May 2008 American Art Collector Ad
Here’s the Daily Painters ad for May’s American Art Collector magazine –
My painting is the seascape in the upper right hand corner
I’m one of the juried artists at Daily Painters a collective of professional artists who paint and post daily. That particular 16 x 20 inch oil painting sold last year, but I have others (smile.)
In fact, I have a new landscape to post – which will be coming up soon …
Breaking Through – Karen Winters Daily Painting
“Breaking Through” – 16 x 20 – oil on canvas – SOLD
This is the next in my series of marine paintings and it will go to the Descanso Gardens gallery in a day or so to replace the one that sold this past Monday. I’m really enjoying exploring this subject matter.
I’m thinking that this theme has been coming into my awareness for some time. I can remember scenes back into my teenage and young adult when I was absolutely rapturous at the sight of stormy skies and filtered light. Perhaps it moved me so much because clouds and storms are rare in Southern California and such events were fleeting and precious. Being on the beach at St. Augustine, Florida, as a storm moved in … seeing a thunderstorm in South Dakota while working on a Habitat for Humanity project … driving through New Mexico during monsoon season … these are images I will never forget. So these paintings are part of my journey of remembering – and I hope that they evoke memories for others as well.
Pacific Memories – Karen Winters Daily Painting
Pacific Memories – 5 x 7 inches acrylic on canvas on board
Much of the coastline of Northern California (and above) lacks the warm beaches and golden sand we know here, but it is blessed with craggy rocks of every shape and description. These rugged areas invite exploration – but not on a day when the surf is high.
On a different geographical note, there’s a good chance we’ll see snow in the mountains when we wake up – an unusual event for our area. Perhaps in a few days we’ll have a chance to drive up into the Angeles National Forest and see some snow-bedecked trees.
Sailing Home – Karen Winters Daily Painting
“Sailing Home” – 16 x 20 – oil on canvas – SOLD
This is the next in my marine series – and I am discovering new things with each one that I do. This time my objective was to experiment with some atmospheric effects. Unlike the previous painting, the palette is considerably more limited, with values designed to create a more dramatic presence.
Now, I know that some people will object to the dark and turbulent clouds. But when you think about it, when do you appreciate the sun the most? On a mild blue-sky day – or when it finally breaks through after a storm? So there’s my Deep Thought of the day.
Anyway, tomorrow is the opening of Watercolor West’s annual show and reception, I’ve been looking forward to this occasion for a long time, seeing my painting hung and visiting with friends. I’m sure it will be wonderful and I hope the weather will cooperate. It’s at the Riverside Art Museum in Riverside, California if you’re in Southern California and are looking for an art filled way to spend the afternoon.
On other art fronts, our holiday Descanso show is being hung today. There was a lot of good work I saw this morning, and is a second good reason to visit Descanso other than the camellias now in bloom!
Radiant Sea – Karen Winters Impressionist painting
“Radiant Sea” – oil on canvas – 16 x 20 inches
SOLD
I think this is my one of my favorite paintings that I’ve done this year … and it’s headed for Descanso Gardens’ Christmas Show starting this Friday, December 7, along with Desert Sunrise and two other new paintings yet to be posted here. Because there are 15 artists in this show (everyone who’s shown in the previous year) I won’t be gallery sitting every day – only a day and a half. So, if you have a spare moment to stop by and say hi, drop me a note. I’ll know my schedule on Friday.
I don’t usually have time to do this, but I thought it would be fun to post some larger closeups of some of the areas in the painting. Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
The surf and sand reflect all the colors in the painting
The “silver lining” part was tricky. I guess this cloud has a golden lining.
Using fingers and rags to get this effect.
Haystack Rock – Daily Painting
5″ x 7″ oil on canvasboard
Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, Oregon.
Painted in a plein air style from a reference provided at Wet Canvas.
Malibu Magic – Daily Painting
Malibu Magic – 16 x 20 oil on canvas – Available
This is another seascape which was painted for the Descanso show.
I’m starting to unwind, now after all the activity and energy of the month. Tomorrow might actually be the first day that I’ll choose to “sleep in” which means a little later than 7 am (unless Foggy the cat wakes me up – which she is accustomed to doing.)
I heard some pretty good quotes about art over the weekend. Frank Webb is quite the storyteller and I’ve observed that people who demonstrate watercolor have a repertoire of good stories and quotes to share while they’re waiting for washes to dry. I haven’t seen that many oil painters demonstrate but so far I haven’t noticed as much raconteurship.
Robert Henri: Every person should be the master of such as he has. (In other words if you’re a carpenter, be the best carpenter you can be. Likewise a clerk, a plumber, or an artist.)
Andrew Loomis: Every piece of the painting should look like it’s been painted.
O’Hara: One should not gossip in paint (meaning, to paint meaningless strokes, or to “chatter.”
Maurice Grosser on “painting in public.”: A painting becomes a work of art when it gets sold and can have a life of its own other than your studio.
Frank Webb: The secret of a happy life is to really ENJOY ‘Plan B.’
Winging Home – Karen Winters Daily Painting
“Winging Home” 16 x 20 oil on canvas (Zuma Beach – Malibu)
SOLD
Today was a wonderful day in so many ways. The reception took place as planned and I had the opportunity to visit for awhile with friends old and new. My college roommate, Bobbi, came with her husband and mom and we have vowed to set aside some time to catch up on all our lives. Some of our clients came to join in the fun as did new friends like Holly the creekhiker who I’ve been enjoying through her blog. Our son Michael came up to spend the day with us and that was great, too. Labelle Kel is in Chicago at Northwestern, but she was with us in spirit. We had a very good turnout and I think that everyone had a good time, too. I know I sure did.
I didn’t paint today since we were busy meeting and greeting everyone, so tonight I pulled out a reference photo of Zuma Beach generously offered by my good friend Wendee who is designer and teacher at Art Center. I am indeed blessed to have so many talented and creative friends. My roommate Bobbi, mentioned above, is an outstanding writer and PR consultant; Holly is a marvelously talented glassworker and TV producer, and our friend Jeannie Poole, who also visited today, is a wonderful musician who has composed and conducted symphonies.
And I am eagerly looking forward to Wednesday when a group of my paint out friends will be having their weekly paint out at Descanso and making the trek up the hill to visit our little gallery.
Now, about this painting.
I confess that the last time I painted a seascape in oil I was about 14-15 years old and in high school. I took oil painting lessons for a few summers and occasionally painted on Saturdays until the academic schedule got too tough, and then I gave it up. I have often wondered what would have happened if I had rigorous training back then, rather than casual hobby type lessons. The road not taken, sigh. College came, and marriage and work and a family and so many good things. And there have been many summers between then and now. But I have rediscovered my bliss and intend to follow it all the rest of my days. Who is “winging home?” I am. Back to what did and always will bring me joy – painting.
Are you following your bliss? (as Joseph Campbell would have said.) If not, what are you waiting for?
