This is the photo I chose for the class…

It was taken with my iPhone from a moving vehicle of the Little Susitna River near Wasilla. From blurry grass obstructing the foreground to blown-out highlight areas, this pic qualifies as ‘less than optimum’.

With a couple quick adjustments to lighting in Photoshop we regained some lost values in the highlight areas. From here we can attack the canvas…

Students hard at work! Some had never painted with oils before and jumped right in. Way to go!

Below is my version of the photo…

“Little Su Sunshine”
8×10 oil study

Detail of boulders in river (below)

The view from Pandemonium’s parking lot after wards.

I had a great time with the students and can’t wait to do another class!
Thanks for reading!

Sold

30×40 • Oil on Panel • 2011

Details of texture and knife work…

It took a few weeks to finish this big guy but wow was it fun! Approximately 99% of this painting was completed with a palette knife, the exception being the steam pictured above. The texture is quite thick and I love it! Thanks for looking!

Giclee prints of  “Winter Bull” are available here.

What fun to meet with old friends, make new ones, and mingle with new collectors.

Here is my new release…

“Orca Sunrise”
24×36″ Oil on Panel • Available here

Another piece unveiled at the show  is the following plein air piece…

“Bear Valley Illuminations”
9×12 oil on panel • Sold

In September of 2010 I was able to join the Alaska Plein Air painters on a jaunt to the Anchorage Hillside. Though the weather barely cooporated I was able to capture a fleeting instance of the sun lifting the misty clouds, if only for a moment.

A big thanks goes out to all who attended and my fellow Painted Ladies who made the day amazing!

Thanks for looking!

]]> http://www.whitworthgallery.org/2011/04/illuminations-a-show-at-town-square-art-gallery/feed/ 0 http://www.whitworthgallery.org/2011/03/kamaole-ii-beach-maui-plein-air-painting/ http://www.whitworthgallery.org/2011/03/kamaole-ii-beach-maui-plein-air-painting/#comments Fri, 11 Mar 2011 23:04:52 +0000 karenwhitworth http://www.whitworthgallery.org/?p=1190 “Kamaole II Beach”
9×12 oil on panel
Original is Available

Had the wonderful opportunity to spend a day at the beach with an artist friend. We enjoyed the Maui sun and sand while we painted. So fun! On the horizon you can see Molokini Crater (World class snorkel spot) and Kahoolawe Island beyond. The dark band on the beach is where high tide and perhaps large swells from a storm had washed debris and rock onto the beach. As an artist it is fun to dissect scenes. I was mesmerized by the colors of the sand from the shadows, to the debris and then where the waves continually wiped the beach clean of footprints and blemishes. The gradients of blue to green in the ocean was also captivating!

This is one of my favorite paintings from my East Hawaii Cultural Center Exhibit. It is titled ” Koki’o ‘ula & Palila ” – Hawaiian Red Hibiscus and Palila Bird. All I had for reference was a small photo of a hibiscus blossom from a few years back. Though the reference was taken on an over cast day I wanted the flower’s petals to remain luminous and bright in my painting. By applying several layers of transparent glazes of highly saturated pigment this luminous quality remains apparent.

I started the painting by creating a monochromatic underpainting in red and deep quinachridone.

Once the underpainting was complete I began overlaying the other colors. I made sure to jump all over the painting and not spend too much time in any one area. This keeps my eyes ‘fresh’ and observant.

Pushing and pulling values in the background now. Finding the sweet spot in every inch of the canvas; remaining ever mindful of how every aspect relates to the next. If  I push one petal forward how does it relate to the others, etc.

And the finished painting… 18×24 on canvas

To see photos of the exhibit at EHCC in Hilo, Hawaii click here.

Giclee prints of this painting are available on paper and canvas, click here for more info.

Hope you enjoyed seeing the painting process, thanks for looking!

…I could get use to this.

I had been honored with a great opportunity to have a solo exhibition in Hawaii.

The venue is East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo, Hawaii. I had submitted a proposal to their gallery committee in late 2009 and was selected for their 2011 calendar.

Below are the 10 paintings I created for the exhibit.

The title of the exhibition is “Birds of Paradise” Flora & Feathered Fauna of Hawaii. Here are some snapshots of the opening night. Many thanks to Renee Robinson for many of them!

It was such a blessing to go on this journey and better yet to have my Grandmother join me. She signed me up for my first painting class 13 years ago. How fitting to have her here with me for this amazing experience!

On February 26th the paintings go on to Kona, HI where they will find new homes through Rumley Art and Gallery at the King Kamehameha Hotel.

Still pinching myself as I write this blog post. To have this much fun for a living is almost too much! I am so very thankful.

Thanks for reading!

Here I found the prettiest orchid just begging to be painted…

I brought it with me to the center and got started. Meeting locals and tourists from all over the world was such a treat while I painted.

Here it is all finished and framed. “Duet in Magenta” 5×7 • oil on panel

This is one of the paintings to be featured at “Signs of Spring” a March First Friday Celebration in Anchorage, AK at Painted Ladies Gallery at Artic Rose. Click here for more information.

Thanks for looking!

I wanted it to be different, intense brilliance that captured the fascinating season we Alaskans wait 9 months for. Summer in Alaska is so fleeting. But wow, when it’s here, what a show! This is my interpretation of all that excitement.

Step 1

sketched out a rough design and applied clear gesso over the sketch and panel.

Step 2

Value scale. Knock out the basic design elements and establish the light to dark ratio.

Step 3

Applying color, starting to see where I need to tweak things, nudge them.

Step 4

The pushing and pulling is now moving into the values. Making some things lighter, others darker.

Step 5

Starting to really establish mood here. Working on the light source and how it affects the subjects.

Step 6

Tweaking some more details

Finished!

“Midnight Marathon”

8.5×17 • Oil ‘sketch’ on wood panel

The painting was delivered Feb. 18, 2011. Can’t wait to hear how it does!

Thanks for looking!

FEBRUARY 25th FROM 7-10PM

LAST FRIDAY IN SPENARD – Closing of Silent Auction and Meet & Greet Artists! Click for Event Details.

Be sure to swing by Blaines Art in Anchorage on Feb. 25th where we will be winding down the silent auction. Amazing paintings by dozens of Alaskan artists will be available. This is your chance to own an original piece of artwork and give to a wonderful charity at the same time.
To learn more about the painting I created for this event and the charity, Helping Hands for Nepal, continue reading…

January 13th I was blessed with an opportunity to participate in a fundraiser for Helping Hand For Nepal. A wonderful organization making a difference in a poverty stricken nation. Blaines Art Supply in Anchorage who hosted and organized the event had one artist each day in January create a painting to be auctioned for the event right in the store. What fun to mingle with all the customers!

Here’s a photo of me hard at work

Here is a photo of the finished painting…

“Something Blue” Alaskan Wild Iris and Blue Butterfly • 10×10″ Oil on Canvas Panel • Available by Silent Auction!

If you are interested in this painting feel free to contact the friendly staff at Blaines Art. (907) 561-5344

The silent auction starts on January 28th at 6pm and runs through February 25th.

Here is a bit more about the fundraiser from the Blaines Art Website

“Blaines Art will be hosting Paint A Day, an event where a different artist will come to Blaines and complete a painting each day of the month of January, beginning Jan. 3. At the end of the month, the paintings will be displayed in Blaines Art and on the Blaines Art website for silent auction through the month of February. A percentage of proceeds from each auctioned painting will go to Helping Hand for Nepal, a charity where 100% of all donations go directly to the people of Nepal; there are no administration fees and all staff is volunteer.”

Thanks for looking!