Seeking Calm

Seeking Calm
© 2011 Karen F. Rose
6x6"
available

Find the calm within yourself. Share it. Whether soothing words or acts of kindness,

be the calm for those who need it.

A Hole In One - Making the Right Choices

Hole in One
7 iron 172 yards

If you play golf, or know someone who does, getting a hole in one is "a big deal". Some people play golf their whole lives and never make one.

It is for one shining golden moment... the perfect shot.

Over the weekend our son called to say he had made his first hole in one at a public course near his home. He was needless to say pretty excited.

To mark the occasion, I had some fun making a "folk art" painting for him today. Now you can interpret that as folk art as in Grandma Moses style or
just one from "the folks".

Anyway, I tried to capture two moments in one in the painting; the view of the flag 172 yards away on the green with the mountains in the background and the  moment of truth as he looked down into the cup to see the ball smiling back at him.
You who don't play golf may ask, does making a hole in one take skill or luck? There are usually course hazards to get into your head to intimidate you. The lay of the land can have bunkers filled with sand, a pond or a creek for your ball to swim in or rough around the green to catch your ball. YOU have to clear your mind and make some wise decisions.
Choose the right playing partner as they will attest to your honesty, choose the right club for the distance, aim correctly, swing just so, and with some luck and no spike marks on the green your ball will roll straight into the cup.

In golf or painting, as in so many activities in life, making the right choices at the right time makes all the difference. 
Have you ever had a hole in one? Wishing you good luck and hoping you have a "hole in one" kind of day making the right decisions, at the right time, for whatever life challenges fill your day.

Safe Harbor

Safe Harbor
© Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas
6x6"
available

This painting is a memory of my visit to the beautiful and historic town of Essex, CT this summer. I walked down to the Connecticut River to see sailboats moored not far from the docks.

Hoping you were in a safe harbor this weekend as hurricane Irene made her way up the coast, disrupted life for many, knocking out power for thousands.

 I have a tip for your hurricane preparedness. There are converters you can purchase for your car (which of course you filled up with gas before the storm) that will recharge your cell phone, camera battery or laptop. It has a usb port and an ac outlet. 

Believe me when your electricity goes out and may be out for days, you will be happy you can go to your car and recharge. 

Here's a link to one available at Best Buy

Oak Hammock Art Presentation

Earlier this year I gave a presentation to the Oak Hammock Art Group. One of the subjects I talked about was exercises. We all gotta love 'em. They are good for our health. Push ups, sit ups, arm curls..ooh I am beginning to sound like a 2 AM infomercial. And truthfully I did not talk about those kind of exercises but rather art exercises.

As an artist, you often squint and look as light cascades across the surface of an object. You see a beautiful color. You ask yourself, just what color is that? So how can you fine tune and develop your "color sense"?

Larry Moore, an artist whose work I admire, gave out a painting exercise during one of his workshops and this is the art exercise tip I shared with the group at Oak Hammock. You might want to flex your painting muscles and give it a try.

Go to Lowes, Home Depot or your favorite paint store and pick up a dozen free paint chip samples. Pick out a few samples (no pain, no gain) and try to match the colors in that sample using just red, yellow, blue and white paint.

Pick a Paint Chip Sample

You really have to study the sample...is it warmer or cooler than what you are mixing on your palette, or perhaps lighter in value...you get the idea.

I smiled when I left the paint store the other day with a handful of green, brown, blue, mauve and orange colors "exercise" samples.
The clerk said to me,  "Wow, that must be some room you are painting"!

Karen F Rose Paintings from QR Code to Your Phone

QR Code for my website
www.karenfrose.com

So what are these little square all about? Wondering if I have I become an abstract painter? Well those of you who know me, know I love innovation and advances in technology.
You may have seen these little boxes with strange patterns in magazines, newspapers and print ads.

QR Code for Karen F. Rose Daily Paintworks Gallery

They are QR codes. Simply a fast and easy way for you to find an internet site by using you cell phone.

