New Orleans and All that Jazz

Title: New Orleans and All that Jazz

Size: 20 x 24

Medium: Oil on canvas

Check out eBay auction in a few days for purchase

PAINTING:

I began with an abstract acrylic painting and the musicians appeared from the bold bright colors and slowly the figures developed features. I then applied multiple layers of oils with a palette knife in rich oils. I very much enjoy this loose style of palette knife application and the very bright, impressionistic style that New Orleans inspires.

INSPIRATION:

New Orleans is bold and bright in personality and its while listening to some Jazz music, this painting just evolved almost on its own. It is always interesting to play different kinds of music while painting. Jazz is so passionate, colorful and soulful and I hope this one inspires you like the Jazz music surely will!

Big Blue Sky

This is another photo of our daughters and me with a view of the Alps behind us and this will be one of our favorite memories. The weather was lovely and the mountains and sky a spectacular sight to behold. As soon as I get a chance I will try to load some images of Verona. We walked all over the city today. Our daughters especially liked seeing Julliet's house!



Title: Big Blue Sky
Size: 20 x 24
Medium: Oil on canvas

Check eBay auction in a few days for purchase.

PAINTING:
This original oil captures a lovely sky rising high above the mountains. I painted many layers of rich oils applied with both knife and brush and finished with heavier palette knife strokes. I like the way the blues and greens compliment eachother in this piece and the calming affect that clouds have is always fun to capture with paint.
INSPIRATION:
Everywhere we live or travel, we can find great skies. Some of the most memorable skies were in California deserts outside of Edwards AFB, but I remember some great ones in AZ as well. Here in Italy, the clouds float just above the towering Alps and the mountains glow in different times of the day, especially early morning light.

Our girls in Italy

I probably should be posting a photo of a painting and will try to later but I finally found internet, which is a task here in Italy, and wanted to share this photo of Bellagio. We have been to so many Duomos and castles that in numerous towns that I have lost count....Milan, Bergamo, Brescia, and Desenzano del Garda....all amazing, but Bellagio is still our favorite. The views spectacular and the town so quaint and detailed and old and all the people are so friendly.

Today we are staying at a lovely vineyard bed and breakfast...Musella wine is made here and the wine is as fantastic as the grounds are beautiful. I love it here too. Many Italy paintings to come from this trip!

Windswept Wild Horses

Title: Windswept Wild Horses
Size: 24 x 30
Medium: Oil on canvas

PAINTING:
This painting was lots of fun and I used tons of thick paint, but I painted it two weeks ago when I was still in the U.S. just to make sure it would be totally dry when I returned. In fact it was almost dry when I left. I brushed on some abstract acrylics and the horses began to emerge from the bright colors before me. Acrylics dry fast so I could then begin my palette knife oil painting with layer upon layer of glowing textured paint.

INSPIRATION:
Horses have always been a passion and inspiration for me. They are beautiful, soulful animals and I love to carve the muscle out with thick oil paint.

Contact me for purchase or check out my eBay auction.



Here we are, my husband Mike and I are standing in the Villa Carlotta, which I could see directly across from my apartment in Bellagio. It is beautiful and has spectacular gardens that seem to go for miles. The azaleas aren't blooming yet, but the roses and all the other varieties are in bloom...just lovely. The trip on the boat across the lake to the villa is part of the beauty. The best of Italy is here!

Italian Vacation - Bellagio

Here in Bellagio the weather is warm, but gorgeous! We have been roaming the alley ways and side streets (all leading up to the lake), shopping and traveling across the Lake. Today we went to the village of Verena and toured the Carlatta Mansion and Gardens. Although many of the azaelas were not yet in bloom, the entire estate was covered in trees and plants from around the world!

I misquoted yesterday's Serbelloni tour - no flowers; but many, many trees. Cypress and olive trees are my favorite.

Tomorrow I want to go back to Verena to see the medevil castle and beaches. I am having such trouble finding internet access here in Bellagio, but I will try to post again as soon as I can.

Ciao, bella!

-Karen

Red Roses in the Light

Title: Red Roses in the Light
Size: 20 x 24
Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Contact me to purchase or check eBay auction

PAINTING:

This painting has brilliant colors and many layers of paint. I began with a textured abstract acrylic painting and when the bright colors were dry came back with layers of oil with palette knife and brush. I use thick drags of varied oil color on each rose, layering colors on the knife and canvas. I love to put golds and reds together in a still life.

