Melrose Bay Art Gallery - Karen F. Rose Art Opening

We Are Not in Kansas Anymore 2013
6x6" pastel
© Karen F. Rose
available

          Very pleased to be invited to be the featured artist kicking off the New Year at the Melrose Bay Art Gallery in Melrose, FL. 

                      

                                  Karen F. Rose  The View From the Easel

                                    painting a poetic vision in oil and pastel

                                               

                                                Opening Reception          

                                           Sunday, January 13, 2013

                                                       2 - 5 PM

                                          Melrose Bay Art Gallery

                                          SR 26

                                          Melrose, FL

                                   Exhibit dates Jan.12 to Feb. 24, 2013 

Hope to see you there.                        

Randy Higbee 6" Squared Show Dec 2012

Wishing
pastel
6x6"
sold

What a thrill to be included in the Randy Higbee 6" Squared Exhibit and Sale this year.  My pastel "Wishing" will on exhibit with those of other talented artists from around the country.
I am honored to be in this show for the third year. If you are in southern California, The Randy Higbee Gallery is at 102 Kalmus, Costa Mesa, CA.
The opening reception is Saturday, December 8 from 5 to 9 pm pacific time.
It's alway fun to watch the event unfold live on Facebook
And speaking of events.
Hope you will put a big sticky note on your calendar for my upcoming show
Karen F. Rose -The View From the Easel which will be at the Melrose Bay Art Gallery Jan. 12 - Feb 24, 2013.
Just in time for gifting for your favorite valentine.

New Web Site at www.karenfrose.com

Screen Shot of My New Web Site
www.karenfrose.com

Excited to have my new web site up and running.
This site gives you a better chance to view my paintings up close and personal and is more interactive with slide show and video clip capabilities. Lights camera action!
And, if you are looking to purchase a painting as a gift, just the click of a button takes you to a safe and secure Pay pal site which makes using your credit card for the purchase so easy.
Here is the link www.karenfrose.com

In The News
On November 9, 2012, I was the Friday Featured Artist on Carrie Roets-Waller blog. Carrie is a very talented watercolor artist and we have been Facebook artist friends for a while. I am so honored that she selected me to be her interviewee.
Wonder what she asked me? Check out this link to the interview:
 Carrie's Creations

Four paintings are on display at
The Gallery at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL.
What a great time I had at the opening reception meeting old and new friends.

I know it is only November but mark your calendars for my solo show next year at the Melrose Bay Art Gallery, Melrose, Florida which is just a hop skip and a jump from Gainesville, Fl.
The show is:
View From The Easel-Karen F. Rose, Painting a Poetic Vision
Jan. 12 to Feb 24, 2013
The opening reception TBA

Many thanks for visiting my blog and and web site. Would love to hear from you.
Just leave a comment here or on the new comment section of my web site.

Florida Artists' Invitational at The Gallery at Oak Hammock, Gainesville, FL

Harbor View
© Karen F.Rose
oil on canvas
9x12"
The Gallery at Oak Hammock

Very pleased that my plein air painting, Harbor View will be on exhibit at The Gallery at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fl 

Oct 9, 2012 through January 4. 2013.

This exhibit, The Florida Artists' Invitational exhibition will feature artwork of several artists and I am so delighted to be presenting four of my landscape paintings. Cumulous Crescendo, Salutations, Quiet Harbor and Harbor View.

Hope you will have the opportunity to visit this new gallery venue in Gainesville, FL.

My four paintings are for sale and you can contact me directly if you have any questions or want further information, email me at Karen@karenfrose.com 

I have several other exciting things in the works. If you are on Facebook, I now have a professional page. Here is the link   Karen F Rose Fine Art  

Hope you will check out my new site and give me a thumbs up by "liking" the page. 

How do you do that? Just click the "thumbs up" at the top of the page!

It's a small click for you and a giant vote of approval for me.

My web site is getting a long due overhaul. Stay tuned for the unveiling. You will be able to purchase paintings with a click of a button using pay pal or a credit card. Not a bad idea with the holidays just around the corner.

Now go out and have a great weekend.

Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors Factory Tour

Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors Factory Tour -raw pigment
Photo Karen F Rose, August 2012

I have loved painting with luscious handcrafted Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors for many years and as I mentioned in an earlier post, I received a set of Gamblin plein air oil paints as part of an award in the Women Painter of the Southeast First Annual Exhibition earlier this year.

My husband and I were planning a trip to Oregon and wanting to thank them in person and hoping to take a factory tour I contacted Pete Cole, the president of the company. Pete sent me a lovely note and I made arrangements for the tour throught Scott Gellatly and Briana Ball.  I was all set for the tour on August 17th!.