Just download a FREE QR Reader app for your phone. If you have an iphone, go to the I Tunes app store and download the free QR Reader. If you have a blackberry or android just download the QR reader for your make of phone.
Once you have downloaded the reader, just hold your phone steadily over a QR code for 2-3 seconds you will be directed to the web site. No more typing or misspelling the url address!
Go ahead and give it a try.
Click on your QR reader program, place your phone over the image on the screen so it can be read and voila see what happens! Pretty amazing huh?

Twilight Companions

Twilight Companions

© 2011 Karen F. Rose

oil on linen canvas

Large oak trees are symbolic of strength and perseverance for me. They survive strong gusts and storms and give relief to those creatures who huddle under their strong outreaching arms.

When I pass by this group of trees at twilight, I often think of dear friends whose character is much like that of an oak - in the face of life's troubles, they weather life's winds of change. And with the breaking new day, they are there, steadfast to greet the new day with hope and resolve. 

What an inspiration. 

This Week's Daily Paintworks Auction Painting

Above It All
© Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas
6x6"
Available through Daily Paintworks Auction

I am excited to announce I am now a member of Daily Paintworks.  To view my auction --> Daily Paintworks Auction Site

Above It All will be auctioned on my site and part of the proceeds of the sale of the painting will be donated to the Putnam Land Conservancy, a non profit land trust dedicated to preserving and protecting important natural areas in Putnam and surrounding Florida counties.

A new painting for your home or office or as a gift for a special someone and a donation to the Putnam Land Conservancy. Now that's a great gifting idea.
Thank you.

Painting Donation to the August 27, Putnam Land Conservancy Fundraiser

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

"Nothing is as fleeting as summer, except childhood."

What are your fond memories of long summer nights when you were growing up?
In our little town after dinner, the neighborhood children would gather with mason jars in hand to catch fireflies in someone's yard. Yes, back then we did play outdoors.
If you caught enough fireflies you would poke holes in the lid of your jar and keep it by your bedside. That lime green light would glow well into the night. I don't want to say what the boys would do with their catch! Let's just say glowing Indian war paint was their objective.

This memory painting will be available at the Putnam Land Conservancy Fundraiser and Art Auction, Sat. August 27 from 6 to 10 pm at Melrose Bay Art Gallery and Bellamy Road Fine Arts in Melrose, FL. A portion of the sale of the painting will be donated to the Conservancy. Thank you for supporting this worthy cause.
I'd also love to hear one of your childhood summer memories!

Framing an Oil Painting

Cameilia Still Life
© 2011 Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas
11x14"

Camellia Still Life
© Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas
11x14"
available

How would you frame my Camellia Still Life painting? I chose this gold washed closed corner traditional wooden frame which I think is appropriate for the style and subject manner of the painting.

But speaking of frames..the reopening of the New American Wing Galleries for Painting, Sculpture and the Decorative Arts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City now scheduled for January 12, 2012 will highlight a spectacular American oil painting and its glorious new frame.

As a centerpiece will be one of the best known paintings in American art, the painting by Emanuel Leutze, Washington Crossing the Delaware.  A new stately frame for this historically significant painting was painstakingly created by the Eli Wilner & Company.
Trust me you will be interested to click  HERE to see a fascinating CBS Sunday Morning video story and interview with Eli Wilner about the painting and the craftsmen that have hand carved the spectacular 12 x 21 foot gold gilded frame for the painting.

Paynes Prairie Moon, oil painting

Paynes Prairie Moonrise Study
© 2011 Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas
8x10"
available

In March of this year a spectacular perigee full moon was scheduled to make its "rise". The best place to watch this for me was near Paynes Prarie just south of Gainesville, a large flat environmentally protected state preserve with large stands of grasses but few trees to block the panoramic view of the horizon.
About 200 of us waited, hoping for continued good weather so we might not miss this special moment.

