Backyard Apples

oil 6x8 inches Purchase info here. Painting number one from September's 30 paintings in 30 days for the Strada Easel Challenge. I didn't win an easel, but September gave me lots of practice and self-discipline! We don't know what kind of apple tree we have, but who cares! It produced hundreds of sweet, juicy apples last fall.

Once A Marine, Always A Marine -a plein air painting from Los Rios Historic District, San Juan Capistrano

oil 9x12 Purchase info here. When I visit San Juan Capistrano, I'm always drawn to this little old house. I have painted it once before. My father and son were both Marines. I love the fact that so many old retired Marines, proud of their service and their country, still fly the USMC flag. I painted this when the afternoon light was behind the house, and shone through the canna lillies. It was a lot of fun trying to capture that light and the character of the house.

Signs At Capistrano- a plein air painting from the Historic Los Rios District

oil 11x14 Purchase info here. In August I joined the PAM Painters for a painting day in San Juan Capistrano. This is the first of two paintings I did on location that day. I was drawn to the light and shadow, the rustic old building, and the sign post almost hidden in the planter.

A Fruity Wine

oil 10x10 Purchase info here. You might wonder why I include wine bottles in my still life so often. They provide a strong vertical anchor to the design, taking the scene up and breaking up the top horizontal edge of the picture plane. The labels often echo the colors in fruit, creating unity and color harmony. The green bottles are often very very dark so they add value contrast. Wine is festive, and adds to the upbeat feel of the work. There you have it! IN OTHER NEWS: I'm really looking forward to demonstrating in Huntington Beach on Wednesday! For more info, see my December 30th post.

Loose Fruit

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here.

Little Bird's Cherry

oil 4x6 Purchase info here. I'm so far behind in my blog posts!! I painted this little one back in July. I hope you had a great Christmas or Hannukah, and have high hopes for the new year! DEMO COMING: January 8, Huntington Beach Art League, Senior Center in the Park, 18041 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA. 7:00pm. I'll paint a still life from life, talk about my process and I'll donate a small oil toward the raffle. Open to the public.

Backlit

oil 6x8 Purchase info here. With this painting I played with the effects of backlighting on semi-transluscent objects, their edges and reflected color. The painting is better in person, as alizarin crimson (dark red areas) does not photograph well. IN OTHER NEWS: In Claremont, CA I currently have work at the following venues: Studio C (on Bonita) carries a few of my petite unframed gems. Square i Gallery (on Harvard) has 4 paintings in it's December 11x11 Show. Integrated Bodywork (on Indian Hill) has 16 available paintings hanging through the end of January. In Laguna Beach The Vanessa Rothe Gallery currently has 4 available. In all your holiday shopping, I hope you'll consider making purchases from artists like me who create one of a kind fine art not found in stores!

Sand & Sun

oil 9x12 inches Purchase info here. Temperatures are dropping, three days of rain are coming along with snow in our local mountains. Boy, does this scene look inviting!!! Here's what happens when painting figures in plein air: The chosen subject was two adults in chairs and their little girl standing with a BIG bow in her hair. I took a pic of the figures, because I knew thay'd move. The girl went down to the water of course. I drew the two chairs. The third adult arrived! Drew in the third chair. Took more pics. Drew the two women. They ALL got up and left for about an hour. Drew the man from my pic. Started painting the chairs, then figures from memory. They came back and put up the umbrella. Added the umbrella, changed the skin tones under the umbrella to tones in shade. Painted the umbrella, shadows under the chairs, sunlit sand and water. Whew! It was a lot of fun to paint such a fluid situation and I was really lucky that the subject kept getting better!

Laguna Palms

oil 9x12 inches Purchase info here. Painted on location, this is another piece I painted during the Jim McVicker workshop in June. The sun came out for us that afternoon, giving stark contrast between the lit background and trees in deep shadow.

