Romance Landscape

Title: New Year Romance Landscape

24x36

Oil

SOLD

Lots of super thick palette knife work in rich impasto oil.

I don't paint this large often and they usually sell real quick! I just finished this large one and it's still a bit wet but available for sale....contact me or see my Etsy.

"Do not go where the path my lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Ralph Waldo Emerson

I thought you might like to see my creative daughter's artsy blog. She's an amazing photographer and a skilled artist in pen and ink. Here are a few photos she took in Italy and I think she's got a great eye for composition.

http://www.ofhousespast.tumblr.com/

A Pair of Pears

Title: A Pair of Pears Abstract

16x20

Oil

This painting currently at ArtEuropa, San Diego

Super thick and vibrant fruit. Would look fantastic in just about any kitchen area. I love painting this fruit in bold, exaggerated color.

"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist."--Schumann

Thanks for checking in this Weds! Hope you are inspired!

Watching over the Nest

Title: Watching over the Nest

16x20

Oil

Available for purchase

This painting has very thick palette knife impasto oil and is like sculpture on canvas. I used some new silver and gold oils by Winsor Newton. I love to work with this paint with a palette knife. I've sold many nest paintings lately....lots of babies on the way perhaps? I always like to feel a bit of Spring in the middle of Winter!

"O! How this spring of love resembleth

The uncertain glory of an April day!"--William Shakespeare

Warm Evening Glow

Happy Monday and hope everyone is enjoying a little time off to be with family and friends!

Here are a couple small and unique palette knife paintings. I usually paint couples in these scenes but every once in awhile I like a solo person walking in the night.

Rainy Walk with the Dog

9x12

Oil

Available for purchase

Title: Warm Glow of Night

9x12

Oil
Available for purchase

"Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand."-Henry David Thoreau

New Orleans Evening

New Orleans Evening

20x24 Oil

SOLD

"Strange isn't it? Each Man's life touches so many other lives."--Clarence....."It's a Wonderful Life"

I watched this movie for about the 30th time last night with my family and I did cry once again. If you haven't seen it I highly recommend this Frank Kappa film.

Christmas Eve day is here!!! I won't have time to do a lot of blogging in the next few days as I will be enjoying some time with family and friends, and the light and love of the season.

From my studio to your home......Wishing you a wonderful holiday and a very Merry Christmas!

Bellagio Italy Twilight

Title: Bellagio Italy Twilight

Size: 20 x 24

oil

I just posted this one on Etsy tonight....I love this place and wish to go back one day! In the meantime I'll paint it and hope it inspires you or at least brings a smile! Painted in warm, vibrant colors and lots of palette knife texture.

I have less time to paint lately since our daylight hours are so short but it's the time of year to bake holiday cookies and watch movies like...It's a Wonderful Life by the fire! I've seen it a thousand times but every time he gets his ears boxed by the old pharmacist I cry like a baby. And at the end when he finds Zuzu's petals I cry some more.

Life is so short and so wonderful...enjoy your holidays with your family and thanks for checking in with me this evening!

Magical Moment in Love

Title: Magical Moment in Love

Size: 20 x24

Oil

SOLD

I'm feeling blessed today. Christmas is almost here so schools out for break. I have a household of noisy excited teenagers and family visiting and a party to go too. I didn't have time to paint today with all the craziness going on, but painted this a few days ago and though it's still wet, I predict a rather quick sale. It's a romantic, passionate piece! I hope it goes to a couple in love for a special day!

Winter Wonderland and Sunset Sailing

Winter Wonderland

12x16

Oil

This painting is available in my Etsy store.....see link to the right!

Painted for all my friends living in cold, cold places across our country right now! Remember the only way to stay warm and cozy is to snuggle up!

Sunset Sailing

9x12

Oil

SOLD

A sweet little palette knife oil with lots of calming blues...dreamy!

Stay warm and happy Thursday!

Run with the Wind

Title: Run with the Wind

Size: 24x36

Oil

Available on my Etsy now and it's in a new treasury!

It's all about texture, color, and motion......I didn't intend to paint this, he just emerged off the canvas while listening to some baroch classical music. I started with an abstract and shapes began to evolve as I pulled and scraped the buttery oils with my knife across the canvas.

"In all thing of nature there is something of the marvelous."--Aristotle

Happy Wednesday and thanks for checking in!

