Into the Wilderness

 

Into the Wilderness

"Into the Wilderness" is "long gone" and is somewhere on someone's wall (I hope). I painted this work in my studio - Karen's Studio 125 at Essex Studios in 2009 - not sure of exact date. It was on illustration board 22" w. x 30" h. using acrylic watercolors, India Ink and white gouache.

It's another one of my African-inspired paintings. It's whirling and full of fire energy - one of my "energetic abstracts".  Colors are swirled and intertwined. The white dotted black line forms add intensity to this special work.

If you ever see this painting - let me know. It was framed with a black frame and cream double-matt. I displayed it on my outside studio wall - for sharing - but not for taking. Reward $50 for any information leading to its return.

Jungle Fire

Jungle Fire

Here's a picture from a slide that I made of "Jungle Fire" - another one of my "illuminating from within" paintings. This painting is also "somewhere - out there". I often wonder where my missing paintings are today. I'm not certain if I recorded it's departure. I have kept some records of paintings and it still may be there and I may look through old art files - just for curiosity.

The paper is French Arches - heavy weight, size is 22 1/2" w. x 30" h. Paints are acrylic - usually Liquitex. I choose to use acrylics for paintings that I want to "last".

The forms are loose and light - using a chinese brush and probably a #12 watercolor brush to do this work.

Jungle Fever

Jungle Fever

 

Here is another one of my "done in the basement" paintings. To compensate for the lack of light I infused an internal light - a light illuminating from within the painting itself. It is painted with acrylic paints on French Arches watercolor paper (very heavy weight) - size 30" h x 22 1/2" w.

 

Sometimes when I look at my art I wonder who is it who is doing this? I've entertained the thought of one of my past lives - an entity who finds "opportunity" to work through me to express its on-going energy throughout the universe. As an "aside" I was in one of Dr. Brian Weiss's (Many Lives, Many Masters) workshops where we were regressed along with about five hundred other people in the audience. I found out I had been in Africa - not sure where or when, but I certainly was influenced to choose red, yellow, green and black for this vibrant work.

 

I like it better now that time has passed since it was created. I now see the strong forms and musical brushwork - using a chinese brush dipped in India Ink. Yes! I can now "see the light".



"Cover Up"



"Cover Up"

This acrylic abstract was begun many years ago - probably back in the late 70's. It is painted on English handmade watercolor paper - size 22" h x 30" w. The paper came from Falkiner Fine Papers in London. When it was shipped to Greater Cincinnati Airport, I was required to go to the Customs Office to sign for its delivery.

I used a palette knife and various items to scrape and print shapes into the wet paint. I even have used a tuna can, paper towel tube or 3"x5" card). My first attempt at this painting was "not to my liking" so it remained in my portfolio for years. I would study it and then return it back to the portfolio.

When I signed up to put an ad in Blink, I took this painting out again and started putting green patches of paint to "liven" it up - giving contrast and balance - a composition in color. It's a "happy" painting now and well-suited for display or sale. It is definitely one of my "energetic" paintings.

"Language"

"Language"

This painting was created "back awhile". It is an acrylic watercolor on French Arches watercolor paper 30" wide by 22 1/2" high. It was done at the same time I painted "Between the Vines". I was experimenting with bright colors - jungle colors - orange, green and yellow. Orange is one of my favorite colors!

The orginal "theme" for this painting was about language - saying something "drop by drop". The painting could be "read" vertically or horizontally. I finally chose to display this painting horizontally - mainly to get it signed and finished. I'm not sure about why I chose to put geometric boxes around areas of the painting - but somehow it works and provides an interesting repeated pattern. For a title - now - "Language".

This painting has traveled to the West Indies - to Coco Point Lodge, Barbuda and back home to Cincinnati. I painted many paintings for the lodge - had them framed and trasported by air freight and met them at the dock coming out of the bottom of a native sloop! The painting was displayed for awhile until a hurricane hit. I was shown into a warehouse (tin building) to see where my paintings were being stored.

I was able to "rescue" a lot of my paintings. I unframed them - tossed away the stained mats, frames and glass. I packed them up in a homemade portfolio and carried them with me on the plane rides all the way back home. I've been able to save the paintings and have every intention of reproducing those that can be redone - one by one!

Between the Vines - Acrylic Abstract 11/9/2014

 

Between the Vines

If you look carefully you will see human torsos (a few belly buttons, too) interlocking  - "vine-like" .

I've been trying to update my web site www.Karens-Studio.com which is "run by" Word Press. I've decided that using blogger.com will be a better "venue" for sharing my paintings - a place where I will be able to provide further information about each painting - it's inspiration - it's history - it's "provenance".

During the past several weeks I've been choosing to expand my art endeavors by adding a thousand dollar full-page ad to "Blink" a catalog produced by Art Design Consultants that will go out to 10,000 people - interior designers and artists across the country. The target date for distribution of  "Blink" will be January, 2015.