   

Gamblin product manager Briana Ball, an artist herself, could not have been more gracious, welcoming and informative. Briana, thank you.

She warmly greeted us and then took us "backstage" explaining the process from the receipt of the finest raw pigment through the mixing, careful testing, milling and packaging Then we went back to her office where she answered all my questions and demonstrated the creative possibilities of various Gamblin mediums. 

Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors Factory Tour - mixing the pigment
Photo Karen F. Rose, August 2012

Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors Factory Tour - luscious colors ready for milling
Photo Karen F. Rose, August 2012

Gamblin Factory Tour- Briana mixing Gamblin mediums
Photo Karen F Rose, August 2012

DEDICATED TO OIL PAINTERS       MADE IN THE USA

 Gamblin Artists Colors Torrit Grey
Photo Karen F. Rose

"Master paintmaker, painter, and founder of Gamblin Artist's Colors Company, Robert Gamblin has emerged as a world leader in the field of oil painting materials and museum conservation  colors. America's premier Colorman, Robert Gamblin has created historical artist colors for the Smithsonian Institution, and developed Gamblin Conservation Colors for art conservators in conjunction with the National Gallery of Art and the J. Paul Getty Museum". 

You also have to love this company's culture and philosophy...dedicated to oil painters. 

I came away from this personalized tour with a new appreciation for the care and skill each employee has in making these fine oil paints. 

And all those wonderful colors and mediums are lovingly made by a dedicated staff of approximatly 20 people.

Labels are printed and placed on each tube by hand so as not to dent the tubes.

The company's care for the artist and concern for the environment is so evident.

The air filtration system in the mixing area of the factory gathers pigment dust and is collected to make an oil paint called Torrit grey. 

The mix is just a little different each year, based on the colors that have been produced. 

In the spring, when you purchase another tube of Gamblin color at you can receive a gift tube of Torrit Grey.

Gamblin's philosophy, "We believe every painting deserves to stand the test of time and are proud to provide artists with safer, more permanent oil painting materials".

I was honored to tour the Gamblin plant and hope you will visit Gamblin's amazing educational web site to learn more.

Climbing into the Clouds

Cumulous Crescendo
© 2012 Karen F. Rose
pastel on board
20x16"

Dropping off this pastel Cumulus Crescendo for

The Summer Exhibit at the Thomas Center
Mezzanine Gallery
302 NE 6th Avenue
Gainesville, FL
which runs from July 9 to September 1, 2012.
Glorious clouds are my mountains in the Florida twilight landscape.

And speaking of mountains. I had just the best time viewing the clouds on our recent trip to Colorado. We made the vertical climb 10,360 feet to Brainard Lake just outside Boulder. Spectacular!

If getting that vertical is exhilarating, coming back down to earth can be too.
Here's a road sign you just don't encounter in the Florida landscape.

Painting Saint Simons Island and Sea Island, Georgia

Gentle Breeze
6"x 8"
oil on linen panel
$100

Wow it has been an amazing couple of weeks of travel and painting.

Had the privilege of attending a Laurel Daniel workshop in Saint Simons Island, GA hosted by Mary Anderson owner of The Anderson Fine Art Gallery.

Laurel is from Austin, Texas and is such a gifted painter and instructor. It was delight to finally meet her and paint with her.

Mary treated us to warm southern hospitality by arranging for us to paint in three beautiful private gardens during our workshop and have catered lunches from Cafe Frederica delivered to us each day. Delicious.

Gentle Breeze is a study done overlooking a marsh on Sea Island, GA.
As you can see, we had perfect weather that day.
Don't you just love remembering perfect days?

Today, I am hoping tropical storm Beryl was not an unwelcome guest on the islands.
I would say "rain, rain go away", but we are in a bit of a drought here and in GA so a rainy day just might be a perfect day for you too.

"In a Southern Garden" at the Thomas Center Gainesville, FL

Spring Blossom
© Karen F Rose
oil on canvas
6" x 6"

When painting this blossom for the plein air exhibit "In a Southern Garden", I saw a gentleman observing me painting.
After a while he said, "I like that you are painting the flower up close. It's like you want to smell it's fragrance too". I like that.
I also wanted to capture the delicate blossom as it was tossed in the March breeze.
Hope you will visit the Thomas Center Galleries where you will see plein air works by 16 Gainesville area artists. The show will be in full bloom through June 23, 2012.
Be delighted!
Cudos to Tim Malles for all his hard work curating the show.

