Day 3- "30 Paintings in 30 Days"

"The Shy One"        11" x 11"          $145

You never know where a painting is going to head.  I again started this painting by adding globs of paint on the surface.  Then I spread the paint using a credit card. But different than the last 2 paintings, this time, I sprayed some water on it and tilted the paper to let the drips happen slightly. Then I waited 10 minutes before blotting the surface with a paper towel, using a brayer.  When you blot it, white patterns appear where the water had sat.  See photos below. I could see a table in the lower right corner and loved the dripping pattern above it, so I made that into a chair.  Then I decided to add a family standing by the table.   I used Strathmore Aquarius 90 lb. paper today, which I like much better when I use acrylic.  It made a huge difference.  I always prepare my paper with matte medium before starting.  That way, I can rub out white by using alcohol and cotton balls.

Day 2: "30 Paintings in 30 Days"

"Hopeful Future"          11"x 11"            SOLD

I started this painting the same as yesterday's, so you can look back on the January 1st post to see the details.  I often will paint 2 paintings at once, so that they will match.  It's a great trick for sales for all of you artists out there!  Clients may either pick their favorite of the 2, OR sometimes they decide to take both of them and hang them either vertically or horizontally.  My husband challenged me to paint more colorful, bright paintings, so watch for some changes in the next few days.  I felt that this painting seemed like the couple are looking out onto the horizon, wondering what tomorrow will bring, so I titled it "Hopeful Future".  Be sure to check out Leslie Saeta's blog, http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/ to see more of the other artists who accepted her challenge.  966 artists signed up!

Day One- "30 Paintings in 30 Days"

"Remembering Friends"    11" x 11"      SOLD

January 1st and the first day of the 30 Day Painting Challenge!  I have to admit, I was very nervous this morning when I faced the white piece of paper! I didn't paint at all in December, and I honestly fear painting after taking that much time off.  My goal is to paint looser and include figures into an abstract background.  I was thinking of my friend, Connie, as I painted this.  She is in another world now after loosing the battle against cancer on November 24th.  She always had such a positive attitude and I can hear her cheering me on during this challenge.
I started this painting by dropping globs of paint on the paper, and then spreading it out, using a credit card.  It was fun! (see photos below)  Then I picked the spots where I wanted that first layer to show up and drew the figure into the composition accordingly.  I finished this, using an oak branch as my brush.  I love the hit and miss that the branch creates in line work! Happy New Year everyone!  If you'd like to join me in this challenge, click on this link: http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/  If interested in purchasing this painting, it is $145 and is 11" x 11", image only.

 

Goals for the New Year!

"Waiting for Mr. Right"

I usually make several goals on New Year's Eve, and sometimes I follow through and sometimes I don't.  So, this year, my plan is to make a goal every month and maybe that will be a short enough time that I may possibly follow through!  In January for the past 2 years, I have done the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" Challenge posted by Leslie Saeta.  Click on the link and you can join me!  For me, it's a great way to get back into painting after taking all of December off to party and all that goes with the Christmas holiday for our family.  (4 trees this year!)  The deal is that you can paint 2 paintings in one day, if you need to get ahead.  You just have to paint 30 paintings in 30 days.  I usually like to get ahead in the first week, so that I can post them early on her website, AND if I'm possibly called to babysit, I will be ready for that day.  I told myself last year that I would have soups, etc. frozen ahead of time, but that didn't happen.  I think I'll take advantage of the crock pot this year.  My goal is to do people that are part of an abstract background like the painting pictured here that I actually painted many years ago.  Any medium, but my goal is to keep them loose.  Wish me luck!  Happy New Year, you all!

Santa Collection- Here's the whole collection!

Happy Holidays to you all!  The final 3 Santa prints are still for sale, but the first 10 are collector's items.  They are 9 x 11.5 with mats and sell for $29 (matted).  I have only a few left that have frames, and those sell for $39 (framed).  Contact me at Karen@karenknutson.com if interested.

12th Day of Christmas- Santa Series

"Santa 2004"

I was making a political statement of sorts with this painting.  I truly believe that Santa is a good thing, but I also believe that the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Christ.  So, this one combines the two, so as far as content, this one is a favorite of mine.  I'm going to post the last Santa in this blog too, since I'm going out of town tomorrow and most of you will be too busy to read this tomorrow too, right?  Below is my Minnesota Santa, who is a great fisherman.  May you all have a very blessed, safe, fun holiday with your family and friends! 

"Santa 2005"

11th Day of Christmas- Santa Series

"Santa 2003"

This was a full sheet watercolor!  It was painted in 2003.  I got tired of having to do the same size, year after year.  We artists don't like being told what to do, right?  Anyway, I'll never forget my framer's reaction when I brought in the prints.  He had already cut 50 mats of my usual size.  He thought he would be saving himself the last minute fury by doing them ahead.  After all, I had done the same size print for the past 10 years!  I told him to save them for next year and I would go back to the other size.  My favorite part of this Santa is the toes sticking out of the socks!

10th Day of Christmas- Santa Series

"Santa 2002"

This Santa was fun to paint, but anytime hands are involved, it's an extra push for me as an artist.  Still I loved the fact that Santa is telling us to keep the secret and be good.

9th Day of Christmas- Santa Series

"Santa 2001"

This Santa was especially dear to me because this was a friend of mine that I used to teach at the Minnetonka Senior Center.  He had such a great attitude and a twinkle in his eyes always!  I wrote Peace in the background due to the tragedy of 9-11, which happened in 2001.  Still hoping that our world can settle their differences and live peacefully.

8th Day of Christmas- Santa Series

"Santa 2000"

Remember back at the millennium? Celebrations galore!  So, I had to have Santa in the party mood at such a big event! I'm hosting a Christmas party of my own tonight, so I'll have to keep this short this time.