Carol Keene: March 2013

Friday, March 15

Sunshine Path

"Sunshine Path"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

The path to my friend's home led me through a field that, late in the day in early October, was almost more stimulating than my senses could tolerate. I lingered in the sunshine as I passed weeds and flowers of all different species.

This is painting one of two, a diptych, that can be hung side by side. I painted this one today, the second one is being worked on currently.

Carol

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Thursday, March 14

Rocks of Ages

"Rocks of Ages"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

There are few things older in my collections of natural things than my rounded rocks. Few things more satisfying to fondle, ponder and photograph. Now that I'm comfortable painting them, too, I'll create more compositions with rocks to offer for your viewing pleasure.

I'm tickled to announce that two of my paintings have been used in the Dick Blick Spring Sale catalog that arrived in the mail this week. Both are on page 60 with attribution under each.

Carol

Tuesday, March 12

Heavenly Scented

"Heavenly Scented"
16" x 20"
Oil on wrapped canvas

The fragrance wafting from these small roses was delicious, considering they had traveled some distance to get to me in the dead of winter. They were not fresh when they arrived in my home, but I embraced them and loved them for what they were about to do for me -- strike beautiful poses, cast seductive shadows and smell wonderful every time I buried my nose in their delicate petals.

No sponges were used in the making of this painting. I'm learning to use different Rosemary & Company brushes to accomplish the same things I do with a sponge. It does not mean I've abandoned my darling sponges, I'm just learning new ... tricks.

Carol

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Monday, March 11

Heavenly Widened Rose

"Heavenly Widened Rose"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

As I worked on this piece, I was listening to my favorite Cowboy Junkies song, a cover version of a ballad by Lou Reed. It's called "Sweet Jane," and Margo Timmins sings the phrase "Heavenly widened roses seem to whisper to me when you smile..." It struck me as a fitting title for the painting. She is, don't you think, a widening rose?

I had fun painting my rocks series, but my heart and soul are in painting roses. This is one from the bouquet I bought for myself the other day. You'll see more white roses like her in the coming days.

Carol

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Sunday, March 10

Rock Pile

"Rock Pile"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

Loving gifts of miscellaneous beach rocks collected at my side the day I took my grandchildren to the beach. Granmama became the recipient of many and varied Lake Michigan rocks.

This is my last rock painting for a while. Maybe.

Carol

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Saturday, March 9

Rock Band

"Rock Band"
10" x 10"
Oil on wrapped canvas

Yup, Rock Rand. Take a look at the painting. Get it? I've been collecting banded rocks like the ones in this painting since I was a child. I pick them up whenever I see them and put them in my courtyard or on a shelf with others in my studio. Banded rocks delight my sense of whimsy.

I'll be leaving rocks pretty soon, but not quite yet. I have another idea to present. THEN it's back to roses. I bought a bouquet of them for myself today. I sold some art, got a commission and scheduled a workshop, so I'm celebrating with the other thing that delights me.

Carol

Friday, March 8

Right Over ... There

"Right Over ... There"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

Across the lake, right over ... there, where the tree line gets thin as a noodle is a cove where the fishing is better than any place on this lake. In the county, even. I mean it! I rowed over there and dropped a line one morning and caught breakfast faster than I could have ordered from the drive-thru at McDonalds.

I'm in rock mode. Obvious titles such as "Rock Hard", "Rock Band" and "Like a Rock" come to mind for future images, so come back to see if I use any of them.

Carol

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Wednesday, March 6

Rocks For Tossing

"Rocks For Tossing"
18" x 18"
Oil on canvas panel

Beach rocks. Rocks for tossing. I photographed these while walking barefooted along a shoreline that was being lapped enthusiastically by one of the Great Lakes. The smooth mounds were easy to walk on, but more fun to fondle with my fingers. They begged to be handled, and I did.

I painted this tonight, amazingly quickly, after a brief conversation about tossing rocks. It just felt ... right.

Carol

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Tuesday, March 5

Delish

"Delish"
12" x 16"
Oil on hardboard

Several times a year I get a craving, a specifically-decadent craving to paint chocolates. Once I discovered the correct colours to squeeze it was merely a matter of finding chocolates to pose for me. I don't eat the stuff, but I do like how it looks. So as subject matter, it can sit here in my studio for weeks without a single nibble.

I drew this two months ago, but didn't get to the painting part until today... while listening to Schubert, and an entire opera from the Met.

Carol

Monday, March 4

Blush

"Blush"
24" x 24"
Oil on wrapped canvas

She blushed when he told her she was gorgeous. "Well, you are," he said. "Gorgeous," he repeated. She blushed even redder, deeper toward her core. Her petals curled, her mouth opened in disbelief. The rose sat serenely and basked in the glow of his compliment.

Once again, I have to sing the praises of my two new colours; Cad Scarlet and Indian Yellow. Oh, my, they seem to have been made for one another. Those two and a dab of Cobalt Blue made this a joy to paint. I'm in love!

Carol