Karen F Rose My Painting Journey

Friday, July 30, 2010

Painting a May Memory




Le RĂªve
oil on linen
Karen F. Rose

In Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting, the author stresses the importance of painting from memory.  We "relive our experiences and the effect they produced on us. The mind is dealing more with the  expression of thought than with the the clever application of paint".
After hearing of the environmental disaster just unfolding in the Gulf on that day in May, I stood at the water's edge. There was stillness and unbelievable serenity. How beautiful yet how fragile these waters are. 
While other painters around me were creating beautiful scenes of the manicured grounds; banyan trees, palms and flowers. My thoughts were "on the Gulf" hoping what I had heard on the news was just a dream.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Chateau de Balleroy Normandy, France, Plein Air Painting and the Balloon Museum


In 1998, American Artist Magazine published a special issue featuring 21 artists on tour in Normandy, France at the invitation of American Artist and Forbes magazine. The plein air artists painted scenes of this magnificent seventeenth century chateau and the surrounding countryside. Visiting Normandy, France had always been on my bucket list and reading that Malcolm Forbes had established the first hot air balloon museum in the stable on the grounds made a future visit all that more appealing.
Years later I did have the good fortune to visit Chateau de Balleroy, the beautiful gardens and the museum. I walked the grounds looking in every direction seeing Balleroy from all angles I thought to paint, except from above.

Fast forward to 2010 when I met Wendy and her husband Bud, who is a professional hot air balloonist. In 1993, they had been invited to the Seventeenth Annual International Invitational Balloon Meet at of all places Chateau de Balleroy! What a small world.
Wendy graciously shared her photos with me so I could at last see that view I missed, the view from above, from a hot air balloon!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Paris Velib Bike Program and The Tour de France

Velib' Bike Rental Program Paris
Ok, confession time... instead of painting today I have been watching the Tour de France. As the cyclists spin their way through France headed toward Paris, I am reminded of the many Velib' stations located throughout the city. That rental program is the only way most of us will ever be riding a bike in Paris. 
Sorry Lance... for not making the team. 
I do like the the basket model velib bike. Perfect for art supplies and pastels from  La Maison du Pastel.
Seems there should be more emphasis on this kind of rental here in the States especially in college towns.  What do you think?
But whenever you ride your bike, please wear a bike helmet. 

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Earleton, Florida- Connecting to the Past through Painting

My oil painting Earleton Twilight is included in the 
10th Annual Thomas Center Juried Art Exhibit 
in Gainesville, FL. 
To view the painting and my comments click here March 18th post

Now as Paul Harvey would say, here's the rest of the story -
The painting was created during the Open Air Arts 
event held this March in Melrose, FL. 
After reading this Florida heritage marker,
I was inspired to create the painting.
Do you know where this site is? If so let me know. 

Of course the church is long gone but you might 
find this article about carpenter gothic design of interest. 
When you see the painting hope you feel the spirit of 
this quiet spot.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The Moon and Our Fascination

Moonlit Bay, sketch
oil on  canvas
© Karen F. Rose
Forty one years ago on July 20th, we on the good planet earth looked skyward watching in awe "as man walked on the moon".  I remember that night just like it was yesterday.
My fascination with the moon hasn't changed much over these many years, but my interest now is painting the moon, not walking on it.
Painting moonlit scenes plein air is a challenge because, well...it's dark outside and hard to see your palette. It's best to choose a night when the moon is full and you will be amazed at how much color you actually can see once your eyes adjust to the light.
I was in Sarasota a few months ago at a workshop at the M Gallery of Fine Art with artist Mark R. Hanson. The highlight of the workshop was the night a group of about 10 of us painted in a park that overlooked the Sarasota bay. What a beautiful night! The lights of the city in the distance illuminated the sky and the sound of tree frogs serenaded in the night breeze.
The next full moon is Monday, July 26th, 2010. I'll be packed and ready to go with my booklight to light both my canvas and my paints and of course bug spray. Hey we aren't the only ones who love the moonlight!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Norman Rockwell -Telling Stories

On July 2, 2010 through Jan 2, 2011 The Smithsonian features an exhibit Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. If you are not able to make it to Washington, D.C. to see the exhibit in person, you will enjoy listening to the Smithsonian's podcast seeing many of the paintings  and drawings and hearing how the illustrations of Rockwell inspired these two great movie makers. Click on this link http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2010/rockwell/ to the Smithsonian's page.
Norman Rockwell told his own story in My Adventures as an Illustrator,  a book I have in my library.