Karen Wall Garrison Paintings

Wedding Paintings & Other Fun Events--

2012-01-29T11:48:00.000-08:00

In addition to painting weddings (the above is a detail from a wedding at the Del Coronado in San Diego, CA); I am often asked to paint other events. Here you'll see some of those events, too.

I am working on my NEW WEBSITE, but in the meantime, you can visit portfolios of all my event paintings; weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, charity events) at the folowing:

http://www.karenwallgarrison.com/

Aquarium of the Pacific Sea Fare / Long Beach, CA

The Houstonian / Houston, TX

Taste of the Coast / Long Beach, CA

50th Birthday Party / Northridge, CA

Sea Cliff Country Club / Huntington Beach, CA

Nanina's in the Park / Belleville, NJ

Loyola Chapel / Los Angeles, CA

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or interest in private work for sale:

714-280-5939

Thank you for looking!

LIVE EVENT WEDDING PAINTINGS -- Happy Newlyweds!

2012-01-27T21:55:00.000-08:00

I typically show just the the painting, but I thought it would be nice to see the proud and happy couples whose weddings I have captured live, during their most special day.

The look on the couple's faces are what I live for!

St. Michaels' Church / Newport Beach, CA

Renaissance Hotel / Long Beach, CA

Nanina's In The Park / Belleview, NJ

Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego, CA

Trump National Golf Club / Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

I will be launching my NEW WEBSITE soon!

You can see all of these paintings in further detail here:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.37595377521.59548.534512521&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=37595997521&set=a.37595377521.59548.534512521&type=3&theater

Please visit any of the links below, for more samples of my live event paintings:

http://www.affluentbride.com/karen-wall-garrison-live-event-painter-artist-for-hire-orange-county-california.html

http://www.luxuriouswedding.com/articles/wedding_muralist.html

The interview on ShinyOrb.com describes my process:

http://blog.shinyorb.com/live-wedding-painting

Note: The first photo was taken by Tackeff Photography at The Rockleigh / Rockleigh, NJ

http://www.steventackeff.com/

THANK YOU FOR LOOKING!

New Wedding Paintings

2010-04-12T19:31:00.000-07:00

An intimate wedding at the Northwoods Resort in Big Bear, CA gave me the pleasure of driving up on a very beautiful day, with crystal blue skies and even patches of snow! The room had a nice "rustic elegance" and the wedding theme & decor tied-in perfectly with the forest setting. That's the bride's father playing the piano in the foreground, and her mother to the left of him with the video camera. I also painted a wedding "runner" (but round), which the couple stood on while exchangeing vows under the arch. More details on this wedding in the next blog...

A trip to San Antonio, Texas gave me the honor and joy of painting a wedding reception held in the historic Coates Chapel, built in the 1870's, with the most beautiful stained glass windows. It is part of the campus of the Southwest School of Art and Craft in the old, downtown section of the city.

Leonesse Cellars, a winery in Temecula, California, was the unique, festive setting for this wedding reception painting. I loved how the wedding cake was showcased on a wine barrel!

The Bell Tower in Rancho Santa Margarita was the setting for this beautiful outdoor wedding. You'd never know it was raining, and the ceremony was held under a tent. That's the beauty of a painting-- you can leave out the stuff you don't want!

Here are the photos that her photographer (Hazelnut Photography) took during the reception while I was finishing the painting:

For information on any of the venues:

Northwoods Resort, Big Bear, CA:

http://www.northwoodsresort.com/

Coates Chapel, San Antonio, TX:
http://www.swschool.org/

Leonesse Cellars, Temecula, CA:

http://www.leonessecellars.com/

Visit the bride's blog for info on the location at the Bell Tower in Rancho Santa Margarita:

http://relentlessbride.com/2009/03/booking-venue.html

She blogged about me, too! Just go to:

http://www.relentlessbride.com/

Type in my name, and you can find all the blog postings. I really appreciate the cross-promotion that blogging offers.

For information on Hazelnut Photography:

http://hazelnutphotography.com/blog/amy-jean-larry-the-wedding

Yorba Linda Wedding Reception

2010-01-09T11:55:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of painting a wedding reception at a beautiful, exclusive spot; The East Lake Clubhouse; in Yorba Linda, California.

The entire back wall had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water.

This cake topper delighted the guests, knowing the couple waited years to get married, and were big fans of opposing hockey teams!

The tight quarters of the room required that I paint from a spot in the foyer. Here is my view under the staircase immediately outside the reception hall. Good thing it had windows!

This is what the view looked like when I arrived at 4pm to begin painting. The challenge of painting an outdoor background is the changing light. My assignment was to capture the bride and groom during their first dance.

Would they arrive soon? The sun was going down fast!

And the Christmas lights were coming on, casting a colorful reflection on the water.

"At last"! No, seriously-- that's a song!

The final outcome contained the many changing elements of the day. The bride was thrilled with the painting, and that I also captured the humorous cake topper, ever-so-subtly painting the message, "Go Ducks" into the tablecloth for the bride's team.

I love my job as a live event wedding painter! It is such a happy way for me to be an artist!

Wedding in Hawaii

2009-11-17T19:23:00.000-08:00

Often people will ask me if I will paint from photos. This painting was done for an anniversary gift. The couple was married in Hawaii ten years ago.

She wanted to give a very special gift to her husband for their anniversary.

She gave me about 12 photos taken where they got married at sunset.

I studied the pictures for a long time, and put the scene together as I imagined it might have been, had I been there.

She is thrilled with the painting, and can't wait for their anniversary to give it to her husband.

This is from the email she sent:

"Hi Karen!

I can't even come up with the proper words to tell you how much I love the painting that you did for our upcoming 10yr anniversary! I'm so excited to give it to Mark. I drove home after meeting you just thinking how incredibly blessed that I am!

Thank you so much again! I love it!!!!"

And I am thrilled that she is thrilled!

Recent Live Event Wedding Paintings

2009-10-28T18:05:00.000-07:00

This was painted at the beautiful Westlake Seasons Hotel, in Westlake Village last month.

I was captivated by the romantic choreography of the first dance.

Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino mountains was the setting for this wedding painting.

The incredible blues in the sky and water were perfectly complimented by the bright pink accents.

The palatial grandness of the ballroom at the Glendale Palladio gave a royal quality to this dance scene.

The swirling fog added to the mystic of the moment. The bride and groom were joined by three other couples during their first dance, as shown in the painting.

I love working as a live event artist!

For information on any of the venues:

http://www.fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/weddings/

http://www.laresort.com/lars/weddings.htm

http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/palladio-glendale/a53feb76bd185e1e.html

Wedding on the Beach

2009-09-30T18:44:00.001-07:00

A beautiful wedding on the beach in Carpinteria, CA was the subject of this live event painting.

When I arrived the chairs and minimal decorations were being set up.

Here is a closeup of the driftwood aisle decorations.

Soon the guests began to arrive and take their seats. It was a gorgeous day!

This shows the painting in progress. It was a large crowd. I had a long way to go!

The important moment for me to capture finally came-- the bride and groom exchanging their vows.

They were a lovely couple!

I finished the painting during the reception. It was a perfect summer wedding!

Summer Weddings in Dallas, TX and Carpinteria, CA

2009-08-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

Among the places I painted this summer; were weddings at the Ritz Carlton in Dallas, Texas; and on the beach in Carpinteria, California.

The Ritz Carlton provided an exquisite venue for a wedding, a beautifully decorated ballroom bathed in pink light.

The stage included a large band, and a string quartet to serenade the newlyweds during their the first dance, all of which appeared silhouetted against the dramatic lighting.

Fabulous foral and crystal chandelier centerpieces adorned the tables.

It was a stunning scene, all the planning in place providing a most elegant celebration!

I always try to capture the best pose possible for the painting. A beautiful pair, don't you think?

For more information on the Ritz Carlton in Dallas:

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Dallas/Events/Default.htm

Next blog post:

West Coast wedding ceremony on the beach in Carpinteria, California!

Backyard Wedding in Corona, CA

2009-07-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

I painted a beautiful wedding reception in a sprawling, lushly landscaped yard in Corona. The blues and greens were a delight to my eye, and a perfect compliment to the brick red fence surrounding the property.

As a live event painter, my first task was to quickly establish the background, leaving room in the foreground for the bride and groom to be painted during their first dance.

The wedding took place on what would later become the dance floor. Navy blue cloth-covered tables on my right, a pool in the distance, and a pond to the left, reflected the gorgeous azure sky.

I nearly lost it (emotionally) upon seeing the groom in his military dress blues, as my own Marine son's wedding is coming up in just a few weeks. One of the guests made a special toast, giving thanks for his service to our country. Oh, be still, my heart!

I enjoyed adding the bride and groom, her parents and their guests, especially the children. The kids were very interested in watching me paint, and I delighted in their excitement and curiosity. The pink flowers and accents, and the colorful clothing, really added to the life of the painting.

Once the painting was finished, the kids had fun looking for themselves in the picture.

