from Balboa Island

oil 10x8 inches magnify On Tuesday afternoon, the second day of Just Plein Fun, I walked the island looking for shade and inspiration. Specifically, inspiration IN the shade! The multiple pots at this little cottage caught my eye. I have a thing for potted plants myself. I loved the reds against blues and that small pot directly in front of the open Dutch door. I thought about leaving out the giant pot in the foreground, but maybe the golden color might be a nice foil to the others, and maybe it would lead the eye in to the focal point. Sometimes you have to entertain some maybes. Your comments are always welcome. This painting is available at Huse Gallery, 229 Marine Ave. Suite E, Balboa Island, CA. 949-723-6171

Wearing my nametag backwards so it won't create it's own little painting on my shirt. Tomorrow I'll have sinus surgery. I might not be posting for a while.

Bouys & Boats -a plein air painting from Balboa Island

oil 12x9 inches and framed. magnify Monday, August 1st was pretty warm on the island and I ended up painting in direct sun. So by Tuesday I took advantage of morning overcast. At first, no sun and shadow, but they were both on the way, so I planned to add the lights at the end of my painting session. Available at Debra Huse Gallery, 229 Marine Ave, Suite E, Balboa Island, CA 949-723-6171

Island Posse -a plein air painting from Balboa Island -SOLD

oil 12x9 inches magnify Here's first painting last week at "Just Plein Fun" on Balboa Island. I'm very happy to announce that I was awarded Third Place and a Purchase Award for this piece. Thank you to esteemed judge Jean Stern and Debra Huse Gallery. About my process: While setting up and drawing in the design, I had my phone ready and watched for people, interesting cars and such going through the alley. I chose these little kids from the ten shots I took. I then drew in the figures. I painted the entire scene, then the figures from my phone. I love being able to include simple figures in my work. In four and a half days I managed to finish 7 paintings. Someone asked me recently if the pressure of competition gets to me. No. I love the process of painting SO much, I just do my best like I usually do, enjoy myself, then put it out there for people to see. It is what it is. Some will love it, some will like it and some will not. That's art. I'll post all the paintings in upcoming posts. Here's a better photo of the painting.

Winning any award is the icing on the cake. Do I look happy? You betcha!

Cupcake -SOLD

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase info Here's a treat from the Local Baker in Upland. This morning I'm packed up and headed to Balboa Island for Just Plein Fun. I'm SO looking forward to a week of painting in one of my favorite locations!

Lemon Lime -SOLD

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase info July is flying by with not much painting going on here. We spent two weeks in our motorhome visiting family in Idaho and camping in Idaho and Lake Tahoe. Our Idaho granddaughter traveled home with us, so this week we're showing her everything fun in Southern California and that's a lot! IN OTHER NEWS: I'm excited to announce I've been invited again to Balboa Island for the Just Plein Fun Invitational. Come visit Balboa Island next Monday, August 1 through Friday, visit the Debra Huse Gallery to find out where each of the eight artists are painting at any given time. Come to see the gallery fill up with beautiful fresh work created during the week. The Big Brush Off (quick draw) this year is on Sunday and open to amateurs and professionals. For more information, click here.

Donut & Coffee -a still life painting in oil

oil 18x18 magnify/purchase info I loved working this size. This is on gallery wrapped canvas 1 1/2 inches deep, sides painted and ready to hang. If you are interesting in purchasing this piece and live in Southern California (Orange, San Bernardino or LA Counties) I will hand deliver and refund $20 of the shipping fee. I'm hoping to paint a companion piece for this in August. Meanwhile, we're off on a camping trip for a few weeks, so I won't be posting. I hope you're enjoying summer!

Jelly & Coffee

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase info Just catching up on some of the small still life I did in June. This one was right around National Donut Day. I gave it a squeeze for some jelly excitement.

The Busy Bee

oil 12x9 inches magnify/purchase info After a delicious breakfast at Pete's Breakfast House in Ventura, I set up to paint the Busy Bee Diner. The sun came out just long enough to get my shadow shapes in. The rest of my painting session was cool and overcast. Perfect. As I drew in, this classic Corvette pulled up. I snapped some pics before it was gone. It only stayed a few minutes. I finished the painting then used my phone pics to add the car. What a great morning, and I'm very happy with the result. Thank you to my husband who strolled the streets while I painted, checked on me and brought me water.

Campfire -SOLD

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase info And now for something really different! While camping in Ventura this past weekend I had a perfect opportunity to paint my first nocturne. Steve and his family, sitting in front of a classic trailer were very kind and interested in what I was doing. I painted from sundown to 10:30 pm. I didn't have my headlamp with me so I used the camping lantern. I learned SO much! Not being able to see very well meant I had to take my best shot at values, and remember where on the palette I mixed certain colors. The dark piles of paint were harder to see, and that's mostly what I needed! I usually paint on cotton canvas, but this one was linen, so the paint gloriously mooshed around. So much fun! I went to bed a happy camper.

