Chimney Rock

"Chimney Rock"
5" x 9"
Watercolor on Yupo

I'm back from my trip to New Mexico. I experienced every positive emotion possible as I traveled.  It was as much fun as I anticipated and I met 19 talented women with whom I shared stories, hugs and time. 

I painted this piece while at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe and gave it to the Assistant Manager as a thank you for letting twenty women paint in watercolor in a brand new conference room for three days. It was a gift we will never forget.  Thank you, Andreas for trusting us with your beautiful new space.

Carol

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

Castle Rock-tober

"Castle Rock-tober"
9" x 12"
Acrylic on canvas panel

Some of my favorite images were photographed in October in Colorado a year and a half ago. It had been a wet summer, which made autumn resplendent, even after the aspens had fluttered-away their leaves. The hills around Castle Rock unfurled a tapestry of greens, golds and russets, while the distant hills and sky wove an appropriate border of complementary purples and blues.  

In a week I will be photographing the beauty of New Mexico. Can you sense my excitement?

Carol

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

House Portrait

"House Portrait"
6" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

From time to time I mention that I am in the midst of painting commissioned house portraits.  I do this for real estate agents to give as closing gifts.  Here is one of my recent ones that pleased both the agent and the homeowner who would no longer live in this lovely home. 

I enjoy painting homes and capturing the personality of the homeowners in the choices they've made to make the structure their own. This one is obviously sold, but I will paint one for you, of your home or a friend's, to your size specifications, if you'd like. I can also change the season, the landscaping and the house color if need be.

Carol

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

Cattails And Lily Pads

"Cattails And Lily Pads"
12" x 12"
Acrylic on canvas panel 

We're back at Daniel Wright Woods in late August here. I remember the noise that morning was from insects, not the rustle of leaves.  The sky reflected the deep periwinkle of the dome above me. It was a glorious day to photograph for later paintings, and a great one to paint en plein air.  

I'm in a knife painting kind of mood. The dots and smears of color from the knife and the fast drying acrylic delights me. I love to paint layer upon layer on the dried textures.

Carol

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

Mid-October Morning

"Mid-October Morning"
12" x 12"
Acrylic on canvas panel

An outing to the Botanic Gardens in mid-October proved to be more beneficial than I had thought on that particular day. My eyes were accustomed to layers of brilliant colors of that season, so I tucked the photos away.  But yesterday when I revisited my cache of landscape photos, this one caught my eye. 

Compared to the monochrome of snow and ice in the real world, this looked mighty yummy.

Carol

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

Petunias, Coleus, Alyssum

"Petunias, Coleus, Alyssum"
10" x 8"
Acrylic on canvas panel 

I photographed these colors when I was out by the Mississippi last fall at the farm where I stayed. At the time I didn't know when I'd paint them, but here it is Ground Hog Day and the deepest snow I've seen in 35 years, and I'm reveling in the intense colors of Mary's garden for comfort. Thank you, dear friend. 

As I sorted through the images I had painted in the last eleven months to get them ready to post to my website, I became aware of the happiness I felt when I saw my knife paintings. Today was an unlikely day to paint this, but it felt right. I will keep my acrylics out for a few more days and see what comes of it.

Carol

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

Wildly Wild

"Wildly Wild"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

The wild roses at the Botanic Gardens intrigue me. They're so unstructured and haphazard, compered to the well-bred cousins blossoming properly in the beds around them. When a wild one dazzles me in morning light, I like to capture her, but seldom paint her in season. There are so many other options, for my lovers of roses. 

This feels like a study to me, but I know I'll never take it any further.  I hope she appeals to you as she is… wildly wild.

We are in the midst of a blizzard here in my zip code. I went out and measured 22" of snow on my patio table. While I've been housebound I've updated my website.  If you go to CarolKeene.com there are over 200 new images in the category "Recent Works."  If you've never been to my website before, please go browse. It's clean, orderly and fun to look at. Thank you for looking.  

Carol

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