Cherry Blossoms

Today is all about having some fun and trying new ways to see these trees. 

I'm surprised...as I am each year...at how quickly they burst into flower. So I took it a bit further and had some of the petals already falling.  For more information on this painting, or to make it yours
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Hurry...they won't be around for long. Now is your window of opportunity. Standing in the blossoms is a religious experience. If that is too radical an idea, try lying underneath one of these wonderful trees.

The weather will be perfect for achieving your goal...and we even have a long weekend to give you plenty of time. Take a friend...take a picture...let me know if you did it!!

Blossom blessings on your day.

Kathy

Spring Branch

Today's painting began as a focus on the branching form and dappled light that you get with a blossom tree and full sunshine.  Then my brush took over and we got blossoms again.  I'm going to try to curb it's enthusiasm in the future.  For more information please CLICK HERE.....and  also, remember to add your name to the email spot at the top of this page to receive this in your inbox.

But this is just as I remember, do you suppose it was painted by my subconscious?  I used to sit under a tree very much like this one at the corner of my Grandfather's garden at home.  This special tree was sent by a distant relative...distant in that she lived in California...and bore her name as long as we lived there. 

It became the Elsie tree, and held the corner of the garden.  It was placed so that her shade would not shade the garden....that precious soil for planting flowers, and strawberries, and beans, and peas.  But the shade did allow a young girl to lay in the grass and enjoy the shade.

So for today it is memories I guess.  Maybe that is one of the reasons that I am drawn to this subject.  Do you have garden memories today.....the sun is out and it's finally going to be warm.

Blessings on your day.

Kathy

Apple Branch

 

Another attempt at abstract apple blossoms today.  This one has larger areas of color that do not "stand" for foliage.  They just echo the branching of the tree and allow me to "play" with color.
Again they are on gold foil so they take on a persona in real life....and don't show well in their photos.  In case you are wondering why I keep doing these, they really are magical in person.


They are a welcome bright spot today as we get rain and dark skies.  It is particularly dark indoors today at our house.  I was sitting here for quite awhile before noticing that the light bulb had burned out in my favorite lamp... right next to me.  Good morning Monday!!!  For more information on this painting CLICK HERE....and to receive my email enter yours above.


So for today it is dreary rain outdoors, and bright colors indoors. Color is always a great thing to have in your life....and on your walls.

Blessings on your day.

Kathy

Uptown Blossoms

Apple blossoms again!  Today they are on a ground of black gesso and gold foil.  They just look dressier to me than the others.  I can see these blossoms hanging outside a gallery in New York City.  Dropping thier petals in the warm sidewalks. 

 I'd like to see them hanging inside the gallery, but don't think that will happen any time soon. To far to ship them...that sounds better.  For more information on this painting please CLICK HERE.....and enter your email above to receive these postings in you inbox.

So for today it is apple blossoms in the city.  Hope they add spice and shine to your Sunday!

Blessings on your day.

Kathy

Cheery Crabapple

Back to some abstract florals today and tomorrow.  I need a burst of color and movement to counter the cold, drab, non-movement in the weather.  I'm back to painting on a painted background and missing the shine of the gold underneath.  I'll be trying this on the gold soon.

This blog has been a surprise for me in many ways.  Today I'm being surprised at how closely my mood matches what is going on outdoors.  I know I'm moved by the natural world, just didn't know my emotions were so closely tied.  Retirement changes much.  I'm not out and about and doing three things at once.  I can be more easily moved without the clutter, I guess.

I'm still "trying on" may styles to use with the apple blossom theme.  Today's painting portrays the fun feeling I have standing in the trees.  I can almost smell the faint fragrance, can you? My goal is to have everyone standing in apple trees and crab apple trees by the time they bloom.  Watch as you are driving by an orchard.  I'll bet there will be a body standing close to a tree.  For more information about this painting CLICK HERE.

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So for today it is fun and cheer and fantasy.  Hope it lifts your spirits.....it certainly has mine.

Blessings on you day.

Kathy

Color and Shine

Continuing in the apple blossom vein......here is my first small abstract on gold leaf in the 6 x 6.  It doesn't show here, but the branch is the base "painting" of gold.  There are also some smaller areas of gold left bare.  The light catches as you walk by, but not in a showy way, I hope.  I'm working toward an integrated gold backing look.  Something that enlivens the painting.  This one works on that level.

