Original oil painting Starry NIght Harbor Boats by Karen Tarlton

12x24

Starry Night Harbor Boats

Oil

Only one more day left until we turn the page on our calendars

and begin 2013

Hard to believe.

I still believe some of the things that were the most 

beautiful last year will be my favorites this year.

For example, I will always Love:

 a Starry sky

Reflective water

Sunsets

A warm fire and a cozy blanket

a really great cup of coffee

a really great glass of wine

a homemade meal

my child's embrace

my husband's smile

May your New year be as great as your old one.

Be safe!

 

Original oil painting The Phoenix by Karen Tarlton

Painted on commission
24x36 in oil
Sold

Symbolic in so many ways and a great to symbol to start out the New Year!
Happy 2013 and may your new year be filled with
new beginnings, energy and health.

Winter's Joy Original oil painting by Karen Tarlton

Winter's Joy

18x24

Oil
SOLD

I love to feel the warmth of sunshine on a cold winter’s day.  I grew up in Lake Tahoe and as much as I looked forward to the snow of winter, I remember looking forward to sunbathing at the the lodge after a ski run, and closing my eyes, feeling the warm sun on my face. The blinding snow glistening in the sun makes me see bright colors dancing off the ground.

I hope 2013 brings fresh inspirations and joy! Enjoy the snow before it begins to melt and don't forget to reflect and learn from the year's trials and tribulations.

Abstract Rain Original oil painting by Karen Tarlton

Abstract Rain 

16x20

Oil

Lovely Rain came down today, which is always a blessing here in Southern California.

Now the fog has lifted and the sun is shining

and everything is bright and glistening!

Warm wishes and Happy Holidays!

December Poinsettia and Polar Bear Original oil painting by Karen Tarlton

Poinsettia

Oil

9x12

Polar Bear

12x12

Oil
SOLD

It's here....the loveliest time of year,
Wishing you all happiness, joy, and cheer.
May all your days be warm and bright,
And your nights enchanted by holiday light.

Angels by Karen Tarlton

Winter Angel

12x12

Oil
SOLD

Angel with Flowers

10x10

Oil
SOLD

Well I'm heartbroken at the sadness going on in Connecticut

right now and so angels are on my mind.

We ask ourselves....."But Why?"

I don't know and I don't understand. I do know that our love for our children is strong,

and continues on forever. These children will never be forgotten.

Original oil painting Portrait of a Cow by Karen Tarlton

Portrait of a Cow

16x20

Oil
SOLD

It's all about the eyes with animals like this one don't you think?

This is another make me smile animal painting

and I hope it puts you in good spirits.

“A lovely thing about Christmas is that it's compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.”~ Garrison Keillor

Three new Winter Angels in 10x10 by Karen Tarlton

 New Year Angel

10x10

Oil

 Angel with Flowers

10x10

Oil

Christmas Angel

10x10

Oil

A brand new size!

Love this 10x10 canvas so I'll be painting on more of these.

Just finished these and they will be dry by the end of the week.

Sweet!

Original oil painting Hummingbird Dance by Karen Tarlton

9x12

Hummingbird Dance of Two

Oil
SOLD

Dancing away the weekend!

We put up our tree this day and lots of festive color. I love this time of year.

I love doing my holiday cards, decorating, baking and most of all, shipping out all of the paintings 

I've been so busy working on all month for you all! They are almost all dry in time for the holiday!

Original oil painting Spring Peacock palette knife fine art by Karen Tarlton

Strike a Pose Peacock

12x36

Oil
SOLD

Back by popular demand!

A few have asked for a peacock or two

so here he is, striking a pose.

Yep.... I have that Madonna song stuck in my head :)

Original oil painting A Walk with the Dog by Karen Tarlton

A Walk with the Dog

11x14

Oil

SOLD

A brand new peaceful and colorful landscape.

I did a few commissions like this for holiday commissions and

wanted one to hang for awhile.

This is the time of year when we all need to count our blessings.

Think about what we can do to help others,

and above all don't take a second for granted!

