Melrose Open Air Arts- What's in Your Pocket?

© 2011 Karen F. Rose    Melrose Memory, oil on canvas, 6x6"
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Remember the moment.
Sweet spring air and a glow, a kindness that warms my heart.
Painting in Melrose...a pocketful of memories.

Randy Higbee Gallery 6x6" Squared Exhibition

© 2011 Karen F. Rose      Awaken, oil on canvas, 6x6"
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Available through the Randy Higbee Gallery, 102 Kalmus, Costa Mesa, CA
So excited to be notified that my painting Awaken has been accepted into The Randy Higbee Gallery Second Annual 6" Squared Exhibition and Sale. This painting will be on exhibit and available through his gallery until May 6th.
Attend the gala reception on April 16th and see his amazing gallery filled with fabulous art. 
1200 entries from across the nation were sent to be juried into this show and 400 paintings were accepted. Jean Stern, director of the Irvine Museum and Jeff Horn, Professor Emeritus of Drawing and Painting from Irvine Valley College and gallery owner Randy Higbee were the judges for the show.

It's an honor to be included with nationally acclaimed traditional representational artists in this spectacular venue in Orange County, California. 

Launch From the Shallow End

©2011 Karen F. Rose   Launch From the Shallow End, oil on canvas, 10x10"

Available at the Melrose Open Air Arts, April 2 - April 30
Bellamy Arts Gallery

Notes from the Melrose Open Air Arts-
On Friday in the park next to Melrose Bay, I couldn't help but notice a young mother and her kindergarten age son as they spent the sunny afternoon "at the beach" in Melrose.
At this shallow spot of the Bay, this little guy was launching on an adventure in his inner tube. Carefully he entered the cool water and did not venture out too far into the deeper water.
His mother kept a careful eye on him. His feet never left the sandy bottom.

What a lesson to be learned at any age.
Is it best to launch from the shallow end?
In so many of life's adventures should we test the "waters" before we take the big plunge?

Lake Santa Fe Good Morning

© 2011 Karen F. Rose   Lake Santa Fe Good Morning, oil on canvas, 6x6"
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The sun rises quickly from the other side of the lake. GOOD MORNING! It's glow wipes away the sleep from your eyes.
No gentle tap on the shoulder, roll over and hit the snooze button here.
Now go out and make it a great day!

Painting in the Open Air Arts in Melrose, FL

Look for signs giving you directions to the artist locations.

Up early to see the sunrise over Melrose yesterday. What fun to be painting in the Open Air Arts Event again this year. This is my third year and I love being part of this event.. Harriet Huss and all those organizing the event have done a fabulous job promoting the event. Hope you will stop by and say hello.

What time was sunrise yesterday you might be wondering? 7:28 a.m.  

Don't worry you don't have to get up that early. Over 60 artists will be there all weekend from 10 - 5 painting. For the complete details for you to plan your weekend, the schedule of events is on this link.
And if you want to join me at sunrise, I'll have the coffee, but will you bring the donuts please? Thanks.

White Camellia Oil Painting

White Camellias
oil on canvas
8x8"
© Karen F. Rose

Outside my studio window there are three camellia bushes that are delightfully full of  blooms. Sometimes I watch the squirrels dart and dance under these bushes, totally unaware of the canopy of beauty overhead.
Rain was in the forecast yesterday. These camellia are delicate and a heavy downpour surely would have left most of the petals scattered on the ground. So, I arranged a few for a still life. What's your favorite spring flower? Hope you can take time to enjoy them!

PayPal Convenience

Salutations 

$100 + $10 S&H

If you see a painting on my blog and you would like to add it to your collection, just click on the Buy Now button. You will be taken to a PayPal checkout page where you can choose a payment method of your credit card or your PayPal account.

You Pick Fruit

oil on canvas
8x10"
© Karen F. Rose

Sometimes paintings take on a life of their own. If you are thinking out of the box what juicy name would you pick for these pairs of apples and pears.
How about Double Date, Just Chatting or Apple a Day and Add Few Pears.

Did I get up too early or should I go get that second cut of coffee?

Anniversary Rose

Anniversary Rose
oil on Raymar panel
6"x6"
© Karen F. Rose

This rose is painted for my parents who celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Feb 13th, 2011. What caring and loving people they are. What a role model they are and have always been. Love you Mom and Dad!