INSPIRATION:

Roses are on my mind right now and flowers are everywhere here in Bellagio. I am going in a few minutes to tour the Villa Serbelloni gardens and I will take hundreds of photos to paint! The lake Como towns are all filled with flowers everywhere and the roses always stand out.
Ciao, bella!

Lake Como Italy Villa

Title: Lake Como Italy Villa

Size: 20 x 24"

Medium: Oil on canvas

PAINTING:

This is one of my favorite places and so I paint it often. Water is a joy to paint. I absolutely love it when a painting just flows out and fits with balance, melody and color. The oil is applied thickly in layers and knife is dragged horizontally for shadows and reflective quality.

Contact me for purchase information

INSPIRATION:

Lake Como is the inspiration for this painting and I am actually on my way there tonight...so this may be my last blog for awhile. I promise to take many photographs and produce many paintings when I return from Italy next month!

"Ciao"!!!!

Karen

Santa Barbara Coast

Title: Santa Barbara Coast
Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Oil on canvas

Contact me for purchase information

PAINTING:

This painting I really love and actually have hanging in my living room. It has soothing colors and is lighter in texture and was painted in the classical style with brush. Palette knife was only used lightly to apply heavier paint to the cliff with highlight colors . This is the style painting that I sometimes really enjoy and this one took months to finish. Careful planning and layers of thinner paint build and the layers of color luminate through with broken color techniques and light brush work.

INSPIRATION:

Santa Barbara is one of my favorite places to visit and paint. The weather is perfect for plein air painting and so I painted many smaller ocean scenes from this area to later enlarge in the studio. If you look closely you will see a little man in the left corner with a surfboard...teeny tiny detail.

Corey's Cornfield

Sold on Commission
Size: 20 x 24
Medium: Oil on canvas

contact me for a similiar commission

PAINTING:

This painting was commissioned by a client in Indiana and while painting it I found a new appreciation for the beauty of a cornfield. I used several photographs for this piece and many layers of paint, lean to fat, ending with a bit of palette knife. It has a lot of expressive brushwork, especially in the sky and I love painting this type of serene landscape.

INSPIRATION:

I think it helps that everytime we have another military move across the country, which is about every year or two, we seem to drive through endless corn. Parts of our country have lots of agriculture and in the right light...it's beautiful.

Violinist in Red

Title: Violinist in Red

Size: 20 x 24

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Available for purchase in my eBay store

PAINTING:

Melodies of the Violin helped me create this painting while I listened to my daughter practice. I applied many layers of paint and actually used more than just a brush and palette knife on this piece. I drew the composition in oils and brush, adding many layers slowly and finishing with heavier knife work. When it was completed, maybe it was the violin music I don't know, I decided to remove some of the paint with crumpled cellophane and "voila!"....the violinist has an distinct and uniquely textured background that makes it magically sparkle.

INSPIRATION:

The music itself possesses me while I paint. Sometimes I plan on painting one thing but by the time it's finished, the painting morphs almost on its own into something else! I honestly think the classical music I paint to everyday seeps into my brain and takes over sometimes...but I love it!

Old Mill Pasadena, CA

Title: Old Mill Pasadena
Size: 12 x 16
Medium: Oil on ray mar plein air panel

PAINTING:

This painting was done on location in Pasadena and is one of my favorites, and I have since painted it multiple times in the studio. I toned the canvas a few days before in honey colored oils with a knife and smoothed to a fine surface. I set up in the morning in the courtyard looking at the old Mill and drew out the composition quickly in burnt umber and brush, putting in dark and light values with bits of umber and blue in a water-color like process so it would quickly dry. Then I applied layers of color using thick and thin paint to create broken color. The building was actually finished with a palette knife, as were some of the vines. I tried to capture the relationship of the colors in the spot, but I always push my colors a bit because I love to make it mine.

Contact me to purchase this one or one like it.

INSPIRATION:

The beautiful place itself. Pasadena CA is very pretty and this particular building looks like it belongs in Italy. Just had to paint it.

Key Bridge Glow

Title: Key Bridge Glow
Medium: Oil on linen
Size: 20 x 24

PAINTING:

This original oil has many layers of paint on fine linen. Linen is delicious to paint on, but expensive so I reserve it for special paintings. I used both a brush and a knife on this but started with a brush. I developed the composition slowly with layers of dark colors scumbled on so that shapes emerge. I leave some areas white that will be highlighted. I then added layers of color and detail. I ended this painting with some heavier knife work in highlighted areas.
I have painted this bridge dozens of times from various angles. Because it is only a few miles from my house I see it often and it is a beautiful site. This is a view from Georgetown that I love, especially at dusk when the light glows.

