"Lemon" A Pet portrait

This fun pup is Lemon. Mindi and Dave put a photo of Lemon playing in the snow on Facebook. Who wouldn't want to capture the sense of surprise and fun, it was a delight to paint. I couldn't help but use "Lemon Yellow" in the background!

"Lemon"

8" x 10" Acrylic on canvas, framed
On display at the Calgary Public Library, Southwood Branch until June 30

"Travelling Brothers 2" - Tyson and Shawn

This is the second painting based on a photo taken by Brianna Shoucair of their friend Tyson hiking in Tofino at sunset. I painted the first one as a gift to Kristen (click here to view). Clay and Karen (Shawn and Tyson's parents) asked if I could make a glicee (art copy) of Kristen's for them. I decided to paint another version similar but different from Kristen's as a gift for them from a loving parent to loving parents. 

"Travelling Brothers 2" - Tyson and Shawn 

16" x 20" Oil on canvas
NFS (a gift)

"Lily Pad Bloom"

I don't usually paint with the end product being "pink" but I really enjoyed this one. Mixing and using all the colours was fun!

"Lily Pad Bloom"

12" x 16" Oil on board

$175 unframed

"Chi Chi 2"

This painting was a gift to my sister Shannon. Chi Chi is a rescued pug that is so full of character and facial expressions that make it fun to paint her. Shannon and Jim put up a real Christmas tree this year and Ch iChi loved to sit under it and smell the pine needles. She coveted the Christmas tree skirt as her private blanket. Click here for a view of Chi Chi 1.

"ChiChi"

Oil on gallery wrap canvas with sides painted

8" x 8"

Not For Sale (gift)

Lorginals Gallery in Salmon Arm, B.C.

I am delighted to share that some of my paintings "Morning Flower Series", a variety of art cards and hand painted wine glasses are now for sale in the Loriginals Gallery in Salmon Arm, B.C.

Handcrafted  Gifts

 Loriginals Gallery features a fine selection of quality handcrafted items produced by Artisans who take pride in their craft.  The vast majority of items sold in the store are handcrafted here in Canada, something Linda and Joy are extremely proud of and which is appreciated by their customers, both locals and visitors to Salmon Arm.

We can assist you with all your framing needs including needleworks, canvas stretching, shadow and jersey boxes, drymounting etc.

"Mara Lake" plein air

I started my first plein air painting yesterday and realized that I was missing key items (palette etc.) so did the under painting only. Today I went back with all the pieces and finished my painting. It felt wonderful enjoying the beautiful view of Mara Lake and sunshine!

There are always critics and here is mine checking out the same view.

And the final painting....

"Mara Lake"

Oil on canvas board

8" x 10"

click on any picture for a larger view

Surprise Art Gifts For Me!!

This is a wonderful homemade travel bag for my art supplies made especially for me by my friend Rylla. The underside of the strap has an embroidered "Karen Oliver's Fine Art"! There are two bags (I'm displaying one) that are velcro'ed on the inside of the bag and has the same embroidery on each one. The large bag has wsewn in pocket (for keys etc) and zips up on the top to hold everything in. How perfect is this!! We went on a vacation to Tuscon with Brian and Rylla and she had a wonderful bag for her knitting. My travel art supplies were in a beat up plastic ziplock bag....now I can travel in style!!! Whooo Hoooo!

The second surprise gift this week was from my fellow painter Debbie. She gave Linda and I a homemade travel size book. Debbie made this the perfect size for holiday sketches or journalling. She made the book so it opens flat and filled it with watercolour paper....perfect! Now I have no excuses for not painting while on holidays. A huge thank you!

Rick Berg Workshop

Rick Berg brought in a painting that he had done with reds and oranges and variations of both. He had the class mix all their colours one at a time with Alizarin Crimson on a board or paper to see all the relationships and variety. It was quite eye opening. Rick did a short demo based on the finished painting and then we did our versions. Of course in a 3 hour time frame, most did not get theirs completed (mine included). Finally finished my version today.  I have never used Alizarin Crimson with so many colours before!

Below is Rick's under painting and then his original framed painting. It is quite a large painting and will be for sale at the 2014 Calgary Stampede.