Women Painters of the Southeast- Peoples' Choice Award

The Sentinel
© Karen F Rose
oil on linen canvas
20 x 16"
Women Painters of the Southeast
People's Choice Award

THANK YOU to the many people who have commented in person, by email and on Facebook about my oil painting "The Sentinel" which received recognition of a People's Choice Award at the Women Painters of the Southeast First Annual Exhibit and Sale.

Earlier this year, the painting also received an award at the Florida Artist's Juried Exhibit held at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Fl.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was inspired by a quote from the naturalist John Muir. Large stands of pine trees are part of a disappearing landscape all over the southeast and especially in south Georgia and North Florida. 

Many of you told me you loved the peace and mystery of the painting, the luminosity and glow...thank you.

Special thanks to Eileen Corse of the Corse Gallery and Atelier in Jacksonville, FL for creating WPSE organization which is designed to help promote and support women representational artists that live in the southeastern states. 

What an amazing job Eileen and her staff have done! This WPSE show has 150 fabulous works. The show is on exhibit through May 26th so head on over and enjoy.

On Saturday morning, part of the festivities was a demo by the event judge, artist Barbara Flowers. What a colorful floral still life she created all with a palette knife.

The Peoples' Choice $250 award also included a Kevin Macpherson plein air oil and medium set supplied by Gamblin Artist Oils. I love Gamblin artist oil paints and when I travel to Portland, Oregon later this year, I am hoping I can stop in the factory and thank them in person.

Women Painters of the Southeast First Annual Exhibition and Sale

Detail from Snow Birds
© 2012 Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas
20 x 16"
Women Painters of the Southeast
First Annual Juried Exhibit and Sale
April 27 to May 27, 2012
Corse Gallery
Jacksonville, FL

I am so pleased to have two paintings juried into the Women Painters of the Southeast First Annual Juried Exhibition and Sale at the Corse Gallery in Jacksonville, FL.

Preview night and people's choice voting is on Friday, April 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. and the opening is on Saturday, April 28th from 5 to 9 p.m. The exhibit runs through May 27.

Over 140 paintings by exceptionally talented women painters from all over the southeast will be part of this exhibit.

My painting Snow Birds, is a bit autobigraphical.

On trips to Florida for many years, people noticed the Michigan license plate on our car. They often remarked, "Oh, you are a snow bird".  A term for those of us from Michigan, who would travel to escape the three foot drifts in front of our doorways.

The conversation from the Florida locals would continue...

"Well, where in Michigan are you from"?

Because the state of Michigan is shaped like a mitten, I would always hold up my hand and point to where I lived. 

In the picture above, I am showing you just a snippet of the painting.

In my oil portrait, Snow Birds (oil on canvas, 24 x 20"), a women raises her mittened hand on which a red bird is delicately perched.

 

A velatura of snow drifts around the two figures and does not interrupt their gaze.

The paint application is purposely in an indirect manner, lit as if in a dream. 

What are these two thinking? 

Look for the painting at the Corse gallery and tell me what you think.

The Sentinel
© 2012 Karen F Rose
oil on canvas
20 x 16"
Women Painters of the Southeast
First Annual Juried Exhibit and Sale
April 27 to May 27, 2012
Corse Gallery
Jacksonville, FL

Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.  ~John Muir

My painting The Sentinel was inspired by the quote by naturalist John Muir and by the towering pines that dot the landscape here in North Central Florida.

Some comment that there is a peacefulness and mystery to this painting. 

I wanted to engage the viewer in a journey, not describe every step of the way, but to let them find themselves in discovery.

Catch the April issue of American Art Collector magazine which has a wonderful article on the show. 

Will I see you there on opening night?

Melrose Open Air Arts, Painting in the Park

Artist Stacey Breheny painting in the park.
Photo © 2012 Karen F. Rose

Today was one of the public painting days at the 2012 Melrose Open Air Arts. Each year painting in Melrose Park is always one of my favorite experiences of the Open Air Arts, you just never know who you will meet.

Some people come to the park for a swim with their family with picnic baskets in hand, others just want to sit on one of the benches and take in the bay view, some need a quiet space to collect their thoughts and feel the cool breeze, others know that artists will be painting as part of the Open Air Arts and want to strike up a conversation about your art.

A Real Hero
Photo © 2012 Karen F. Rose

And some people bring their dogs. 

And today I met not just any dog. I met a real canine hero. A lovely german shepherd who is in training to be a canine companion for a disabled military veteran; helping that individual live with more independence. 

What an honor for me to meet this dog and the lovely couple who are training him.

Did I mention you just never know who you will meet while painting in the park?

