"Umber"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

U is for Umber. Inspired by an exercise that Carol Marine presented at our recent workshop - purely a values study. And it's hard. So I did this piece strictly with Burnt Umber - but with a tad of black and a tad of white - I wanted that sweatshirt to separate itself from the overall tones. I just loved painting this. I almost hate to part with it.

"French Dip"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

I revisited my photos from Philadelphia, a quick trip I took a couple of years ago - it was the Renoir that made this a choice - titled 'The Large Bathers'. Taken from the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Please click here for a larger view.

A Mention in Southwest Art Magazine

The editor of Southwest Art Magazine was kind enough to feature me in their 'Artists To Watch' feature, in the April issue. I am very proud. Please click here if you'd like to read the article.

"Groovin' On a Sunday Afternoon"

9 x 12"

oil on masonite
sold

A young man leaning in for a closer look at Seurat's "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte", one of the most popular masterpieces in the Art Institute of Chicago.

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"Tree"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Okay........ this is a hard subject to paint. Yikes. I'm one to break for trees. I am in awe of them, especially isolated in a field, as if it owns the property. This mighty oak was spotted on a drive west of Austin. A Texas tree.

"Same Hair, Different Day"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

It could be her in a previous life. Did we have the same hair? A woman relating to the awesome portrait 'The Blue Mandarin Coat', by Joseph DeCamp, which hangs in the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Shoulder To Shoulder"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

Something new to show you today - doing my best to catch up on some gallery pieces. This young lady was standing shoulder to shoulder with the French sculpture 'Bust of an African Woman' by Charles Henri Cordier, inside the Art Institute of Chicago.

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"Schmidtzinsky Road"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I'm back in my studio - so very happy to be painting again. I thought I'd jump right in and continue with my alphabet series and I'll bet you never predicted S being Schmidtzinsky Road. I flew past the sign, on my drive out to Fredericksburg, just west of Austin, and vowed to catch it on the way back. How could you not? Here's a sweet, old homestead tucked back on that lovely little road.

My Week

I'm back home - bear with me - I've got a lot of catching up to do. I drove 14 hours straight yesterday, from Austin to Atlanta, so I'm a bit of a zombie today and soon enough I'll get painting again. This past week has given me increased respect for both teachers and truckers.

So if you'd like to hear a little about the new adventures of Karin - please read on....

Day 1 - I took a deep breath, jumped in my car, turned on my Tom Tom (which by the way, I could be a walking advertisement for) and proceeded down the dark road, heading west. Yikes. One of my greatest regrets, along the way, was that I couldn't stop in my 82-mile-an-hour tracks and take pictures of some of the most beautiful landscapes. It was just impossible. The bayous beside the interstate in Louisiana, the hundreds of quirky, colorful water towers spaced out for miles, the long shadows of the cars on the highway ..... I saw dozens of paintings in my head. I stopped for the night in Lake Charles, Louisiana - stayed in one of those hotel/casinos, which was quite the visual experience. I had never stepped foot in a casino and if the 50+ security guards would have looked the other way, I could have taken some of the best shots and done some of the best paintings of my life. The gamblers. Ugh. What a subject. Alas...... that's one of many lost photo ops.

Day 2 - Not long after I headed down the road, that road turned into a bridge equivalent to the most nightmarish roller coaster ride on earth. I was the one in the left lane, going 20 miles an hour, screaming at the top of my lungs. I was terrified. I think it was an hour before I pried my grip off the steering wheel. I hate heights.



The landscape soon became flat and absolutely stunning. I was thinking about the song "I Saw Miles and Miles of Texas" as I headed for Houston - where I met two friends for lunch. No time for photos - I had to get to Austin to meet up with Carol Marine, who was my teaching partner in the workshop.

Carol, by the way, is the most delightful person. I have a dozen of her paintings, all bought on eBay, so I'm a big fan of her paintings - but seeing more of her work and watching her paint affirms that this woman is gifted. Really gifted.

Day 3 - My only free afternoon - I waited out the rain and headed west towards Fredericksburg in hopes for some good landscapes - meeting some creatures along the way.

