Great end to this Year

SOLD

I received some amazing news a few days ago. These twelve paintings sold to one buyer and he bought the board I had them displayed on as well!! I very much appreciate all the people that have bought my work and the lovely space at  Creative Arts Napier where I show my work!! It is a wonderful end to this year and  times like this really help me to stay inspired and keep painting...so

I think I could still have one last painting before the end of the year!!

Christmas Flower

6"x6" Oil on gessoboard

$50+s/h

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The Daily Paintworks challenge this week is called Quick Christmas challenge. I haven't entered a painting for a long time and wanted to use a palette knife and have a bit of fun...so here is mine! It is the flower from the New Zealand native coastal Pohutukawa tree...it flowers from November until January and is known as our Christmas Tree.

Winter Rose

6"x8" oil on gessoboard

$100+s/h

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Time for a change!!  I have two winter roses growing in my garden, they are so delicate...one is pink but my favorite is this green one.  I like being able to  pick a flower whenever I pass by  to stick in a jar or bottle and place in my studio.... often this leads to a painting like this one did. Keeping things simple...just the way I like it!!

Hello World

8"x6" Oil on gessoboard

SOLD

This is Harper...my friends granddaughter.  I love the happiness of this shot, she is such a sweet little girl! I was out of my comfort zone with this one but still enjoyed painting it and it was good to loosen up a little!
Just a thought!!!
Often people think being an artist is just fun....ha...it is and it isn't, you have to be willing to do whatever it takes!

Green Tea Lamington

6"x6" oil

$100+s/h
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I couldn't resist this green tea lamington cake covered in coconut...as soon as I saw it in the shop, I bought it, painted it...then ate it!! It was so delicious with a cream filling! This is the last food painting for now, I have flowers on my mind and one or two other things!

Apple Sauce

6"x6" Oil on board
$100+s/h

SOLD

This is the last painting I did for my calendar. I have been busy doing other projects around the house since I returned from my holiday. I  have had a good break from painting which is what I needed and it's given me time to think about  taking more time to develop some new ideas...especially with landscapes. I also want to get back to life drawing class in the New Year. I will still be doing my small paintings in between...well...this is the plan so far!!

2016 Calendar

 

I'm back from my holiday and enjoyed every minute of it, I wish my family lived closer!

My 2016 wall calendar is finished and is another food one...just right for the kitchen!! It is available for $20+$6 shipping. I have a limited number of them and  if you would like to order one you can leave a comment here, email me karenpmj@gmail.com or message me on facebook. Thanks for stopping by!

 

Spanish Red Onions

6"x6" Oil on gessoboard

These two were painted before they went in the pot! I found the values and color shifts tricky because they are so subtle...but I love the scraggly bits at the top!
My calendar will be ready by mid November...whew!! Cutting it fine this year!
I am going to Australia for a holiday with my family later this week so I won't be posting while I'm away.  Back in a couple of weeks!!

Mini Pumpkins Portrait

6"x6" oil on gessoboard

SOLD

I  painted these mini pumpkins a couple of months ago and they have sat in my studio since! They still looked in good shape so here is another painting...different light! Two more to go for my calendar...then who knows what will be next!!!

Sunday Strawberries

6"x6" Oil on board

$100 +s/h

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Back to my small paintings!! These are the first strawberries of the season, rich red and sweet! I have two more food paintings to finish for my  2016 calendar. Time has been short, but all going well it will be out next month!

Limes and Garlic

6"x6" Oil on gessoboard

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Two of my favorite flavours in food... the limes are off my tree! I have painted garlic before and I'm amazed at how different the color of the outer skin can vary, some  are nearly white, others are pink/violet and these are an ochre color. It doesn't seem to affect the flavour!

My calendar will feature food again this year and I haven't quite finished twelve so I will have another few food paintings coming up in the next few weeks.

Kingfisher

 My last work for our exhibition finished!! Next to the Spoonbills the Kingfisher is my favorite bird... they are only small but their colors are gorgeous! I was so lucky to get close enough to get a  good photo because they don't hang around for long when there are people nearby. 