Two Running Wild

Title: Two Running Wild

Size: 20 x 24

Oil

This is very heavy with oil texture and rich buttery paint. I love the creamy colors and it has fluid movement and expressive palette knife work....one of my favorites yet! The horse is such a beautiful, powerful creature and one of my favorite animals to paint! I hope you enjoy them!

They help remind us about what's important in life....

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair!"--Kahlil Gibran

Seasons

9x12

Oil

Available for purchase!

12x16

Oil

Winter Wonderland!
Brrr....baby it's cold outside!!! Stay warm and safe this winter!

My peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

Under my Umbrella

Title: Under my Umbrella

Size: 20 x 24

Medium: oil

This is the time of year you really need to hold your loved ones tight!!! Inspired by love this painting sings to me and I hope it inspires you too.

No painting today....I took the day off to Christmas up the house with my family. Here is our youngest daughter, Kayla, with Maggie our darling dog in front of the biggest tree we could find! It's got to be ten feet tall and took all day to decorate. It's so much fun to take out each special ornament with our daughters and watch them hang it in just the right spot on the tree! I love this time of year and really have enjoyed shipping all the wrapped paintings off like one of Santa's elves!! Thanks for checking in and have a great weekend!

Sailing Through the Pines Tahoe Sunset

Title: Sailing Through the Pines at Sundown

Size: 20 x 24

Oil

Brrrr....baby it's cold outside! I'm thankful right now we are in warm Las Vegas, where it is plenty cold for me. My husband just returned from DC and said it was 10 below with windchill and I am happy not to be there this winter.

I get a nice warm cup of coffee in the morning and start painting to the morning light that streams in the windows of my studio. This one was painted from memory and my imagination. I grew up in a small town near tahoe so basically grew up on this lake and I think to this day it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. When I was a little girl we used to go out on the boat and the water was so pure and blue you could see down into the depths a long long way....so beautiful. This piece has lots of my signature palette knife texture and I hope it inspires you in some way.

Thanks for checking in....stay warm and give someone a hug today!

Strutting Rooster

SOLD

This little guy measures 6x6

painted in oil

He's just the right size for a rooster lover's stocking!

Title: Strutting Rooster

12x16

Oil

Painted extra thick and with bold color! I love his proud stance!

Available for purchase

I've sure enjoying wrapping up all the paintings in lovely holiday paper and bows and shipping them off the past few weeks! A special work of art is a wonderful and thoughtful gift.

Wishing you all the best! I'll leave you with some bits of wisdom:

Don't sweat the small stuff! (advise for myself)

Hug your loved ones. (twice)

Remember to give thanks for all your many blessings in your life!

Commissions

24x36

I just shipped this finished commission for a collector!

We decided to add the little corgi dog above to the scene and I think

it was the perfect finishing touch!

16x20

This is another beach scene commission I am boxing up now, and I really love to paint beach paintings. I enjoy painting commissions for people, especially when I know the piece will bring back fond memories every once and awhile.
Hope everyone is having a Happy Hanukkah and a FESTIVE holiday season. We have been attending a holiday party every Saturday for the last few weeks....so much fun going on this time of year! Stay warm, safe and smile!

Forest Rendezvous

Title: Forest Rendezvous

Size: 18x18

Oil

"Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one." --Stella Adler

This speaks in a soothing green palette with expressive and rich texture. I love this size canvas. It seems to fit just about anywhere and looks great paired up with another of the same size.

I'm just about full up on Christmas commissions.....working hard like a little elf to get them finished in time to ship for Christmas! I am so delighted that so many of you have made my work a part of your special holiday.

I just went into a new gallery! Here's the link to the new website: www.krdesigns.org

Three Wild and Free

Title: Three Wild and Free

Size: 16x12

Oil

Thick palette knife work and bold fauvism color in this peice of abstract expressionism. I like to keep my horse paintings loose and focus on generating movement and energy through color combinations and textures. Just the right size painting to hang about anywhere too!

I hope you visit my Etsy store to find all my new works and excellent prices on this piece and all my other paintings as well!

Rainy Stroll with the Dog

Title: Rainy Stroll with the Dog

Size: 18 x 18

Oil, stretched and ready to hang

SOLD

"It has been said that art is a tryst, for in the joy of it maker and beholder meet." -- Kojiro Tomita

I painted this mostly in knife using deep cad yellows, reds and umbers with pops of teal! I always enjoy adding man's best friend to the painting for what good is walk without your dog! I hope it makes you smile as that is always my ultimate goal!