Day 4 - Up at dawn and the first of the 3-day workshop. Twenty students and all were great fun from the very beginning. Carol and I did similtaneous demonstrations - mine resulted from a borrowed photograph from one of the students - which was a great subject to try out.


Day 5 - Our second day of teaching, talking and another dual demonstration - this painting resulting from one of my own photos. What I thought was interesting was the examples of two different painters using two different sources - Carol painting what was right in front of her and me painting from photographs.


It was a completely new experience for me to have 21 people watch me paint. The trick was not to turn around.


I also contributed some figure drawing tips that have helped me.



Day 6 - The last day of the workshop was about painting faces, enjoying the oils and being loose with the brush strokes. I painted a student and Carol painted this fabulous self-portrait.



We spent the afternoon talking about the business part of being an artist - Justin Clayton and Qiang Huang, fellow DailyPaintworks artists and friends - joined the group as well.


I wrapped it up with a great feeling of accomplishment - I did something new and I learned a lot myself. Thanks to all who participated in the workshop - it was my pleasure and truly a privilege. I hope to do it all over again one day.

As I left Austin, I thought the only negative thing about the city was their scary overpasses - otherwise a beautiful place to be. I need to get some sleep, catch up at work and I'll be back to painting in a day or so. It's good to be home.

Happy Trails

Just a quick note - I'm heading to Austin, Texas to teach a 3-day workshop with my friend Carol Marine. A brand new experience for me all around - I've never been to Austin, never taught, let alone took a workshop - but I'm very excited to do it all. Also planning to take hundreds of photos along the drive, out in Texas and in the workshop - so I'll be back in a week with lots to show and tell. Happy trails.

Quote of the day -
"I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do." - Georgia O'Keeffe

"White Satin"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

Sargent's portrait of Elizabeth Ebsworth was done in 1897, and I'm certain she would not be caught dead in an art museum wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Such casual dress was unheard of in public places, and I'm reminded that I'm very happy to live in a time when it's perfectly acceptable. The Sargent painting hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Click here for a larger view.

"Refinery"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

On to the R for Refinery. I've developed this odd affection for industrial areas - the older the better. Factories are usually so basic in form, like big blocks on pavements. Gritty, messy combinations of shapes. I spotted this sugar refinery while driving around Seattle's outskirts - you can see a glimpse of the skyline to the left of the horizon. Good light, around 7 in the evening, with a rare slice of the clear sky.

I did five different versions, one right on top of the other, not so much until I was satisfied - and I am - it was more a learning experience - decision making. One hour turned into three, with another hour this morning. And I had no idea what I was looking for. I think I was fascinated with seeing that a few strokes could change everything. Drastically. Pretty unusual for me to add the sign on the building, but somehow it just felt complete when I did it. Always learning.


One more thing ...... in an effort to teach myself more movie-making, I made a short video called A day in Chicago. Click here to view this new YouTube addition.

"Quintessential"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

This painting came as a result of my admiration for a fellow artist, Terry Miura. I have this great desire to paint landscapes - but I tend to only appreciate those done in a more impressionistic style. Sharp, realistic versions just don't do it for me. I can be driving along a quiet road, see a composition that stops me in my tracks - but it's the composition, the color - not the fact that it's a road or a barn or a field of wheat. It's more of a snapshot in my brain made up of areas of color, mostly blurred from the distance. That's what I want to paint. I'm not really concerned whether this looks like a typical painting of mine - I really rather enjoy the freedom of the subject and the use of the oils.

I also thought this new piece would be a perfect Q for my alphabet series. Very Quintessential of the countryside outside of Seattle, specifically Duvall.

"Pike Place Market"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

On to the P in the alphabet series - the Pike Place Market. A must if you're in Seattle. I chose to tackle this scene in a more impressionistic way, the only way to contain the 'busy'.

Color-wise, it really was more muted than you'd expect - the oldness coming through - with spots of greens and reds breaking up the greyness - which is something I resisted at first, but appreciated when the painting was done.

"Mellow Yellow"

10 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

I was walking up to the door at a Starbucks, in Seattle, when I spotted this gentleman. I could best describe my surroundings as grey - the sky, the sidewalk, the wall - and bam - this yellow coat. That does good things to your brain, seeing color when there isn't much.

