Olives

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here. It's a lot of fun painting something that is squeezed tight into a jar. The shapes are altered with the squeeze, and there are little tiny bits of light and shadow within the jar. These are Graber Spanish Olives. They are located in Ontario, CA and family owned since 1894! They cure and can tree ripened olives. Yum. If you go to "labels" below, and click on "Graber", you'll see my other paintings/posts related to Graber.

Old Clown

oil 9x12 inches Purchase info here. When I was a little girl growing up in Southern California, my parents, my brother and I sailed to Catalina Island on the old SS Catalina, also known as the Great White Steamer. It was a 301-foot steamship built in 1924 that provided passenger service on the 26-mile passage to Catalina Island from 1924 to 1975. On board, a clown wandered around entertaining the kids. Clowns were fun back then. How on earth have they become scary now??? Anyway, because it was my birthday that day, he gave me this clown. He's been around for a loooong time! I hope this painting conjures up good chilhood memories for its viewers.

Hot In The Gallery

oil 11x14 During September's 30 days of painting I spent a day sitting my friend's galllery, Studio C, in Claremont, CA. As you can see, the current exhibit was entitled "Hot, Hot, Hot!" I wheeled her utility cart into the display area to create some interest below the work on display. When the quarantine is lifted, plan to visit Claremont Village an support all those small businesses. In Studio C, you'll find all kinds of creative things from local artists. Take a walk around the village and have lunch or dinner at one of the many little restaurants.

One Bossy Berry

oil 6x8 Purchase info here. Strawberries are a frequent subject for me. I do enjoy painting reds! I didn't really feel like painting that day, but I was half way through the Strada 30 Day challenge. I kept changing the background until this icy blue seemed right. Do you paint when you don't feel like it? It's an interesting experience and in my opinion, a good thing to do. Sometimes inspiration/motivation comes after I show up at the easel. Surprisingly enough, this little painting got a lot of interest on Instagram. You just never know what will resonate with people.

Gallery Still Life from the Randy Higbee Gallery

oil 12x12 inches Purchase info here. In September The California Art Club met at the Randy Higbee Gallery for a Paint Out. This is my painting from that wonderful day. In these days of quarantine that memory is even more precious; making new artist friends, doing what I love with others who love it too, and enjoying a delicious lunch together. There were about 30 of us there that day. Some chose to paint various still lifes that had been skillfully set up for us, and others painted from the live model. It's hard to describe the overwhelming positive energy in the room. It was a great day! I hope there are more days like that ahead, and I hope you are well and finding things to keep you busy. I haven't posted much, but I've been busy painting, sewing masks for nurses, crocheting beanies, even trying my hand at crochet bead necklaces. Staying home this long is mentally challenging! What are you doing to keep busy?

Primaries On Gray

oil 6x6 inches FRAMED and ready to hang. This little gem is available through Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, Laguna Beach, CA. All sales are currently online. Contact the gallery at 949-280-1555 to inquire.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

oil 6x8 inches Purchase info here.

Spicy Slices

oil 8x8 Purchase info here.

In Her Shadow

oil 8x8 Purchase info here. On September 16th I was thinking about my mother. It was her birthday. It felt right to paint something of hers. These are two in her set of knock-off Russian nesting dolls. The statement and feeling evoked in this painting was unplanned. As I painted I thought about mothers and daughters. I wondered if there are other grown women like myself who feel small and overshadowed by the memories of their mothers.

A Good Read

oil 6x8 inches Available through Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, Laguna Beach, CA. The gallery is currently closed, and all sales are online. To inquire Email: vanessarothe@icloud.com or call 949-280-1555.

Crueller, Coffee & Cream

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here. The paintings I've been posting lately are all from September's Strada Easel Challenge: paint from life every day of September. One of my favorite color combinations is here; pink/red and orange. Then I decided on green as a secondary color complement. Thus, color harmony with a sweet subject. I have a collection of coffee cups. This "50's Cup" as I call it, brings to mind some good old days. Mom drinking Folgers poured from the Farberware electric percolator. She would ask me to put in the half & half until it was "just the right color."

Just A Bite

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here. Such a beautiful and luscious fruit! I could use some watermelon and sunshine right now, how 'bout you?

Juicy Big & Little

oil 10x10 inches Purchase info here.

Nectarines On Greens

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here. How 'bout some color to brighten your day? I hope these nectarines find you well and content with the temporary slower pace of life. I'm finding more time to paint, read, and do projects around the house. If you're interested, I recently posted six time lapse videos of my latest painting (16x20) on my Instagram page. Just do a search on IG for karenwernerart. Stay well, my friends!

SOLD Apples & Poms-Some Gallery News

In & Out Apples 6x6 SOLD Vanessa Rothe Fine Art

Backyard Poms 8x8 SOLD Vanessa Rothe Fine Art. I'm very pleased to announce the recent sale of these two small pieces at Vanessa Rothe Fine Art. Thank you, Vanessa! Vanessa's gallery is as beautiful as they come. Located at 418 Ocean Avenue in Laguna Beach, it's a quaint cottage chock full of California, Russian and French Impressionism as well as contemporary realism. In November, Vanessa approached me about carrying my small works. I'm so grateful! Below is a sneak peak at a few paintings on their way to the gallery soon. Be sure to visit when you're in Laguna Beach. For more info on Vanessa Rothe Fine Art, click here. Thank YOU for following my work by reading my blog posts. Stay healthy!

Sunny In Blue 8x8

Backyard Still Life

Lemon Glow

oil 6x8 inches Purchase info here. Does this look like an orange slice? Nope. It's the beautiful warm yellow glow of a Meyer lemon. When tree ripened, they are definetely not a grocery store lemon yellow. IN OTHER NEWS: I still have openings in my March 21-22 Workshop. Learn how to simplify and put life and light into your paintings! Email me for more info karenwernerart@gmail.com

Honey Bear & Lemon

oil 6x8 inches Purchase info here. I enjoy trying to capture translucency. Sometimes I have more difficulty coming up with a title than I do executing the painting. I could title this "Throat Soothers." By the way, Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Coffee & Cream SOLD

oil 6x6 inches Purchase info here.

Green Apple With Mums -SOLD

oil 8x8 inches Purchase info here.

Lemons Sing Backup

oil 6x8 inches Purchase info here. I have a few spaces left in my UPCOMING WORKSHOPS: March 21-22 and April 25-26. These are held in my studio in Upland, CA. For more info email me at: karenwernerart@gmail.com