Tejon Ranch California Oak Landscape Plein Air Painting – Welcome Shade

SOLD
“Welcome Shade”
9 x 12 oil on plein air linen panel
Painted at the Tejon Ranch, May 2012


Click this link to write me.

See more of my oak tree paintings here

In the middle of a warm spring day, just about high noon, a mighty Tejon Ranch oak spreads its limbs to offer shade to all who visit. Cattle, mostly, but most likely some other critters, too. This majestic tree was silhouetted against the rolling hills and mountains of the ranch. Wherever you look, beauty surrounds you, making it a real treat for plein air painters – even during the part of the day when the light is less than dramatic. (That’s why we get up at dawn and stay painting until moonrise, when we can.

Below, a photo of my work in progress. There were occasional gusts of wind which threatened to topple my umbrella. A road hazard sawhorse came in handy. Sometimes you’ve just got to improvise.

Sunrise in the Oaks – Tejon Ranch California plein air Landscape impressionist oil painting by Karen Winters


“Sunrise in the Oaks”
11 x 14 oil on linen plein air panel
Tejon Ranch, May 2012


Click this link to write me.

See more of my oak tree paintings here

REMINDER – Artists reception for my show at Gale’s Restaurant, Sunday, May 20 – 4-6 pm, 452 S. Fairoaks Ave., Pasadena

Good morning, Tejon. A small band of intrepid California Art Club plein air painters woke at 4 am to get to the ranch and queue up in our vehicles to be on site before the sun rose. I had found my perfect spot – on Sycamore Creek, looking eastward just as the sun peeked over the hills and made the leaves of the old oak dazzle with the backlight. I had to bundle up and dress in layers, knowing that before long I’d be peeling them off as the day turned warm. This, like all of the Tejon Ranch, is absolutely beautiful – a real treat for plein air painters. We appreciate the invitation and the privilege to be there.

Sailing Clouds at my Solo Show – Gale’s Restaurant



“Sailing Clouds”
18 x 24 oil on canvas
(Moonstone Beach, Cambria)

See more of my Cambria paintings here


Click this link to write me.

This painting, “Sailing Clouds,” is one of about 30 currently on exhibit for sale at Gale’s Restaurant in Pasadena, in my 2nd solo show at the venue.
The opening reception is this Sunday, May 20, from 4-6 pm. All are welcome to come see some new art, and enjoy a wonderful wine and cheese event. Gale’s Restaurant is at 452 S. Fairoaks Avenue, Pasadena.

“Sailing Clouds” is from Cambria, California, on the southern edge of Big Sur. It’s an area where I love to paint small studies as well as larger studio works derived from those studies. The image is especially calming, and is a visual retreat for a busy, hectic day. You can almost see the clouds move if you sit quietly.

There’s a quote from Wordsworth that was the inspiration for this title, taken from the poem, “Written in March.” The phrase is “small clouds are sailing.”
Those words stuck with me as I saw these massive ships of vapor and moisture making stately progress across the horizon. I have always enjoyed reading poetry, both western and eastern, and find them to be good sources of ideas for titles of painting. Perhaps it’s because creating visual art and creating poetry are closely aligned. In both cases, the writer or the poet is pointing to an emotion beyond the literal representation of the subject. Much is suggested and implied rather than stated directly. Some art teachers describe a painting’s brushwork as being “poetic.” Conversely, we may describe a poem as “painting a word picture.” William Blake was one of the rare individuals who both painted and wrote poetry. Maybe one day I’ll post some of my old haiku here.

Coming up next: another plein air painting from the Tejon Ranch paint out last week.

Sycamore Quartet – California landscape painting at the Tejon Ranch

Sycamore Quartet”
12 x 12 inches
Oil on linen plein air panel


Click this link to write me.

Between outdoor shows, travel, commissions and paint outs, I haven’t been taking the time to update my blog, but I’m going to try to get back on top of that. This was painted last week at the Tejon Ranch on a paint out with the Kern County chapter of the California Art Club.

http://www.karenwinters.com
http://www.karensblog.com

This grove of sycamores was growing along side a stream bed. I set up my easel near by, taking care to keep a lookout for rattlesnakes. When an artist is concentrating and working in one area for a long time, a snake can quietly move in – even next to your easel, and you wouldn’t know it. The tall grasses are a perfect hiding spot. Fortunately, this was only a broken tree limb (below). But it sure gave me a start for a moment!

Tree limb looks like a snake

When you look at the picture below you might notice that there is no dazzling light. That’s because the ending photo was taken after the moment of light was long gone. When painting outdoors you often have to hold the image in your memory because the light is constantly shifting.

If you’re in the LA area, you are invited to attend the reception for my solo show at Gale’s Restaurant in Pasadena, from 4-6 pm. Gale’s is at 452 S. Fairoaks Avenue, just south of Del Mar. More about the event tomorrow.

California landscape oil painting- Vineyard and Eucalyptus trees – Summer’s Splendid End by Karen Winters

“Summer’s Splendid End”
16 x 20
California impressionist oil painting

SOLD

Golden vineyards, eucalyptus trees, rural agriculture and warm golden light. What could be more perfectly “California.”

Interested in other vineyard paintings?
Click this link to write me.
See more of my paintings on my website

See more of my vineyard paintings here

See more of my landscapes here

Peaceful Waters California oil painting – California Art Club Gold Medal Show


SOLD
“Peaceful Waters”
9 x 12 oil on linen
Devereux Slough in Santa Barbara


Click this link to write me.

This painting was accepted into the 101st annual California Gold Medal show, opening Saturday night at a gala party at the Autry National Museum in Los Angeles.

The slough is just on the border of the University of California at Santa Barbara. The morning I was there a marine layer was partly cloaking the beautiful eucalyptus trees, which made created wonderful reflections in the water.

When Day is Done Pasadena Arroyo Seco oil painting by Karen Winters

“When Day is Done”
8 x 10
California landscape oil painting on plein air panel
SOLD

Pasadena Arroyo Seco – Hahamongna Park – eucalyptus trees grow against a backdrop of the San Gabriel mountains, glowing in sunset light.

New Beginnings – California Sunrise Landscape Oil Painting by Karen Winters

“New Beginnings”
11 x 14 oil on linen

This painting represents the way dawn light falls on an old oak tree, in a California coastal meadow. I painted it as a study perhaps in preparation for a larger painting, but I’m keeping this one.

If you are interested in a larger version of this scene, Click this link to write me.

See more of my paintings on my website

Breath of Springtime – Central California Spring Wildflower Oil Painting by Karen Winters

SOLD

Breath of Springtime
11 x 14 oil on plein air panel

See more of my Wildflower Paintings here

Eucalyptus and Goldfields flowers growing in fields in the Western foothills of the Sierra, southeast of Visalia. Spring brings intense color to the rolling hills that form the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Other flowers, like poppies and “popcorn” flowers join the party in a festival of spring color.

Interested in this painting?
Click this link to write me.
See more of my paintings on my website

Arroyo Moonrise – Arroyo Seco California nocturne oil painting by Karen Winters



Arroyo Moonrise
18 x 24 oil on canvas

Interested in this painting?
Click this link to write me.
See more of my paintings on my website

See more Pasadena paintings here

The moon serenely rises over a pond in the Arroyo Seco, San Gabriel Valley, CA. I intentionally kept this within a limited color range to capture the twilight mood. I’ve really been enjoying painting a lot of water lately. Look for more of those paintings here soon.