Mojave Desert Sunset Oil Painting – Abode of the Desert Rat by Karen Winters

“Abode of the Desert Rat”
Mojave Desert, somewhere off the beaten path between Tehachapi and Rosamond
9 x 12 oil on linen

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This painting was inspired by a trip back from Kernville a few months ago, coming back from a paint out with the California Art Club. The sun was starting to come out from under a cloud bank, and a storm was threatening. The brilliance of the sun contrasted with the dark shapes of the poplars. I imagined that some recluse was living in the trailer, enjoying the constantly changing weather patterns and quiet solitude. Not long after this the rains started coming. Those heavily rain laden clouds suggested a flash flood and we headed for high ground.

Here’s a closer detail shot:

Golden morning – Heritage Valley California impressionist oil painting

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Golden Morning in Heritage Valley
9 x 12 oil painting on wood panel
(near Santa Paula, highway 126)

Whenever we go up the coast to San Luis Obispo, we inevitably take the scenic drive through Heritage Valley, also known as California highway 126. This highway goes through beautiful peaceful farming land filled with strawberry fields and citrus groves. Eucalyptus trees serve as windbreaks along the way.

California wildflower landscape oil painting – All on a Fine Spring Day – by Karen Winters

“All on a Fine Spring Day”
California impressionist miniature oil painting
5 x 7 inches – oil on panel

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This study for a larger California spring impressionist painting has several elements that always bring me painting joy: oak trees, wildflowers, (California poppies and lupine), distant hills and clouds. The exact location for this scene is in Central California, in the western foothills of the Sierra.

Below, as it might look in a nice gold frame (which I can provide)
My apologies, I have changed the frame. The previous one only comes in 6 x 8. This one is the correct size, 5 x 7 inches.

Morning’s First Light – California tonalist landscape oil painting by Karen Winters

Mornings First Light
8 x 10 inches – oil painting on linen panel

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This dramatic small painting of eucalyptus trees on Malibu Bluffs will be available through Segil Fine Art for their 9th annual Small Works Show. The artists reception will be Saturday, December 3, from 5-7 pm. The Segil Gallery is in Old Town, Monrovia, CA

California impressionist landscape oil painting – Blustery Day Sycamore Tree by karen Winters


“Blustery Day”
11 x 14 oil painting on canvas
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A sycamore caught in the act of changing colors is ruffled by a passing breeze near Eaton Canyon, in Altadena, CA

Breeze from the Lake – California Central Coast impressionist oil painting by Karen Winters

“Breeze from the Lake”
4 x 8″ oil on wooden panel

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Late afternoon breezes stir the waters of Laguna Lake in San Luis Obispo County

If you live in Southern California, I invite you to visit my solo exhibition at Descanso Gardens in La Canada. Now through January 2, 2012.
Approximately 30 paintings are on display at all times. As one is sold, it is taken by the buyer and I replace it with a new one from my inventory. I will be at the show weekends unless it’s raining, and some weekday afternoons.

Trail to the Ojai Valley – Central California Oil Painting by Karen Winters

“Trail to the Ojai Valley”
11 x 14 oil
SOLD

See more of my California Central Coast paintings here

My reception for my show at Descanso Gardens will be tomorrow afternoon, 1-4 pm as scheduled. I have heard that the rain is clearing out and should be completely gone by later tonight – hopefully it will be a beautiful day in the gardens. If you’re in Southern California, I hope that you can come.

This is painting depicts a trail in Dennison Park near Ojai, California, whose trails overlook and lead into the Ojai Valley, seen in the background.

California Vineyard Oil Painting – Lucas and Lewellen Los Alamos – by Karen Winters

“Fruit of the Vine – Los Alamos”
(Lucas and Lewellen Vineyard)

This beautiful little vineyard is in the San Antonio Creek Valley, near the charming town of Los Alamos. I was attracted to the scene because it included three of my favorite subjects: vineyards, oak trees, and rolling oak-studded hills. Can anything be more quintessentially Californian?

Last Tuesday we hung my show at Descanso Gardens – there were 24 paintings and two have already sold, to be replaced with new ones from my inventory. Paintings go home with buyers immediately for instant art gratification – or holiday gift giving. No empty nails on the wall! I’m very pleased with how the show looks. Now if we could just chase the raindrops away we’d be all set.

Catalina Harbor Cat Harbor California seascape oil painting by Karen Winters

Catalina Harbor
SOLD
10 x 20 oil on canvas

See more Catalina Island paintings here

See more of my seascapes here

Interested in commissioning a Catalina painting?
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The evening sun slips below the mountains of the isthmus of Catalina, separating the Two Harbors, a popular destination for sailing, hiking and other recreation. This painting was purchased by a family member in San Francisco, for another family member in Southern California as a birthday present. It was my pleasure to be in on the surprise, and I delivered the present in person this morning, to their delight.

A gift of art is something that will always be appreciated, and more than that – treasured – for many years to come. The giver doesn’t have to worry about the gift becoming outdated, or fret that Painting 2.0 will be released soon after the present is opened. Nor need they fret that the recipient may have just bought the identical item at Best Buy or Costco. A painting usually carries a message of deep emotion – a celebration of a special time together, a milestone, like an anniversary, or a meaningful shared experience like a wedding proposal or the birth of a child; the purchase of a first home. A gift of art is the making of an heirloom, and though it comes at a price, it is priceless.

When “fire season” comes in Southern California, I’ve heard people in Malibu interviewed about what they grab from their homes. The answers are always the same: First, the living creatures (people and pets); second – family photo and videos; third – original art. What does that tell you about art’s deep meaning and connectedness to our lives?

Malibu Canyon ranch commissioned oil painting by California impressionist Karen Winters

Malibu Canyon Ranch
8 x 10 inches
oil on linen panel

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Interested in commissioning a custom painting as a gift? Click this link to write me.

See more of my Malibu paintings here

This little painting was commissioned as a surprise birthday present by a client of mine for whom I’ve previously done three paintings. She was looking for something western and we agreed upon this subject, which is a location not far from where her son did post-graduate work. It was fun to paint – the Santa Monica Mountains in early spring, just as some of the trees are still getting their leaves.