 

Melrose Open Air Arts 2012

My "Welcome to Melrose Bag"
decorated by an elementary school artist
photo Karen F. Rose

One of the great pleasures of participating in the Melrose Open Air Arts is to feel the community involvement to make the artists feel so welcome. At the breakfast for the artists on Wednesday morning, I was given a bag filled with coupons, a schedule and a map. 
My "Welcome to Melrose" bag was decorated by a fifth grader from the local elementary school. Don't you just love the sunglasses she drew on the sun!


Speaking of the sun, on Wednesday and Thursday of this week I got up at the crack of dawn...well, actually before dawn more like 5 am to drive out to Melrose and experience the sun rise over lake Santa Fe.

Sunrise on Lake Santa Fe
© 2012 Karen F. Rose

This is the fourth year I have painted in the Open Air Arts and my finished paintings will be hanging in the Melrose Bay Art Gallery.
Hope to see you there and bring your sunglasses!

Primavera Festival - Dive into Spring

Poster for Thornebrook Gallery's The Mob Show 

Gainesville's Primavera Festival is about to begin and I am delighted to be a part of the festivities. Art, Music and Culture will be "in bloom" all over the area.

Thornebrook Gallery is hosting The Mob Show again this year this time from March 23 to March 31. The work of over thirty talented local artists will be on display. Lots of beautiful paintings, but each artist is showing just one, lots of variety and styles. An art treasure for everyone. 

Hope you can join us for the opening reception on March 23 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. My painting is on the first row of the poster, can you find it? It's called "Safe Harbor"

Wouldn't we all love to have that place in our lives?

I'll be packing up my paints and easel and heading out to Melrose to paint in the 2012  Open Air Arts. This is always a mini vacation as Melrose is such a beautiful lake town. Beautiful scenery, friendly people, a happening art spot for sure.

A portion of the proceeds of the sale of paintings will benefit The Doris Bardon Community Cultural Center.

So forget the spring cleaning, (trust me it will still be there when you return) ... get out and enjoy some art. 

Hey have you subscribed to my blog? Just click on the goggle followers tab.

2012 Thomas Center Paintout, Capturing Spring

Historic Thomas Center
Gainesville, FL
Photo 2010 © Karen F. Rose

Spring is in the air and that means time to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful spring colors. Azaleas, dogwoods, budding trees everywhere...who doesn't love this season.
This is your invitation to join me and 17 other artists as we paint in the gardens of the Matheson House and Museum, 513 E. University Ave. on Friday, March 9th and the historic Thomas Center, 302 NE Sixth Ave in downtown Gainesville, Fl on Saturday, March 10th.
I will also be participating again in the Open Air Arts in Melrose, FL. Always a pleasure with such a beautiful views of Lake Santa Fe. So mark your calendar for that event too, March 21 to March 31.

Beach Meditation, oil painting

Beach Meditation

© 2012 Karen F. Rose

oil on canvas

6x6"

Sold

If you wake early enough, and get out for a walk on the beach just before the sun is high in the sky, you will find yourself alone there with your "maker".

What a time for gratitude, reflection, and meditation.

Hope you find that peace you are looking for, and that ever elusive beautiful unbroken perfect seashell.

3rd Annual Musical Chairs Project Fundraiser - Beach Memory

Beach Memory Chair
3rd Annual Musical Chairs Auction Fundraiser Donation
 by Karen F. Rose

Beach Memory Chair
starfish, shell and water 

Warm golden sand, sparkling blue water and the sound of ocean waves. Children laughing and playing on a gorgeous day at the beach. What is your beach memory?

I had so much fun creating this Beach Memory chair that will be auctioned off at the 3rd Annual Musical Chairs Project fundraiser on March 2 from 7 - 10 pm at the Doris Bardon Community Cultural Center at 716 N Main Street in Gainesville, Florida. All proceeds will support and enhance our public school elementary art and music programs through Friends of Alachua County Public Schools.

Framed in sunny gold this Beach Memory is my 11" x 14" original oil painting of a little girl on the beach. This chair also includes flip flops, shells, beach toys and a colorful blue and aqua beach towel AND if you listen carefully you will hear the ocean and shore birds..
Wouldn't this chair be the perfect addition to your daughter or grandchild's room. A wonderful reminder of a vacation day you spent together.

Preview this chair and 26 other delightfully created chairs this Friday, February 24 at ART WALK at the Doris in Gainesville, then attend the fundraiser on March 2 and place your bid in the silent auction. Hope to see you there.