Amalfi Coast Italy

Title: Amalfi Coast Italy

Size: 20 x 24

Oil

Sold

Just finished this painting of a beautiful and scenic coast in southern Italy. I love Italy and think it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I also love the ocean, so this combination is ideal! Old villas overlooking ocean views and a great Italian red.....almost heaven!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and get to spend it with people you love!!!

Strutting Barnyard Bird

Title: Strutting Barnyard Bird

Size: 12x16

Oil

SOLD

I love painting these whimsical roosters in brilliant color and texture. I used a bit of beautiful gold in the background of this beauty! This one is available for purchase now and is almost dry. I've just about finished all my holiday commissions and am ready to take new orders. Let me know if you have a special request!

Napa Valley Vineyard Glow

I just posted a new pet commissions site on
www.etsy.com/shop/karensfineart in my Etsy store. I just love painting pets and animals for people and I'll paint them any size....just need your photo of your loved one.

Running out of time to get commissions done for the holidays so get them to me soon if you need it finished and shipped by Christimas!

Title: Napa Valley Vineyard Glow

Size: 18 x 18

Oil

Available for purchase...see my Etsy

This is a new size canvas for me and I really like it. It's square so two or three would look great in a row as a tryptic or framed. Lots of brilliant color and texture in this vineyard landscape. I'm a great fan of fine wine and love a beautiful vineyard where the promise of greatness grows!

King of the Roost

Title: King of the Roost

Size: 16 x 20

oil

SOLD

I've been so busy painting lately that I just realized we hardly have a week until Thanksgiving and then Christmas is right around the corner! This is always my favorite time of year. I look forward to family and friends and cooking and decorating! These birds are in high demand around this time of year so here is a great medium sized bird and I have larger and smaller ones on the way as well! Color and texture is what I am all about and this guy is no exception but he is exceptional!

Fisherman at Sunrise

Another completed commission! I love painting water and beach scenes. I think this one turned out real lovely. I can't wait to send it off to be hung up for the holidays! I've enjoyed every moment painting these special commissions for my collectors. I'm delighted to create special moments in time for you all to enjoy.

Title: Fisherman at Sunrise

Size: 20 X 24

OIL

SOLD

Brilliant hues of blue and highlights of gold make this painting glow....I hope you enjoy this peaceful scene! Thanks for checking in!

Title: Night Lights

Size: 20 x 24

Oil

SOLD

"Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." -- John Gardner

Lots of Color and texture in this palette knife oil! I feel December approaching fast and am busy working overtime in the studio! Took a little break yesterday to play some tennis. The weather in Vegas is unbelievable....today it was 70 degrees!

Lake Como Reflections

"What is possible in art becomes thinkable in life." ~ Brian Eno

Title: Lake Como Reflections

Size: 20 x 24

Oil

SOLD

One of my favorite paintiings! I've painted this exact spot dozens of times and never get tired of dreaming about it. When I look back at my photos of my trips to Europe, always the most colorful art my Italy snapshots. It is full of sunshine and olive oil! Brilliant blues with the sun playing off the water make a great palette. Thick palette knife work and texture ....I hope you enjoy a bit of Sunshine in November!

Abstract Running Horses

Title: Abstract Running Horses

Size: 9 x 12

Oil

"Man needs color to live; it's just as necessary an element as fire and water."

Matisse is one of my favorite inspirations and I consider him one of the greats in the fauvism movement. Fauvism takes a leap beyond impressionsm into almost abstraction, but not quite. I just love the bright colors and energy of this style and it lends itself well to palette knife work. Brilliant!

This painting would make a fantastic gift for the holidays!

Evening Regatta

Title: Evening Regatta

Size: 20 x 24

Oil

Available for purchase

This is similiar in style to some of my rain series paintings....lots of thick palette knife drags, layer upon layer of rich buttery oil. Each pull of the knife is unique so each painting is one of a kind art from my heart! I play with contrast of color...cool blues against warm reds and pops of white in the deep blue of the night sky and ocean.

"The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery."--Francis Bacon

Love in the Rain

SOLD

Title: Love in the Rain

Medium: oil

Size: 12 x 16

I love to paint couples in the rain. I have painted a few paintings similiar to this one because I'm enjoying the movement and emotion in this loose palette knife work. Swirls of color envelop the couple as they emerge from the abstract background. I am enjoying painting lots of smaller works for the holidays....they make wonderful gifts!!