Artists Helping Artists

Leslie's second day demo during Atlanta Workshop
demonstrating her palette knife technique
Leslie Saeta
Photo credit Karen F Rose

Leslie and Dreama share a laugh...Did you say favicon?
Leslie Saeta and Dreama Tolle Perry talking business.
Photo credit Karen F. Rose

Just returned from a workshop in Atlanta, GA. What admiration I have for the dynamic duo of Leslie Saeta, a colorful palette knife painter and marketing wiz from California and Dreama Tolle Perry from Paris, Kentucky, whose beautiful art transforms and writing motivates.
Together they host a blog talk radio program called Artists Helping Artists which airs on your computer live on Thursday at noon EST and can be downloaded for future listening through I Tunes. The show's focus is to help artists advance their careers and also to educate them on how to sell their artwork online.
Well, I come up short with all the superlatives I need to express how much I enjoyed this workshop and being in the presence of these VERY GENEROUS ladies with 23 new artist friends.
Now can you believe that after doing demos and assisting artists each day, Leslie and Dreama cooked gourmet meals for all the artists. Each night the dinners were hosted by Leslie's brother Gary and his wife Aileen in their beautiful Atlanta home. How special and welcomed did we feel.
And then on Friday night, we had a fireside chat like nothing I have ever experienced at an artist workshop. Each artist was given center stage to express their hopes and dreams for the direction of their art career.
Now, I must give a shout out of thanks to the charming and talented Kathy Cousart who was so kind to take notes for me on the first day when I could not travel to Atlanta, due to my father's health concerns and to Kelley MacDonald daily painter extrordinare and Sandra Baggette a painterly colorist and Jerry Stocks, my copilots through Atlanta's rush hour traffic. Artists helping artists....hey, that's what it was all about.

Pleased to be invited to participate in the 5th Annual Melrose Open Air Arts Event

Melrose Open Air Arts

Sale of paintings will benefit the environmental organization
Florida's Eden - hard at work to protect Florida's springs.

Fri. Sat. and Sun.

March 25, 26, 27, 2011

from 10 to 5 daily held in Melrose, FL.

VIP Collector's Preview

Friday, April 1,  7 - 10 pm

Gala Reception and Art Sale

Sat, April, 2  6 - 10 pm

located in historic Melrose, Fl

on SR 26 just a hop, skip and a jump from

Gainesville, FL

This art event is well organized and you couldn't ask for a friendlier, more welcoming group of volunteers. 
Mark your calendar for those dates and join us in Melrose - great art benefiting a worthy cause...what could be better!
Did you know that the town of Melrose was once call Shakerag? 
You might be interested in reading this article about Melrose, FL

Taking the Measure of Mood

Salutations
oil on canvas
6x6"
© 2011 Karen F. Rose

The weather outside is frightful and January skies are gray and not so delightful. The forecast is nothing but chilling...cold and rainy which is not very thrilling.
Friends living on the east coast have been plowed under with snow or not plowed for days...this I know.

Spring is at least two months away and some of you have already forgotten your New Year's resolutions!... what'd she say...?
Oh sorry, I just threw that in there.
Whew...had enough?
Well, I've been measuring mood today - time to  lighten up.
Think of the first day of spring, think sun and gentle breezes. Over the hill is a spectacular view. Let's climb that hill and sit in the shade of that ancient oak tree.
We are almost there.
Feel any better?

Prairie Meditation Memory

Prairie Meditation Memory
© 2009 Karen F. Rose
pastel on board
In Private Collection.

There is a silence on the praire this time of year. 

Winter's frost paints colors of ochre and burnt sienna. 

Two clouds drift into view. 

They dance before me.

They whisper to me.

I reach out to embrace them
in my memory.

Need a Little Artist Humor to Start the New Year?

Visitors to your studio?

Happy New Year and my sincerest wishes for joy and inner peace for you in this coming year.

With all the seriousness of New Year's resolutions, list making, goal setting, and organizing that takes place this weekend, I thought you could use a little artist humor to balance out your day.

While on an artist studio "art walk tour", I spotted this "Eyebrow Movement Analysis" taped to the wall in one of the artist's studios. Funny, yes?

And, while on a brief visit to Key West two weeks ago, we spotted this handsome fellow. We had all gathered to watch the sunset, at the most southern point in the United States.

Where's that green flash?

Now, Key West is know for some laid back craziness and "the Ernest Hemingway six toed cats" but this guy takes the cake or better yet, I think he has dipped those toes into some catnip cake. He was just as calm, cool and collected as could be, taking in the sunset with all the rest of us.
I asked Mr. Boots, my studio cat if he would ever wear such a visor. He said "No way,"Ray Bans are my style"!
Ok, now that you have seen enough of this silliness, go out and make it a great day and don't forget those resolutions you just made!

