Here are some of my favorite items for painting arranged in my favorite design: cruciform. This design form goes off all four edges of the picture space, to create interesting negative shapes (empty spaces).
Last year I taught a workshop on painting white things and reflections in metal. Someone brought some mushrooms, Because I had never painted mushrooms, I heard them say, "Hey! Over here! Paint us!"
IN OTHER NEWS: I have new LED lighting in my studio. It's like broad dayslight in there, and makes me want to paint 24/7! Also I recently had some respiratory issues, so I'm learning to paint solvent-free, with walnut oil instead. Lastly, I have a workshop coming up on April 22-23. Email me if you would like all the details. karenwernerart@gmail.com
Years ago I had the pleasure of singing for several years in an acapella choir. That's a choir of voices only-no instuments to accompany the voices. In order to stay on pitch, the director taught us to listen to the men singing bass. I sang alto but then got switched to soprano. In other words, I was a peach, then became a cherry. I wish you could see this painting in person.
In August of 2021 my husband and I camped in Morro Bay. The RV Campground graciously gave us a spot at the last minute when all of the state campgrounds closed abruptly and we lost our reservation. What a blessing this turned out to be! We were within walking distance of Morro Rock and the boats docked in the bay. A tiny hunk of Moro Rock is visible in the upper right corner. This is one of three plein air pieces still available from that trip.
Below is another plein air piece I did on a trip to Idaho in March. I love painting old structures, and the junk on the outside was especially enticing. I have family that lives in Kuna on this old family farm property. This is the original homestead house built on 80 acres in 1908. I surprised the current owner with the painting to thank her for letting me paint on her property, but more than that, I felt that she should have it. She had grown up there, and has wonderful memories of her parents and grandparents, and how proud they were of their farm purchased in 1965. They grew sweet and feed corn. Much of the farmland in Idaho is being developed into housing. I hope this parcel will stay in the family.