It gives me great joy to paint such a special day, creating an everlasting memory on canvas. The bride and groom were very happy, and that made my day!

20th Anniversary Party at Khoury's in Long Beach, California

2009-07-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

I was delighted to paint a 20th wedding anniversary party held in the lovely Khoury's restaurant in Long Beach, CA, overlooking the Alamitos Bay. It was a beautiful day for a party!

Here is my set up with a blank canvas, in a nice corner of the room. I have a lovely view of the room and the bay.

My job begins about an hour and a half before the guests arrive and the festivities begin.

Aren't they a cute couple?

This is how far I had gotten on the painting before the first guests arrived. You can see them seated in the first booth on the right.

This is my view looking out the window to my left.

The guests of honor arrive!

And the pary is fully underway.

I continue to paint, adding the people as they arrive and take their seats. I love the subjects in the foreground-- the captain's cap is perfect for the setting! I don't plan these things, they just happen.

The table immediately to my left quickly filled with flowers and made a very nice, colorful addition to the painting.

Here I am, hard at work. The clock is ticking...

And, voila! The canvas is complete! The bride and groom were very pleased. This was a surprise gift for Mrs. Sullivan from her husband. Her response nearly made me cry. Oh! How I love my job!

For more information on Khoury's (where my brother had his beautiful wedding):

http://khourys.net/

Old Courthouse in Cleveland, Ohio

2009-06-29T07:44:00.001-07:00

I had the distinct honor of painting a lovely reception held in the Old Historic Courthouse in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The interior was like a museum, with exquisite marble pillars, marble walls, carved marble mouldings, and a ceiling that took my breath away!

Here is where I was stationed to capture the wedding dance on canvas.

And this was my view. I couldn't wait for the festivities to begin!

This shows another view from my vantage point, slightly to the right. You can see how an artist would be overjoyed at the prospect of making a painting with such wonderful architectural details!

By the time the guests arrived, I had "mapped out" the composition and background of the painting. Soon the wedding party arrived and the reception was in full swing.

The first dance wasn't scheduled until after dinner was served, so I asked the bride and groom to pose for me.

But, I'm glad I waited to see them actually dancing their first dance-- notice the changes; the groom took off his jacket, and the bride's train was tucked up; making for a completely different look on the dance floor.

Here the painting is almost finished as the clock is ticking...

And this is why I do this-- I just love to see the reaction! If I can spend the rest of my life creating paintings that bring people so much joy, and to memorialize the most important day of their lives-- then I am living an artist's dream!

For more information on the Old Courthouse:

http://www.weddingmapper.com/g/oh/cleveland/vendor_photos/view_vendor_photo/142882?vendor_id=2570#bottom_of_header

Alpine Country Club, Demarest, NJ

2009-06-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

I painted a very colorful wedding reception at the historic Alpine Country Club in Demarest, New Jersey. When I arrived at JFK the afternoon of the wedding it was pouring down rain. Thank goodness this was not an outdoor wedding!

The groom hired me to capture the reception for his wedding gift to his bride. And it was a surprise! She had given him a painting by NY artist named Peter Zonis: http://www.peterzonisny.com/carndeli.html, and he asked me if I could do something really "pop art" in a similar, more animated style. He also commented that his favorite wedding painting of mine was "Sunset Wedding Studio" because of the exaggerated proportions, really bright colors, black outlined elements, etc.

And the ballroom at Alpine Country Club was indeed colorful! Bright yellow, and lavendar lights literally painted a wash of color on the walls. The draperies shown as golden-orange. The golf course greenery and turquoise blue fountain outside the window was a wonderful complimentary backdrop; and floral arrangements of fuschia, purples, blues, pinks and greens; gave me the ideal palette to work with!

The cake had a wonderful "quilted" texture in the icing, was decorated with flowers and surrounded by candles, sitting on a beaded tablecloth. The cane-back chairs were metallic gold.

When I asked the groom for the details that were important for me to include in his painting, he specifically mentioned the decorative elements in the room; the fireplace, French doors, draped windows; and of course, the wedding dance as the focal point. He really wanted something bright, colorful and lively to compliment the Peter Zonis piece. And then he said, "For the rest-- use your imagination." I love a challenge!

I began the underpainting "sketch" about an hour and a half before the guests entered the ballroom, laying down the basic room composition. Before long, the show began and the bride and groom were on the dance floor.

The groom came over to show his wife her wedding gift, and then suggested that I also capture both their parents. I threw in Grandma and Grandpa as a surprise from me!

Here are the mothers of the newlyweds looking at the finished painting. They both thanked me with tears in their eyes for making their son and daughter so happy.

Here is the beautiful bride. Can't beat a smile like that! Oh, how I love my job!

I flew directly home after the reception ended, without passing "GO" (but I collected more than $200!), and arrived home in time to spend the entire day with my dad, husband, son, daughter and daughter-in-law for Father's Day brunch. The East Coast-West Coast time change always works in my favor!

For more information on Alpine Country Club:

http://www.alpinecc.org

Check out all my links:

Blog: http://kwgpaintings.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/liveeventartist

Web Site: http://karenwallgarrison.com/index.html

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KarenWallGarrison

Bridal Tweet: http://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/KarenWallGarrison

Try a free greeting card on me: https://www.sendoutcards.com/kwgpaintings

Yepremian Banquet Hall, Glendale, CA

2009-06-19T03:13:00.000-07:00

I painted a beautiful Armenian wedding reception held at the lavishly decorated Yepremian Banquet Hall in Glendale, CA.

I loved capturing all the decorative elements in the ballroon; the ornate guilded mouldings, rich draperies, and even ostrich feather centerpieces!

The bride wanted me to be sure and include the silver wedding cake and crystal tree on the cake table.

Here is the lovely couple on the dancefloor during their first dance.

With many important family and members of the wedding party surrounding them on the dancefloor, the newlyweds were delighted with the finished painting! I had a great time and especially loved the music I got to paint to!

For more information about the Yepremian Banquet Hall:

818-241-5432

Laguna Beach Diver's Cove Wedding

2009-06-13T19:39:00.001-07:00

I recently painted a sunset wedding at a very beautiful location in Laguna Beach, California called Diver's Cove. Despite a few cold and drizzly days that week, the weather cleared up and was nearly perfect!

I arrived a few hours before the start of the ceremony to begin the scenery. The lifeguard stand "marked the spot" for a small, intimate wedding soon to take place.

The bride and groom love the ocean and wanted me to capture the expanse of the setting. Here is my view looking south. She specifically requested that I get the palm trees at the top of the bluff.

About an hour before the wedding was to start, the alter and decorations showed up in my field of vision. The boxes contained flower petals which were to be strewn on the sand, to create an aisle. Her colors were of the glorious sunset skies that Southern California beaches are well-known for.

The first "figure" to enter the picture was the guitarist.

Finally, people gathered and the big moment arrived! The flower girl, maid of honor and bride came down the stairs leading to the sand, kicked off their shoes and proceeded down the aisle.

I put down my brushes and picked up my camera. Knowing the light would be gone soon, I took pictures to work from later. The crowd was invited to gather 'round.

Although the standing guests obscured my view, I was able to capture some good shots as the ceremony took place. I loved the simple elegance, bright colors, and breezy freshness of this beach wedding!

The bride held her bouquet the entire time, full of fragrant, tropical flowers. Gentle waves lapping nearly at their feet, made such a beautiful backdrop for the exchange of vows.

Here is my view from behind my easel just after the ceremony ended.

This is what I accomplished on the canvas up to the ceremony. I "marked" where the wedding itself should be positioned, and then finished the painting back at my studio.

This is a detail of the finished painting. Although the Spirit in the Sky did not deliver the explosive sunset we were all hoping for, I added a subtle glow to illuminate and emphasize the bride and groom and touches of sparkling reflections on the water in the distance.

When I delivered the painting to the newlyweds, they both had the most awesome reaction and it just made my day! Oh, how I love my job!

Wedding at Seasons, Washington Twp, NJ

2009-06-06T17:41:00.000-07:00

I had the distinct pleasure of painting a beautiful wedding at Season's, an upscale catering facility in Washington Township, New Jersey. The bride specifically wanted me to capture the dramatic windows, floral centerpieces, styling of the chairs, and of course-- their first dance!

The beautiful drapery was on the opposite side of the room from me, but was reflective of the grandeur and I knew would it make the best background for their painting, and really capture the essence of the ballroom.

I began with my underpainting "sketch" to layout the composition. People always ask me if I start with a pencil. No, but I "draw" with paint.

I loved the gesture of the bride holding her train, as her groom twirled her on the dancefloor.

The first dance quickly became the "family & wedding party" dance in one fell swoop. With the important people surrounding them, it seemed fitting to include them, although it was not requested.

There was also a magnificant waterfall along the entire length of the ballroom, in front of which I had seen pictures taken of the wedding party. I felt this would be a nice, subtle feature in the painting. That's what you see out the window of this cropped detail of the painting. The bride and groom loved it, and I really enjoyed creating this painting!

