Painting a May Memory

Le Rêve

oil on linen

Karen F. Rose

In Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting, the author stresses the importance of painting from memory.  We "relive our experiences and the effect they produced on us. The mind is dealing more with the  expression of thought than with the the clever application of paint".

After hearing of the environmental disaster just unfolding in the Gulf on that day in May, I stood at the water's edge. There was stillness and unbelievable serenity. How beautiful yet how fragile these waters are. 
While other painters around me were creating beautiful scenes of the manicured grounds; banyan trees, palms and flowers. My thoughts were "on the Gulf" hoping what I had heard on the news was just a dream.

Earleton, Florida- Connecting to the Past through Painting

My oil painting Earleton Twilight is included in the 

10th Annual Thomas Center Juried Art Exhibit 

in Gainesville, FL. 

To view the painting and my comments click here March 18th post

Now as Paul Harvey would say, here's the rest of the story -

The painting was created during the Open Air Arts 

event held this March in Melrose, FL. 

After reading this Florida heritage marker,

I was inspired to create the painting.

Do you know where this site is? If so let me know. 

Of course the church is long gone but you might 

find this article about carpenter gothic design of interest. 

When you see the painting hope you feel the spirit of 

this quiet spot.