Laguna Coves SOLD

oil 9x12 inches Purchase info here. In June I took a plein air painting workshop taught by Jim McVicker. It was a wonderful experience, and this is my favorite of the four paintings I completed. The days were cloudy ("June Gloom", we call it) with the sun trying to burn through by afternoon. It's a difficult type of atmosphere to capture. With Jim's expert coaching, I think I got it. IN OTHER NEWS: I just hung 16 paintings in Claremont at INTEGRATIVE BODYWORK. 114 N. Indian Hill Blvd, Front Suite, Claremont, CA. Thank you to Suzannce Snijder van Wissenkerke for the opportunity. So if you're near Claremont, stop in and browse, or plan to stop in on CLAREMONT ARTWALK NIGHT, DECEMBER 7, 6-9pm. Refreshments served. My work will hang through January.

Bottle & Glass

oil 12x9 inches Purchase info here. A painting from May. Some of my favorite subjects are here; wine bottles and glass. The small white flowers are fun too. When I paint small flowers, I know it's futile (and not at all fun) to try and paint each petal. Instead, I squint way down to see each blossom as just a basic shape. I usually paint the greens first, leaving the blossom shapes unpainted. I then paint the shadow side of the blossoms the right shape, value and color. Last, I paint the light side of the blossoms the right shape, value and color. I also focus on varying the size, shape, and placement of each blossom. A random look gives flowers a natural appearance.

Key Lime Pie -sold

oil 6x6 SOLD Key lime pie is one of my favorite desserts. I sacrificed the last piece for this painting. Thank you to Bunny Gunner Gallery, Claremont,CA for the sale of this painting.

Honey & Lemon -SOLD

oil 6x6 inches SOLD Beautiful local raw honey and home grown lemons. Thank you to Bunny Gunner gallery for the sale of this painting included in the show "All You Can Eat." IN OTHER NEWS: Mark your calendars! The PADUA HILLS ART FIESTA is coming soon! NOVEMBER 3 from 11am to 4pm. Located at the historic Padua Hills Theatre, Claremont, CA. This is my first year exhibiting my work as an invited artist. I'll also be painting from life as time allows. Click HERE for more info. I hope to see you there!

Cheesecake & The Big Berry SOLD

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. Coming up with titles for so many paintings is always a fun challenge. I thought about the children's book James And The Giant Peach for this one. Maybe this one would fit too: Does This Cheesecake Make My Berry Look Big? LOL! I have a simple contemporary frame on hand if you would like to add it to your purchase. Email for details: karenwernerart@gmail.com IN OTHER NEWS: On Monday I completed the Strada Easel September Challenge: paint or draw from life every day for 30 days. Here is a montage of all my work for the month. (missing one by accident). You can see them all on Instagram, or eventually they will be posted here one by one. In a future post I'll share what I learned by painting every single day.

Oranges In Aqua

oil 6x6 Purchase info here. Another in my June series of painted edibles. Orange and aqua are interesting together. Do you agree? I have a frame available for this painting, or purchase unframed. Email me for info on the frame: karenwernerart@gmail.com

Granny Got Grapes

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. A simple contemporary frame is available for this piece. Email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com

Grapes On Green

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. Another painting from June. Grapes are one of my favorite subjects to paint. I love trying to capture the luminosity. A simple contemporary frame is available to add to your purchase if you like. Email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com for details. These little 6x6's are part of a series I did. They would hang well as a grouping on your wall! More coming up!

Fresh Picked

oil 6x6 Purchase info here. This little painting is even fresher looking in person! You can purchase unframed or add a simple frame to your purchase if you like. Purchase through the link above, then email me for the details on frame. karenwernerart@gmail.com

Really Red Radishes

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. A painting from June. This painting is available unframed or framed in a contemporary black floater, 1 in. wide. Purchase through link above, then email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com to purchase the frame by Paypal bill. No additional shipping.

Orange Glow

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. This little gem is painted from an orange off of our navel orange tree. They are sweet and juicy! They peel messy, and the juice runs down your arm. You can purchase this painting in a contemporary black floater frame. Purchase the painting using the link above, then email me at karenwernerart@gmail.com to purchase the frame by Paypal bill. IN OTHER NEWS: I've been busy busy, taking part in the Strada Easel Painting Challenge. 30 paintings in the 30 days of September. Follow me on Instagram: karenwernerart to see them all!