May Day Mums -a plein air painting from my backyard

 

May Day Mums    oil 9x12 inches

Purchase info here.

On this particular day in May the milder weather enabled me to paint in the sun and thus closer to my subject.  My favorite part of this set up is the blue pot against the brick color in light and shadow.  The closer vantage point allowed for more detail in the little pot of succulents. I have painted the trowel handle in this painting and On The Garden Wall to whatever color would work best for the painting.  It's really a pale green. 

 I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.  We had 8 of us (not all of us) around our table to enjoy an 18 lb. fresh turkey.  (Lots of leftovers!)  Our grandson read aloud Psalm 33.  I recommend reading it if you have some quiet time today.

I'm thankful for many many blessings, including being able to paint almost every day.  I'm sincerely thankful for  all of YOU who follow my painting journey and purchase my work.  

On The Garden Wall

 

On The Garden Wall    oil 9x12 inches

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This is more of my work from April.  It was a very warm day, but the roses and lavender were in full bloom.  I had this beautiful little pot of white mums.  Compelled to do some plein air painting in spite of Covid lockdown and the heat, I positioned myself in shade under both an avocado tree and a beach umbrella.  I had a great time and was happy with the result.  The next day was cooler, so I was able to paint this lovely subject again from a closer vantage point.  That one is coming up next.  

Patio Roses

 

Patio Roses  oil 12x12 inches

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April floribundas from my yard, painted outside on my kitchen porch.  My mother's old patio set depicted dates back to the sixties.  In high school I took geometry during summer school.  I remember sitting in one of these chairs for many days copying "theorums."  At the time, it was the only math class I got an A in because it was visual, and I got to "draw."  At this point in my life I can't even tell you what a theorum is!  

Spring Shadows -a plein air painting from my backyard

 

Spring Shadows   oil 12x9

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In April I had a glorious glob of blooms in my backyard: rannunculus, irises, and various poppies.  They really were this dense.  The shadows cast over the edge of the concrete caught my eye too.  I eyed them for several days thinking about what time window would be best.  I set up in early afternoon knowing the shadows would get longer, but I'd need to stick to my original draw in.  I worked fast to keep it loose. It was a good challenge.   

Lemon & Mustard

 

Lemon & Mustard   oil 10x10

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Another exercise in a limited color scheme; this time yellow and blue.  This and my previous painting, Circle The Yellows are reduced in price for a 10x10.  (Just in case you've been wanting to purchase, but are looking for a deal! ) 

Circle The Yellows

 

Circle The Yellows  oil 10x10

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Here's a work that employs a very limited color scheme.  

Upstaged Apple And Some News -SOLD

 

Upstaged Apple     oil 11x14

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Here's a painting from my work back in April.  The rich darks are diffult to photograph, so it's even better in person.  This is more of a classical approach, which I enjoy once in a while.  

In Other News:  Part of my trip to St. George and The American Impressionist Society's National Exhibit included participating in the Plein Air Competition.  I painted over several days, and could submit one piece for judging.  I'm extremely happy to announce that I won Best Of Show for the paint out!  Thank you to AIS and judge William Schneider for recognizing my work.  The painting titled "Snow Canyon" is currently available through Illume Gallery, St. George, Utah.

 Here are some photos:

Night Pumpkin -SOLD

 

Night Pumpkin   oil 6x6  

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Happy Halloween!  I'm a little late with my little pumpkin.  Nevertheless, this little five inch smooth-sided pumpkin got carved and did his best to attract trick-or-treaters last night, but not a single one showed up!  We've got a lot of candy to eat.  

I took a trip to St. George, Utah last week for the American Impressionist Society's Annual National Juried Exhibition.  I had a great time and have some exciting news to share in my next post.  

For now, in keeping with the Halloween theme, below is a whimsical painting from St. George's Red Hills Garden.  The botanical garden was decorated throughout with little scenes created by local groups and businesses.  A retirement home came up with this one!  I call it "Dessert For Spooky Seniors."

Studious Bird

 

Studious Bird  oil 8x8 inches

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What a switch from my last post!  Dark and traditional.  I have a small collection of ceramic and glass birds.  I think of all the animals in creation, I find birds the most fascinating.  With little tiny "bird brains," they navigate their migration without maps, build intricate nests and protect their young.  They FLY! (I mean, think about that for a few minutes!)  One of my reocurring dreams is that by flapping my arms I can lift myself above ground and float wherever I want to go.  Do you ever sit outside just to quietly watch and listen to birds?  

Magic Shoes

 

Magic Shoes  oil 8x10 inches

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And now for something different!  This was an experiment in invented color.  I used a triad I would normally never use:  viridian, alizarin and lemon yellow.  All very cool in temperature, yeilded an icy looking painting.  

Lucky Lemon -SOLD

 

Lucky Lemon  original oil 12x12 inches

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Status and a Meyer lemon from our yard with the addition of some grocery store flowers.  A cheerful painting!  I have the perfect frame for this piece.  Email me if you'd like to purchase it framed.  karenwernerart@gmail.com

Visiting Crystal Cove

 

Visting Crystal Cove  

 a plein air painting in oil 9x12 inches

Click on image to enlarge. 

