Fiesta Mums

oil 12x12 inches Purchase info here. Here we have some objects pulled together by color harmony. The Fiestaware pitcher is a gift from a friend, mums from our yard, old books from a thrift store and old clippers from my parent's house, all on a fabric sample. The result is color harmony with a variety of textures and shapes. I really enjoyed painting this one. There's a bit of glare on the left side of the image. Just know that the rich darks you see on the right side are also on the left side!

Jacaranda

oil 8x10 inches Purchase info here. In the springtime Jacaranda trees in Southern California are just spectacular. I found this one near Mission San Jan Capistrano in front of a little Mexican restaurant. Jacarandas always remind me of my mom. She was not an artist, but had an eye for nature's beauty. "Kids, would you look at those Jacarandas!", she'd say. That was back in the days when kids with no seat belts looked out big car windows.

Still Life With Corn - Award Winner!

oil 12x16 inches, 15 1/2 X 19 1/2 framed. Purchase info here. Still Life With Corn was awarded BEST OF SHOW in Associated Artists of the Inland Empire's 2018 Annual Fall Juried Show. My sincere thanks to Associated Artists and the judges. Custom frame description: solid dark wood with deep red undertones and antique gold lip. The painting is still available and may be easily purchased online by clicking the link below the painting. If you live in Southern California, I will hand deliver and refund the shipping fee. Questions? Email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com

Summer Fruit -SOLD

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here. Here are a couple of my favorite things to paint; light shining through oranges and juicy ripe strawberries. It has been a rough few months for me with a reoccurring illness. I've been able to paint in between when up to it. I'm still not out of the woods, but hopeful. Meanwhile, some very GOOD news! My painting "Bloom & Sparkle" is on it's way to Fish Creek Wisconsin for The American Impressionist Society's National Exhibit. I feel very grateful to be included. Peninsula School Of Art, Fish Creek Wisconsin, Sept.27-Oct.28th. Also recently Associated Artists of The Inland Empire awarded me Best of Show in their Annual Fall Juried Show! More details on that in my next post.

Scooter -SOLD

oil 10x8 inches Purchase info here. Painted from my photo reference taken on Balboa Island, Newport Beach.

Pollinator -SOLD

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here. On a Spring hike in Moro Canyon, Laguna Beach I took pictures of 22 different wildflowers along the trail. That winter we had been blessed with some rain. Painting the bee was extra fun. Here's a detail shot:

Iris In The Lavender

oil 8x6 inches Purchase info here. While on a Spring walk around our neighborhood I noticed a lovely patch of irises and lavender. I used my photo reference for this little painting. IN OTHER NEWS: I've had several paintings go collectors recently, which makes me very happy. Thank you to all of you who follow and subscribe to my blog. The purchase process is easy and my shipping is fast should you see something that you want to make yours! Follow me on Instagram (karenwernerart) and see the most current photos and easel shots. Visit my new WEBSITE: karenwernerart.com Visit my GALLERY on DailyPaintworks by clicking on the link located in the right column of my blog.

Roses & Ribbon

oil 10x10 inches Purchase info here. Roses from my yard. With any bouquet of flowers in a clear vase or jar, I always think that what is visible inside the water is as pretty as the flowers themselves.

Rainiers On Blue -SOLD

oil 6x6 Purchase info here.

Rainiers On Green -SOLD

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. This is a pretty little painting that refused to pose well for a picture! Wish you could see it in person.

Don't Look Up Here - a plein air painting of The Crab Cooker, Newport Beach -SOLD

oil 12x12 inches. Purchase info here. I'm back! July was a rough month full of one malady after another. Glad that's over!!! It's time to catch up. The Crab Cooker is an iconic restaurant in Newport Beach that holds memories for an untold number of Southern California families and visitors as well. Great food and fun decor, like the signs that say; "Don't look up here!" and my favorite; "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." New heavy construction right next door damaged the old foundation, so this year it's due to be torn down and rebuilt. People are scrambling to eat there and artists are scrambling to paint it before the tear down. My chance came in June. I stood on a narrow meridian in the street and painted until I felt a bit blinded, then treated myself to their Manhattan Clam Chowder and a shrimp cocktail. Yum! I added the figures the next day in my studio.

Peachy

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here. I took a different approach with this piece, using an eggbert brush, which allowed for lighter, less controlled mark making. I also mixed paint on the canvas for the subtle color shifts in the peaches. I'm happy with the texture here.

Bloom & Sparkle

                                                       Bloom & Sparkle   oil 10x10 inches

Purchase info here.

 I'm happy to announce that this painting was recently juried in to The American Impressionist Society's 19th Annual National Juried Exhibition! Peninsula School of Art, Fish Creek, Wisconsin. September 27-October 28.

Umbrellas On The Beach -SOLD

oil 9x12 inches Purchase info here. I painted this one quickly one afternoon during paint San Clemente. Artists can only submit two paintings, and this one didn't make the cut. The couple sitting in the chair packed up to leave and then discovered I'd put them in my painting. That was a fun moment! I have this one priced low since it's just a quick sketch.

Flowers In My Kitchen -SOLD

oil 12x12 inches Purchase info here. I painted this piece from a photo I took in my kitchen. My favorite part is the small bowl. Below are some photos from last week at Paint San Clemente. The three paintings pictured are available for purchase at the San Clemente Community Center Gallery through August 2. For more info on how to purchase, email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com

My quick draw "Semper Fi" 12x12 inches.

"Every Sunday Morning" 12x12 inches

"Calafia Cliffs" 11x14 inches

Camp Truck, 1948

oil 11x14 Purchase info here. A few weeks ago we camped for the first time at Silver Lake, which is in the Sierras on the June Lake Loop. Wow! What scenery! Couldn't wait to paint, but instead we were waiting out a vicious wind. After about two days, I set up to paint this scene. Even though I anchored my tripod, everything was moving, including my brush. I had a good start (looked like a drunk painted it, but I liked it!). Then a gust of about 75-80 mph. hit and forced me to pack up. I finished in the studio using my photo references. IN OTHER NEWS: Friday I'll go south to San Clemente to participate in Paint San Clemente Quick Draw and Plein Air Competition. It's my first time, and I'm really excited to find inspiring scenes in an unfamiliar locale. Follow my adventures on Facebook: Karen Laster Werner and Instagram: KarenWernerArt.

April Workshop Demo

oil 8x8 Purchase info here.

Little Bird

oil 4x4 inches Purchase info here. We just returned from a trip to Idaho. Catching up on my posting. When my painting time is short, I enjoy doing a simple 4x4 like this. This little painting would look sweet in a tiny easel sitting on a shelf.

Dock & Dinghy -a plein air painting from Balboa Island -SOLD

oil 11x14 inches This is one of the many paintings I'll have in my display at the Balboa Island Artwalk this coming Sunday. Don't miss the fun! One hundred artists along South Bayfront. Art of all kinds and live music too. Hours are 9-5. Park in the Balboa Pier Parking lot and take the ferry on foot across to the island. Stepping off the ferry, turn left onto the sidewalk and you'll find me.

Joyful

oil 11x14 inches Purchase info here. Last month I participated in "Art Uncorked" in Chino. While folks sipped wine and sampled local foods, I busied myself painting this. Music, food and friendly folks made for a pleasant painting atmosphere. I think that feeling came through in the painting. I want to sincerely thank Jane who added to her collection of my works with the purchase of two new paintings. Below are some other shots related to the event.