Rosebud

"Rosebud"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

She nodded toward the sunlight and puckered her sweet lips as I lifted my camera and clicked.  

I bought this rose, about the size of a quarter, four years ago and photographed her. I don't believe I've painted her before, in this pose.  Enjoy her.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Morning On the Lake

"Morning On the Lake"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard 

The light was crisp that morning; not too many soft edges. on the clouds or the water. It was bound to be a fabulous day, no matter what. 

I used a heavier hand on this piece. Didn't blend my strokes as much as I normally do on sky paintings, and I like it. It's very painterly. Love the little bit of crisp water down in front, too.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypainters.com
Dailypaintworks.com

Another Lovely Evening

"Another Lovely Evening"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard 

The commuters are on their trains, in their regular seats, snuggled against the window with their iPods lulling them into a lovely state of being.  It's evening again, another lovely one, at that.  

I spent a few hours making sky paintings to day. I enjoy the process and am always rewarded with a little gem amongst them.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypainters.com
Dailypaintworks.com

Auroral Ribbons

"Auroral Ribbons"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

Ribbons circled the celestial orb in a galactic attempt at gift wrapping her. Moments later something burst — spewing particles into the atmosphere like so much confetti.

This was painted on the same day as the other Auroral piece, using the same palette of colors, but what a different outcome!

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypainters.com
Dailypaintworks.com

Blue For You

"Blue For You"
!0" x 8"
Oil on wrapped canvas

Spring pansies are on racks at the entrance to my grocery store. This one was among the beauties being jostled by the wind as I walked in to pick up a roasted chicken the other day. I'm so desperate to see growing, living things I'll settle for hot house pansies as subject matter.  

I haven't painted a yellow and blue pansy before. It was fun to determine the shadow colors in the folds. The other thing that was fun to observe and paint was the veining, not just the bold purple ones, but the subtle veins that created shadows.  They're easy to see in the actual painting.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypainters.com
Dailypaintworks.com

Auroral Zone

"Auroral Zone"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

This is how my brain functioned today as I applied paint to a black canvas. Oh, my, I didn't know this is how those thoughts would look! But now you do, too.  

The color is finally pretty true. I used Prussian blue and cadmium lemon to make the green. I like that the blue photographs as blue and not various shades of purple.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
CarolKeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Red Sky Warning

"Red Sky Warning"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard 

The red sky was a warning of things to come. The storm was a day away, but definitely brewing. The coastal waters roiled, the birds darted and dove, keening a primal forewarning. 

No real storm or foreboding took place to produce this painting.  I had a LOT of cad red light on my brush and made the best of it. Prussian was the complement and then a little lemon yellow.  So dramatic.  

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net

Carolkeene.com

Dailypaintworks.com

Dailypainters.com