Now... back to painting whatever I feel like and exploring different techniques...the place where I love to be!!

Morning Jog

6"x8" Oil on gessoboard

SOLD

Spring is in the air...at least I think this gull thinks so, the way he was happily jogging along the beach! I have been painting a lot of birds  the last few months...this will be the last one for a while.  

It's good to get back to my small work after the last few months of larger ones! I also want to practice more landscapes and try and get outside to do studies...always more and more to learn!!

Last Lap

I am on the last lap of finishing my exhibition paintings. I have a kingfisher to do then that's it!! I must say it has been like running a marathon... the reason being, I had two wipe offs and two binned grrrr!! These  photos are a bit fuzzy because the canvas is medium not smooth.  I prefer board anyday!
Our joint exhibition at Quay Gallery Napier is called "Coastal Impressions" so my pieces feature Estuary landscapes and birds that live there. I love the area...I see this landscape and the birds nearly every day when I walk my dog.

Ruler of the Roost

8"x6" oil on gessoboard

$100+s/h
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My first small painting this month, I can't see me getting another four finished like I had planned! I have been too busy finishing my larger ones. I have been wanting to paint this rooster for a while...I took his photo when I was at a small zoo. He had personality plus and followed me all around the place!! I loved the black and white feathers!

Artist Appreciation Month

August is Artist Appreciation month and to celebrate I'm sharing with other artists including Patience Brewster, by sharing the names of two artists who have influenced my work. You can see Patience's fabulous work on her website, her ornaments are delightful!

Mini Chihuahua Ornament

Patience Brewster

There are many artists over the years whose work  has inspired me in one way or another, but today I would like to share two of them. One of them is Colley Whisson, a very successful  Australian Impressionist painter. I came across his beautiful light filled paintings  nearly 20 years ago and was very fortunate to be able to attend one of his 5 day workshops in Australia earlier this year...an experience that will stay with me for a long time! He is a dedicated painter and a generous teacher.If you are not familiar with Colley's work please view it here, you will not be disappointed.

Sussex Inlet Dunes

Colley whisson

The other artist who has inspired me is Daily Painter Carol Marine who paints small 6x6in works. Her compositions and use of color are always exciting! My life changed when I discovered her daily painting blog. I was encouraged to start a blog, paint small  paintings and become part of the daily painting movement. I soon realised that I painted more than I ever thought possible, improved my skills and was also able to become a member of Daily Paintworks...a website she had launched.  I started painting small paintings 4 years ago this month and will continue to do so! You can view Carol's work here.

Glass vs Persimmons

Carol Marine

I am forever grateful to these wonderful artists and would like to take this opportunity to say ' Thank you'  for helping me to become a better painter!

Recap of July Paintings

July 2015

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I find it helpful to take a break and paint a few small ones when I am painting bigger work....it's    good to mix things up, it keeps the boredom at bay!   This is my small lot for last month  Blue Thimble, Evening Softness, Waterlilies and Mini Pumpkins  (Sold)...might aim for five this month!!

Late Evening Softness

6"x8" Oil on gessoboard 
$100+$15s/h

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Another small one this week!  Some evenings we get these beautiful soft clouds over the hills, I love this particular view and the atmosphere. I painted a larger one of this scene a few years ago...it was nice to revisit!!

Waterlilies

6"x8" Oil on gessoboard

$100+$15 s/h
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Had time to squeeze a small painting in this week! I have always loved waterlilies, these are in a pond at Clive Square near town and always look beautiful when they are blooming. 

I am over half way through my exhibition paintings...whew!!! It has been a mission, I think I prefer painting smaller work...up to 12"x16."

Blue Thimble

6"x6" Oil on gessoboard

$100 +s/h
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A new addition to my ongoing cotton series...and a new plastic thimble!! First time I've seen bright colored plastic ones, so I bought two others...orange and lime green. They will definitely feature in future paintings!!

Works in Progress

Thought I would post a couple of  works in progress as I've not had time to paint any small ones this week. The image is dark because I had to take the photo inside.
These  paintings of the Estuary are going to be part of my exhibition at Quay Gallery in October. It is good to be painting landscapes again... such a lovely place with beautiful light.

