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?

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?

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.

On the Prairie Looking West

Looking West, Karen F Rose,

8x8",oil on canvas

© 2009

One of three paintings to be displayed at the

upcoming exhibit Small Works, Big Ideas,Thinking

Inside the Box at the Melrose Bay Gallery,

in Melrose, Fl.

For this show each artist is given a display

"box" space-18" x 42" and a requirement that no

painting plus frame is larger than 12x12".

So you get it right? We have to think "inside"

the box.

Like Atlantic Nocturne, (posted on Oct. 20.),

this painting has a softening of

focus and hint of form leaving room

for the viewer to look and linger within

the the frame at it's quiet veil of color yet

connect with their own memory.

My hope is to take you outside the box.

Have I succeeded?

Open Air Arts Paintings in Melrose, Florida

Trolling
© Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas
sold

2nd place painting award and

purchase prize award

Thanks to all who gave me such positive comments
about this painting of mine on exhibit at the
Bellamy Road Fine Arts and Melrose Bay Gallery
Third Annual Open Air Arts event.
Open Air Arts is an educational event for
land conservation and a benefit for the
Conservation Trust for Florida.
Many paintings will stay on display throughout
the month of April and can be viewed during
normal gallery hours.

Kickin Back in the Park by the Bay

Kicking Back In the Park
© 2009 Karen F Rose
oil on canvas
sold

The big gala for the Open Air Arts at Bellamy

Road Arts and Melrose Bay Art Gallery, is this
weekend, Sat. April 11 from 6 to 10 PM.

With over 75 artists contributing to the event

it should make for quite a show.

During the week of painting I had some luck.

I was in the park painting a view of the Bay when
this young woman sat down to catch some raysand read her book.

I was in the shadow under a tree so she didn't at first

see me. (Plein air painters avoid setting up in the sun,

unless you have an umbrella to shield your canvas from sun glare.)

Ahh hahh... I couldn't have asked for a better model!

An Australian Terrier

When going for a walk, joggers would often
comment about our dog, "What kind of dog is he?"
they would ask.

"An Australian Terrier", we'd smile and say.
On this cold day I am reminded of him.
After 14 years of our walks in the all kinds of weather,
we miss him.