"Diggin' It"

8 x 10"

oil on panel
sold

I've had a cold.  In the grand scheme of things, it's just an ordinary cold but it turns the brain to mush.  But after a very nice evening with a couple who bought a painting of mine recently,  I got a much-needed shot in the arm and jumped back into the paints, despite my mushy brain.

Lucky for me, a Game of Thrones marathon has been on all day and I've stayed focused for a change, painting and reminding myself how the story has progressed - ready for the return of Season 3 tonight.  Yay.  It's the best thing on television, if you haven't tuned in yet.   Baseball returns tomorrow, the trees are budding and life is good.

I painted this piece on a bright, red ground - which takes some patience because colors do appear different on the red, with less predictable results, but that's what makes it fun.  Just like when you paint on black - at first you battle with it, then get familiar with how to go along with it.  

"200 Faces, No. 116"

4 x 4"

oil on panel
sold

I really do enjoy painting these portraits, I learn something every single time.  Part of my ongoing series BUST-ED.

Happy Spring ~

"200 Faces, No. 115"

4 x 4"

oil on panel
sold

Part of my ongoing series BUST-ED, a portrait inspired from a police mugshot.

"Winter Color"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

I haven't painted many flowers in the past - but I've been stuck and the best remedy I know is to paint something unfamiliar.  And it's a deep appreciation for some bursts of color during gray, winter days.

"100+ Faces, No. 114"

4 x 4"

oil on panel
sold

Part of my ongoing series of portraits painted from mugshots, the chiseled profile of a Native American Indian man.

"Brewskies"

I have crawled out from under a rock and I'm back in the swing of things.  Yay.

Before I show you my new painting, I want to thank all each and every one of you who emailed and left comments full of good wishes.  It really did matter.  And I am lucky to have many good friends out there.  Thank you all.

And for anyone contemplating gall bladder surgery,  it's not so bad.  It probably was awful 15 years ago, but modern techniques make it less a big thing.  The roughest part of my experience was tackling an infection with antibiotics that made me so sick, I couldn't bear to watch Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives without gagging.   That finally passed and I think I'm pretty close to my old self again.  Yay.

Back to art.  Enough of that.

12 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

left side detail

right side detail

Ladies taking a bench break with some cold beer during an outdoor arts festival.

Hello March

I don't like to reveal too much of my personal life on my blog,  it's meant for art after all.  But the month of February has been brutal.  I couldn't be more happy to see March.   It has to be an improvement.

I am currently recovering from surgery.  Yep.  My gall bladder, or what I called 'Alien 3', was taken out.  Recovering is a bit tougher than I expected - but I have high hopes of getting back to my old self in a few days.  High hopes.  She's got High Hopes.

~ Happy March to All

"Fruit Stand"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

A museum visitor standing before Claude Monet's 'Apples & Grapes', inside the Art Institute of Chicago.

"Reflections"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

One of the pleasures of painting is that it's an escape.  And that's what I needed, to concentrate on something else.   This is the sculpture "Cloud Gate" in Millennium Park in Chicago, locals call it 'The Bean'.  It was where I would meet up with my brother, Mike, whenever I was back in the city.  We marveled at it together many times in the past years.  It will always bring back good memories for me.

I also wanted to say to all who emailed and commented on my posting last week, about my brother's passing - every word meant something profound.  It lifted me up.  And I thank you all.  Mike's cat, Gizzmo, will be going home with a generous man who jumped at the chance.  A very meaningful ending to a difficult situation and I thank those who extended their help.

Life is Precious

To all my friends out there ~

My dear brother, Michael, passed away on February 13th.  He lived in Chicago all of his adult life,  he was an architect and loved by many friends.  Mike was my #1 fan, always encouraging me to be the artist I've always dreamed of being.

It will take some time to get through the details and arrangements, please know I'll resume with my painting and blogging as soon as it's time.   This is a reminder that we never know what tomorrow brings and to relish every day we are here.

Michael's obituary in the Chicago Tribune.

~ Karin

Q & A Weekend

Ask away.....