Contact me for purchase or find at Cosi's restaurant in Arlington in September, where I will hang a solo show.

INSPIRATION:

If you have ever driven over or under this bridge you know what a site it is. It connects Arlington to DC and it is beautiful piece of architecture.

Untitled

Commissioned by a collector in Japan
Size: 16 x 20
Medium: Oil on canvas
Contact me for a similiar commission work

PAINTING:

I sketched the composition out in cobalt blue and a brush then came back with a palette knife and started the beautiful drags of paint and folds of paint that I just love so much. I start at the horizon line and work up and down simultaneously, a color above, the same below so that I don't waste paint but it also creates continuity in the painting.

INSPIRATION:

I worked from several photos. Two photos were of the place he wanted and one was of the couple. Water scenes are always so much fun to paint, especially with a colorful sky.

Graceful Ballerina

Title: Graceful Ballerina
Size: 20 x 24
Medium: Oil on canvas

Contact me or go to artspan or eBay for purchase.

PAINTING:

This original oil has multiple layers of paint. The first was layered with oils and a palette knife, scultpting in her shape and background textures. This underpainting was let totally dry and then the next layer was painted with a bit of glazing of darks and lights with a brush. Details were then added with a knife and cad reds for bold color. I used the edges of the knife for added texture.


INSPIRATION:

We have two daughters and they love the Ballet. We go to the Kennedy Center at least 3 or 4 times a year to see various Ballets. We saw the Bolshoi Ballet there last month it was breathtaking. Ballerinas are so much fun to paint and always an inspiration.

Paris Rainy Glow

Title: Paris Rainy Glow
Size: 20 x 24
Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Contact me for purchase information or in my eBay store or Artspan

PAINTING:

This painting has many layers of oil dragged horizontally for the wet reflective ground, with deep yellows and whites on the the surface. Details and edges were cut with edges of knife, paint scraped and removed for some detail and then again I added color in places with edges and drags of the knife. Brush work was added for sky and flowers. This painting has a bright happy feel to it, even if it depicts a rainy day.

INSPIRATION:

Paris is a beautiful city and always fun to paint. Today we were in DC all day at art museums. We went to the National Gallery of Art, Phillips Collection and Hirshhorn gallery and it is so inspiring and amazing...there is so much to take in. Every time we go, I drag them to stare at the Monets and Renoirs and Van Goghs...all my favorites. The Phillips Collection has a couple of my favorite Degas and the best Renoir...Luncheon of the Boating Party. Some of my favorite master painters were french so often I am inspired to paint France and it's beautiful cities and landscapes.

Times Square Cabs

Title: Times Square Cabs
Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

This painting was done on commission.


PAINTING:
This painting was painted specifically for a collector on commission. She wanted a palette knife painting in bright colors depicting a wet reflective looking street and emphasis on the cabs. I love to paint this type of painting, pulling and dragging the knife, creating the play of contrast and the hundreds colors I can come up with. Placing a cool next to a warm color and the gentle blending of the drag of the knife across the canvas is pure joy.

INSPIRATION:
We go to New York often. In only about a 5 hours we are on the town, dinner and a show. Sometimes in August we go watch the US open. We always seem to end up in Times Square late at night and it's just a scene...there's nothing like the place.

Amazing Blues

Title: Amazing Blue Hydrangeas
Size: 12" x 16"

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Contact me for purchase information or see on auction

PAINTING:

I did another abstract acrylic underpainting which dries in about 20 minutes then put downoil paint with streaks of prussian blue and crimson for my darks, painted thinly with oils. I then had fun with backround oranges and cad reds and yellows. I painted the fluffy petals with cobalt blues and whites and bits of other blues, using a palette knife and a brush. Finally I painted the leaves using various greens and voila...this little gem is done. It will look great in either a gold or a black plein air frame or even the dark gold ornate. Of couse it can hang without but I would frame it.

INSPIRATION:

I have some old, large and amazing blue Hydrangeas growing in my garden this year so I cut them and place them in vases every few days to paint and look at. I put these in a burnt orange glass vase by the window and the morning light was beautiful.

