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. 

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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.