Original oil painting Nude Abstract Rhapsody by Karen Tarlton

Rhapsody

20x24 

Oil

Bold, expressive color and movement in this brand new work, painted to wrap up 2011 with brilliant color!

I wish a Happy New Year to all my friends near and far. May 2012 bring you health, serenity and light.

Original oil painting Violin Melody by Karen Tarlton

Violin Melody

20x24

Oil

I'm always inspired by musicians. I listen to jazz, classical, rock, and just about everything. Love it all and painting these whimsical figures is my vision of the music I suppose.

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Original oil painting Luminous Peacock by Karen Tarlton

SOLD

Luminous Peacock

20x10

Oil

"Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything."

I believe this goes for many aspects of life. In painting, it took me many years to learn not to over work a piece. I like a loose, painterly look and so I don't "tighten" it all up but seek balance instead.

This bird is so inspiring! Bold, colorful and loud. I'm not really personally like this, but I like to think my work sings out very loud and clear!

karensfineart.tumblr.com/

Close up above and the painting below

I finished this one last week and it's just dry! One of my favorite paintings for sure. Must be all this holiday cheer!

I've been busy as an elf getting ready for company while finishing commissions and boxing up to ship in time for Christmas! I just finished decorating our tree with my daughters, and now it's time to cook, bake and enjoy family! Warm wishes for a wonderful Holiday!

Enjoy many new images at karensfineart.tumblr.com

Galleries: City Lights Gallery, Las Vegas, NV

The Arlington Arts Gallery, Arlington Virginia

Galerie Severn, New Orleans Louisiana

The Stonehenge Gallery, Montgomery Alabama, SAC's Gallery, Montgomery Alabama,

KR Designs, Fort Myers,FL

Abstract Horses Original oil painting equine fine art by Karen Tarlton

“The best Christmas of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up with one another.”

 Hope your season is bright and full of the love of family and friends!

Abstract Horses

6x6 

Oil
These two sweet little equine abstracts are now dry and available for purchase!

Wild Mustangs original equine fine art oil painting by Karen Tarlton

Wild Mustangs

10x20 

Oil

I've painted this painting before in similiar color and composition and I really like. It's small enough to fit just about anywhere and looks great framed or not. 

Lot's of holiday baking going on around here with me daughter's off for winter break and the house smells delicious all day long! I love the smell of gingerbread baking. We just finished decorating and have our tree up. We always get a fresh cut tree and it's so much work but so much fun.  The whole house smells like fresh pine tree and cookies! Hope you are having a special week with your family as well!

Original oil painting Paris Eiffel Tower by Karen Tarlton

Eiffel Tower Abstract

24x30 

Oil

SOLD

I love the pulls and drags of some of my abstract palette knife works involving rain people and animals so I combined a bit of architecture into this one.
Blurred abstract lights and brilliant contrasting color bring a bit of city swank to the canvas, and add color and sophistication to this textural painting.

"Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art."

Leonardo da Vinci

Original oil painting Amalfi Italy Coast by Karen Tarlton

Amalfi Coast

20x24

Oil

Inspiration for this painting....Italy and a trip to the Amalfi coast.

Over the years I am always inspired to further study the Fauves, and have a strong affinity for the 19th century French Post-Impressionists, Cezanne and Van Gogh.

Inspired by trips to Italy, I return when I can to renew my spirit and inspire my soul. I hope my works evoke emotion with opulence of light and distinctive color harmonies and textures.

Original oil painting Holiday Angel by Karen Tarlton

Holiday Angel

16x20

Oil
SOLD

"Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better." ~André Gide

I've been busy as an elf decorating and wrapping and shipping! Well and of course I've been busy painting! I love this festive angel and she's just dry. 

Bold and colorful to add light, drama and whimsical symbolism to the space. 

Our oldest daughter comes home from college tomorrow so we are so excited and feeling so blessed in our lives. She was the inspiration for this angel painting. Hope it brings a smile!

Original oil painting Eucalyptus Trees Landscape by Karen Tarlton

12x16

Morning Light

Oil

Inspiration: Trip to Santa Barbara

There are as many ways to paint as there are artists. I love palette knife painting, and each day when I paint, it starts with an idea - or an image in my mind, usually from memory.