It's been a long time since I have done large work...there is still quite a bit of work to be done before they are finished and there are another two or three after that.

Mini Pumpkins

6"x8" Oil on gessoboard

SOLD

Mini pumpkins from the Farmer's Market! I placed these on my printer until I was ready to set them up, but the bright back light streaming through the window looked good enough so I painted them like they were! The color is better in real life...sometimes the camera doesn't get it right!!!

Halfway Mark

I am halfway with my exhibition paintings, these seabird ones are finished and now I have four landscapes to do! All paintings are from around the Estuary across the road from where  I live.
There are Kingfishers and Herons around the area too but so far I haven't had any luck getting photos, they don't hang around for long enough. 

I have wanted to do this for a long time so when the opportunity to have a joint exhibition in October with another friend came up I couldn't refuse....I have been painting small for nearly four years so this has inspired me to do bigger ones again and I am enjoying it!!

Overcast Sky

6"x8" Oil on gessoboard

$100 + s/h

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I love the beach on an overcast day....it's peaceful and almost every time the sky is this blue-gray color, the hills are dark blue and the sea a lovely turquoise! This was the calm after rough weather had washed up seaweed! I am steadily getting through my larger paintings...not much time for my small daily work! I am enjoying working bigger and will be doing more, although  I had forgotton  how much time they take!

On the Easel

This is one of the larger paintings I am working on. It's not often I take photos of work in progress, simply because I get engrossed in painting and  forget!! The  image  isn't  that great because of the light in my studio. I am working on the geese at the moment..... lots of value and temperature changes before it's anywhere near finished! I have another three beside the easel blocked in ready to go when this is done. I followed these geese around for about an hour trying to get a decent photo so I have to make this a good one!!!

New Studio

No small painting today...time for blocking in larger ones.
A couple of years ago I took  part in a Blog Carnival where all involved showed photos of their studios. Since then I have shifted house and have another studio, so I thought I'd share a few photos...it's not as big as my last one but it has all that I need to paint and it's lovely and sunny!!

This is the main area I work in  with my easel and new taboret  that I love!!! A daylight lamp for when the light isn't so good on a dull day and my computer  moniter for enlarging photos when I use them to work from.

Over the other side  I have my bookshelf full of art books.... and canvases ready to paint.

At the back, is a  storage cupboard for more canvases and still life objects, my small paintings shelf and a couch for when my art friends come over!!

Last but not least my mixing area with my glass palette. It's all pretty simple...the way I like things!!!

Recap of May Paintings

May 2015

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It's good to look back at my small works for the month I can keep track of whats been done a lot easier! One more painting and I will have completed 330 Daily Paintings...actually I have done a lot more that have made the bin not my blog! It's all practice!

I still have three more larger works in progress...some procrastinating has been going on here!!

Pair of Peppers

6"x6" Oil on gessoboard

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More from the farmer's Market! Had to buy these because of the colors...they complement each other so well, not only in painting but in salads too and yes.... purple and green are two of my favorite colors!! The purple looks so much better in life, the photo has made it look too dark!

Yellow Daisies

8"x6" Oil on gessoboard

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I picked a few of these small daisies and just plonked them in this vase to stand on my window ledge...but decided to paint them first. I like the shape of this small vase and I find yellow a difficult color to paint sometimes, so thought it would be a good challenge for me...and It was!!

Another very nice surprise..."Olive Snack" was selected for FASO's Fav 15% in theApril Boldbrush Competition....I can't believe it! That is the second one, It is really encouraging! 

Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes

 6"x6" Oil on gessoboard

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A quick little painting of these cherry tomatoes I bought at the Farmers Market! They remind me of traffic lights. Still managing to do some small daily paintings between the larger ones!!

Daisy Love

8"x6" Oil on gessoboard

$100 + s/h
SOLD

More daisies! I really love the white ones...well... anything white really!! This set up actually started out as a full vase of daisies until I got my viewfinder out! I started cropping in and this composition really appealed to me.

My smaller paintings are still taking a back seat until I finish bigger ones for a joint exhibition in October. 

