Big Sur, Bixby Bridge Wedding Gift Commissioned California Seascape Oil Painting
“Big Sur, Bixby Bridge”
16 x 20 oil on canvas
SOLD – painted on commission
Interested in commissioning a painting? Please write.
This painting was commissioned as a surprise wedding gift for a very lovely bride to give to her bridegroom to commemorate the exact place where he proposed to her. She and I worked closely together to identify the exact spot where he popped the question. Then, after the painting was finished, approved and drying, the unexpected happened. The bridegroom, who also knew of my work, contacted me separately looking to buy a painting of the same location to give to the bride. Suddenly I had an O’Henry “Gift of the Magi”-type situation on my hands! I couldn’t tell him I wouldn’t sell him this painting he saw on my site– he’d think that odd. And if I told him it was sold, but he might buy somewhere else, so immediate was his need. Honesty and open communication always being the best policy, I contacted the bride and let her know about his urgent inquiry and she handled the situation gracefully with her betrothed. So he knew that there was a painting by me in their future but would have to wait to see what it was.
The painting was shipped last week and they opened their gift to each other last night —with champagne, strawberries and candlelight, I hope. Today there are two very happy nearlyweds, with a painting created with love, just for them, so they can always remember that very special day. And everyone lived happily ever after.
California Poppy Plein Air Landscape Oil Painting – Tejon Ranch
Tejon Ranch Poppy Hillside
9 x 12
oil on plein air panel
Interested in this painting?
Click this link to write me. See more of my paintings on my website
See more of my wildflower paintings here:
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of painting at the Tejon Ranch with other artist and signature artist members of the California Art Club. It was a unique opportunity to enjoy the spring beauty of the land, which is not open to the general public. The wind gusts were intense at times, but the color made up for the distraction. This is one of the paintings I worked on over the two day period – this one was on the Antelope Valley side, not too far from the Lancaster Poppy Reserve. I’ll be posting more soon.
Way of the Oak – California Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting of Oak Tree on Trail – by Karen Winters
“The Way of the Oak”
12 x 16 oil on canvas
See more Pasadena area paintings here
This graceful old oak arches over a trail on Eaton Canyon, beckoning the hiker to walk under the arch and continue their journey. Scenes like this are typical of trails all over California, though. From the Arroyo Seco of Pasadena, the Cerro Gordo campgrounds of California’s Central Coast, the equestrian trails of La Canada, where I live, and the trails of Irvine Park, Malibu Creek State Park, Agoura, and more. I’ve seen so many places like this that it is truly iconic of California, especially in the springtime when the grasses are still fresh and only beginning to turn to gold.
Divers Cove Laguna Heisler Park Seascape Oil Painting
“Divers Cove, Laguna Beach
8 x 10 oil on Belgian linen plein air panel
California seascape oil painting”
See more of my seascapes here
See just Laguna Beach paintings here
The surf gently rolls into Diver’s Cove in Laguna, near Heisler Park. Only a few walkers are enjoying the moment. I think the building to the right is the Seacliff Apartments, but I couldn’t be sure. I love Laguna – such a gorgeous spot.
Oak Valley – Agoura California Landscape Oil Painting by Karen Winters
“Oak Valley”
8 x 10 oil painting on plein air panel
SOLD
See more of my landscapes here
Some fresh new oaks in the Conejo Valley, near Agoura. The hills are no longer pure emerald green, and the seed heads of the grasses are turning shades of brown and mauve. An interesting color combination against the dark rich green of the live oaks. I’m going to be painting on a nature preserve soon where there are abundant oak trees among wild flowers. I’m getting in a little practice ahead of time to get in the mood.
When California Hills Turn Gold – California Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting by Karen Winters
SOLD
“When California Hills Turn Gold”
9 x 12 oil painting on plein air panel
See more of my landscapes here
See more of my paintings on my website
The winter season has almost departed and the bright fresh green of springtime is starting to leave some of our hills. Soon they will all be shades of brown and tan, creamy white with wild grasses with hints of violet and sienna. This transition is as predictable as the fall return of Santa Ana winds and the carpet of poppies that covers the foothills of the western Sierra.
California Landscape Spring Pastel Painting – Quiet Spring Reflections – Western Sierra Foothills – by Karen Winters
Quiet Spring Reflections
9 x 12 pastel on sanded paper
Western Sierra Foothills, near Visalia
Interested in this painting? Click this link to write me.
See more of my California landscapes here
I enjoy pastel painting although I don’t do it as often nowadays as oil. But I’m getting back into it. For this subject, I thought the soft spring foliage lent itself to the soft buttery texture of the pastel on sanded paper. I toned the paper first with a warm under painting, then let it dry, then painted into it directly with hard, then soft pastels, finally accented with pastel sticks.
Pastel has advantages over oil: there is less opportunity to make mud when working in layers alla prima. But there is the disadvantage of not being able to use transparent layers in the same way one can with watercolor and oil.
Surprisingly, I use many of the same techniques that I do in oil. Instead of doing drybrush, I drag the side of the pastel horizontally over a layer. Negative painting is much the same as with oil. Edges can be lost and found in much the same way. Getting the color right is the most difficult part. Virtually any color can be mixed with a warm and cool of each primary, plus black and white, in oil. In pastel you need to have a kaleidoscope of sticks unless you mix and blend some on the paper.
Whichever medium I choose, it’s still California impressionism and I think it still looks like something painted by me.
San Luis Obispo Plein Air Landscape Painting – When Sunrise Fills the Sky – SLO Art by Karen Winters
SOLD to a collector from Nipomo …
“When Sunrise Fills the Sky”
11 x 14 oil on linen plein air panel
Near Nipomo, San Luis Obispo County
Plein Air Landscape Oil Painting
I thought that I had photographed all the paintings I did last year at the CAC paint out, but I recently came across this one and thought I’d wait until spring to post it. It was painted near the Dana Adobe near Nipomo, as were the other two done that day at the California Art Club paint out.
In the early morning the sun broke through the moody fog with the promise of a beautiful day.
See more of my California Central Coast paintings here
My paintings have been recently featured in an article “Top 15 oil painting blogs” on this site. Thanks to the site owner, Andrea.
Gaviota Springtime – California Art Club Gold Medal Show – California Landscape Oil Painting by Karen Winters
“Gaviota Springtime”
11 x 14 oil on plein air panel
Central Coast California
SOLD
Saturday is the opening night for the Centennial of the California Art club’s Gold Medal Show. I’m very happy to have my painting, “Gaviota Springtime,” included in this historic exhibition at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. The early members of the California Art Club include such legendary painters as William Wendt, Edgar Payne, Benjamin Brown, Franz Bishoff and many other early California impressionists. The CAC commitment to fine representational painting continues now into its second century, and I am honored to be a part of that tradition.
View all of the paintings in the California Art Club 100th Gold Medal Show.
The Gold Medal show will be on display until April 24, and the museum is closed Monday and Tuesday, weekdays.
Oaks of Springtime – Central California Landscape Oil Painting
“Oaks of Springtime”
California Central Coast, near Pozo & Santa Margarita
8″ x 8″ oil
SOLD
Oaks put on new leaves in a wilderness park along Pozo Road, in Central California. Lupine and other wildflowers grow at their feet.