It all goes by in a blink, remember moments like these with a smile :)

Original oil painting My Sweet Angel by Karen Tarlton

My Sweet Angel

9x12

Oil
SOLD

A brand new little angel inspired by my daughters.

Anybody with a little girl may understand why I love to paint these

little sweethearts.

I just got back from a speedy east coast trip,

out to see some great universities our youngest daughter hopes to attend.

Soon I'll be an empty nester, as our other daughter is

already off to university.

It's a good thing I have painting which I love that keeps me busy and out of trouble,

but I betcha I'll still be a mess with missing her.

Original oil painting Night City Rain palette knife impressionism by Karen Tarlton

Night City Rain

16x20

Oil

SOLD

A brand new glowy, textural palette knife work.

It's raining in California today so this one seems appropriate.

It's just about dry but the yellow colors always seem to take a couple extra days.

I am  so happy to have painted so many of my collectors holiday gifts in November.

Thanks to all and it's been my pleasure.

Many are shipped off and some are on the drying racks curing and will go off next week.

I hope you all have time to email some photos of the works hanging in happy homes, I always love to see it!

Original oil painting Equine palette knife fine art by Karen Tarlton

 10x20

Wild Mustangs

Oil

SOLD

12x16

Horse Play

Oil
SOLD
Here are a couple new wild horses paintings that really make me smile!
When I feel like painting horses, it really is so much fun.
The powerful, sculptural shape of their muscular bodies really goes well with the palette knife
and the whimsical colors are like icing on the cake!

Original oil painting Autumn Romance by Karen Tarlton

10x20

Autumn Romance 

Oil

Sometime soon I'll be painting a larger version of this.

I have a thing for red trees. :)

It's already November's end, I can't believe it.

December is here and I'm nearing the end of

commissions in time for the holiday!

If you have a request get it to me in the next few days!

Bourbon St. Moon Original oil painting by Karen Tarlton

Bourbon St. Moon

20x24

Oil

SOLD

A brand new favorite with a Starry Night take on it.

It stems from my love for both New Orleans and Van Gogh's work

and is loaded with texture and color.

A close up for detail viewing

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Original oil painting Lion Abstract modern palette knife on canvas by Karen Tarlton

16 x 20

Portrait of a Lion

Oil
SOLD

(a sneak preview....still a bit wet)

close up below

I wish the photos did justice to this one, but it just doesn't.

This is my favorite lion painting to date and I believe I've painted 6 so far.

Love this beautiful animal and the fauvistic extreme color and texture I love so much

fit him perfectly I think.

Noble, powerful and evocative creature that he his .....with just a touch of whimsy :)

Central Park NY original oil painting by Karen Tarlton

New York Central Park Rain

24x36

Oil

SOLD

close up below

This large work is just dry and will be ready to list soon.

It's part of my NY series and several more new large cityscapes are in the works!

I am getting excited about Thanksgiving

So much to be thankful for and I count my blessings everyday.

One of them is that I love what I do and am grateful for each of you for your continued interest and support of my work!!!!

Roosters and Birds - Original oil paintings by Karen Tarlton

 Bad Barnyard Bird

11x14

Oil

Birds and Blooms

16x20

Oil

"A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts and inspires."

Hedy Lamarr

The holiday season is here for sure and a unique oil painting has to be the perfect gift.

Especially for someone that has everything.

I'm working like one of Santa's elves painting special holiday gifts for your loved ones

And  that gives me joy!

Cow and Longhorn original oil painting by Karen Tarlton

 9x12

Holy Cow

Oil

SOLD

Abstract Longhorn

16 x 20

Oil
SOLD

(still wet but listing soon)

Colorful, whimsical animals in thick oil.

I love painting these, they have such lovely eyes.

Wow what a busy day.

It's a crazy month November but I love it.

* Weather is cooler which is so nice.

* Starting to look into new turkey recipes and maybe a spicy stuffing

* Thinking of all the things I'm thankful for....there's a lot!

Rain couple and Autumn Romance landscape paintings by Karen Tarlton

 Under My Umbrella

16x20

Oil

It actually rained today!