This moonrise was the largest in about 20 years and might not happen with this brilliance again in my lifetime. This magnificent moon did not disappoint us. The large crowd gathered and as the moon rose,  there were a few oohs and ahhs, not like those for a 4th of July fireworks, but in hushed tones with reverence for this display by mother nature.

This oil painting is a study I will work into a larger painting.

Morning Ride, equine pastel painting

Morning Ride
© 2011 Karen F Rose
pastel on board
available

This morning I was reminded of another summer day not too long ago. I arrived at the pasture early to watch a beautiful horse and rider go through their morning exercises.

They were as if they were one, together so graceful and elegant and moving in a cadence that was in their hearts.

A friend recently said to me, "My horse teaches me everything I need to know about myself."

Have you ever thought about what animals teach us about life and about ourselves?

Silver Linings, oil painting

Silver Linings
© 2011 Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas
11x14"
available

The famous English landscape artist John Constable studied clouds and often wrote notes on the back of his paintings noting the time of day, direction of the wind and speed of the wind. He was very detail oriented but then again he was a painter. Hmm does that make him right brained or left brained? Good question.

If you have the opportunity, visit Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, CT, which has several Constable's cloud studies on exhibit.

When I painted this study I was thinking of the quote "For every dark cloud there is a silver lining". The power of optimism. I like that.

Sundown, oil painting 6x6"

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

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out til sundown,

 for going out, I found, was really going in”.  

                                                                     John Muir

Painting Kanapaha Prairie

Kanapaha Prairie Peace
© 2011 Karen F. Rose
Oil on canvas
8"x8"
available

For several years I have been painting, Kanapaha Prairie. There is a stillness when twilight reaches across this special patch of land in North Florida. At days end, you are wrapped in the soft light of the setting sun. A crane song is carried on the wind.  A calf calls to its mother. There is calm. There is peace. 

Guardian Southern Pines

Guardian Southern Pines
© Karen F. Rose

oil on canvas

6x6"

It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.  ~Robert Louis Stevenson


Standing tall and straight almost touching heaven are the hardy forests of pine trees that dot the landscape of North Carolina, Georgia and Florida and so many southern states. They greet you at many turns in the road. They echo beautiful cathedrals of grace and form. Take a moment and just breath in their sweet energy.

Cloaked in the first rays of the warm morning sun they watch over you, guardians of your day. And then at days end, they are there to greet you and renew your weary spirit.

Ahh that subtle something that fills our hearts.

Shown here is the 6x6" oil painting The Guardian Southern Pines as you might display it in your home or office. You may choose to frame the painting and place it on a small table easel on a desk, a bookshelf or side table.

All the small 6x6" paintings sold on my blog and web site are sold unframed with a small display easel.  They are shipped attractively packaged ready for gift giving or ready to be framed if you choose to do so.

Birthdays, Cakes and Thiebaud

Happy Birthday

The month of June has always been a time of celebration around our house.

Tomorrow my mother will celebrate a real milestone of a birthday. 

She will be 92! 

Happy Birthday Mom. Love you!

Next week I celebrate my own birthday. Whew and it's one of those BIG ones.

Ah yes 39 again!!

The artist in me thinks what fun it would be to decorate cakes. I must admit I have tuned into a TV show called Ace of Cake. They are well known for their outlandish, spectacular cakes.

But the most memorable cakes in my life have always been those lovingly baked and decorated by my mother. Her chocolate cake with seven minute boiled white frosting. Ahh what a sweet birthday cake and she always gave me the mixer beaters to "finish off".

At the age of 91, artist Wayne Thiebaud is know for his paintings of cakes. In fact he launched an art career painting cakes. A fascinating You Tube interview with him is located here

If you receive a Thiebaud cake painting for your birthday lucky you.

If not just enjoy YOUR birthday cake and eat it too!

Have a memorable birthday cake story? I'd love to hear it.