I build a solid composition in thin paints and darker colors and then the fun begins!

Loading my palette thickly, I add brighter colors all about the canvas, and it begins to come to life!

With all creative work there are no hard and fast rules, and I believe that if an artist keeps that in mind and works from the heart, an enjoyable painting will appear. It may take many hundreds of paintings of practice of course, but all need to find their comfort zone and individual style. What if fun is good!

Original oil painting Birds and Blooms

Birds and Blooms

24x30

Oil

"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination."

Albert Einstein

Loaded my knife thick with oil using vertical drags of rich blues and greens amongst brilliant rose colored blooms. I've been painting mostly winter scenes lately so here's a bit of Spring

Fall Fly Fishing Original oil painting by Karen Tarlton

16x20

Oil

Available for purchase and one of my favorite fisherman paintings right now.  I enjoyed the play of warm and cool colors and the whole time I painted this I was remembering fishing with my Uncle whom I just adore!  He's a great fisherman.

Rain Girl in Pink Original oil painting by Karen Tarlton

 Rain Girl in Pink

8x8 

Oil

"I am a walking piece of art every day, with my dreams and my ambitions forward at all times in an effort to inspire my fans to lead their life in that way."

Lady Gaga

Below is a photo of my darling cat that comes to visit everyday ( he's really not mine but wants to be)
I need to paint him don't you think?

Original oil painting Mama Whale and her Calf

16x20

Humpback Whales

Oil

A special painting with a story!

My husband and I used to scuba dive a lot when we were younger.  I actually started diving when I lived in American Samoa when I was 12.  We dove everywhere: Tahiti,Samoa,Hawaii,Mexico,Fiji, just to name a few.  My most memorable was this one.  I was the first one off the boat and as I swam down there they were, silent, still and amazing.  The power and beauty of these animals takes your breath away.  They looked right at me for the longest time, but probably just a minute.  As all the other divers started to approach I could hear underwater squeals of joy! The whales silently swam away and I really wanted to go with them!

New York Rain fine art in oil by Karen Tarlton

16x20

Late Night New York Rain

Oil

Art is... a question mark in the minds of those who want to know what's happening. ~Aaron Howard

What a fantastic place NY is. I used to go every summer for the last 15 years but missed last summer since we are now on the west coast.  I miss it.  I miss the bustle and the energy you feel just walking down the street.  I love running in Central Park and going to a Broadway show.  I paint it rainy because there is such a glow after a fresh rain and a sense of renewal.  Mainly I love the color!

Karen Tarlton Original oil painting Christmas Angel

Christmas Angel 

12x12

Oil

SOLD

A special painting for December and just in time for someone to get for Christmas!  My inspiration for my angel paintings...my girls. I always think of my daughters when I paint these.  They are my angels and always in my heart and on my mind.  I hope she reminds you of someone you love and brings a little smile!

Original oil painting NIGHT SAILING abstract palette knife by Karen Tarlton

Night Sailing

16x20

Oil

I show my love in color in this one and lots of thick paint!  It's just about dry and ready to ship.  

The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep. ~Paul Strand

Original oil painting Wild Bear fine art by Karen Tarlton

Wild Bear

12x16

Oil

It's a wild windy night here in Vegas as I type.  If you've ever lived in the desert you know what I'm talking about.  The wind sounds like a wild animal roaring and I think at any moment a tree will come toppling on our house!  

This painting is a favorite of mine.  The wild beast in full color! Thanks for checking in and I hope it inspires you!

"Painting is silent poetry." ~Plutarch, Moralia

Original oil painting Christmas Snow by Karen Tarlton

9x12

Christmas Snow

Oil

Ok we've been very spoiled here in Vegas with the Spring weather for the last few months but the temp is going to drop!  Going down in the 40's this week......brrrrr!  If we got a little snow I wouldn't mind the cold so much.  Snow makes everything magical!

This painting would make a great holiday gift!!!

Original oil painting - Rainy First Kiss - by Karen Tarlton

 Painted a romance painting this week.  Feeling the love this holiday season and  it shows in my work I suppose.

12x16

Oil

SOLD

We went out to RedRock today and hiked around on the beautiful mountains of Red rock that rise from the earth out in the middle of the Mojave desert here in Las Vegas.

