Wedding in Hawaii

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

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

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

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

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!

Backyard Wedding in Anaheim

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!

HOLIDAY SALE Paintings

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!