Three finished...another three to go!!

Recap of April Paintings

April-2015

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There seems to be a green theme going on in last months paintings... my favorite colors are green and violet and I think it definitely shows here!!
I have finished two larger works, two studies  and now onto another big one... so things are moving in the right direction at last!!

I was very happy to have my painting 'Sauce Bottles' selected for FASO's Fav 15% in the March Boldbrush Competition, it's a nice surprise and helps keep me painting!!

Pears on a Palette

8"x8" Oil on gessoboard

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Once again I have used my glass palette to sit these pears on. I have used it so many times...it is painted a medium gray and I love the reflections!  I'd say I use it just about as much for still life as I do for painting, I like to keep it simple...so easy...wipe it clean and it's ready!!

Geranium

6"x6" Oil on gessoboard
$100+s/h
SOLD

 I can't remember where I found this small glass bottle but I've wanted to paint it for some time. Simple setup...I thought! The shape appealed to me until I started to paint it. The Geranium is out of my garden and that was just as hard to paint .... I got there in the end and just glad I finished it!!! Some days it's like that!!

Class Photo

Our class photo at Colley Whisson's workshop!! This is the very happy bunch of people I met and painted with for 5 days...what an experience! I loved every minute of it and Colley is a great teacher, I had a lot of fun as well as learning heaps...now all I have to do is put it into practice!! Three important things that stuck in my mind...darker darks, bigger brushes and don't overwork!

Afternoon Light

 

6"x8" Oil on gessoboard
$100 +s/h
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I pass this scene most days and love the Eucalyptus trees and the afternoon light here...I haven't painted around this area for quite a while. This started out as a study for a larger one  but I'm pleased how it turned out so I have it on auction. Since I have been back from Colley Whisson's workshop I have been working on my values, it has been one of my weak points for a long time...I never get the darks dark enough!!

Daisies and Limes

6"x8" Oil on gessoboard

$100+s/h
SOLD

I love limes and white daisies and both are from my garden! These were on my kitchen bench with strong sunlight coming from the window behind...I didn't even set them up.... just painted them as is! It's so easy when still life happens like this!!!

Colley Whisson Workshop

I thoroughly enjoyed Colley Whisson's workshop and it was even better that I met up with fellow blogger Helen Cooper from Australia.   I have always loved her paintings....then I  found out she was going a couple of months before and we ended up staying at the same place!!

These are two of the five paintings I did at the workshop, the top one is Scotts Point...

it is the first time I have been plein air painting all day and I loved it!! I will be going out more...

there is nothing quite like having to paint quickly and using big brushes, it certainly helps to loosen you up! It was interesting watching how he edited the scene, then the darks were painted boldly and loosely before defining the other shapes and adding lighter values. Less is more!!!

 

8"x10"

This still life proved to be a bit tricky, even though it was indoors with a light box, I was standing with light coming in through a doorway behind me and halfway through the painting the light changed and I needed help from Colley to fix it up...and he added the lime. Learned a lot from this one!

10"x12"

He is an amazing artist...so lucky I could get to learn from him and I am hoping to incorporate some of the techniques in my work!!!

Summer Wine

6'x6' Oil on gessoboard

$100+s/h

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I love summer, I love grapes, I love wine...not much more to be said about this!! I did this one before I left for Colley Whisson's  5 day workshop in Australia....  I absolutely loved every minute of it and now I'm back  I will post more about it later.  I was completely out of my comfort zone, but to learn and grow I had to be!!

Cup of Cherries

6"x6" Oil on gessoboard

$100+s/h
SOLD

I love these sweet cherries!! They are a different variety than the ones I usually buy...a much lighter and brighter red. The clay cup they are in is actually a tea cup (without a handle) gifted to me  from a Korean friend. Colors in this are a bit off, the cup has come out blue looking instead of a greyish white!

Recap of February and packing for Australia.

All 6"x6"- Available on my website

I managed another four paintings in February...still slow going....and below I am getting my art supplies ready for Australia when I go to Colley Whissons workshop! It will be the highlight of the year  so far, I have followed his work for over fifteen years. I can't wait!!!