Sunrise Over the Atlantic Ocean

Intangible
© Karen F. Rose
11 x 14"
pastel on board
NFS

In the last year I have had the pleasure of watching the sun rise over the Atlantic on more than one morning. The light of dawn brings such awe, wonder and peace.
Sunrise is a profound experience for me, a moment of spiritual connection that I hope you see in my artwork.

I wait and observe as the sun paints a beautiful canvas before me and I attempt to translate that moment....that intangible moment.

All this month I will be painting and posting more studies on my website www.karenfrose.com as part of a 30 in 30 challenge.

On a personal note there have been some challenging times for me this year and especially in the last few weeks. 

Let's see how life's canvas will be painted. 

Thanks for sharing the journey with me. Your comments and thoughts are so welcome. 

The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach - First Coast Pastel Exhibit - Karen F. Rose

Pianissimo
© Karen F. Rose
pastel
11 x 14" 
available

This pastel painting Pianissimo was inspired by the gorgeous light of the sun quietly rising out of the sea. The peace and calm of the predawn hours is such a meditative time for me.
We are so blessed to have a get away spot where I rejoice in those fleeting minutes.
Judge Carrie Raeburn chose this painting to receive an award of merit in the First Coast Pastel Society's member show now on exhibit through June 26 at The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach,  50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

Just as I love predawn, the twilight hours hold a special fascination for me.
The second pastel painting in the show, Longing For That Distant Shore is a nocturne. It's all about the mystery and atmosphere of moonlit beach walks! This painting is a favorite of mine. Hope you like it too.

Longing For That Distant Shore
© Karen F. Rose
pastel
10x 10"
available

The First Coast Pastel Society is a fabulous group of talented artists. You can read more on my May 11th post on this blog.

The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach is very conveniently located just off A1A in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl on 50 Executive Way. It's a beautiful venue! There are wonderful shops and restaurants and of course the beach is where you will want to head after you see the show.

The Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach Courtyard

Remember the exhibit closes on June 26. For more information and their hours, call them at (904) 280-0614 and oh don't forget to tell them I sent you.
Wishing you a peaceful Memorial Day weekend with your family and friends.

First Coast Pastel Society Exhibit May 23 to June 26, 2014

Longing For That Distant Shore
© Karen F. Rose 
pastel, 10 x 10"
on exhibit at 
The Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 

Very pleased to have two of my pastel paintings juried into The First Coast Pastel Society's Member Exhibit. 
Join the members at the opening reception which is Friday, May 23, 2014. 
There will be a variety of subject matter and painting styles to delight you and you will love meeting the members of this group and seeing all the art at this wonderful venue in Ponte Vedra Beach.

The exhibit runs from May 23 to June 26th at
The Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

The First Coast Pastel Society is based in northeast Florida, covering Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and points north, west and south, and was started in January of 2012. Their goal is to reach out to pastel artists in the northeast Florida and southeast Georgia area who, until now, have not had a local pastel society to belong to.

The mission statement of the FCPS is as follows:

"To promote the use of soft pastel within the FCPS membership and the community at-large as an important and continually evolving fine art medium."

Contact: 904-290-ARTS (2787) or firstcoastpastelsociety@gmail.com

Casey Klahn the noted pastel artist from Washington was just with us for a fantastic workshop and we all benefited from his wisdom and instruction.

There are several restaurants in PVB you don't want to miss. Palm Valley Fish Camp or J.J's Liberty Bistro which are two of my favorites. If you are interested in making May 23 an evening of dinner AND art. 

Hope to see you there.

Beach Melody, original oil on canvas, Karen F. Rose

Beach Melody
© Karen F Rose
oil on canvas
6x6" 12 x12 framed
available from artist's studio

Inside the Artist's Studio, It's Spring!

Pastels in My Studio Box
Photo © Karen F. Rose.

For all of us, it's been an unusually long and cold winter... even in Florida.

Aren't you inspired by the renewal and the energy of spring.
Outside the studio, a Carolina wren is making a nest in the wreath on my door and lime green is the color of the buds on all the trees and shrubs outside the studio window...
you notice I am NOT mentioning the lime green color of all the pollen coating everything that stands still.
No, I am not mentioning it.

Inside the studio, it's a joy to open the pastel box to see beautiful gorgeous color.
But before I get to pastel or oil painting, the studio needs dusting, organizing and rearranging.

The need for spring cleaning today makes me think of Bravo Channel's show Inside the Actor's Studio.
You know the one where host James Lipton asks ten questions of his guest, the last question being

"If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates."

I have given it some thought and hope he might say, 'Karen, you have created paintings that have given people joy and touched them with serenity and peace.... but most important...your studio is FINALLY clean...you can come in now."

I'd love to share my latest paintings with you.

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 Newsletter

Two workshops, two art exhibits and a few trips to exciting locations are on my calendar...but more about that in the weeks to come in future posts and in the newsletter.

Hope you will join me.