For more information about Seasons Catering :

Seasons Catering

Crystal Point Yacht Club

2009-05-26T05:07:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of painting at Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. It overlooked the boats and water and the wedding decorations had a seashore theme. The bride wanted me to especially capture the sweeping view out the windows.

The cake was decorated with seahorses and shells made of icing. You can see the view of the harbor behind the cake.

They even had a lobster trap on the gift table, complete with bride & groom lobsters!

Here is the couple during their wedding dance.

Here is a cropped detail of the painting.

This is what the bride had to say,"Just want to thank you again. The painting is beautiful...whenever I look at it I'm instantly brought back to the reception. I enjoyed my wedding day very much and having your painting here helps me vividly replay the memories of the greatest day of my life.."

For more information on this beautiful location:

Crystal Point Yacht Club

Backyard Wedding in Anaheim

2009-05-03T09:59:00.001-07:00

I recently did a live event painting at a wedding reception held in a lovely backyard in Anaheim, California.

I was commissioned by this family (that's my sister on the far right, two of her sisters-in-law, her husband in the middle, and her two daughters on the far left). The painting was a surprise gift for the bride and the groom, who is my sister's nephew.

You can see them pictured in the painting, along with other people who are important to the bride and groom.

Here is the beautiful couple during their wedding dance.

This detail shows the couple surrounded by the wedding party, family and friends.

And here I am with the happy groom-- the recipiant of the surprise gift. This was a family home. The groom grew up playing in the yard and was very happy I included key details (the fountain, the big tree, the butterfly, etc.). I don't plan these things, I just let go and trust my instincts. Of course, I'm always happy to have people point things out to me, too!

Grand Prix Poster Idea

2009-03-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

I was approached by a member of The Grand Prix organization to submit an idea for this year's Grand Prix poster. They usually use an artist who does lots of racing paintings. I figured, why not? I'll give it a try. This year is the Grand Prix's 35th Anniversary. There is no pay for the project, but instead a booth is offered at the Grand Prix exhibit hall, and of course-- really great exposure.

I submitted two rough sketches; acrylic paintings on black presentation board. I've always wanted to paint on a black surface and this seemed fitting for the subject matter.

Unfortunately, another artist was chosen to create this year's poster, but I had fun with this design!

Point Loma Wedding in San Diego

2009-02-05T00:37:00.001-08:00

Last weekend I traveled down to San Diego to Point Loma at the Cabrillo National Monument http://www.nps.gov/archive/cabr/lighthouse.html to paint a wedding ceremony taking place on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

This was the spot as it looked when I arrived an hour and a half before the start of the ceremony. Literally-- a cliff overlooking the ocean, 400 feet below.

Here is the historic lighthouse, which the groom asked me to render with a glow coming from the light, representing their love for one another.

A crowd of several dozen gathered around to witness the exchange of vows.

It was a lovely ceremony in its casual simplicity, decorated with sunflowers-- my favorite!

The reception was held at a private residence, where I finished the painting. With the paint still wet and the flash of my camera, I wasn't able to capture the painting without a glare, but you can get the idea. The bride and groom were very happy with it, which made me very happy!

Pet Portraits

2009-01-30T12:03:00.001-08:00

Here are the latest pet portraits I have painted, both were Christmas gifts. Cody, the Samoyed was my Aunt Jeanie's beloved pet, and purple is her favorite color.

And this is Abby, a Rough Coat Jack Russell Terrier puppy, belonging to my son and his girlfriend.

The recipients were absolutely thrilled with their paintings. People just love to see their pets immortalized in a portrait!

Joyeux Noel!

2008-12-24T23:56:00.000-08:00

This oil painting I started last year as a study of Michelangelo's Pieta sculpture. I decided to finish it for a family gift exchange and use the image for my digital Christmas card.

This year, instead of a store-bought gift, Aunt Jeanie suggested we each make something. We do the crazy exchange where we all draw numbers and choose a gift accordingly. Each subsequent person can choose a new gift or "steal" someone's.

I originally painted this with my sister, Lisa in mind-- and after several steals she ended up with it!

And may you have a creative, prosperous and happy New Year!

HOLIDAY SALE Paintings

2008-12-11T20:39:00.000-08:00

Please note: Prices listed were a 2008 Holiday Special and no longer apply.
If you are interested in any of the following available paintings, please contact me at: info@KarenWallGarrison.com.

Thank you!

Sunflowers in Amber Glass
OIL PASTEL ON CANVAS, 20"X16" FRAMED $250

I am drastically reducing the prices on my paintings. I need to move them out of the studio and make room for new work. Maybe you will see something you can give a good home. Although I am listing prices, I am willing to consider all offers.

Many pieces are framed, some are "gallery wrap" canvases with the sides painted. If you wish to purchase a painting without it's frame, I will deduct accordingly.

Here are my Catalina paintings, the first one looking up from Crescent (Front Street) where the famous Marlin Club is located. A little further up is the ice cream & donut shop where I worked during the summer when I was 14. Avalon is an idylic place for a kid to spend the summer!

Catalina Avenue SOLD
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 12"X9" SIDES PAINTED $125

Here is the green pier captured just as dusk was turning to night.

Green Pier at Nightfall
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 12"X9" SIDES PAINTED $125

This view of the Casino was painted from the foot of the pier, captured quickly while waiting for my boat.

Casino View Quick Sketch
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS PANEL, 16"X12" FRAMED $150

I painted this small gem during a demonstration I was giving for one of my summer art classes. The kids were painting very enthusiastically and one splattered paint on my peachy background. She became very upset, having "ruined" my work. I decided it was a June Bug and I taught them about "happy accidents." After all-- it was June and there were June Bugs!

June Bug on Stucco SOLD
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 10"X8" FRAMED $100

This is Raymundo's Gallery where I exhibited my paintings in the East Village Arts District in Long Beach. Sadly, after many years Raymundo closed his studio. I'm glad I captured this, with one of his Freida Kahlo paintings in the window.

Raymundo's Gallery
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 20"X16" FRAMED $250

This is looking up Linden during one of the Art Walks in the East Village, capturing the Fire Dancers performing. I painted rapidly; more interested in the color, mood and energy of the scene, than a realistic portrayal; and in an expressionist manner. This is one of my favorite paintings from last year.

Fire Dancers ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 24"X24" PAINTED EDGES $350

Here is a small oil painting I did from a photo as a study using complimentary colors.

Peachy Beach SOLD
OIL ON CANVAS PANEL, 10"X8" UNFRAMED $75

And from my "Van Gogh Reproductions" collection:

Yellow Butterflies (after Van Gogh)
OIL ON CANVAS, 20"X16" FRAMED $250

Wheatfields With Sunrise, View from Asylum Window (after Van Gogh)
OIL ON CANVAS, 20"X16" PAINTED SIDES $200

Crows And Wheatfields (after Van Gogh)
OIL ON CANVAS, 30"X10" PAINTED SIDES $300

Crows And Wheatfields (after Van Gogh) DETAIL

Three Sunflowers (after Van Gogh)
OIL ON CANVAS, 16"X20" FRAMED $250

My Irises Chair, a la Vincent

OIL ON CANVAS, 20"X16" UNFRAMED $225

From my "Live Events" collection, the next two were painted at the Del Mar Music Festival during the concert performances.

Trio With Bass SOLD

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 20"X16" FRAMED $250

George Thorogood SOLD
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 20"X16" FRAMED $250

This was painted on my friend's back porch while the breeze was causing the hanging blooms to sway, seeming to "spin" the colors.

Spinning Blooms

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 20"X16" UNFRAMED $225

The Bridal Bouquet below was painted live during a Wedding Show at the Cenntenial Heritage Museum in Santa Ana.

Wedding Bouquet

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 12"X12" UNFRAMED $125

This was painted during the Catalina Art Festival. My friend Silvio Silvestri, a painter whose work I greatly admire, is the subject.

Catalina Art Festival

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 20"X16" FRAMED $250

The New York Skyline was painted live during another art festival this year, held in Irvine. I painted it from a sketch I made on one of my trips to the Big Apple.

Liberty Skyline
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 22"X28" UNFRAMED $275

Thank you for looking and please feel free to contact me if there is anything you are interested in, or want to commission me to paint a custom piece for you.

And may you have safe, sane and serene holidays!

Wedding at Temple B'nai Tikvah in North Brunswick, New Jersey

2008-11-22T12:28:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I flew to New Jersey to paint at a wedding in North Brunswick at Temple B'nai Tikvah. The reception was held in a gorgeous ballroom.

This shows the beginnings of the painting, before guests arrive and the room is being set up.

This is my view of the room while it is being transformed into a wedding reception.

Several times the room went dark while they tested the lights. This shows the floral arrangements on the tables and hanging from the ceiling around the dramatic chandelier. During the reception itself, the lighting was bright and colorful.

The bride and groom posed for me before the reception started, which was very helpful. After the festivities began, it was difficult to see the dance floor.

Before the reception, the mother of the bride handed me a list of 22 people she wanted included in the painting. I manged to capture them all-- and then some!

