Crystal Point Yacht Club

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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!