Red Rooster

Title: Red Rooster
Size: 12 x 16
Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Contact me for purchase information or follow on eBay auction

PAINTING: This rooster emerged from an abstract underpainting of umbers and reds. As I painted with the knife his shape formed with bits of cadmium red and deep cad yellow highlights. I used only a knife on this one, shaping and dragging cobalt blues and ultra marine colors throught his striking tail feathers.

INSPIRATION: Capturing this bird's "cocky" attitude is always a lot of fun and I feel free to use bold colors to exaggerate his strong personality. I would hang him in a wide black frame but sides are painted and he can hang without a frame as well.

Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay

Title: Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay
Size: 20 x 24
Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Contact me for purchase information, or check out my auction.

PAINTING: This painting has so many layers I lost count. I started with an abstract acrylic underpainting. When it was dry I looked at it and saw tree shapes and decided to exaggerate them into this. I layered oils thinly with a brush, scumbling in darks and lights, then applied heaviery paints with a palette knife. I might have gone a little heavy on the white which takes awhile to dry so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it dries before the end of the auction.

INSPIRATION: I grew up about 15 minutes from this lake, in a small town called Floriston on the mountain. I've lived and visited lots of places, but Tahoe makes me cry, it is just so so beautiful. a Emerald Bay is one of the most pictoreque spots on the lake. Hope you enjoy.

Idaho Fly Fishing

Title: Idaho Fly Fishing
Size: 20 x 24
Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Contact me for purchase information or check out the eBay auction tonight.

PAINTING:

I used many layers of paint on this one. I began with darks and lights painted thinly with a brush. When dry I came back sculpting in shape and form with a palette knife, laying layer upon layer of color, pulling and dragging. Whites and highlights lay on top and because the paint ends up being so thick, sometimes in the summer humidity it takes a while to dry.

INSPIRATION:

My husband has been a pilot in the airforce for over 18 years now. We love the military lifestyle, partly because we get to move every few years, sometimes every year. We were fortunate enough to be stationed in Idaho for four long years and it was beautiful. We always went camping, skiing, or fishing in the mountains and there is some of the best fly fishing in the country there. I took many photos and pull them out from time to time, depending on my mood. I love painting water and this one turned out bright and sunny as intended. This painting would look lovely in a silver plein air frame but can also hang without one.

A Rainy Stroll

Title: A Rainy Stroll
Size: 20 x 24
Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

contact me to purchase or check out my eBay auction
Will post tonight

PAINTING:

This original oil captures a couple on an evening walk with the dog at the end of a rainy day. I used some new white on this one and painted it extra thick so I hope that it is dry by auctions end....if not you'll have to be patient for this one! Sometimes the white takes longer to dry especially when we have rainy humid weather, which we have had lately. This is one of my pure palette knife paintings and it was a joy to paint. I drag the colors horizonally after each is laid down, wiping the knife clean between each color.

INSPIRATION:

We have had some serious thunderstorms here lately, but they are short lived and usually at night. Yesterday we had a lot of light rains that were actually a lot of fun to walk in. My funny dog hides under the bed when there is thunder, but otherwise loves a walk in any weather, and so do I!

New Orleans Night

Title: New Orleans Bourbon St. Night

Size: 20 x 24

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

To purchase: Contact me directly or check out my auction, this one goes on tonight.

PAINTING:

This original oil is large and bright with thick oil paint, richly layered and dragged with a palette knife. I used only a knife on this whimsical painting; no brush was used. I start with each color placed where it is needed on the canvas and then drag and blend darks thinner, lights last and thicker. Details are added at the end when scene is almost complete. I love the fauvism quality to this kind of painting. It's very loose and lots of fun. I just can't paint New Orleans any other way!

INSPIRATION:

Using photos from past trips to New Orleans, it is always amazing to me how drab and dreary the photos look compared to the bright colored renderings that come from looking at these inspirational photos. I hope we get to take another trip South soon.

Romance of Roses
Size: 24 x 36
Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

PAINTING:

This is one of my favorite still lifes to date. It has many layers of paint and took much time to paint, partly because each layer of oil has to dry which takes at least a week. I used a palette knife for the initial underpainting to create great texture and base colors. When dry I came back with a brush and a medium and glazed multiple layers of oils for a luminous effect.

INSPIRATION:

When not at my eisle painting, I can be found out in my garden. I love planting and pruning flowers, especially ones that can be cut for a vase. My flowers are famous in the neighborhood and I love to paint them.

Contact me for a comission...this painting quickly sold.