The Making of a Hibiscus

2008-10-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

I took this photo from a hibiscus bush in a client's backyard. I've always wanted to paint a large flower, so this became my inspiration. I started with a natural (unbleached) linen canvas. I don't know why-- it just felt right.

Without drawing, I just began painting; using the photo loosely for reference, laying in thin washes of color with acrylic paint (called glazes); allowing the colors underneath to glow through.

I find the hibiscus petals to have a sinous, lyrical quality and I tried to capture the grace and flow with my thin linework. I used my lettering brushes (flat, squared tips) to paint the thin lines.

Next, I began to add the dark areas to the background, and light highlights to the flower. Painting is a process of going from background to foreground, dark to light, back and forth and back again.

I added a golden yellow glaze overall to the background to create a sense of sunlight, as well as emphasize the dark center and petal edges.

Here is the finished painting, with the background darkened even more than the photo, which really makes the hibiscus bloom pop. The shadow cast by the stamen in the center is more prominent-- adding to the sense of dimension.

My client loved it so much, she purchased it for her guest bathroom. I left the sides of the canvas unpainted raw canvas, which matched the paint color on the walls.

It makes a stunning addition, don't you think?

Two Weddings in One Weekend!

2008-10-16T21:02:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I had the distinct pleasure of painting at the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point-- a lovely sunset wedding on the cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Here is the view when I arrived approx. two hours before the start of the ceremony and began painting the scenery, which would serve as the background of the painting.

The sun was setting as the couple exchanged their vows.

You could see the outline of Catalina with the sun going down behind the island, and the sky turning a golden-pink color. It was a spectacular setting for a wedding!

I continued painting during the reception, putting finishing touches on the painting. Then I picked up my daughter, and her eight girlfriends who were spending the night, after an evening at "Knott's Scary Farm."

I packed my easel, paint palette, brushes, and a change of clothes and left for the airport in the dark hours of the morning. I flew into JFK Airport in New York and landed about 3:30pm Eastern Standard Time.

I rented a car and drove into New Jersey, heading for a suburb called River Vale, where I was booked to paint at a wedding scheduled to start at 7pm. I arrived at the Florentine Gardens Estate by 5:00, and set up for my second wedding in two days!

The groom hired me to paint a surprise gift for his bride. He wanted me to paint them on the dance floor, and capture grandparents, parents and several members of the bridal party.

The bride and groom were very pleased and their guests enjoyed watching me paint!

The following day, I drove into NY City to see a special van Gogh exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. Being that it was Columbus Day-- I drove smack into the Columbus Day Parade, going through the middle of Manhattan. I made it to see the van Gogh paintings, shopped a little in the museum store, drove back to JFK and got on my plane for home.

If I can spend the rest of my life painting at such happy occasions as weddings, and travel to exciting new places (and return to places I love like NYC and New Jersey)-- I will be a very happy camper!

Welcome to Somerset Lane

2008-10-15T04:52:00.001-07:00

The client wanted to add "Somerset Lane" below the metal street numbers on the exterior of the house...

and a small "Welcome" at an angle above the doorbell intercom box with a little hand-written message to "Ring Bell"...

and butterflies!

Paradise Gardens Wedding

2008-10-05T12:40:00.001-07:00

This is a new wedding painting from Paradise Gardens in Oceanside. The grounds are beautiful; with a lily pond, weeping willow, palms and green foilage all around. The red accent color makes a perfect compliment to all the greenery.

Here is the setting, with the gazebo as the main focal point. This was a smaller canvas which focused on the wedding party...

and the bride and groom exchanging their vows.

Lake Havasu Sketches

2008-10-01T10:25:00.001-07:00

I managed to get away for a few days this summer and went to Black Meadow Landing at Lake Havasu to enjoy the beauty (and the heat!). These are my favorite sketches from the trip.

The paper is "crinkly" because I used watercolor pencil. The paper in my sketchbook is not really heavy enough for water. Oh, well.

This is a watercolor sketch that somehow didn't wrinkle the paper. I really like the simplicity of this one.

This is typical of my doodles, which always seem to have these cosmic spiral designs. Don't know where it comes from, but it's fun to just let go and draw.

The storm clouds were rolling in, which inspired the next "doodle":

We had the most glorious desert storm, with an incredible lightning display! Needless to say, I was stuck there until the following day, due to flash flooding.

Long Beach Art Museum Wedding

2008-09-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

This wedding took place mid-August on the bluff overlooking the ocean at the Long Beach Museum of Art.

Here is the setting, as the crowd awaits the arrival of the wedding party.

I wanted to capture the table settings the bride designed. She is a prolific artist, and painted all the miniture floral canvases adorning each table.

Nursery Border

2008-09-01T11:53:00.001-07:00

With a baby girl on the way, the mom-to-be picked out bedding with a rosette pattern of pale yellow, lavendar and mauve; and wanted a painted border to match, all the way around the room.

I free-hand painted a random, yet consistent design-- using the various stages of blooms-- from buds to fully open blossoms.

This photo is closer to the muted tones of the actual colors.

I hope baby likes it as much as mom does!!

"Kids Names"

2008-09-01T11:31:00.001-07:00

In a re-modeled residence, I was asked to paint decorative wall border elements using the names of the children as subject matter.

Each name picks up the paint colors in the bedroom and adjoining bathroom, and conveys the individual personality of the child.

Chloe likes roses.

A light switch design plays off the mini-mural design.

Emmi likes daisies.

And what little girl doesn't like butterflies?

Emilio has a beachy-pirate theme in his room, so the long board with a skull and crossbones made perfect sense.

I tried to give it wood grain and three-dimensional look, and make a "surf logo" out of his name.

The light switch palm tree and wave is a perfect compliment.

More Murals

2008-08-17T09:30:00.000-07:00

Here is the result of the first call from my van graphics... a neighbor saw the ads and called me. We'd never even met before! She wanted clouds and elements in her attic room to match the Mary Engelbreight decor.

A tree in the corner...

A big sunflower and more clouds in the stairwell...

close up of the birdies...

A fun room for the grandkids to visit...

I would enjoy waking up here!

Taste of the Coast

2008-08-12T22:58:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was the first annual Taste of the Coast, a charity event held on the Belmont Pier to raise money for Kid's Connection:

http://www.lbkidsconnection.org/

Children Today was the chosen recipient for the proceeds. I was asked to paint the festivities which comprised more than 30 restaurants offering up delicious food, live music, a bounce house and auction items.

My challenge was painting such a long stretch of an event. I surveyed the area and made several compositional sketches to determine the best "view" for the painting.

Not this one...

or this.

Since the pier is "T" shaped, I positioned myself at one end of the "T" where I could see the band, the length of the pier with all the food tents...

and the bounce house in the sand, and the Long Beach city skyline in the distance.

Throughout the day, the crowd grew and grew! A few boats sailed by and birds flew overhead.

It made sense to me that they might act as carrier pigeons to deliver the banner overhead!

To my delight the painting was purchased, raising money for Children Today:

http://www.childrentoday.org/about/

Thank you to all my friends who attended and helped make Taste of the Coast a success!!

New Live Event Paintings

2008-07-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

This was painted for a corporate VIP audience at a wine tasting party at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. I had exactly two hours to accomplish an ocean scene (looking at the ocean scene from where I was positioned on the hotel balcony). The painting was gifted via raffle to one of the attendees.

This was painted at an ISES (International Special Events Society) Los Angeles chapter mixer at the Ambassador West in Pasadena. The caterer for the event purchased the canvas for his office.

My second trip to New Jersey produced this painting from a wedding reception held at the beautiful Rockleigh Country Club. All the people depicted are important family members and close friends. All twenty-nine!

This was a wedding celebration with traditional Korean costumes. I loved the brightly dressed women and the colbalt- blue gown the bride wore for the first dance.

Annie, the Jack Russell Terrier

2008-07-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

Here is Annie, my mother's Jack Russell Terrier, painted in acrylic on 8"x10"canvas board. She was so delighted, she almost cried! I delivered the painting to her at the networking group we both belong to, in order to remind people that now is the time to be thinking about ordering holiday gifts.

A pet portrait makes a very special and treasured gift!

This is the reference photo I took with my camera. I prefer to take my own, but I can also work from photos provided.

Tyson, The Bull Dog

2008-07-15T23:15:00.001-07:00

Occasionally I am asked to paint pet portraits. This painting of Tyson, the bull dog; was requested to be an anniversary gift for my friend's husband. The canvas is 9"x12" painted in acrylic. Tyson passed away recently, so I had to work from old snapshots. Here is the reference photo I used.

Mike was very happy with his gift from Cari. And that makes me happy!

Glendale Renaissance Wedding

2008-05-28T10:17:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday I painted a wedding reception at the beautiful Renaissance Restaurant Ballroom in Glendale, CA. The bride and groom danced to a live band, as family members and friends looked on.

The lavish ballroom; with golden and red hues, high arches, rich drapery and sparkling chandeliers; is almost entirely painted before the arrival of the wedding couple and guests.