- Time to wrap up this weekend's Q & A, my friends.  Chime in next Saturday for more.
Happy painting ~

"100+ Faces, No. 113"

4 x 4"

oil on panel
sold

A new addition to my ongoing series BUST-ED, 100+ Faces painted from mugshots.  I picked this face because of the glasses.  I need practice on glasses.

If you'd like to see this painting 'in progress', I just posted it on my blog Karin Jurick Paints.

"Interest Group"

6 x 10"

oil on panel
sold

With Ellsworth Kelly's portion of the 'Chicago Panels' in the background, a museum tour group takes

"Alfred"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

I felt like nit-picking a little bit today.  I had time.  It's been a cold, cloudy day here and since I prepared to hole up (due to unrealized winter storms coming thru), I put my cozy clothes on and started painting.   I love days like this.

From the Art Institute of Chicago, a woman viewing Pierre-Auguste Renoir's portrait of Alfred Sisley.

"100+ Faces, No. 112"

4 x 4"

oil on panel
sold

This is No. 112 of my ongoing series BUST-ED, 100+ Faces painted from police mugshots.  In case you didn't know, I have a blog devoted to the series and a book featuring the first 100 faces.

Q & A Weekend

I've been playing around with paint this morning and almost forgot it was the weekend.  Ask away....

"Fond Memories"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

Now that I'm back in 'Calorie Prison' (please refer to this post for a definition), I vicariously relived cherry cheesecake with oil paints.

And if you're interested in the process of this painting, I included a new post on my blog Karin Jurick Paints.  And thanks to all of you who commented on my new blog.

"Toledo" and a New Blog

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

After reminiscing about our cross-country road trip last spring, browsing through the photos of the stretch on the Lincoln Highway through Iowa, I picked this little, sunlit homestead we spotted in a little town called Toledo.  I have this deep affection for little houses.

And.... I started a new blog called Karin Jurick Paints - a little insight to my approach to painting.  'Toledo' is my first post - please check it out if you're interested in the process.

Q & A Weekend

If there's something I can help with or answer, I'll do it.  Please leave your question in the comments and take a minute to read my FAQ's - you may find the answer there.

and another thing..... a fellow artist, Taryn Day,  runs a most-excellent blog called The Art Room - where you'll find artists' interviews and discussions.  Taryn invited me to contribute to today's post - asking me to choose two of my personal favorites from last year followed by her two favorites.  Take time to read past posts, it's so very interesting.  Thanks to Taryn for her time.

"H Street"

8 x 8"

oil on panel

sold

Last visit to Washington DC, after drooling over the art in the National Portrait Gallery, we took a walk around the neighborhood and I stopped in my tracks across from this old, painted-brick building on H Street.  The wall was a perfect backdrop for seeing figures clearly.  Love it. This gentleman was standing in front of that old building on H Street.

It also was a good lesson in how to paint a brick wall.  I usually avoid it.  This time I tried a hint at it, with thick paint behind him, put on with a palette knife and carved in loose grooves.  It's cool in person.  And a good solution I think

"George"

8 x 8"

oil on panel
nfs

I tried my hand on a more classic painting - an all-day cow affair.  What an awesome beast.  It is a gift.

"Book Club"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

The surface you paint on can determine the outcome or effect.  Personally, I detest canvas.  I feel like I'm pushing the paint into the surface - it's like buttering a cold waffle.  So I prefer smooth, hard boards - like spreading warm butter on a warm pancake if you will.

I had this little panel I had painted black, but there was a bumpy texture, kinda sandpaper-like and I wanted that rougher texture for the steps and it worked out pretty well.

You certainly can't nit-pick with details and it kept me loose.  And I like that.

From Central Park in New York City on a summer day.

"Reading Up On"

7 x 8"

oil on panel
sold

I've been playing with this piece for a couple of days while watching multiple reruns of Cash Cab.  Obsessing really.  Sometimes I finish something and it's just too predictable, color-wise.  Bland.  So I mixed up some unexpected colors and played.  I like it now.  Time to start another one.

I spotted this young woman reading around Central Park, New York City.

 

Happy New Year

I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year and thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and website.  I am grateful.

~ Cheers

"Leo"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

This guy looked like a Leo to me.  Maybe he reminded me of Uncle Leo on Seinfeld.  Maybe a combination of several characters on Seinfeld.  Still, the best show on TV.