Another Three Pots

"Another Three Pots"
14" x 11"
Acrylic on canvas panel 
I painted a similar painting to this one during the summer when I was at the Botanic Gardens. I sold it soon afterward. This is one is a commission piece for a woman who liked what I had done, but wanted it larger and taller. This is how it turned out. 

When people see my website they are usually surprised at the variety of subject matter in at least four different mediums.  I'm often asked what I like to paint best?  My standard and honest answer is, "Whatever I'm painting at the moment."  When I did this knife painting in acrylic I thought, I could do this for the rest of my days.  Of course, come morning, I had forgotten about whatever I had finished the night before and moved on to the next fun thing.   It's all fun to me. I love whatever is on my easel.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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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
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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
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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
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Autumn-ish

"Autumn-ish"
5" x 7"
Acrylic on canvas panel
I scraped and scrubbed at this piece when Tuscan flower fields didn't materialize as I had hoped. It turned into a pine and aspen forest after a couple of swipes. So here it is, a first glimpse of autumn.  

That's my reward for being flexible and forgiving of misguided exuberance, AND having a wonderful scraping tool like my Princeton Catalyst wedge W-01 and W-06.  I've saved a few efforts with these scrapers.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
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More of Mary's Garden

"More Of Mary's Garden"
7" x 5"
Acrylic on canvas panel
I used the shapes and lighting of the flowers in Mary's garden, but swapped out their real colors for ones I wanted in my painting. And I painted it very early in the morning, against a white building. This isn't exactly how her garden looked, but she didn't seem to mind receiving the painting as a gift. 

I either need to plant hollyhocks or befriend someone nearby with the same penchant for them as I've developed.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
Carolkeene.com
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Hollyhocks

"Hollyhocks"
6" x 6"
Acrylic on hardboard
Hollyhocks were prevalent in Door County. I love their spiky stalks of color and the shape they afford in a composition.  I grew up with hollyhocks in the yard, but haven't seen many in recent decades.  I photographed several, so you'll see them popping up over the next few weeks.  

As promised, this is a new way of handling my knife painting. I "squeegeed" the paint as I applied it to the black background. It took courage, but I did it… to some extent. The next time won't be as terrifying.  Or if it is, I know I won't die trying.

Carol

Brushstokes@comcast.net
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Magnolia Study

"Magnolia Study
6" x 8"
Oil on canvas panel
Today's lesson at the workshop had to do with color and painting white flowers.  I opted to do mine with a palette knife and a silk magnolia, no less. Laura Robb uses a knife to get her crisp edges. So I used one to paint this study.  I learned how much I don't know about knife painting and how thankful I am that I've already established a style of my own.  Trying to paint like someone else is difficult. Trying to paint like Carol Keene is hard enough.  

I'm thankful to be moved back into my studio, although it was a wonderful weekend of learning new things and revisiting concepts that are always good to review.  I'd recommend a Mainstreet Art Center workshop to anyone.  Thank you Frankie Johnson for making it possible.

Carol

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Woodstock Coleus

"Woodstock Coleus"
8" x 10"
Acrylic on canvas panel
The colors in the planter caught my eye before I pulled all the way in to the parking lot. Coleus, rimmed in acrid green lounged against warm and cool blossoms alike, playing no favorites.  

Here's a knife painting I did in Woodstock on Thursday.  The flowers were there, but seriously drooping in the heat.  Thirsty, too.

Carol

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