Beyond the Frame, Impressionism Revisited

La Promenade, by Gustave Caillebotte rendered in life size sculpture

If you are in Key West, Florida, be sure to visit the current exhibit, Beyond the Frame, Impressionism Revisited, at the Custom House Museum, where you can become part of an impressionistic painting.

After a successful career as a painter, internationally famous artist J. Seward Johnson turned his talents to creating life size bronze sculpture.
Johnson creates life size scenes from famous impressionistic masterpieces. These are artworks you are invited to step into!
A video camera captures you at that moment and displays your image on a monitor in a grouping artfully displayed on the staircase wall.
Visitors to the museum are encouraged to walk into these scenes and interact with the figures in the painting.

"You" in the framed video painting.

Monitor paintings on display on the grand staircase.

You'll also want to see the Ernest Hemingway exhibit on the museum's second floor. Hemingway, author of The Old Man and the Sea is perhaps one of Key
West 's most famous former residents.

What's your must see adventure while in Margaritaville...

ah hmn... I mean Key West?

The Louvre Museum's Seated Scribe- Making That List and Checking It Twice.

Seated Scribe
Louvre Museum,  Paris

Writing, writing. writing. Tis the season for writing holiday and Christmas cards, writing year end to do lists and making those all important other "lists" and checking them twice.

Last night seated with my legs crossed, writing and writing, I thought about the figure of the Seated Scribe, in the Louvre museum in Paris. He is a masterpiece of Egyptian art.

I remembered the first time I saw him. wondering then, as I do now, "What was he writing?"

Quite a striking figure, he is rendered geometric, yet with very realistic touches. That day years ago, his fixed gaze starred right through me. He looked beyond me with his 4000 year old eyes to the courtyard of the Louvre, out to the streets of Paris and beyond.

But, last night with a chuckle, I thought of him with his fingers wrapped not around his scroll and quill pen, but with an I Pad in his lap instead.

My how our instruments of writing have changed over the years from papyrus, to 

I Pad.

What's on your list of to do's before the year end? Do you use lists to make yourself more accountable to achieve your goals?  If so, good luck with that!

If you are interested, there is a closer look at the Seated Scribe in an interactive view on the Louvre's web site Seated Scribe
Oh, by the way, unless you practice yoga, I wouldn't advise sitting with your legs crossed, guaranteed to put your left leg to sleep!

Gator Gothic

Tail Gators
© 2010 Karen F. Rose
archival print

Sometimes you gotta have a little fun, so when George Ferreira invited artists to create works for his gator themed art exhibit, Waniguchi, the Gator and the Sake Cup ...well I just couldn't resist a parody. 

Gainesville has a gothic style Century bell tower, the "bat house" bats, Saturday tailgate burgers and football fans with the craze for a certain "T-rrific quarterback".

Please visit Ice House Gallery in McIntosh before the exhibit closes on January 29th, 2011. 

Who modeled for the painting American Gothic by Grant Wood? It was not a husband and wife as some think. Do you know?

Painting the Intimate Landscape Conversation

Quiet Conversation
© 2010 Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas

There's a little group of trees I pass every morning as I am on my way out and about. I am in a hurry but they will not be part of my hustle and bustle. They are pensive and seek my observation. They ask of me a moment of quiet introspection. 

Do you have a landscape that "speaks to you"? Perhaps in your garden, at a lake or in the cool of the forest. What scene makes you stop and reflect?

Getting Into an Artist's Mind - Reflections on an Oil Painting

© 2010 Karen F Rose
oil on canvas

Have you ever studied a painting and wondered. What's the narrative here? Just WHAT is the artist saying to me? 

In this original oil painting I created for the Art and Apparatus exhibit at the IceHouse Gallery earlier this year, I included a number of seemingly unrelated objects - a hammer, a cryptic handwritten note, a large scholarly leather bound book, and an egg, gently cradled in a hand, (a wooden carved hand) all lit with a somewhat mysterious glow. 

Does each object represent something other than it's physical reality? Is my representation of an egg symbolic of something else?

The title of the painting is "The Discovery Process".

To a writer, a naturalist, a parent, a social worker, a scientist, a lawyer, a teacher, a politician, a doctor, and an artist - there can be different meanings and interpretations. 

