Karen F Rose My Painting Journey

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

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?