Here is the finished painting, which the couple were very pleased with.

Dallas Arboretum Wedding

2008-05-22T08:36:00.000-07:00

Last week I painted a wedding reception at the beautiful Dallas Arboretum. The reception was held in the Rosine Hall, and began just before sunset. Through the large floor-to-ceiling windows you could see the trees and blue sky Texas is famous for.

I began by composing the room and important features; the wedding cake, and (a Texas tradition), the groom's cake; fittingly a pair of cowboy boots!

Then I began adding the gorgeous floral centerpieces. There were several different types of arrangements, and candles everywhere!

The blinds were kept shut until the guests and wedding party arrived, while the room was being decorated to perfection in turquoise blue, lime green (in the fabrics) and shades of pinks and corals in the flowers-- predominately tulips-- which are a symbol of love. Cobalt blue light was cast on the walls.

This is the pose I used for the focal point of the painting; the Wedding Dance.

As requested by the couple, I painted members of the bride's family and groom's family surrounding them around the dance floor.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Dallas, and delighted in painting such a lovely wedding celebration!

Trip To East Coast

2008-05-11T08:14:00.001-07:00

There is just no way I could fly all the way to New Jersey and not go to New York City! Sunday after the wedding, I drove my little baby blue rented Hyndai into Manhatten. Found a parking place right on 53rd where the Museum of Modern Art is (MOMA). Curb parking is free on Sundays.... Boy, did I luck out!

"Starry Night" was what I wanted to see with my own eyes. After having looked at it in books, prints and posters all these years-- it was about time to see the real thing. Smaller than I would have thought, "Starry Night" was not one of Vincent's favorite pieces. In fact, he felt it was a complete failure. Didn't even sign it, as many of his paintings are unsigned-- usually a "sign" of an unfinished painting-- or one the artist felt unworty of a signature.

As I often like to do at museums, I stood in front of the painting (which is behind glass) and sketched it. Not so much to make an accurate rendering, but to anchor into my memory the details. The thickest impasto parts are the moon and stars, as I would have guessed. There are areas where the raw canvas shows through. And despite what appears in reproductions to be black "outlines" I did not detect a bit of black, but rather a very dark blue.

Here is my colored pencil sketch. I did get chastised by the guard for getting too close to the masterpiece...

Backing up to my first day in New Jersey-- I had to find a canvas for the wedding painting. Can't really take a 3' x 2' canvas on the plane, so I found a local art supply store in downtown Newark, where there is also a museum.

This is the first sketch of my trip, of the statue of Leander, sculpted by Rinehart and gloriously outstanding in a small room with rich, red walls.

I found it delightful to see a painting of a wedding cake since my trip to New Jersey was to paint at a wedding. This was approx. 36" x 36" canvas, and the paint literally looked like frosting good enough to eat!

Where else can you see this, but Central Park? This Liberty Mime had people lined up to have their picture taken with her. For $3 you got to wear the flag draped around your neck and the "spikes" on your head. Probably some under-paid Broadway dancer just trying to make the rent...

So, I walked the 29 blocks from MOMA to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 82rd, making a quick pit-stop in Central Park to photograph the Bethesda Fountain for my friend Fred, at NY's Upper Crust Pizza. He wants a painting of the famous fountain, and now I can see why.

I arrived finally at the "Met" with only an hour before closing. My mission to see if the big Renoir was there (the one I painted for my best friend, Peggy). Sure enough-- there in the middle of the vast Impressionist halls was the huge painting!

Here is my version, with the color palette altered to tie-in with her color scheme, and of course-- Peggy's daughter Audrey painted in the foreground. I see now that the girl at the piano is too round-faced compared to the original. I'll have to fix that one of these days...

So, after walking back the 29 blocks to my car, I headed south to the tip of Manhatten to take the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty as the sun was setting.

It was a blast, driving with all the taxi cabs in Sunday dinner rush-hour frenzy through Times Square, along the Sea Port, under the Brooklyn Bridge!! I felt like I was in my mural at NY's Upper Crust Pizza!!

The view was as delicious as Fred's pizza-- and the skyline shimmered across the bay coming back from Staten Island after the sun went down and the lights of the city came on... This is a sketch I did from a postcard I bought (along with a really groovy t-shirt) at the Staten Ferry Terminal Gift Shop, while waiting an hour for the next ferry back to Manhatten:

I can't wait to go back in July! I'm doing another New Jersey wedding, and you bet I'll be going back to the Big Apple.

More sketches, done on the plane ride home:

Van Gogh's Cypress Tree, done in watercolor:

And Monet's Sunflowers, WIP (work in progress), which I will finish on the plane to Dallas next week, where I am going to paint a wedding at the Dallas Arboretum:

If I can spend the rest of my life traveling, painting for people who are having the happiest moments of their life-- capturing celebrations of all sorts, and getting paid for it-- well, I will be in heaven before I've left this earth!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

New Jersey Wedding

2008-05-08T08:06:00.000-07:00

Last week I flew to New Jersey to paint a wedding at the beautiful Florentine Gardens Estate in River Vale, a suburb just north of Newark.

Here is my set-up in the corner of the vast ballroom.

I begin by establishing the composition about an hour or so before the reception begins.

The bride specifically wanted me to capture the chandeliers and the tree branch/orchid centerpieces.

Here I am working as quickly as possible to get the background painted before the arrival of the wedding party.

The ballroom, tables, lights, flowers, everything-- it was all just spectacular!

She also wanted the cake in the painting. This one had sparkling silver jewels on it, sitting on a bed of orchid petals.

Here is the bride and groom during their wedding dance-- which is the focal point of the painting.

Then I realized the cake had gotten lop-sided. Had to fix that. Since the room was very dark by this stage of the reception, all the guests appeared as silhouettes. I felt it important to capture the two sisters, and mothers of the bride and groom. The important men are scattered around, seated and standing in various places.

Here is the final piece. The bride was thrilled, as it was a surprise gift from her groom. There is nothing like it for an artist-- to paint during the most special and happy occasion of two people's lives.

I had the best time in New Jersey! The people were very friendly and welcoming to the "artist from Cali." It was more beautiful than I could even imagine with cherry trees in bloom; and well, trees everywhere!

I took a quick side-trip into New York City the next day-- actually drove my little rental into Manhatten...

I will share my NYC adventure on my next blog entry.

Still Doing Design

2008-04-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

Although the majority of my work is painting, I still maintain one graphic design client, Long Beach Transit-- a mutually rewarding relationship since 1984. Occasionally I will take on other design assignments. Recently a friend from high school approached me to design a CD package for a collection of songs he wrote and recorded.

Jeffry Leland Johnson is a police commander with the LBPD. He has a beautiful voice and has written an eclectic collection of songs. The title song, "I'm An American" was written in response to the 911 aftermath. The CD includes 13 original songs and provide a wide variety of styles and sounds, ranging from blues to rock, from easy listening to a country flavor.

I had the honor of designing the CD package, tray insert and song booklet. I used a number of photos I took last summer when I was obsessed with American flags. Who knew they would end up decorating Jeff's proud project?

And on Sunday this article appeared in the Long Beach Press Telegram:

http://www.presstelegram.com/columnists/ci_8988163

Jeff is generously donating the proceeds to two non-profits; the Long Beach Bar Foundation, Shortstop Program for at-risk youth, and the Long Beach Police Officers Association, Widows and Orphans Fund. The purchase is tax deductible.

I highly recommend this CD for anyone in the police, fire dept., public service or the military-- or anyone who loves this country!

CDs can be purchased online at:

www.lbpoa.org (online store)

by calling the Long Beach Police Officers Assn. at 562-426-1201

or the LB Bar Foundation at 562-981-7525.

Surf & Sand Wedding

2008-04-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I painted a wedding at the Surf & Sand Resort in Laguna Beach, a beautiful spot to exchange nuptials. The glass wall on the terrace allows you to see the ocean all the way around. The sun was sparkling on the water with seagulls drifting on the breeze overhead. This was indeed, my largest wedding party so far!

http://www.surfandsandresort.com/

KWG's Gogh-Van

2008-04-05T12:36:00.001-07:00

As much as I loved my classic 1986 VW "Scooby Doo" Vanagon-- it was time for an upgrade. I found a newer model-- the VW Eurovan which is ideally suited for my business and lifestyle. Not to mention highly visable! I love the color turquoise, and these days the roads are full of white, silver and black vehicles.... but not much color.

I designed window graphics to advertise my custom fine art services. My friend Albert (who also happens to be an incredible blues musician) owns the Sign-A-Rama shop on 7th Street in Long Beach, and he printed my graphics onto special window film.

It is the same stuff buses use. On the outside there is lovely advertisement. From the inside you can see through the window just like regular window tint. They did a great job, don't you think?

First journey out last night, I received a call on my cell phone. "Hi. I'm driving behind this van that says Artist for Hire... Can you tell me about your live event painting?"

I'm not kidding!!

I selected the paintings mostly because they are among my favorites, or in the case of the horse-- ones I thought would generate more orders of the same (pet portraits are easier than people).