And I'm still busy with commissions! Daylight savings has me up early to work as we loose good light so early in the day. Hopefully this painting will brighten up somebody's mood and room soon!

Thanks for checking in to see one of my latest creations!

Red Umbrella in Paris Rain

Title: Red Umbrella in Paris Rain

Size 20 x 24

Medium: oil on stretched canvas

Thought I would share another Paris reflective painting. Lots of light! My focus was on keeping the painting real loose with lots of contrasting color and texture. Drags and pulls of palette knife and many layers of color make it glow!

"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts--such is the duty of an artist."--Shumann

The Sea Turtle

Keeping the compostitions simple is key to making these two paintings work with my impressionistic style and loose brush and palette knife work. I love to let my palette knife dance across the canvas and generate as much energy and movement as possible with abstract strokes of color! Speed and wind!

The Ski Racer

This colorful oil snow skier piece was painted for a collector and was recently shipped off! Lots of thick palettle knife work and many layers of beautiful broken colors!

Thanks Bobbi!

The Sea Turtle

I recently finished this painting in thick, textured oils!

This original oil painting is available at The Hive Creations in Santa Maria Island Florida

Contact Rachel at TheHiveCreationsAnnaMariaIsland@yahoo.com for purchase information.

Keeping this post brief because I am excited to work on more commissions!!!!

Fall Birch Trees and Sky

Here's another commission that is just about dry and ready to ship! Images of Scotland!

Title: Fall Birch Trees and Sky

Medium: oil

Size: 24 x 30

"No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist."--Oscar Wild

Ever lie down on the grass and look up at the trees? This is what I see. For years, I used to take my glasses off when I painted outside plein air. It would help me paint more of an impression of the scene. Capturing color and energy rather than too much detail. Palette knife lends itself to a looser look and much thicker paint! This one will take at least another week to dry and then will be available to purchase. Cadmium reds and yellows take the longest to oxidize.

Thanks for checking in!

City Rain

Title: City Rain and the Red Umbrella

Size: 20 x 24

Medium: oil on stretched canvas

This painting was a different twist on city rain. I muted my background so the people become the focal point, the main focus becoming the red umbrella. An interesting, modern rainy scene.

Holidays are only weeks away and I've been busy painting commissions! I love painting gifts and special meaningful works for everyone, especially around this time of year. I think art is the very best gift, especially if it is a painting you helped design!

Thanks for checking in and hope everyone is enjoying life!

"Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude toward us." -- Earl Nightingale

Flying High Downhill Skier

Title: Flying High Downhill Skier

Size: 16 x 20

Medium: oil on stretched canvas

Available for purchase!

"The person who says it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it."--Chinese proverb

Winter is on the way and this painting makes a wonderful gift for the lover of the slopes. With powder flying and the wind swirling, the skier soars! I love to paint action and movement! Rather than focusing on minute details I generate movement and energy with repetitive drags and swipes of color, layering them in different directions, developing interesting textures and rich luminous colors. He does seem to fly doesn't he?

Water Lily Reflections

I love this water lily pond painting! It's still wet, but in a week or so it will be dry enough to ship. I don't know if you can find him, but there is a frog in this pond...mid right section. There is a lot of paint and fantastic broken color and texture from at least 5 layers of oil. It's even more fun to look at, and touch, in person.

Large oil on stretched canvas: 24 x 30

Halloween is on it's way and I'm feeling a chill in the air. I love this time of year, anywhere we live in the country it's a greats time of year! I bought 3 large cosco bags of candy....I hope we get some trick or treaters so I don't have to eat it all!

Colors of Rain

Title: Reflections of Rain

Size: 18 x 18

Medium: oil on canvas

Here are a couple rain paintings and yes....inspired by the Vegas thunder storms we've had lately! Lots of rich thick palette knife paint in cheerful bold colors. I've been adding teal to my paintings and love how it pops against the reds and golds.

Both paintings are brand new and available for purchase!

Title: Colors of Rain

Size: 12 x 16

Medium: oil on canvas

"The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is life, by artificial means and hold it fixed so that a hundred years later, when a stranger looks at it, it moves again since it is life." --William Faulkner

Horse Racing

Title: The Race

Size 12 x 16 in oil

The derby in full color and impressionistic texture.....energy, motion and power. I hope you hear the thunder of the hooves!

The race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but that's the way to bet. --Damon Runyon

Here are a couple of brand new horse paintings.

This one is 9 x 12 and full of extra thick paint and pure energy!
Available for purchase!