Painting Horse and Rider, Waiting to Ride, pastel painting

Waiting to Ride
© 2010 Karen F. Rose
pastel on board
On exhibit EQUUS The Art of the Horse
Cofrin Arts Center
Gainesville, FL

"My horse teaches me everything I need to know about myself." 

Not too long ago I watched a young lady as she was preparing to enter the show ring at a local equestrian event in Newberry, FL. She was focused. In her mind she was rehearsing each of the jumps she and her horse would make.

Communication between the rider and horse is so important as you approach a jump. And being a competition, the horse and rider are judged in just a few fleeting moments.

Capturing this young lady in her intensity, in the moment in pastel was my goal.

She was waiting, anxious but prepared and ready to ride.

I donated a painting called "In the Moment" to the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation's Noche de Gala Event at the Besilu Collection in Micanopy, FL. To see that painting, click on the tab "horse paintings" at the top of the page. 

That painting's focus was the beauty and intensity of the horse or better stated "the graceful athlete". 

Florida is horse country. All over the state you can enjoy watching many hunter/jumper, dressage and driving competitions and events. Lush beautiful horse farms with expansive pasture land dot the landscape. 

Are you a rider or is someone in your family? Would love to hear what you have learned about yourself from your horse.

Invisible Paris - The Mystery Solved

The Mysterious Paris Building

Those of you that have been reading my blog know that I not only post about my own painting journey and artwork, but I love to introduce a few art topics that I think you might find of interest.

When on our a trip to Paris I couldn't help noticing this very unusual building while on a walk in the 12th arrondissement. I was on an elevated walkway with lots of trees and shrubs and I could only see the top of the building.
The figures on the building looked familiar like, The Dying Slave sculpture by Michelangelo, but I was in a residential section of Paris and this was a modern structure.

I have taken a fair amount of art history/architecture in college, but I was stumped.
Who was the architect and what was this building's intended use?
After some searching on the internet I discovered the blog, Invisible Paris.
Adam, the author of the blog said,
"Seen something in Paris that has caught your eye but remains a mystery, or ever wondered about obscure people or events in the city's past"? 
So I emailed him. 
And to my surprise and delight, he took the time to solve the mystery! 
His response is so thorough with additional pictures, you will be fascinated to learn more.
Here is the link to his marvelous blog post 
Challenge 7: Curious figures on the Avenue Daumesnil in Invisible Paris.
Thank you Adam.
You can download his Invisible Paris tours on your IPhone.

EQUUS: The Art of the Horse at the Cofrin Arts Center - Oak Hall School

Morning Ride
© 2010 Karen F. Rose
pastel on board
available

As a late entry, my name is not on the poster for this event, but I am so please to be included in the exhibition. Better late than never, huh!
My two pastels, Morning Ride, Waiting to Ride and my oil painting Mimic are part of an outstanding show EQUUS: The Art of the Horse at the Cofrin Arts Center Gallery at Oak Hall School in Gainesville FL. The show runs January 13 to Feb 17, 2012 and includes many top regional artists and is curated by Gary Bone.

Please join us at the artist's reception Friday, Jan 20 from 7 - 9 p.m. 

As an added bonus, live horses will also be present at the opening in the courtyard behind the art gallery.

Cofrin Arts Center Gallery Hours are weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To view more of my horse paintings and the three that are in the show just click on the tab at the top of this page called horse paintings. 

"Do you paint equine commissions?", Yes, I love painting horses and horse portraits. I would love to capture the beauty and spirit of your horse. Just email me at Karen@karenfrose.com  for more details.

Gallop don't just walk over to see this exhibit... you will love the art! 

Opening Reception for 2012 Florida Artists Juried Exhibition

You are invited

You are cordially invited to the opening reception, this Friday, for the 2012 Florida Artists Juried Exhibition hosted by Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida. The show is sponsored by the Gainesville Fine Arts Association. The juror and judge for the show is Dr. Jack King, Professor of Art at the University of Tampa.  

Over 200 images were submitted to the show and Dr. King juried in 40 pieces. There are truly stunning pieces in this show and I am honored to be a part of this exciting exhibit.

My oil painting,The Sentinel hangs at the entrance of the exhibit. I am especially pleased at the location as it is representative of the mood and spirit of the painting.

The President's Gallery is located on the second floor of the Administration Building
Open Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

The President's Gallery is located on the second floor of the Administration Building.

Driving Directions

Take I-75 to exit 390 (old 77)

Turn Right on to NW 39th Avenue 

Turn Right on to NW 83 Street then turn onto Administration Blvd.

Free visitor parking is a available in front of the building and around the circle on the right.

Enjoy the exhibit.