As for the rear-view mirror trinkets-- I've streamlined. I'm allowing myself only one.

Gotta maintain a professional image!

Matches nicely, I think.

Butterflies and Poppies Finished

2008-04-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

Here is is finished painting. I decided not to post the interim pictures because my flash made such a glare on the wet paint. I'm happy with this one.

The month is over for the current "Master of the Month" which I've been doing all the van Gogh study for. But I will carry on in the VVG tradition...

However I am departing slightly with a series of mixed media pieces inspired by black & white photos I took on one of my trips to France. I have printed the photos on canvas, and now I am painting over certain areas, leaving specific parts of the picture in black & white.

It is a study in contrasts. I will post this new work in my next entry.

Butterflies and Poppies

2008-03-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

This is one of Van Gogh's lesser-known paintings, and I just love it. He used a much thinner paint application than he normally did-- the only impasto (thick) areas are in the butterfly wings and flower petals. Also, much of the raw canvas shows through. I really like the simplicity of this painting and the way the black strokes look almost like calligraphy. Vincent was greatly influenced by Japanese art, which was very popular during the late 1880's.

Here are the steps I take to attempt to make an exact copy of a master's painting:

1. Print out the original proportional to my canvas size (20"x16"), in this case it required (4) 8.5"x11" prints taped together.

2. Cover the entire back with a layer of charcoal. This will serve as my "carbon."

3. Trace over the print, which is taped to the front of my toned canvas. I must be careful not to let any part of my hand rest to avoid smudges of charcoal. The outline of the painting is now transferred to the canvas. Van Gogh toned his canvas with an earth color which is typical for artists to do. I used a mixture of burnt sienna and sap green to tone my canvas (a week ago to let it dry). This shows a close-up of the drawing.

4. As usual-- every source has a different color palette. It is impossible to tell which one is the accurate portrayal of the original. I would have to see it with my own eyes. I'm using the picture from my book, "Van Gogh: The Complete Paintings II" which is part of a 2-book set; a catalog of Vincent's entire body of works he painted. The color palette leans more toward yellow than green and I like the warmth of this version.

Now-- to the easel I go!

The painting is in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, and I would love to see it up close and personal. Maybe someday...

Still Gogh-ing...

2008-03-19T10:41:00.000-07:00

I've always loved this painting. I bought a framed print at the Getty and it hangs in my bedroom. Since we are still studying Vincent van Gogh, I prepared some 16"x 20" masonite boards for more practice in his style. I am also trying to work "alla prima" (all at once), thus as fast as possible. It is said that the way to paint like van Gogh is, "a stroke laid is a stroke stayed," meaning no blending! Put the paint down on the canvas and move on, with short, rapid broken lines van Gogh used to express his love for nature.

Here's my version:

No study of van Gogh would be complete without a sunflower painting. Vincent wrote in a letter to his brother in January of 1989, "You know, the sunflower is mine, in a way." He also wrote, "In 100 years the world will know the value of my art far exceeds the cost of paint and canvas." Little did he know just how valuable his art would be-- with one of his sunflower paintings selling for nearly 89 million dollars-- one hundred years later!

This is one of his first attempts at sunflowers, painted in Paris late in the summer of 1887:

My version is on a 16" x 20" gessoed masonite board, so I had to adjust the composition since it is not proportional to the original. I applied gesso to the rough side in order to capture the quality of his paintings, many of which were painted on coarse, raw canvas:

Another very fun exercise I did, was a portrait exchange with another artist on wetcanvas.com, Graham, who is also doing Vincent's paintings. He sent me a photo with his ear bandaged, taken in his studio with his own paintings and easel behind him. In return, his is doing a portrait of me.

Here is Vincent's self-portrait with bandaged ear, painted in January 1889 after the infamous incident of self-mutilation after his fight with Paul Gaugin... What were they fighting about? Their differing views of painting methods and styles. Gaugin was a neat-nik, Vincent a sloppy guy. Talk about taking things waaaaaaaaaaaay too seriously!

And my portrait of Graham, with bandaged ear:

Graham lives in Canada. Without the internet-- I would not be able to "paint with" such a vast number of talented artists from around the world!

ISES Event at Fox Sports Grille

2008-03-11T10:05:00.001-07:00

ISES is the International Special Events Society. The February mixer of the Orange County chapter was held at Fox Sports Grille at the Irvine Spectrum. Wow! What a great venue! I'd never been there before, but I will be back. We were upstairs, surrounded by a plethora of big screen TVs broadcasting all kinds of sports games, overlooking the bright green double-arched bar below. Great color and fantastic energy for a live event artist to paint by!! Fabulous folks and fantastic food, too...

Birthday Bash at Blue Room

2008-03-10T13:51:00.001-07:00

Saturday was my first live event painting at a birthday party! What a blast, I was one entertainer among a caracature artist, fortune teller and balloon sculpter. The beautiful blond birthday girl had an outrageous cake, a Shiva on a lotus bed. The room was indeed blue with multicolored glass windows and ceiling fan, fur covered chairs, even a fireplace! She was thrilled with her gift of the painting from her husband, and I was happy with my first birthday canvas.

Self-Portrait a la Vincent #3

2008-03-05T16:26:00.001-08:00

Here is the third attempt at a self-portrait in the style of (one of) van Gogh's self-portraits. This one I painted using acrylics, which I found difficult now that I have been working so much in oils.

I used this one of Vincent's paintings for my reference. And here is mine:

The comment I received was that it was nice to see me paint myself with "kinder eyes." I don't mean to paint angry or unwelcoming expressions. It's just that Vincent had an intense look, and I am challenging myself to capture the feel of his work in my own.

I would just call them "less intense." A softer expression, like Vincent's own portrait, which has a very "Rembrant" feel to it.

Pencil Drawing Practice

2008-03-04T01:09:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things is the pink flamingo. This image was a weekly drawing exercise on Wet Canvas (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/ ). It took me forever to do it, being busy with so many other things. Carrying a sketchbook is a really good habit for an artist who wants to constantly improve.

Even mundane, everyday objects have interesting shapes, lines, shadows, highlights and characteristics which are important to observe while making a realistic drawing. I usually print out the image and tuck it into my sketchbook for when I'm stuck waiting-- I can use my time wisely and work, work, work!

This was a quick sketch, and I was more interested in capturing this old guy's sad expression than every hair and wrinkle.

And here I combined two weeks worth of assignments (the front porch and the eye). I thought it would be kind of creepy and surrealistic to make the eye a "window" into/out of the "soul" of the house... ok-- a bit too over the top? That's the fun of drawing!

Iris Chair, Wheatfields With Crows and Second Self-Portrait

2008-02-25T10:52:00.001-08:00

My "Iris Chair" is finished and hanging on the studio wall along with the "Wheatfields With Crows." Here are some detail photos to see the brushstrokes. I really study Vincent's paintings and try to emulate his style. Although, when viewing the 10-year span of van Gogh's work-- you can see a number of different styles he experimented with, and the different artists he studied and styles he attempted to emulate.

"Iris Chair" oil on canvas, 20" x 16"

I really like this painting, and not sure I'm going to sell it.

"Iris Chair" detail

"Iris Chair" detail

"Iris Chair" detail

"Iris Chair" detail

"kwg Wheatfields With Crows after van Gogh" detail

"kwg Wheatfields With Crows after van Gogh" detail

And here is the second in the series I am doing, based on Vincent's self-portraits, each in a very different style. This one really pushes the dark-light contrasts, also painted in very thick, quick impasto strokes.

That is the bed on the left and piled-up laundry on the right. Could have something to do with the look on my face!

More on Vincent

2008-02-23T23:12:00.000-08:00

I've always been taken with (what is thought to be) Vincent's final painting, ever since I saw it at the "Van Gogh's Van Goghs" exhibit when the large collection from Amsterdam visited LACMA (LA Co. Museum of Art).

The original canvas measures almost 20" x 40" and was painted during a prolific spurt in the last weeks of his life, in which he produced dozens of paintings and drawings. My canvas measures 10" x 30" so it is not proportional to Vincent's, nor did I intend to paint an exact copy, but rather I attempted to paint "like a madman"-- fast and furiously.

I woke up this morning at 3am, started the painting and worked for about 6 hours. Later this afternoon I spent another two hours and I think it's finished. This one was really fun to paint, although I couldn't help but feel a certain ache in my heart knowing the artists' state of mind during the time he painted it.

He told his brother, Theo he felt "sadness and extreme loneliness..."and "... continue to feel the storm which threatens..."

Painted in July of 1990, it was never signed. On July 29, Vincent died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

kwg Wheatfields With Crows After Vincent , 10"x 30" oil on canvas

Detail

Speaking of Vincent van Gogh

2008-02-20T19:24:00.000-08:00

Self-Portrait, Saint-Remy, September 1889 oil 15 1/4" x 12 1/4"

The cyberspace artist community I've been hanging out in regularly since I discovered it, is called Wet Canvas http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/ . In one of the oil painting forums there is a thread called "Master of the Month." January-February 2008 the Master just happens to be Mr. Vincent van Gogh. All the participating artists (who are big VVG nuts like myself) have been doing copies of van Gogh paintings, and paintings in van Gogh's broken-line, impasto style.

