Hay Bales in Setting Sun

Hello all!
The LA Art show was fun as usual, but crowded! We went on Saturday instead of Friday and paid the price (of crowds) for it. But we laughed our fool heads off and oohed and awed at various pieces. She likes really textural things and I like really smooth work but we came to an agreement over quite a few.  James Neil Hollingsworth had some represented and it was great to see them in person up close (not like in a museum where the guards shush you away). James' work is so "clean" if that makes sense. Absolutely love his work!
 I only saw one of Marina Dieul's pieces so maybe I missed more with the crowds. http://marinadieul.com/

And of course, the Arcadia Gallery at the LA Art Show  as discussed on http://underpaintings.blogspot.com/ was on my hit list. And I think I actually revisited Matthew Cornell's work again in my dreams! Like I clicked a camera and took a frame of it and then my brain absorbed it more slowly. I would link his blog but he hasn't posted to it for quite a while (sigh.) Its at the bottom of my fav list. No ocean work from him this time, just nocturnes of houses - which thrill me! Anywhoo, fun day overall - crowds or no. Nice to spend it with a long time friend, We may go to the Autry next week for the Western Show! I'll keep you posted!
Hay Bales
Oil on canvas 8x10
Cheers! Karen

Coach Model and LA Art Show - Yeah!

See what I did. I dropped his left eye down slightly and that elongated his nose. Ever learning. At least I can see the mistakes now. Its funny, cause if I put my thumb up to block the whole view and just take in parts like the left eye to the the mouth (comparing) then they work. But its almost as if I inserted a wedge slice from the nose up, thereby widening his face. hmmm.  And Chris helped me see that I've been neglecting hard lines. Also he suggested that I blend the outer cheek out a bit into the space around it rather than stopping with a hard line. He's a wonderful teacher. I really enjoy his class.
Anywhoo, yeah! My friend Jaws and I are going on Friday to the LA Art show. (no, those are her initials, which is now actually Jawsp but that's just weird) (And no, she isn't a shark nor does she look like Jaws from James Bond- She is a very attractive blond) We've gone to the show three years now together and I've gone twice before on my own. Usually my favorite section of the show is always around the Acadia Gallery and if you take a took at Underpaintings (listed here as one of the blogs I follow) you'll see a taste of what they're going to display. I will tell you flat out that I'm pretty sure I will nearly fly past everything else just to see Matthew Cornell's work. I absolute love his nocturnes. But I know something else will stop me dead in my tracks and I'll just stand there with my mouth open. I'll drink it in and soak it up and get a tad depressed and then rally back, slapping myself around a bit (IT TAKES TEN YEARS TO REALLY MASTER SOMETHING....and there's always going to be someone who is a bit ahead of the curve.) I can't wait!
Cheers all and God's blessings!
Karen

Warm and Cool in Charcoal

I've gotten pretty close with this one. He has a bit more roundness in his face. But once again, had a blast drawing him. Just loved his pirate look. Charcoal on....newsprint  Cheers and avast ye mateys!
Nick Chao on deviantarts
http://fav.me/d2750w5

A New Beginning

Weirdly enough, I wasn't going to post this on my blog - for the sheer sake that its on newsprint. (Wait, let me say, "That darn DREADED NEWSPRINT."  Did I mention I am NOT a fan of newsprint. Oh, yes, I have. Pardon me for repeating myself.)
Anywhoo, happy enough with it, except for the fact THAT ITS ON NEWSPRINT! (Oops, sorry.) When I scan newsprint, it sort of.....shreds. ?
And isn't that strange that newspaper publications seem to be going away, yet we will continue to have newsprint. I am filled with compassion for those losing their newspaper related jobs. And the demise of newspapers themselves seem to be leading to frivolous junk on the on-line news. If I want to read about some local issues, I have to wade through stoopid articles about what the latest "It" girl is doing and wearing and on-line games. Stoopid.
Charcoal on, yes, you guessed it..... newsprint.

Cheers all!
Karen

More random faces...er, face. Just one.

Hi!
I am so envious of all of you who are participating in the Thirty Day Challenge. Whew! I always tinker with things over and over until I'm happy. I'd be posting everything at once.
Anywhoo, another random charcoal drawing, this time a model from a horrible (you have to pronounce that hurr-ri-bull like we do in this household) magazine that someone was promoting full of snobbish things. Bleck!! (Like I need a pair of $400 slippers or a $40,000 watch.)
So I ripped her out and drew her and tossed the rubbish. On newsprint (not my favorite paper.)
Keep painting and drawing. Hm, with that $40,000 that I'm saving on the watch I could build a pretty nice studio. Just thinkin'. ;)
Karen

White and Red and Happy New Year

Hello and Happy New Year!
I am hoping it is prosperous and healthy for you all and for us. I so enjoy looking at everyones art and creative endeavors. Keep it up!
So here is my final (hmmmm, may still touch up one or two things) of the red bowl and white amaryllis.  Oil on canvas 8x10
Again, may you (safely) enjoy the New Year festivities and beyond.
Cheers!
Karen

White and Red (WIP)

Because this month is getting away from me, I thought I'd better post something. So here is a work in progress. Happy with the red bowl and still tweaking the layers of the amaryllis.
Very Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate and A Very Happy New Year to all! (if I don't finish this and repost it before the end of the year.)
Cheers All!
Karen

Eagle Owl

I love the challenges that are posted around on various sites and sometimes I actually say OK, I'm gonna partake in that one! Lee, of A Day Not Wasted, posts his beautiful photos and a monthly challenge for artists of all styles.

http://adaynotwasted.com/2012/11/november-2012-painting-challenge/

Charcoal and earth pastels on Canson paper
cheers all!
ks

Respect the 'stache (Gustave Courbet; the Desperate Man)

Gustave Courbet. The Desperate Man. (See, Eileen, I can spell) 

His self portrait and one of my favorite paintings. 

So close! Dang it! but just the slightest nuances and the whole thing shifts - his nose, as I ever seem to do - is dropped down a touch to far and that dropped his mouth down. Oh well, back to the drawing board. Had a blast drawing him. Charcoal on newsprint.
I am hoping and praying for those affected by Sandy. I hope you are all recovering. Rooting around for something to donate to the dailypaintworks Hurricane Sandy fundraiser

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Challenge/C0EB586C-7142-4c96-A589-DF9DC9BABA1A

God's peace, Karen

Melanie in charcoal

My youngest daughter had photography class in high school with her friend and I always liked this picture she took of Melanie.  She was very sweet girl and, as you can probably tell, very long and lanky and angular. They don't see each other any more but I think I'd like to call Melanie up and see if she would like to have my drawing of her. Unfortunately it was done on newsprint - ugh, not a fan - but oh well.
Should I work up the background? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Cheers all!
ks