What questions does the painting pose? 

What do you see in the painting? Click on comments and tell me your thoughts. 

Pastels - What's Old and New - Henri Roché Pastels, PastelMat, Pan Pastels

An assortment of new Pan Pastels

Clairefontaine's PastelMat

Something Old: In a previous post, I included photos of my visit to La Maison Du Pastel, 20 Rue Rambuteau, Paris, a small shop that is like a walk back in time, not having changed much since the 1920's. There Isabelle Roché sells hand made Henri Roché Pastels. This line of pastels dates back to the 1720's.


Whether you are an artist or not, you would be fascinated by their luminosity. The history of these pastels, complete with mentions of Whistler and Degas and how Isabelle came to continue the family tradition of making these handmade pastels can be found by clicking on the history of Henri Roché pastels.


Something New: At the big department store BHV in Paris, you'll find just about everything. Want to have a snack while you are shopping, forget to pack that sweater, need a new watch battery, need a laundry basket? No problem!


At BHV a fully stocked art department awaits you. I found packages of PastelMat on the shelves. This acid free and lightfast surface for pastel will be a joy to work on and is available in eight colors.


At home, I have discovered Pan Pastels, which create less dust than stick pastels.  Pan pastels are an exciting new way to apply the pastel medium. Love the pans with lids, the sponges and the varied shapes of Sofft applicators to apply the pastel.


If you are new to the pastel medium, visit the site Artists in Pastel, a blog written by
a gentleman in Cork, Ireland who reviews websites of artists who work in pastel.


I am most honored to have my name mentioned on his blog site.

Artist Lessons Learned From A Cat

Studio Assistant Cat
© 2009 Karen F. Rose
charcoal 

Many artists are blessed to have studio assistants. You know, that special someone who helps stretch canvases, deliver paintings to galleries, assist with PR material, clean brushes and tidy up the studio.

Well my assistant, Mr. Boots, a tabby cat, does help with cleaning the studio and for sure is an art critic. Just look at the expression of approval on that face!

He is working on how to speed dial Fed Ex for painting shipments, but is having a tough time with stretching canvases. 

He does however, teach me valuable lessons.
When a studio painting is giving me challenges, he says to me, "Take a break, step back, come, let's go sit out in the sun, listen to the birds and hear what nature has to tell us." Not bad advice.
And by the way, he asked me if you have read about "our history" on the About the Artist page of this blog. Have you?

Tuscan Style - The Art of Handmade Marbleized Paper

Welcome to Il Papiro in Florence.
 Photo © 2010 Karen F Rose

Showing me a sample of marbleized pape
Photo ©  2010 Karen F Rose

"Mr. Boots, my studio assistant cat received excellent care from friends during my recent trip overseas. So great, in fact, I'm not sure he even missed me!


As a thank you, to repay the kindness of his caregivers, I wanted to bring home just a little something from Italy for these friends.
I was  pleased to discover a charming and inviting paper shop, Il Papiro where gift giving ideas abound. 


As their website says, Il Papiro produces hand decorated paper with techniques inspired by the tradition of Tuscany - hand decorated papers on journals, books and photo frames. 

Here's a video link to watch the artisan who demonstrated the steps in this marbleizing process:  video  

If this looks like a creative endeavor you'd like try, here's a link on how to make your own marbleized paper.

Enjoy!

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.

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.

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? 

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!

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.

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.

The Sebastian Ferrero Foundation - Noche de Gala Donation - Horse and Rider

In the Moment
Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas
8"x8"
$400

If you have ever watched a horse and rider perform with such grace and perfection that you cannot forget the moment, I hope you will consider bidding on In the Moment, my original oil painting which will be part of this year's Sebastian Ferrero Foundation Noche de Gala Auction fundraiser.
You may bid on the painting at the event which will be Saturday evening October 23, 2010 at the Besilu Collection located in Micanopy, FL or with on line pre bidding through the event's web site.

Appleton Museum of Art Exhibit "On the Balcony"

Cumulus Crescendo

pastel on board

20"x16"

My pastel painting Cumulus Crescendo was accepted into the

juried art exhibit "On the Balcony" at the Appleton Museum of Art

in Ocala, Florida. 

Having my artwork hanging in the same museum that has featured

art by George Inness, Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood, Winslow Homer and

William Bougereau is very special for me. Thank you to Ruth Grim

the Appleton Museum of Art curator of exhibitions for selecting my pastel

and the Ocala Art Group for organizing the show.