A beautiful 70 degree day full of sunshine, golden light, and both my daughters home with us!  There is not a better feeling than having both my girls on either side of me!  

This place has real beauty. I really do need to paint some of this lovely desert land and sky. On my to paint list for sure!

Original oil painting Tuscany Vineyard by Karen Tarlton

Tuscany Vineyard

20x24

Oil

SOLD

I haven't painted a vineyard in awhile and Italy's vineyards are so beautiful and fun to paint!  Lots of texture and broken color with thick impasto oil.  

Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving and has a great weekend.

“I dream my paintings, and then they paint my dream.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

Original oil painting - Rooster - palette knife fine art by Karen Tarlton

16x20

Oil

Happy Thanksgiving Rooster

SOLD

For over twenty years I have squeezed my professional art career between taking care of babies, cleaning my house and cooking masterful meals, and somehow, even on Thanksgiving, I find time to paint everyday!  My paintings always begin in my mind, sometimes while I sleep, so I do a lot of mental painting first. 

My daughter helping me bake!

My other daughter helping bake pies!
This morning, while I was making my Thanksgiving meal prepartations consisting of baking 2 delicious pies with my daughters, chopping vegies and herbs and peeling potatoes, I  thought of several new paintings I want to start this afternoon!  Now that my turkey is in the oven and everything is ready for dinner, I get to paint for a couple hours.....yeah!  My youngest is singing, practicing for a musical audition, and oldest doing homework for college.  My Dad and husband are watching football (and I'm inturrupted by the occasional yell or moan).  The house smells fantastic, with the heartwarming scent of gingerbread from my Mom's cookies now baking.   I love Thanksgiving.

I'm so blessed and so very happy to be here enjoying every moment of this day with my family and I hope all of you have a wonderful day with loved one as well!

Original oil painting Christmas Poinsettia by Karen Tarlton

Christmas Poinsettia

12x12

Oil

“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” ~Georgia O’Keeffe

I loved my other holiday poinsettia painting that sold so here is one more for the season.  A nice square size and thick chuncky oil paint!

Original oil painting Abstract Pear palette knife impasto fine art by Karen Tarlton

Passionate Pear

12x16

Oil

SOLD

“Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who can’t attain it in anything.” ~Eugene Delacroix

Art, in all its forms, is an accumulation of knowledge. Each painting, for me, is the embodiment of my  lifetime experiences, education, efforts, intuition, and emotions.  It's always interesting to me to see how life changes us and I visually see these changes in my artwork.  It's much more colorful than it used to be 15 years ago.  I wonder what a therapist would say that means?  I hope it's because I'm a happy, positive person or at least I try to be.  I have a half glass full attitude about life, and think it resonates in my works.  Doesn't this look like a happy pear?

Moonlight Romance original fine art by Karen Tarlton

16x20 

Moonlight Romance

SOLD

Brand new blog form and function with many new features!  I'm happy with it and it is fun to learn more and more about how to use this computer! 

As you might have noticed, I've been updating all my web pages and noticed I haven't updated my charity paintings in about a year.  To see my latest charity donations check of the following link:

My latest donations

Two Wild and Free palette knife fine art by Karen Tarlton

24x36

Oil

A very special and large equine work!  I used so much paint on this it must weigh 8 lbs!  Great texture and powerful movement.

karensfineart.tumblr.com/

Galleries: City Lights Gallery, Las Vegas, NV
The Arlington Arts Gallery, Arlington Virginia
Galerie Severn, New Orleans Louisiana
The Stonehenge Gallery, Montgomery Alabama, SAC's Gallery, Montgomery Alabama,
KR Designs, Fort Myers,FL
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Original oil Painting Pink and White Peonies impressionstic palette knife fine art

Pink Peonies

16x20

Oil

SOLD

Brand new and still wet.  I just felt like painting a soft, floral and very feminine painting so here it is.  It would look great on a soft blue, grey or light green wall in shabby chic or rustic french country setting.  Hope you enjoy!