It didn't thunder storm and pour like it does in the south

but it did get a tiny bit wet.

It was fantastic!

Autumn Love

16x20

Oil

Repainting a room is the most inexpensive way to give new life to a space following rearranging the furniture. But the most visual impact comes from placing new or newly framed artwork on your walls. Your artwork is an extension of your inner personality. So, show it off!

Autumn Landscape palette knife original oil paintings by Karen Tarlton

 24x30

Autumn Lake Reflections

Oil 

I rather like the colors in this painting.
Blue and gold are some of my favorite color harmonies when used together.

18x24

Tapestry of Color

Oil

I'm really liking the perspective of these latest fall landscape paintings.

 I have a new large one I'm presently working on which will be finished some time next week.  I'm also loving all these luscious, dreamy transparent colors of Autumn!

A few October commissions - Original oil paintings by Karen Tarlton

 30x30

Beach Babes with Bucket

Oil

This one is shipping tommorrow and is a favorite!

I have the smaller version available to purchase.

 Large SF commission recently shipped off to the collector!

A few of the reasons my blogs is a bit behind lately....it is already November after all!

12x24

Harbor Boats Sunbathing

Oil

Windswept Angel and New York original oil paintings by Karen Tarlton

 SOLD

10x20

A New York Frame of Mind

Oil

Windswept Angel

12x12

Oil

SOLD

Both of these were painted last week before Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast.

I actually painted them before we even new about the storm

 must have had a feeling.

I hope all my friends are doing alright. Some I still haven't heard from which is worrisome.

Weather is so powerful.

Reminding us about all the important stuff.

Iris Flowers and Hummingbirds by Karen Tarlton

 18x36

Breathtaking Blue Blooms

Oil

 The one on top is actually very large and the painting below small

but both are new favorites!

Crazy texture in both of these. 

This is a close up of the painting above

super thick!

Hummingbird Dance

8x8

Oil

I'm in love with these little guys.

Dancers of the air.

Wish I could.

My thoughts are with those in the path of Sandy today.

Batten down the hatches and stay safe!

Original oil landscape paintings by Karen Tarlton

 Autumn Twilight Glow

24x30

Oil

SOLD
Bluebonnet Dance

12x12

Oil

I'm in the middle of a remodel so I'm painting from my 

dreamy designer color palette!

I'll have to upload pictures when it's finished but it's going to be a calm retreat of a room.

Lots of silvery blues and greys with warm accent colors.....this is what I like.

Texture

Tone on tone

Classic, colors.

I think both of these paintings will be right at home in there 

but really in any room!

Original oil painting Landscapes by Karen Tarlton

 Sailing Between the Pines

20x24

Oil

Lake Tahoe always inspires me.

I grew up there and if you haven't seen it, it's worth the trip.

I would say it's the prettiest Lake in the world but then I might be biased.

They don't call Emerald Bay, "emerald" for nothing though!

Love Blooms

12x12

Oil

Two new landscapes each with luscious peachy pinks and vivid greens and brilliant blues.

The beauty of things blooming:

Cherry Blossoms, Magnolias.....Love ;)

Violin Vision in Blue figurative impasto palette knife fine art by Karen

Violin Vision in Blue

20x24

Oil

I know the holiday season has begun

when I'm so busy painting

I don't have time to blog ;)

This is one of my favorite figurative works to date.

Impressionism is all about piecing colors together so that when

one is next to another they visually unite into something

Beautiful.

The knife allows me to lay the paint like frosting.

Sculpting the color into form is what I do.

Joy!

Running Free wild horses equine palette knife Oil painting by Karen Tarlton

12x16

Running Free

Oil

I never tire of painting these beautiful, graceful and powerful creatures!

This little piece is brand new and just listed!

6x6 Whimsical Animal paintings - Hummingbird - Horse by Karen Tarlton

Sold
Spirit of a Horse

6x6

Oil

Sold
Dance of the Hummingbird

6x6

Oil

These little mini masterpieces make quite a statement hung in a grouping.

A small work of art is also a unique and personal gift so

check out my small works selection.

Just click on the image to shop!