Sapphire

One more gigantic, beautiful, shining lizard eye.


See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Laurel

I accepted a few suggestions for dragons as I was working on this series.  This suggestion came from the organizer of the charity horror convention I attend every year.  Scares That Care is run solely by volunteers so that all the money collected can go to help recipients.  The charity is run by the most caring and giving person I have ever met.  Joe Ripple asked me to paint a dragon in the Scares That Care colors: purple, green, and yellow.  I was more than happy to oblige.

The Laurel plant gives us our beloved Bay leaf, the basis for "Old Bay" spice.


See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Indigo

"Indigo" has some glorious scales to protect him during battles.  Dragons are always fighting battles with knights and other dragons, right?  Indigo is definitely a champion fighter.


See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Sparky

Sparky the Dragon looks like a playful companion, doesn't he?  Get the ball, Sparky!


See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Pearl

A friend of mine is part of a Dragon Boat team of all women who are Breast Cancer survivors.  Because of my Dragon theme, she asked if I could do a painting of a pink dragon to honor those ladies.  Of course I would!  In fact, I did more than one because, who wouldn't want a PINK DRAGON?!


See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Confetti

Ice cream, cupcakes, sprinkles, Jimmies... all things you expect to be pink, purple, and lovely.  But snakes?  Oh sure, there are 'snake people' who adore them and think they are beautiful but Average Joe/Jane would not think of them as lovely.  Would you ? 

I have not even hung this painting in the gallery and it is already spoken-for.  Thanks, Friend!

See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Masquerade

Before I began this painting, I was thinking, "The colors in these paintings are getting a little crazy, maybe I should tone it down a little" and this was the result.  I do love color but tone it down apparently doesn't work very well in my sub-conscious.  I am pleased with this painting even if I didn't tone it down.

See the rest of the 30 in 30 participants here.

Freckles

30 Paintings in 30 Days February, 2018

"Freckles"  6" x 6" oil on Masonite panel.

Welcome back to 30 in 30!  My theme this time around will focus snakes, lizards, and dragons and their various beautiful body parts as a continuation of my Serpent Series of paintings.

My Serpent Series began last year as a number of abstract paintings using handmade stencils of scales in a variety of shapes and sizes.  You can take a peek at some of those paintings as they developed here and here.

This year, I have a gallery show coming up at the end of February where I will display some of the abstract paintings from last year as well as a number of the smaller, accessory paintings that I'm completing for this 30-in-30.  Cutting it close?  Maybe.  Nothing like a deadline to get the artistic juices flowing.  I may hang a few paintings that are not varnished and may not even be completely dry... so if you come to my gallery show, no touching please!  HA!

I hope you enjoy my 30 paintings.

See the other 30 in 30 participants here.

Dangerous Waters

Confession Time.
Art is happening, but it is happening slowly.  And the weather is crummy which makes taking photos of the art that IS happening next to impossible.

I have four new completed pieces.

I started this back in January and wasn't satisfied with it.  I went back to it and made some adjustments and I'm much happier with the result.

24" x 24" [needs a name].

Another for the Serpent Series.  24" x 48" [needs a name].

I have two paintings that I intended to be part of the Serpent Series however, they both have definite shark shapes, which I love.  I'm thinking they might belong in their own series.  I'm open to suggestions for the name of that series.

I showed this one during some in-process stages but I'm really happy with how it has turned out.
18" x 24" [needs a name].  [needs a series name]

This one I did while shooting video for a friend.  I enjoyed this new experience but painting while filming a video is very distracting.  Some day I may try again.  I've got nothing on Bob Ross, that's for sure.
Dangerous Waters, 24" x 24" [needs a series name]

One more brand-new piece is on my easel.  It is a huge 24"x 48" canvas and while it fits the theme of my Serpent Series, it is really a departure from my usual style.  Every time I do something outside of my comfort zone it is an opportunity for growth but what often happens not only with me, but with many artists is, when we get to a point in the middle of a painting, we get frustrated and stuck.  If it's work we are comfortable with, we can power through (or sometimes limp through) to get past the really hard part so that we can finish and be satisfied with the result.  When a painting is a challenge from the beginning though, that middle bit where we get stuck feels insurmountable.  I have paintings I started years ago that are still stuck in that middle bit and I don't know if they'll ever be finished.

I had one painting in a gallery show recently and that is always fun.  Despite my shyness, I do have a good time meeting new people and seeing old art friends at gallery receptions.  Also, I have just entered several pieces into an event online.  I am wary of online events simply because it's really easy for disreputable companies to take your money and you'd have no recourse.  This event was recommended by a friend who is a member of the website, so I felt safe in joining the event.  So far, the number of entries for this particular show is fairly small.  We are nearing the entry deadline so that is a bonus.  Fewer entries increases the odds that I could win a prize.  [fingers crossed]

Follow me on Instagram for lots of cryptic, in-process photos of whatever is happening on my easel and (sometimes) in my life:
http://www.instagram.com/karimelenartist/

I am happy to report that I passed my math course at college and my new job is hard but enjoyable.

Updateable

It's past the Witching Hour.  Too early to get up for work.  Mind running.  (Yes, I know... I'm supposed to meditate to help with that.  I know.)  Since I'm up, I visit my canvas friends.