I'm working on a few of these so you may see them in the future.  The branching form is different, but the concept of the flower petals remains.  Let me know what you think!!  For more information you can   Click Here......  and don't forget to add your email address on the top of this page to receive future postings in your home email.   

The look of this painting is not as fine as the larger painting I posted last week.  It has a more abstract feeling, with a bit of push pull going on.  The larger paintings painted while at the workshop are definitely bolder than anything that I was thinking.  That's what happens.....you are always surprised!  It is what makes art alive and fun!!!

So for today it is color and shine.  I think we could use more of that this week....to offset the weather forecast.

See you tomorrow.

Blessings on your day.

Kathy

May Blossoms on Gold Foil

My time in Grand Marais is always quite fruitful.  This year it has given me a focus forward. I am focusing on the apple trees, crab apple trees that will soon be blooming all over.  I love their branching form and their blossoms.  They have life span each year following the seasons which seems to follow our life cycle.  And I love to stand in them with blossoms all over my head!

For the last year I have been learning acrylics working to eventually paint on gold.  I'm so moved by the natural world, and spiritually, I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit underlying all that I see, trod upon, smell, and feel around me. 

So, I decided that gold would be a great underlayment for my landscapes.  Unfortunately, oil paint reacts with the gold, so I had to learn a new medium.  It was one year ago in that I decided, during my workshop in Grand Maras, to "master" acrylic. Well, I have made friends with it so far.  There is so much to know about this medium.

This little tree was a first try to get color, transparency and stroke right in his 6 x6 size.  For more information please Click Here  I'm feeling that my next few tries will be more abstract.  You can let me know what you think.

But for today it is pink blossoms and a longing for them to actually be blooming.  I will even walk out to see them in my warm coat. How about you?

See you tomorrow. Don't forget to sign above for email....it's just so much easier than Facebook.

Blessings on your day.

Kathy

Artist's Point Grand Marais

Artist's Point in Grand Marais, MN is a familiar sight to many.  Here was our view of the Point from the room where we were staying, although, this painting has more to do with Lake Superior than the Point.  We did have ice floating for the first few days we were there.  It was cold last year, but this is the first year I've seen ice on the lake.

Our yearly Grand Marais artist's retreat is always a powerful time.  I think the lake has a lot to do with that.  We didn't spend much time out of doors this year, but the studio was buzzing with creativity and color.  Many worked late into the night.

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So for today it's Artist's Point on ice.  Last year they had trouble finding open water for the Governor's Fishing Opener.  Just a reminder that it isn't really that late for cold weather....not sure that helps this year.

Blessings on your day,

Kathy

Spring Blossoms

This little painting has started a series.  I was re-acquainting myself with acrylics after painting in oils all day, when this appeared.  It is of one of my favorite Spring topics, apple blossoms.  It was a very evocative piece for me. 

It speaks of Spring of course, but it also seemed to speak in a broader sense of my time of life.  I'm feeling like I'm in the Springtime of the "second half" of my life, as Richard Rohr puts it.  I'm just beginning to enjoy "retirement".  I'm just beginning this new phase of my painting career.  I'm allowing myself to have some fun.  All new beginnings.....once again of course.

This painting deals with painting the negative spaces.  After painting the branches I had to pay attention to color organization, composition, and depth.  And, of course, wait for the unexpected.  If you would like more information or to bid on it Click Here 

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So for today it is cherry blossoms. Let's see in upcoming days, where this one leads.

Blessings on your day,
Kathy




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Bowl of Roses

I love the red background in this painting, just for fun today.  The roses became a post modern tribute.  They were almost finished, but needed the white stripes to sharpen the composition. For a better look at them and more information CLICK HERE.

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Life has caught me off guard and caused me to not post daily, yet again.  This time I do have an excuse.  I have been at a workshop, painting daily, in Grand Marais for a week.  It is a special time each year when a group of women come together to make art with abandon.  It was last week, and I thought I would have the time to paint a small painting each day.  I was surprised when that did not happen. I suppose I should not be surprised because this workshop never goes as you think it will.  Always something happens to shake up your work....always in a good way. 

 I will post some of the work that I did do a bit later.  It is slightly larger and is focused on the cherry tree's.  They seem to have a special focus for me at this time.  They are abstract, but interesting I think.  You can let me know.   

But for today, it is roses.  With Mother's Day coming up they could be a hint of sorts.

Blessings on your day.

Kathy