My start, about 20 minutes in.

Tweaking Paintings

oil 8x8 inches magnify/purchase info Haven't you seen this painting before? Yep! I made some changes to things that were bugging me. During a demonstration for a large group, I'm painting while talking at the same time, answering questions, and working much faster than I normally do. Oftentimes I feel they are not my best work. So I tweaked a few things on this one. It is now for sale. Just click on the purchase link above. Also below, I reworked the figure in "Deck Work." This is a plein air piece I did last summer for Just Plein Fun, an invitational on Balboa Island. I decided that a red shirt would bring the focus to the figure that the painting needed. This piece is sold. By the way, I'm very happy to report I have been invited to participate in the same event on Balboa Island this year, August 1-7. Thank you, Debra Huse Gallery!

Workshop Flower & Fruit

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase info Here's one of the demos I did for my last workshop. Below, some pics of this marvelous hard working and fun group. We had a great time! One of the attendees told me the next day, "I feel like I got two years of art school in two days!" And they all survived!

Demo For Rancho -a still life painting in oil

oil 8x8 inches magnify Here's the demonstration I did for Associated Artists of the Inland Empire a week ago today. I may make some minor changes. Haven't made time to do that yet! I taught a workshop with a wonderful group of students this past weekend. Pictures are coming in my next post. Tomorrow, (Friday June 17) I'll be at Studio C in Claremont painting all day with Elizabeth Carr. If you're in So Cal drop by and hang out a while. 260 W. Bonita Avenue. 10am to 6pm.

Watermelon Wedges -a still life painting in oil

oil 8x8 inches magnify/purchase info My first time painting watermelon. What luscious color and the smell...oh my gosh I just wanted to eat it the whole time. When a local fabric store went out of business (boo), I bought a lot of their upholstery fabric samples. You know, those things on the little hangers? The fabric in this painting is one of those; a natural colored linen. That neutral color is perfect for showing off fruit. IN OTHER NEWS: Just finished another watermelon painting as a demo for Associated Artists of the Inland Empire. Photos to come soon. Meanwhile, last Saturday my artist friend, Elizabeth Carr had the Grand Opening of her art studio in Claremont, STUDIO C. She graciously asked me to be her first guest artist. Thank you, my friend, and I wish you mad success! Here are some pics:

BEFORE - It had been a wig shop and "secret" hair salon!

AFTER -Opening Night

Elizabeth and her beautiful work on hanging day.

Some of my work. Elizabeth gave me space to hang over twenty paintings through June. She's so generous and supportive of other artists! IF YOU'RE IN SO CAL BE SURE TO VISIT STUDIO C. 260 W. Bonita Ave. Claremont, CA 91711. Open Tues-Sat 10am to 6pm and Claremont Art Walk Nights, first Saturday of each month 6pm to 10 pm.

Stars, Stripes & Sprinkles -a still life donut and flag painting in oil -SOLD

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase info Hot off the easel for National Donut Day. Go treat yourself to a donut. Or two. I'm pretty sure they're good for you today. In case you're interested in purchasing this painting, please know it needs a week to dry before I ship. Happy National Donut Day!

Still Life With A Nectarine -a still life painting in oil

oil 14x11 inches magnify/purchase info I'd like to invite all my Southern California friends and followers to the Grand Opening of STUDIO C in Claremont. My friend and fellow artist Elizabeth Carr has turned a former hair salon space into a studio/gallery! I know! Amazing, huh??? Come and celebrate with her at the Grand Opening Reception this Saturday night, June 4th from 6-10 pm. It's also Claremont Art Walk Night. She graciously invited me to be her first guest artist for the month of June. Location: 260 W. Bonita Ave, Claremont, CA. 91711. Open Tues through Sat. 10am-6pm and First Saturday Art Walk Nights 6-10 pm. I hope you'll join us for the reception or drop by during the month of June.

Berry Fruity -a still life painting in oil -sold

oil 6x8 inches magnify/purchase info I never get tired of painting fruit. Coming up with titles for them all is another matter.

Rooty Tooty Fresh & Fruity -a still life painting in oil

oil 8x8 inches magnify/purchase info After church on Mother's Day my husband and I had lunch at The Local Baker in old downtown Upland. Years ago I painted one of their pretty fruit tarts so it was time for another. I'm very happy with how this turned out. It's a cheerful painting.

A Floral Affair -a still life painting in oil -SOLD

oil 11x14 inches magnify/purchase info Sunday marks my fourth year participating in the Balboa Island Art Walk. If you're in Southern California, don't miss it! Sunshine, live music and 100 artists along the sea wall. To find me, turn left onto the sidewalk as you step off the ferry.