Winter Solstice

The Sea
Karen F. Rose
pastel on paper
sold

How will you spend this shortest day of the year?  

Today across the sea in Ireland at Newgrange a special group of people will be allowed to view the sunrise in this 5000 year old monument. A passage and chamber are perfectly aligned with the rising of the sun on the Winter Solstice. 
Why it was constructed is still a mystery. To read more about the site visit www.newgrange.com.

Today here in Florida on the first day of winter it is gray and cold.  
I'll be in my #artstudiobytheocean, painting, cleaning and rearranging.

Update - In 2017 my oil and pastel paintings are now offered through 

Village Arts Framing Gallery

155 Tourside Dr. Suite 1520

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

904 273 4925

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 Light Falls Softly Art Exhibit at High Springs Art Co-op

Cumulus Illusion
© Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas
30 x 40"
available
High Springs Art Co-op
High Springs, FL

Countdown to the opening of my featured guest artist exhibit at the High Springs Art Co-op in High Springs, FL begins today.
I will be delivering 16 oil and pastel paintings for The Light Falls Softly, my painting exhibit during the month of September at the gallery.
The opening reception is this Friday, September 6 from 7 to 9 PM.

High Springs Art Co-Op
115 North Main Street
High Springs, FL 32643
386-454-1808
Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm
Mon. - Thurs. 11am - 5pm
Fri. and Sat 11 - 8 pm
The Light Falls Softly Opening reception 
Friday, September 6, 7 to 9 PM

The vast open expanse and clouds that drift and float somewhat aimlessly are warm well washed memories of summer days for me and I hope for you.
Cloudscapes and the play of light within them are something I love to paint and I hope you'll come out to the gallery and join me this Friday evening.
Would love to meet you.

Open Air Arts Dreaming by the Bay

Dreaming in the Park by the Bay
© Karen F. Rose
pastel
$250
Available Melrose Bay Art Gallery
Bellamy Road Art Gallery

One of the pleasures of painting in the Melrose Open Air Arts is choosing a location that speaks to you.  In past years, and again this year I was attracted to "the park by the bay" Melrose's Heritage Park on Melrose Bay. 

I see the the park bench and the blue of the water as an invitation to rest, to reflect and to dream. 

Thanks to all who stopped by to chat while I was pasteling. 
Especially the couples from Penny Farms. We had a wonderful discussion about pastel which I enjoyed and I hope you did too.
I have four paintings on display through April 21. Hope you will stop in and see all the fabulous art created by the 40 talented artists who participated in Open Air Arts this year.

Melrose Open Air Arts, Pasteling in the Park

Slow, No Wake
© Karen F Rose
pastel with museum glass
8x10"
Sold In Private Collection

What a busy week!
Last Sunday I took down my exhibit at Melrose Bay Art Gallery then headed off to Leesburg, FL for a wonderful workshop. With the time change I sprang forward on Sunday, but somehow was still missing that hour of extra sleep.

Then on Thursday, there was an emergency trip to the dentist...oops.

It was back to Melrose, FL on Friday and Saturday as I am participating in the Melrose Open Air Arts.
This is a great event with 45 invited artists. Yesterday was the public painting day in four designated painting locations. 

Each year I always love sitting in the little Heritage Park by Melrose Bay. You see all manner of people and crafts on the water-fishing boats, sail boats, row boats, canoes, and kayaks. 

What kind of water crafter are you? 

Does the thrill of skimming across the water at amazing speed in the middle of a sunny day set your heart racing or
are you a Slow, No Wake kind of person taking in the sight and sounds of the lake in early morning with the sunrise glistening off the water?

Hope you visit my new web site www.karenfrose.com.

And yes, I ship unframed paintings anywhere in the country.
A special thank you goes out to a new collector in California. Thank you!

Celestial Light Nocturne Paintings

Moonlit Nocturne
© Karen F. Rose
oil on canvas
sold

I have long been fascinated by painting "the mystery of the night".

There are several nocturne paintings in my exhibit, 

Karen F. Rose, The View From the Easel 

painting a poetic vision in oil and pastel. 

which is at the Melrose Bay Art Gallery until Feb 24, 2013.

Above the nocturne painting Celestial Light are these words from a poem.

Celestial Light
Karen F. Rose
pastel on board
sold

There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream,

To earth and every common sight

To me did seem

Apparelled in celestial light,

The glory and freshness of a dream.

                       William Wordsworth.

Hope this painting gives you that sense of wonder.

Sweet Dreams