Karen F Rose My Painting Journey

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Heads or Tails...A Penny for Your Thoughts



This blog, My Painting Journey has been a journal of mine for almost two years. Back when I started, I didn't know the ins and outs of blogging and to tell you the truth, I am constantly learning. The intent is to share with you, my recent paintings, my art related travels and inform you of my upcoming exhibits and shows. 


After returning from my recent trip I thought I could use some help with my blogging skills to better showcase my painting adventures. So with a commitment to building a more vibrant blog, I signed up for the 4-week Blog Triage class with Cynthia Morris and Alyson B. Stanfield.
I have taken a workshop with Alyson and have her I'd Rather Be in the Studio book (which I highly recommend) so I know I will be in for a great learning experience


I am also in the process of transitioning my web site to a new format.
I would love to hear from you with your thoughts. 
Which web site do you prefer and is more reader friendly?
http://karenfrose.fineartstudioonline.com/
 or
www.karenfrose.com


Soooo...put down that cup of coffee and send me your comments.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Zecchi in Florence-Art Supplies for the Traveling Artist

What a fabulous art supply store.

Jars of pure pigment.
With the new airline regulations limiting the weight of checked luggage and restrictions of carry on luggage, painting the Tuscan landscape takes some planning for those visiting from overseas.
If you are visiting Florence before you head down the A1 highway, visit Zecchi, at Via dello Studio 19 in the heart of Florence just steps away from the Duomo 
Their web site says, "the building that houses the Zecchi art supply store, is part of the historic seat of the ancient Studio Fiorentino, the first University of Florence (dated 1348) that gave the street its current name. The paint store - located in this street for centuries - has always been an important reference point for Florentine artisans and painters". 
I stopped in to pick up some stainless steel painting knives (not the best thing to have in carry on luggage) and some canvas. The staff was so helpful.  Then, what a treat to have the bells from the Duomo ring out just as I was leaving the store.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Pastel Artists in Florence, Italy -Taking it to the Streets

Would Vermeer be pleased with this street artist's rendering of The Girl with a Pearl Earring?
Photo Karen F. Rose
A street painter in Florence with his Madonna and child work in progress.
Photo Karen F. Rose 
Walking the narrow streets in Florence, Renaissance art is everywhere. And as you are strolling along savoring that double scoop of gelato you just bought, be sure to look down and enjoy the art at your feet. Skillfully crafted pastel paintings are created on the streets in areas where crowds gather. The street painters in Italy are called madonnari because they often paint pictures of the Madonna as well as recreating other well known masterpieces on the pavement.
This is hard work I imagine. Crouching in an almost fetal position as you draw and your days labor always threatened by a chance of rain and at days end the inevitable large mechanical street cleaner.
With bus loads of Asian tourists passing this young painter each day, I wondered if he was using a little entrepreneurial smarts. Do you think the name on his shirt is paid advertising? 

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Gator Themed Art Show at Ice House Gallery In McIntosh Opens Nov. 5

Gators, Gators and more Gators.

George Ferreira is putting together a not to be missed art exhibit. Mark your calendars for the opening of this show Nov 5 at the Ice House Gallery. Gators in all shapes and forms will be the artistic theme chomp ....chomp.
What is my entry into this exhibit? Well...it is on the humorous side, a drawing on archival paper. But more on that later.
Wonder if any of you have had a first hand experience with alligators? If you want one, visit the La Chua Trail in Paynes Prairie State Preserve Park just outside of Gainesville, FL.
You will see hundreds of gators sunning themselves on the trail. There is no fence separating you from these fellows so ...watch your step and mind the small dogs and children.
But then if you want a different kind of gator experience, on any given football Saturday, there are thousands of them in the Swamp!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Discovering Monet at the Grand Palais

Exhibition poster outside Grand Palais in Paris appropriate for this landmark exhibition.
Long lines for admission. The exhibit runs until Jan. 24, 2011.
Monet exhibition bookstore
Can you say...bring your Visa!
More than 70 museums from around the world loaned paintings to the Monet exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris. Included are more than 200 works covering 60 years of Claude Monet's career. It is the largest retrospective to be organized in his native France in 30 years. more than 83,000 tickets have already been sold and lines are long if you have not prearranged for your ticket. 
The painting, Impression, Soleil Levant which gave Impressionism it's name is missing from this exhibit and is on display at Musée Marmottan Monet that is a former hunting lodge in the 16th arrondissement district. There is an interesting Wall Street Journal article about the feud over the inclusion of that painting in the exhibit. Google the article if you want some behind the scenes drama.
This amazing exhibit has an interactive web site  
http://www.monet2010.com/en#/home/
But be patient because it takes a while for all the information to load.
Must say I was overwhelmed. I had severe jet lag and I kept pinching myself knowing this is a once in a lifetime exhibit and I was seeing paintings I will never again see in person.
The rooms were darkly lit and the deep jewel tones of the exhibition walls made the light in the paintings radiate their glow....very captivating. As Liz Lemon says, I want to go there....again.
I invite you to subscribe to my blog and please share my link with friends who might find it interesting. Thanks.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

In Flight Thoughts - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Airplane In Flight Map
Over the Guernsey Island 

Just returned from a (vacation/birthday celebration) adventure in Paris, France and Italy.  I cherish the moments with family, old and new friends and the opportunity to see art and architecture in Florence, Cortona, Siena, and Paris, previously I had only studied in college art textbooks.
The enchanting Tuscan landscapes and my Paris adventure will be inspiration for pastel and oil paintings in the days ahead....so stay tuned.
However, back to the plane... on flights over "the big pond" I always love to view the map in progress. Seeing where you are at 35,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean in the middle of the night always gives one pause. As we inched closer to France on the moving map, the Guernsey Island in the English Channel was highlighted. My thoughts immediately turned from, "gee, I hope we have enough fuel to make it to Paris CDG cause I can't swim", to the... oh so charming book I listened to last summer, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I say listened to, because many times when I am painting in the studio I listen to audio versions of books and this has superb actors. Kinda wished we weren't flying over Guernsey but were popping in for a visit with the locals.
Amazon has a wonderful clip about the book http://www.amazon.com/Guernsey-Literary-Potato-Peel-Society/dp/0385340990
Time to unpack the suitcase and read the mail. Subscribe to my blog if you want to join me on my colorful art adventure to Tuscany and Paris.