Two large canvases that may or may not be companion pieces.  I think they look great together.  The one on the left is black and grey.  The right is Dioxizine Purple and grey.  Each canvas is 24" x 48".

 A shot of the Dioxizine Purple featured on the canvas on the right.  I've had more than one art instructor tell me, "Don't use Dioxizine Purple."  "It's garish."  "It's unnatural."  "It will take over your whole palette."  Don't tell me not to do something.  I'm stubborn.  I'm going to do it just to spite somebody.

I do what I want.

Mixing black from a limited palette.  Alizerin Crimson, Sap Green, and Ultramarine Blue.  This makes a cool (blue-ish) black with a ratio of 3 parts Alizerin, 2 parts Sap, and 6 parts Ultramarine.  This black is also the base for all my greys and it works as a toner when used in small amounts to cut back the brightness of a color.

In other news, I got a new job.  Pretty much the same as the old job, but better.  I have just a couple of weeks left before Summer Break from school, and I'll have news of a gallery show coming soon.

Painting Five Continues

Part Two

The streaky areas of blue and grey have blended together here and virtually disappeared.  It wasn't the effect I was after but I still like it.

Liquid white and liquid black are splattered and allowed to somewhat blend together.  Crimson accents are added for interest.

See the beginning of this painting here.


30 in 30 Blog.

Beginning Five

Part One

This painting began with the upper third a light tan and the lower two thirds a green that was somewhere between an olive and a fern.

This current look was achieved by dribbling paint along the top edge and adding lots and lots of water and letting the paint cascade down.  The black was added via Pipette and allowed to run in a couple directions before lying flat.

There is some light glare here and I may use these shapes as inspiration later.



30 in 30 Blog.

Molten Rise

Molten metal swirls and flows then rises through a watery grate.

16" x 20" acrylic and handmade paper on hard board.
This painting is available on Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/270860623/molten-metal-flow-design-original-art

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Where Sea Meets Sky

 Where Sea Meets Sky

Summer beach time brings soothing, sometimes exciting, magical moments.  Especially when a few (non-threatening) clouds appear to catch that Golden Hour of sun as it kisses the horizon.

"Where Sea Meets Sky"
9" x 12" oil on canvas board.
This painting is available at DailyPaintworks.com.

Rainy Reflection

Rainy Reflection

Abstract mixed media in blues, greys and brown with a splash of orange/red.
The weather forecast for tonight is heavy rain.  I hope it also brings some thunder.  I love the thunder at night.

"Rainy Reflection"
20" x 24" mixed media on stretched canvas
This painting is available at my Etsy store.

Reading Spot

30 Days of Comfort and Joy, Day Six

My comfortable spot for reading books, magazines, or watching TV.  It's also nice for a little nap, on occasion.

"Reading Spot"
6" x 6" oil on Gessobord
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.

Shy One

30 Paintings of Comfort and Joy, Number Five

One bottle peeks out from behind, hoping to see without being seen.

I enjoy painting my small collection of glass bottles and vases.  Trying to capture the all the little sparkles and reflections is so much fun.

"Shy One"
6" x 6" oil on Gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30, Day Sixteen

First Question
Cage Free Series 023

Horned Owl perches on a branch asking his eternal question... Whooo?

Sometimes I get impatient and then the Universe teaches me a lesson that I have to continue living for a while.  This happens a lot with my hair especially.  I have a stylist that I love.  Instead of making a regular appointment with her I wait until my hair is unruly.  And then madness sets in and I take matters into my own hands.  Last night I put matters (or rather, scissors) into the hands of my daughter.  She is Fifteen and not a professional stylist.  I have let her cut my hair in the past with varying results.  (The time when she was Five was probably my most insane.)

This time, she did fine.  Until I gave her the shaver.  That was the turning point.

I should have known she was a little too excited using the shaver.  Now I look like a rocker chick with the sides of my head shaved.  I did save my eyebrow, though.

Perhaps the owl should be asking, "What were you thinking?"

I wasn't thinking Mr. Owl.  I was being impatient.  My kid is an awesome sport when I ask her to do crazy things for me.  And my hair will grow back.  Thanks, Universe.  I will:

Slow down.

Take a breath.


"First Question"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists on Leslie Saeta's blog.

Destin Sunset -- SOLD

Florida's Emerald Coast

The name does have a lovely ring, doesn't it?

I guess I am dreaming of the beach.  I haven't made it there yet this year.  Too many busy projects to take time to relax.  Soon, I hope.

"Destin Sunset"
16" x 20" oil on canvas board, unframed.

The Way to Mytilene

The Way to Mytilene, Greece

I have been thinking for some time that I should try a Virtual Paint-Out.  Somewhere between a studio painting and Plein air painting lies the Virtual Paint-out.  Like going on vacation, but free.  Google Maps Street-view is such a fun app.  I use it all the time to check out places I'm thinking of going on vacation (or just dreaming about going on vacation).  Bill Guffey started doing the Virtual Paint-out a few years ago already and I think it's a wonderful idea.  Plein air without bugs or heat or rain.  What a great idea!

This month's location is Greece.  Here is the Google location I chose:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.111752,26.566105,3a,75y,308.4h,89.91t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sFVUZ2lcjQMGYjlRmt2Zdhw!2e0

"The Way to Mytilene"
9" x 12" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.