I am also having prints and greeting cards made from original works. Robin Imaging was recommended to me by an artist in the studio next to mine at Essex Studios. It's an old company - that I wish I had known about years ago. I figure I'm learning about it now because I'm finding I want to make good reproductions of my work to display and sell.

Robin Imaging took my framed painting and photographed it through glass to "get back to" the original painting. I was amazed by the result! It has inspired me to select more works for duplication.

The first painting (here) that I'm sharing is on French Arches watercolor heavy weight paper, measurements 30" H x 22 1/2 wide. It's done with acrylic paints, brushes and some sponge work, too. I was working at a drawing board in the basement - where daylight was "not". This painting is one of several "jungle" paintings - paintings that had to produce their own light from within. Coming up with a name is often difficult - so now at last I'm calling it "Between the Vines".



Oct. 9, 2014 Class Progress

We just finished up another ten-week session with The Recovery Center 2-3 p.m. Wednesday class at Karen's Studio 125. The attendance averaged about 10 each week.

A variety of works were produced and some are still in progress. It's interesting to see each person's growth or observing those who are "stymied" by their own personal limitations and possible choices. Those who "go for it" without criticizing themselves too much show more self-acceptance and enjoyment of their own style, their own natural creativity.

Bennett's Watercolor Acrylic Painting - in progress

Afternoon students - attending anytime between 3 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. continue "doing". Paintings are painting - drawings drawn. Finished works are framed often by Willie's Framecare Studios or self-framed. The finished works are sometimes exhibited on the outer hall walls of Karen's Studio 125. Karen's works fill both inside and outside hall walls.

Lynn's Watercolor - in progress

This past weekend we participated in the Oct. 3/4 Essex Studios Art Walks. We "mixed it up" in the studio with vintage items, blacksmith works, photography and our own work. We moved the "buffet" to a square table and put the "drinks" - water, soft drinks & tea/coffee making area on the north wall close to the microwave oven and fridge.

Sophia

Four photographers exhibited a lot of work on the outside hall walls. Connie, Sophia, Priscila and Jerry had an amazing display of their photographic talent. Jerry also displayed paintings and prints.
Some items were sold, too.

Priscila

 I made "a point of" shopping for items from other artists/craftspeople and will do so in the future. I think it's important to buy from our fellow artists.

More photos of students work can be seen on my Karen's Studio 125 Facebook group. Hope some of you will join my group on FB.

Tom's Beautiful Forged Works

 

Cards from Albert Andrews, Alien Pets, Luggage Tag, Coin Purse, Ribbon Scarf

Artists' Meeting - Ideas!

I've been renting my studio at Essex Studios for more than ten years (maybe twelve). Karen's Studio 125 (my studio) is a large room with a wall of windows covered with roll blinds, sheets and a few canvases to block out the bright light of the afternoon sun.

Within the walls of Essex Studios are many other artists - some "working" artists - those who make a living at selling their product - art. Others, like myself, (if they are totally honest) are not making a living at selling art or teaching classes - the result of which becomes a no-tax issue - because the activity within the walls of my studio (and others' studios) is considered a HOBBY! Heavens forbid!

I've considered myself a serious artist, but now that description doesn't really apply to me. I'm an artist who enjoys art-related activities - painting, drawing and teaching adult beginners to do art. And, I also enjoy meeting and working with "fellow-artists" - have done so in the past and am doing-so now.

The latest art project is to boost the interest and attendance at our Essex Studios Art Walks. There are various reasons attendance has dropped for recent shows - weather, competition with other art venues throughout the Greater Cincinnati community and a general "malaise" - a weariness from doing the same thing over and over (redundancy) - being bored with it all.

We've met several times together - recently. There is an executive committee of 5 or 6. I've volunteered to serve on the Executive Committee. We are to meet and decide the direction that Essex Studios will go - doing 4 or 5 shows a year within a budget of a couple thousand dollars provided by our landlord and income from guest artists who show their work in the hallways of the building.

Trying to find consistency - a specific calendar date - throughout the year is daunting. When we have a two-day show - the Saturday lands on Kentucky Derby Day, Yom Kippur, the Fourth of July (2015), etc. It seems we will eventually choose 4 shows - Oct., Nov., Dec. and April or May. Then for "fun" we may have a small "spontaneous" (party/show/happening) in the main entry-way of the building.

What used to be "so much fun" was the bright lights of the American Sign Museum that filled the entry hall. It was a sparkling carnival of blinking and twirling signs - a room of Neon! When the American Sign Museum grew beyond and away to it's new home, Essex Studios now became the lobby for a new church - a large church - Missio Deo.

Finding ways to transform the lobby area for a Friday art event - limited to that area plus the possibility of 5 or 6 artists opening their studios that evening will be our task for a Friday next year (2015). Three of us have volunteered to do this "Pop-Up" event. Thinking it best to keep it a "secret" for now - we'll do whatever we can to keep Essex Studios a place where people come to see and buy art from artists - working artists and even "hobby" artists. Mark your calendars for Oct. 3rd & 4th for Essex Studios Art Walk - Friday and Saturday- 6 to 10 p.m.