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This is the last painting done during my February camping trip at Crystal Cove,  My backpack had nearly washed away in the morning, but I felt I had gotten a pretty good painting.  I ate my sack lunch and settled in on this building which is part of the visitors center.  While working I noticed this man (probably a volunteer with Crystal Cove Conservancy) walking around inviting children to come and do a craft. I remember hearing the appreciation of the mothers and excitement of the children showing what they had done.  The gentleman sat down just long enough for me to add him in, with a little head in the opposite chair.  If you're familiar with this scene, you'll know that the staircase leads up to the Shake Shack on PCH.  I hope this painting brings up your own memories of Crystal Cove.    

Between Storms

 

Between Storms   oil 9x12 inches

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Overlooking Pacific Coast Highway at Abalone Point from Moro Campground. I had just enough time to get set up and paint this one before the winds picked up bringing in the next rainstorm.  

Sunny Day Cottage & Some Workshop Demos

 

Sunny Day Cottage -an original oil 12x9 inches

Painted on location at Crystal Cove Historic District

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In March I camped for a few days at Crystal Cove State Beach.  It rained most of the time, but I was able to paint between storms.  On the one predicted sunny day I took my first Uber to the historic district.  I got two paintings in that day.  I had just the right vantage point for this one, but apparently too close to the surf.  A surprise wave came up and swept my backpack into the nearby creek.  My tripod stayed put!  I was so relieved that my phone was in my apron, not my backpack!  Lesson learned.  And another:  I did the next painting with a drippy roll of Viva paper towels and they still worked!  I came home from camping and the quarantine and lock downs began.  So long ago, it seems.

Here are a few demos from my recent workshop.  It will give you an idea of what I teach; mostly how to get a clear division of light and shadow (among other things!)  These are simplified small studies.

Carnation Blues

 

Carnation Blues  -an original oil painting 10x10

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There's a complementary color scheme here, and the carnations that seemed to live forever.  The little bottle is pure clove oil which I add to my paints to slow the drying a bit.  A variety of textures are included for interest all within a limited color scheme.  Like a lot of my works, it's better in person. It's framed and ready to hang.  Click on purchase link for more info.  

Lemon In Blue

 

Lemon In Blue  an original oil painting 8x8 in.

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Here is the second painting in the series with white carnations.  In addition to their wonderful fragrance, carnations are a very slow fading flower.  I think these lasted about three weeks!  They found their way into quite a few paintings.  

IN OTHER NEWS:  I'm really looking forward to teaching a workshop this weekend!  In the spring I had to cancel two workshops, so it has been a long wait.  I do have a few spots open in my October 3-4 workshop.  Email me if you're interested.  

Look At Me Lemon

 

Look At Me Lemon   -an original oil painting 8x8 inches

Purchase info here.  

I painted this from life in my studio back in March.  Back then it was just the beginning of what has turned out to be a long, long attempt at staying hidden from a virus.  The carnations held out for several paintings, which will follow here on my blog.  I am grateful every day that I'm a painter.  It's a somewhat solitary endeavor anyway.  I hope you are well and keeping busy.  Thank you for following my work here.  

Hummingbird Cafe -a plein air painting from the historical Los Rios District SOLD

 

HUMMINGBIRD CAFE   original plein air oil painting 9x12 in.  

The Los Rios District is located along the railroad station in San Juan Capistrano, and is really worth a visit if you've never been there.  It's a neighborhood with many structures dating back to the 1800's.  Some are still private residences, and others, like this one, house cafes, coffee shops, tea rooms, and gift shops.  Sounds commercialized, but it's not at all.  It still has its old time charm.  A favorite area for painters!  

This painting is currently available and on display at Mission Fine Art Gallery, located a short walk from where I painted this scene.  Email inquiries to me at karenwernerart@gmail.com

Laguna View -a plein air painting from Laguna Beach SOLD

 

LAGUNA VIEW    original plein air oil painting 16x20 inches   

Painted from Heisler Park, this is a favorite viewpoint of many painters.  It was February, so the beach was fairly quiet, and as is typical, the sun was trying to burn through the marine layer.  My aim was able to capture the diffused light and subtle warmth from the sun.  Can you feel it? 

This is a fairly large painting for me at 16x20.  It is in a dark wood frame with antique gold lip.  It is currently displayed and available at Mission Fine Art Gallery in San Juan Capistrano.  Located directly across from Mission San Juan Capistrano.  So go see it in person!  The gallery is now open every day 11-5.  

Also available directly from me.  Email to inquire: karenwernerart@gmail.com

Kicked Off Kicks -an original painting of Converse Allstars

 

Kicked Off Kicks    Original oil painting 9x12 inches

This is the third and last painting of the Converse Allstar "Woolrich".  There are just a few more in my Converse series.