I decided to do a self-portrait, it's been years since I've done one. My inspiration is this painting; Vincent's very last self-portrait, one which he gave to his mother. Interestingly, he painted himself much younger than he was at the time, and tried to prove his "improved state of health."

But still, he has that intense, forlorn look in his eyes. I tried to emulate the look with my own reflection.

This is the photo I used for my reference, taken last summer in Washington.

And here is my van Gogh-style KWG Self-Portrait; the sketch and painting (looking younger than I really am):

0il pastel on canvas board, 9" x 12"

I'm doing a series of four, each one based on a very different van Gogh self-portrait. I also plan to use a different medium for each one. The first is oil pastel; I'll do an oil painting, an acrylic, and something else; not sure yet for the fourth.

This one looks like he modeled it after Rembrandt. It will be very good practice for me to do a painting in this style.

Self-Portrait With Dark Felt Hat, Paris, early 1886 oil on canvas, 15 1/4" x 12 1/4"

With the very dark lighting, stark contrast, and the dull colors he used-- this one does not even resemble the work Vincent is so well-known for. Again, good for practice-- to really push the darks & lights.

Self-Portrait, Paris, early 1886 oil on canvas, 18 1/8" x 15"

This was painted at a cafe in Paris where he was allowed to exhibit some of his Japanese prints, which so fascinated him. One geisha is in the background on the right. I love how loose and simplified this is. It looks like a sketch with big, fat crayons; rather than a painting!

Self-Portrait With Japanese Print, Paris, late 1887 oil on canvas, 16 15/16" x 13 3/8"

Here are the other sketches I've prepared for this series, from the following photo reference (with my new do), and that same intense glare:

Had a problem with the lips and the nose is too long on this one! Pencil on cheap paper.

This is in the bedroom. Better likeness here. Ink sketch on canvas, prep for painting.

And in the studio. I used conte crayon on this one. Cheap paper again.

I put some more paint on the Iris Chair. I'm pleased with how this is shaping up. I plan to detail the irises a little bit more, but not too much.

Here is my easel set-up showing my references.

oil on canvas, 20" x 16"

If next month's Master is Michelangelo-- I'm doomed!!

Finally Finished!

2008-02-19T12:19:00.000-08:00

I'm finally finished with Judy's Chagall and I shipped it to her last week:

Acrylic on gallery-wrap canvas, 20"x16" with sides painted

I really struggled with this one, and Judy was such a dear, sweetheart to remain sooooooooo patient with me!! Thank you and God bless you, Judy!! I hope you are pleased...

"Pay It Forward" Mural

2008-02-15T11:37:00.000-08:00

BREAKING NEWS!!

(Flashback to early January, 2008)

The Objective: create a mural in the play yard and transform the drab block walls into a colorful, happy environment for the children served by the Playhouse at Children Today's new North Long Beach location.

I wanted to create a magical world to resemble a fun, grassy, garden-like place from a bug’s eye view through the eyes of a child. My inspiration for the design style came from two of my favorite artists; Henri Rousseau, known for his very stylized jungle scenes; and Eric Carle, a beloved writer and illustrator of children’s books, with whom many kids are already familiar.

Illustration by Eric Carle from, "The Very Quiet Cricket"

"Exotic Landscape" by Henri Rousseau, 1910

In working with a crew of teen volunteers, the approach needed to be ”cool” enough to engage them, yet simple enough not to intimidate the inexperienced artist.

I made the renderings to scale divided into five sections, and outlined the drawing onto the wall with a fat Sharpie. The kids spread out in front of their favorite areas, and we went to work.

As the result of five boys who gave their dollars to finance the paint, and the beautiful brushwork of more than a dozen volunteers– parents included– the “Pay It Forward” mural came to life.

It is my hope that the children will feel the sense of joy and comfort,

when being greeted each day by their familiar “friends”

upon returning to their safe haven at Play House North.

And that the teens who so generously gave of their money and their time, will remember the plight of homeless children as they grow into young adults.

May we all grow in gratitude and a continued spirit of charity!

To find out more about Children Today and how you can assist families affected by homelessness, go to:

http://www.childrentoday.org/

To those who are already helping support Children Today, thank you!

Peace,

kwg

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T17:50:00.000-08:00

Last Friday afternoon I received an email with an acknowledged last-minute request to do a painting of giraffes. A dear friend from childhood wanted to give his wife, who collects giraffes, the painting for Valentine's Day.

"You bet," I replied. I rarely turn down requests which are within reason. It would have to be acrylic on canvas, the fastest-drying option.

I immediately did an image search for giraffes, and suggested painting two of the beautiful animals together, since it was the day to honor love. Mark asked for a mother and child.

"Great idea!" I enjoy painting the mother-child subject, whether human or beast.

First a pencil sketch on paper. This helps to familiarize myself with the details of a giraffe, and really study my subject matter.

Then I "sketch" the composition on the canvas with paint and block in areas of color for the background. The photo I worked from had an almost entirely black background. I wanted suggestions of foliage, and glints of light here and there.

I began adding Payne's Grey (an almost-black color) to the background and bring darks into the animals. The paint was very wet at this stage which caused glares in the digital photos.

Here I began focusing more on the details of the giraffes. It's important for me to get the canvas covered with color, so I am not painting subjects against stark white (the total absence of color). Color is effected by other colors; and especially black and white.

At this point I realized that I had the shape of the heads wrong, and had made them too squared.

So I rounded out the jawlines and added some blue to the background (which is the direct compliment to orange). Notice how the oranges in the giraffes seem so much brighter with the addition of blue. And the foliage now has a richness and a better illusion of depth.

Painting is just constantly adding more detail, adjusting edges, and layering color; in a back and forth dance between brush and canvas.

Mark was very pleased with the finished painting, and excited about surprising his wife. I can hardly wait to hear about her reaction. The "mother and child" came into being so quickly and were with us only briefly, but I miss them already...

They lived on the wall next to my Toucan for about 2 hours and made nice pals, I think!

Portrait Challenge

2008-02-04T13:38:00.001-08:00

Here was my challenge; paint the brother and sister in oil on canvas; and attempt to capture their likenesses and personalities, and create paintings-- not just copies of photographs.

I began with pencil sketches to show to the client for approval. The first round didn't quite achieve their likenesses. I drew both children looking older than they really are; a common problem I have when doing portraits of children.

Also their lips were not at all right-- I drew them much fuller than they are naturally.

Round two (these were actually about round 4 or 5, as I did several interim sketches of both brother and sister)...

The client was much happier with these drawings and gave me the go-ahead to proceed with the underpainting.

At this stage she visited me to see the paintings started.

She was pleased, and again told me to proceed.

Getting close to being finished, I turned to some other artists whose work I respect and admire for pointers. I enjoy the community of artists in cyberspace called "Wet Canvas" where we share our work for constructive criticism and help and encourage each other. It helps to have more eyes look at my work to catch things I can't see.

Being an artist is a lonely profession, for the most part; unless you are a teacher, or work with a team of artists, or share studio space. I primarily work alone in my home studio, except when I teach (currently only one class a week), or when I paint murals and work with a crew.

I got some good feedback and critiques. I learned alot, mostly how much there is yet to learn! Portraits are very difficult, especially when working only from photos.

The ideal situation is to spend some time with your subjects, take your own photos, and make sketches from life.

Whenever I sketch from real life, even very quick gestural sketches-- it has a way of "anchoring in" a visual in my mind that I can conjure up when I'm in the studio. Rough drawings always serve to enhance the "life" of my own photos.

My client was very pleased with the finished portraits, as was the gift recipiant. It was an anniversary gift for her husband.

Portrait of brother finished, oil on canvas, 18"x14"

Portrait of sister finished, oil on canvas, 18"x14"

Iris Chair

2008-02-02T21:30:00.000-08:00

Here is the start of my new "van Gogh" painting.

It will interesting to see this develop...

since I'm not really sure of what I'm doing.

Wet Paint a la Vincent

2008-01-31T07:52:00.000-08:00

FINISHED?

oil on gallery-wrap canvas (sides are painted), 16"x20"

I worked this some more, adding more orange, golds and yellows... well, and greens, crimson... I believe I am finally finished with the "Vincent's Asylum Wheatfields." I painted three of the sides and just need them to dry to paint the forth.

I really appreciate feedback, so feel free to post a comment if you see something you'd recommend adjusting.

I'm doing another painting "a la Vincent," this time inspired by one of his "Chair" paintings:

I'm using my own "Irises Chair" in the new composition. So, in essence-- it will be a painting within a painting. The chair as subject matter is very symbolic. Here is my chair:

I like the position and angle of this chair and the way it seems to float, with no cast shadow.

But, I prefer this environment (below). I really like the bricks and the directional elements on the fence. However-- I think the fence ought to be yellow or citron...