Please click here for a larger view.

Another Kind of Auction

8 x 10"
oil on masonite

I did want to show you this new piece that I am donating to a fund-raising event, the High Museum's Wine and Art Auction coming up next month. The sculpture featured in this painting is the ten-foot-long "Tiber", on loan from the Louvre and currently on display at the High Museum, here in Atlanta. At night, it is quite breathtaking to view, with the strong lighting defining the ripples and shadows and details.

For more information on the auction, click here.

"Opening"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

I couldn't resist using Opening for the letter O, continuing on with my alphabet series. This was taken from the opening reception of my show, a couple of weeks ago, at the Howard/Mandville Gallery. There was a nice, casual feel that night - and this painting needed to reflect that. The man portrayed in the scene was so kind to mention he watched my YouTube videos - I remember when I got back to my hotel room that night, it dawned on me that I reach a lot of people with what I do. And occasionally I have the pleasure of meeting those people in person, way across the globe. It really does make me proud.

"Art Therapy"

8 x 8" (each painting)
oil on masonite
sold

A scene split in two - patrons enjoying the quiet and rich surroundings inside the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, DC.

Please click here for a larger view.

A Show Worth Mentioning

My good friends, Karen & Neil Hollingsworth, are showing their new work at Twinhouse, a gallery in Atlanta. Also showing is work by Jeff Cohen - the three really do compliment each other and all are best appreciated in person, so please stop in the gallery tonight if you're in the neighborhood.

"Refresher Course"

8 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

I think we all need a taste of summer today. Forget the snow and ice and sweaters and coats, just for a moment. Think of warm sun on your skin - bright, blue skies above - the hot sand under your feet - the dire need for a cold, refreshing drink. Mmmmmmm.

This painting is currently showing at the Howard/Mandville Gallery - the scene is taken from a smoothie stand on South Beach, in Miami.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Salsa Seat"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

I start these paintings that have straight lines, buildings, etc... and I think why am I doing this? It's just plain hard work. But satisfying when it's done.

This scene is from Asheville, a couple of doors down from the 16 Patton Gallery where I show my work. It's the side window seating of a great restaurant called Salsa.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Say Cheese"

11 x 11"
oil on masonite
sold

(detail)

(detail)

(detail)

(detail)

This painting is one of my personal favorites - if asked why, it was a challenge, a fun challenge, that includes 57 individuals frozen in a moment, busy with others or standing in line or resting on a bench. The view is from a couple floors up, looking down into the lobby of the Guggenheim - and at that very moment, to my delight, someone was pointing their camera up at me.

The challenge was to keep it all right - the distortion of the bodies, the correct proportions of each to another, the uniqueness of each person and mostly, keeping it loose and casual. It's one of those scenes that you must depend on seeing shapes and color as you're painting, rather than what it really is.

I will also say that, if you could view the original painting, you'd see more to the edges and brush strokes, which give it all a little movement. If you're in Seattle, please visit the Howard/Mandville Gallery to see this painting and others.

Click here for a larger view.

"Nonchalance"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

There is something so gratifying about painting Sargent's works - I truly learn from it - as I do from all my little reproductions. It's how the great artists learned, aside from a teacher's instructions, they copied the masters. Things click. It's a large part of how I have taught myself how to paint with oils.

This woman is leaning closer to John Singer Sargent's "Nonchaloir (Repose)", one of my most-favorite paintings, which hangs in the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, DC.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Newspaper"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Moving on with the alphabet series....... only fitting for N to be Newspaper, because I'm a junkie. I can't start a day without coffee and pouring over several newspapers - not counting more online. And I've always favored painting people engrossed in their paper.

This woman was inside the Seattle Central Library, a fabulous building outside and inside. The window grids made for an almost-abstract surrounding to the figure. I got halfway through this painting and wondered what I was thinking. It was a hard one. The newspaper too. And keeping it just loose enough is always the toughest.

"Modigs"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

I grew up with torn-out pages of Modigliani's works pinned on the walls of my mother's studio - she was a big fan. You see the influence in her oil paintings. When I see his pieces in museums, I think of my mom.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

Happy Valentine's Day.