Finding Inspiration in Painting and Life

Inspiration Point in Yosemite National Park

I have been away. Most recently on a trip to California and Yosemite National Park. Flying into San Francisco we met our good friends Barb and Walt from Connecticut. We drove along winding roads through the Sierra Nevada mountains emerging from a mountain tunnel to this spectacular view called Inspiration Point- with the sheer granite cliff of Half Dome in the distance. 

With record snowfalls and lots of rain the Yosemite waterfalls were "overflowing". But a May snowstorm with winter weather advisories closed the roads and trails and made hiking on slippery trails... not advisable. 

But before leaving, we visited the Ansel Adams Gallery, an inspiration to the many photographers we saw in the park. Ansel said, "I hope that my work will encourage self expression in others and stimulate the search for beauty and creative excitement in the great world around us". 

The painting Among the Sierra Nevada Mountains by the famous German American painter Albert Bierstadt certainly was painted in a search for beauty!

Among the Sierra Nevada Mountains by Bierstadt

This painting at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. is in a quiet little alcove behind a curtain. Apparently Bierstadt was quite theatrical and often presented his huge canvases in such a display. 

Everywhere you turn there are inspirational views in Yosemite.

What gives you inspiration? Is it the spectacular beauty of nature, a stirring piece of music or the quiet appreciation and gratitude for person who has lived a full and meaningful life. I'd love to hear your thoughts on inspiration.

Moon Shadow - Taking That Walk, oil

© 2011 Karen F. Rose  Moon Shadow, oil on canvas, 8x8"

The summer of my junior year in high school was spent as an exchange student in Germany. I stayed in a small village near Fulda near the mountains, north of Frankfurt, Germany. 
When I think of that summer, I remember taking walks back from the village to the home where I was staying. 
Richard Harris singing McArthur's Park played over and over again on the radio. 
Didn't know the meaning of the song, but it's etched into my memory along with the German night landscape.
When Carol Marine posted a photo she had taken from a recent trip to Germany as part of the DPW challenge I was stunned.
I felt as though I have been on that road, taking a walk not in the bright sunshine, but in the glow of the moon and it's shadows. 
As we walked along that road, the group of us, an American girl who knew little German and her German friends, who knew little English we sang an American song which none of us understood.
"MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again, oh no..."
                                        McArthur's Park lyrics courtesy MetroLyrics.com 
Soft edges and a soft focus on a sweet memory from long ago.
Thanks for reminding me Carol.

Florida Plein Air Painting and Paint Outs

Roses, roses and K F Rose plein air painting with a ShadeBuddy umbrella.

"The best part of the painting journey is the friends you meet along the way".

A big thank you to all who came out to the Melrose Open Air Arts paint out last week and to all who volunteered their time to make this such a successful event.

I so enjoy talking with visitors and collectors and meeting new artists friends.

Also very pleased to have four of my paintings go to new homes! 

Early spring is a wonderful plein air and paint out season in Florida and having some shade is really important when painting outdoors, (as well as sunscreen, cool water and bug spray). 

My old umbrella had seen better times so I was excited to receive my new ShadeBuddy umbrella today! This umbrella has a reflective outer surface to help keep you cool and a dark inner surface to keep your colors true. 

Always great to have painting buddies.  

Be a Butterfly

© 2011  Karen F. Rose      Be A Butterfly

While I was busy painting in the Melrose Open Air Arts event this last weekend, my husband was enjoying going to the plant nursery choosing plants for his garden and spending time with "spring cleanup". Butterfly plants are some of our favorites. This photo is just one of the many "friends" who have come to his garden.

In this last year I have met some of the most amazing new artist friends through workshops, blogging and paint out events.

A dear artist friend of mine from Pennsylvania, I met through blogging, Nanci Hersh has illustrated a children's book Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings  When when someone you love has cancer a hopeful, helpful book for kids. 

Hope you will visit the book web site to read in more detail just how special Nanci and her book are.

Be a butterfly!

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

© 2011 Karen F. Rose    Melrose Memory, oil on canvas, 6x6"
sold

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"
sold

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"
sold

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.