The Race - Original oil painting by Karen Tarlton

The Race

24x30

Oil

SOLD

Horses in motion in thick oils.....a joy to paint.  Sometimes I begin a painting like this with a grisaille, but this time I just began with brilliant color on the white canvas, careful to keep my shapes interesting and my colors true.  As I block in the painting I squint my eyes, often standing back, and put in only the main shapes. Final colors and bits of detail are added last with sweeping drags and and a loaded knife!

Late Night New York City Rain - Original oil painting by Karen Tarlton

Late Night NYC Rain

12x16

Oil

SOLD

I do love painting rainy scenes.  I see rain as cleansing, renewing and as bringing forth a recharging of the spirit!  What do you see I wonder.

"What you see depends on what you're looking for." ~ Source Unknown

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."

- Albert Schweitzer

Original oil painting - Christmas Poinsettia - impasto palette knife fine art by Karen Tarlton

SOLD
9x12
Christimas Poinsettia
Oil

Brilliant color! I love the reds of this flower and love decorating with them all December!  This one makes a lovely gift as it never fades!
Brand new and still wet!

Karen Tarlton - Original oil painting Commission

I loved painting this lovely seascape for one of my collectors in Malta!  What a beautiful place Malta is!  I've painted many scenes in Malta and must go visit one day! It looks like paradise to me.

Still time for holiday commissions!  I like to take most of my holiday orders in Oct/November so they have time to dry so don't delay!

Autumn Radiance palette knife landscape by Karen Tarlton

SOLD

Autumn Radiance

24x36

Oil

Like a tapestry.  I look at a landscape's light and atmosphere and enjoy painting Autumn scenes because of the interplay between shadow and light.  I was drawn to the depth and contrast of colors of these trees and punched up the color and hardened and softened various edges to draw the eye.

One of the most wonderful things is bringing a painting to someone's house and hanging it on their wall, and seeing the impact it makes to the room!  Every once in a while I get the pleasure of doing this, but most of my works are shipped off to decorate your homes far away from me.

I always enjoy when you send me a photo of it hanging in your room and thank you for the many people who take the time to share!

Snowy Starry Night by Karen Tarlton

Snowy Starry Night

12x16

Oil

Yes another Van Gogh inspired painting.  He is my favorite and like him, I love to paint everyday and sometimes with an almost frenzied pace.  I feel such a calm peace when painting these scenes from my memory and imagination. 

I grew up in the mountains near Lake Tahoe.  Images of winter are always in my mind and especially the colors of winter.  I don't see white but vivid color as it reflects off of winter's icy surfaces!

Original custom oil painting commission by Karen Tarlton

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Karensfineart

24x30
Oil
Sold
What a joy to paint this large commission!  A New Orleans wedding and the front of a Second Line wedding parade through the French Quarter.  Looks like fun!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!

Magazine Cover

Some good news!

I'm on the cover of this lovely Canadian publication.....Absolutely the Best!  Click to view inside the Christmas edition!




I've also begun several commissions and just finished this large Bay Bridge painting and I just love it!

Original oil painting - Bees and Blooms - impasto impressionism by Karen Tarlton

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Karensfineart

12x12
Bees and Blooms
Oil

I feel busy as these little bees lately!  I'm here there and everywhere at the same time!  Sometimes it's hard to sit still and unwind and posting these is one of my favorite times of the day!

"Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know."

~ Vincent Van Gogh

Original oil painting - Provence Lavender - by Karen Tarlton

Provence Lavender

Oil

11x14
SOLD

I try to paint in all sizes, this little gem of a landscape would make a lovely holiday gift for a lavender lover!  Any of my paintings can be created on a larger scale, so if you see one you would like larger, feel free to contact me!

"Figuring out our gifts in life is part of our journey to becoming enlightened human beings."

~ John Edward

Angel of Hope - Original oil painting by Karen Tarlton

Angel of Hope

16x20

Oil

SOLD

Impressionistic and symbolic, angels are a joy to paint.  I love to paint these, especially around the holidays.....if you would like an special custom painted angel, please contact me.  I'll create her with any special colors, hair color etc you like!

Two Wild and Free - impressionism Abstract wild Horses by Karen Tarlton

 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Karensfineart

SOLD

Two Wild and Free

24x30

Oil

I love painting horses in motion.  Elegance, power, passion and energy.  So much emotion can be expressed in rich oil, but especially with this amazing and symbolic creature.

I hope this is an inspiration!