Path to the Sea by Karen Tarlton

Path to the Sea

24x30

Oil

Just moved near the ocean in California so landscapes with water inspire me!

This one is still a bit wet but should be dry soon.

Busy lately...still working on finishing touches of moving into a new place.....garden, washing windows, placing everything just so. 

My studio if finished though and has lots of light!!!!

Hummingbird feeders are up and I have Rosemary by the doorway, and Lavender in the garden, so all is well.

Karen Tarlton Original oil painting - Fall Forest

24x30

Oil

I'm back from California! We went to about five Universities in CA up and down the coast! Walked at least ten miles a day touring them all. My daughter is so lucky to have so many great choices!

I did miss painting and blogging! I just varnished this large painting today so it is dry and ready to ship. I love these colors and lots of rich texture so it has a real touchable quality!

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!!!

Fall Trees and Sky

Title: Fall Trees and Sky
Size: 20 x 24
Medium: Oil on gallery stretched canvas

THIS PAINTING IS SOLD

PAINTING AND INSPIRATION:

I paint lots of fall trees and I just love to paint them in vibrant colors with lots of thick impasto texture. This is one of my favorite ones that I've painted in a while. I'm a big fan of these rich reds and golds and if you zoom in on the bark, it makes you want to touch it!

Three in the Breeze

Title: Three in the Breeze

Size: 20 x 24

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Email me for purchase or if you would like a similiar impressionistic painting.

PAINTING and INSPIRATION:

This fresh painting is bright with color and thick with paint. I worked with my favorite palette knife and top quality winsor newton artist grade oils, expensive, but the very best. I love this time of year, when I can break out my turtle necks and favorite worn old jeans. The leaves are about half way done turning and falling and its mystical. Hope you enjoy!

Autumn Gold

Title: Autumn Gold

Size: 24 x 30

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

See eBay auction tonight for purchase

PAINTING:

Todays painting is an original oil on gallery wrap with sides painted so no frame is needed. I titled it "Autumn Gold"partly because of the glow of Fall leaves but also because, if you look closely, you will see I varnished in bits of real gold leaf. I got carried away with lots of beautiful reds and golden hues and this painting has lots of texture and layers of contrasting color dragged with a palette knife.

INSPIRATION:

In the past I used gold leaf in some of my acrylic paintings and other mixed media and really like the results, so I am going to try a few on eBay for you. Virginia is absolutely georgeous right now with the leaves almost all turned and I am in love with these trees.

Fall Park Walk with the Dog

Title: Fall Park Walk with the Dog

Size: 20 x 24

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

See my auction ...opening bid is $138

PAINTING:

This painting is very fitting for the season. It's suddenly very chilly and rainy here in Arlington, VA and the trees are beautiful and full of Fall colors. I have many layers of paint, delicately swiped with palette knife and I love to paint trees this way. The colors are layered dark to light and I go heavier as I paint so that the highlighted colors are the thickest.

INSPIRATION:

The season and the trees all around me here in this city. I walk my dog 3 times a day, even in the rain and love the colors here now. Walking is mentally stimulating and exhiliarating and my little Maggie loves it!

Fall Fishing Reflection

Title: Fall Fishing Reflection

Size: 20 x 24

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Check out eBay auction for purchase tonight

PAINTING:

I had a lot of fun with these Fall colors and the light blue in the water and sky sets them off beautifully. I toned this canvas with an underpainting just a shade deeper than the finished painting so that the colors go from deeper, cooler colors, to brighter, warmer colors as they are layered. As usual, I start with both knife and brush, scumbling shades on, and then finish with a heavier hand on my highlight colors and some finer brushwork in sky.

INSPIRATION:

I painted my very first fisherman for a gallery when we lived in Alabama, and it didn't take long to sell. I painted a lot of river scenes along the river in Montgomery and there was often someone fishing. The serenity of the scene took my breathe away. Sometimes it is the simple things that are beautiful and you don't even have to travel far to find them, but seeing in the right light is the key. Hope you enjoy!

Trees of Gold

Title: Trees of Gold

Size: 20 x 24

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

check out eBay auction tonight for purchase

PAINTING:

This painting has a pthalo blue underpainting and many layers of oils with palette knife were dragged and delicately layered for trunks and leaves. The trunks have several layers of colors: purples and greys followed by golden and white highlights. Even though cadmium red is very expensive, I couldn't resist using it in the canopy of fall leaves because it is the perfect shade for fall.

INSPIRATION:

Today was the first day of school and Fall is just around the corner. I LOVE the turning of the trees. Virginia is especially beautiful in the Fall because of all the trees.