I toned the canvas with (I'm not kidding!) cadmium orange. I plan to leave "outlines" from the orange background. I'm very impatient, so I covered my canvas with acrylic paint (acrylic dries faster than oil). I will do this one in water-soluable oil paint on a 16"x20" canvas.

Here's my rough ink sketch, which I will now transfer on to the toned canvas using the grid method:

You probably cannot see the grid I drew on the canvas. I used a very sharp no. 2 pencil, and made the lines extremely light so the pencil won't smudge when I paint over it.

Ok-- off I go!!!! I just looooooooooooooooove to paint like Vincent!!!!!!!!!

On My Easel(s)

2008-01-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

Vincent's View From The Asylum (copy of van Gogh's Wheatfields With Sunrise), 16x20, oil on canvas

I think this one is finished. Below is the photo reference I worked from. I emphasized the reds and purples, and down-played the greens and amped up the contrast to the yellows and golds. Now that I look at it, I'm not sure if it's finished or not. I'll have to live with it for a while and see if anything jumps out at me that needs tweaking...

Wheatfields With Sunrise by Vincent van Gogh

WIP (Work In Progress) 14x20, oil on canvas

This is a value study in black & white I am doing, based on the photo below. The challenge is to create an interesting composition cropping the image to create a sense of balance. So far I have only used black paint. I plan to only use black & white paint on this. I will need to let the paint dry between applications to keep the paint from muddying.

WIP (Work In Progress) 8x10, oil on canvas

This is a limited-palette study using only complimentary colors (opposite on the color wheel) and white, for tints. So I'm using thalo blue and cadmium orange, with just a little bit of Grumbacher red as needed to make a more purple-blue.

I'm trying to paint very fast and spontaneously, using impasto (thick) strokes, to capture the life of gentle foaming sea waves kissing the wet shore. Here is my photo reference:

WIP (Work In Progress) 16x20, acrylic on canvas

This is a commission for my friend, Judy, who I adore and miss terribly since she moved to Florida. I am grateful she has been so patient with me, as this canvas has been in progress for waaaaaay too long. But, it is back on my easel and I am now doing the finishing touches.

Judy wanted a "modified" copy of a painting by one of her favorite artists-- Marc Chagall's La Mariee (photo below). Slight changes include turning the fish into a dolphin, and making the rooster a cat instead (which I forgot about and need to fix). Also the color palette uses more of a burgandy red, than orange. It is not meant to be an exact reproduction, but rather my intrepretation.

I had the awesome experience of sitting below Chagall's incredible ceiling mural at the Grand Opera House in Paris where I was treated to the graduation performance of the Ecole de Ballet.

You can read about Marc Chagall by clicking on the following link:

http://www.chagallpaintings.org/biography.html

ART GALLERY FUNDRAISER

2007-12-12T16:00:00.000-08:00

You are invited to an art gallery fundraiser* on Saturday, December 22, 2007 at Gardea's Gallery of Fine Art.

My artwork (a portion shown below) is available for sale, as well as Raymundo Gardea's entire gallery of fine art; original paintings, jewelry and other objects d'art in all price ranges.

Everything is priced to move! Great for last-minute holiday shopping...

Please come, bring a friend, enjoy refreshments, and help support local artists!

Saturday, December 22, 2008 6-10pm

105B Linden Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

R. S. V. P. 562-436-9522

*Join us in celebrating one of the pioneers of the East Village Arts District, Raymundo Gardea. After years of service to the Arts Community and the City of Long Beach, Gardea Galleries now needs your help to save it. Friends of Gardea Galleries and are sponsoring a benefit reception to help keep the doors open.

Holiday Studio Sale

2007-11-28T14:45:00.000-08:00

Bipolar Balance: An Ode to van Gogh acrylic on canvas, 48x48 $1,900

Greetings! I am embarking on a whole new direction with my art. To focus on what I hope to accomplish, I need to make space-- in my studio, in the gallery and in my mind. I am offering for sale older works, some not available previously, some favorites, some new and unusual. Take a peek and enjoy, if you have any questions or comments-- feel free to post here or contact me directly. All the work is is offered at 50% off retail gallery price just in time for gift-giving!

SOLD
George Thorogood and The Destroyers at Del Mar Music Festival 2006
acrylic on canvas board, 16x20 framed (contemporary black wood) $525 unframed $465

When I paint for fun I love to let my hand "dance" to live music. Summer of 2006 was the start of my LIVE EVENT PAINTING at Del Mar Music Festival with several canvases and lots of energy! These were painted spontaneously, in less time than the band's set! The Destroyers were last to play, and the sun went down at the end of their first song.

I always try to work the whole canvas so that at any point I have to stop, the painting looks "finished." When is it finished? That's the hard part. With these-- I usually just leave them alone so I don't get too tight, try to make it "perfect."

SOLD
Little Feat at Del Mar Music Festival 2006
acrylic on canvas board, 16x20 unframed $425

You really can ruin a painting by over-doing it. I like the energy and life these capture; and the loose, gestural quality. My art teachers always told me to "loosen up."
If they could see me now.

Trio with Bass at Del Mar Music Festival 2006
acrylic on canvas board, 16x20 unframed $425

Of the four I painted that day-- I think this is my favorite.

SOLD
Trio with Guitar at Del Mar Music Festival 2006
acrylic on canvas board, 16x20 unframed $425

Redlands Palms, 12x9, giclee print on canvas framed $125 unframed $75

I painted the original several years ago, plein air (out doors) and alla prima (in one session) at a yearly retreat in Redlands, CA.

Spinning Blooms, 20x16, acrylic on canvas $425

Also painted plein air, alla prima on my one of my loyal collector-friends' back patio. The wind was blowing and the hanging pots really were spinning!

Sunlight of the Spirit, mixed media on gallery-wrap canvas, 36x36 (painted edge-- no frame needed) $950

This is acrylic paint, with oil pastel on paper mounted to painted canvas. My son called it the Big Bang. To me it's like the nucleus of life, the power force of energy, the center of the universe... maybe it is the Big Bang?

Catalina Quick Sketch, 12x16, acrylic on canvas board framed $245

Another plein air, alla prima study painted while waiting for my boat in Avalon, Catalina Island, CA-- one of my very favorite places to be, to relax and paint.

Fire Dancers, 24x24, acrylic on gallery-wrap canvas
(painted edge-- no frame needed) $735

This is another Live Event Painting, capturing the street festivities during the 2007 Tour des Artistes at the East Village Art Walk, on Linden Avenue in Long Beach, CA. The name says it-- fire dancers swirling their flames at twilight.

Thanksgiving: The Number One Killer of Women
collage and paint on paper, 14x11, matted and framed behind glass 25x21 $375

These two pieces were done with leftovers from an art class I taught some kids.
We made collages that "said something."

Need I say more?

The Human Chain
collage and paint on paper, 14x11, matted and framed behind glass 25x21 $375

Both pieces are in beautiful matching golden wood frames and make a nice set.

Buy both for $625.

Be sure to check back, or subscribe to my blog. I will be posting more work for sale, featuring new live event paintings, and other works in progress.

Call 714-280-5939 or email: info@karenwallgarrison.com

Thank you for visiting!

Recent Live Event Paintings

2007-11-20T00:02:00.001-08:00

Most of the requests I get for my "live event artist" services are for weddings. I really enjoy painting at such joyful occasions in the most beautiful settings, with great energy surrounding me to fuel my artistic sensibilities.

Hawaiian Sunset Wedding

Although I didn't have the pleasure of traveling to Hawaii with the bride and groom, I did get to paint live at their reception working from photos taken during their tropical wedding.

Wedding at St. Michael's Church, Newport Beach

This was my first church wedding. The bride wanted the stained glass windows to be a dominant feature of the composition. The sun casting light through the windows really made the church glow.

Wedding at Gentile's, Coto De Caza

The leaves on the trees were turning golden, and the color scheme of the bride's flowers created a beautiful fall theme for an October wedding.

Wedding at Rancho Capistrano

This is such a romantic spot and was really fun to paint with the reflections and even the two love birds in the water.

Tuscany Watercolor Sketch

2007-11-19T21:44:00.000-08:00

This is the rendering I presented to Kay for her Tuscany painting. I always do one or more preliminary drawings or color studies for client approval before I start painting. This was done using watercolor pencil. First I draw with the colored pencil, then "paint" over my drawing with water for a watercolor effect.

Kay's Tuscany

2007-11-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I delivered the commissioned painting (shown above). It is acrylic on canvas, 40"x30" and painted from a number of photos I gathered of the Tuscan landscape. So it is an "original composition" because the exact scene doesn't really exist. It is meant to convey the essence of Tuscany.

I met with Kay at her home. She showed me where the painting would hang, and two framed watercolor prints to match the color palette. She wanted something similar to one I did at an event last year (shown below, oil on canvas, 16"x20"), also painted from several photos of Tuscany.

I would like to go there and paint plein air, but in the meantime— photos provide great inspiration!