#1 of 30!

It's a new year and hundreds of artists are again participating in the "30 paintings in 30 days challenge".  I will admit, last year it was a struggle some days, but I was so proud of myself for "gettin' it done"!  It also served to jumpstart me again after a busy Holiday season, when not a lot of painting took place.  I will be posting here on my blog as well as on my FB page - Karen Alley Art - as I complete each painting.  So.... here is #1, a semi-abstract seascape.  I have been working in this style most of the Fall and I want to continue to explore in this direction.  Happy New Year to everyone!

#1 of 30

5 x 7, oil on panel

$100 / unframed

Click here to purchase
©2014KarenAlley

2014 "30 Paintings in 30 Days" Challenge!

The "30 Paintings in 30 Days" Challenge begins again on Wednesday, Jan. 1st and I'm in! Check my FB and Blog pages each day for updates. There will be special pricing on these paintings throughout the month of January.

New Gallery Representation!

Very excited to officially be represented by the I. Pinckney Simons Gallery in lovely Beaufort, SC! Dropped off 7 pieces there yesterday!  If in the area, please go by and visit with Irene and Pinckney at this beautiful, fun, gallery.

I. Pinckney Simons Gallery
711 Bay Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
www.ipsgallery.com

Something NEW!

I have never tried a "triptych" before!  A triptych is a painting that is painted on three different canvases but is intended to be hung together.  It was a lot of fun, although challenging to keep a couple of them on the easel at the same time so that I could assure a seamless match up!  In this case each piece is 30x15.  Although typically framed separately, but hung together, all three pieces can be put in the same frame for one continuous piece.  Only sold together.

 "Aerial Ocean Triptych"

30 x 45 (entire piece), oil on canvas

$2835

click here to view on website

New Sunset Series

I have taken dozens and dozens of beautiful sunset photos at our lake home in SC over the years and want to put them to good use.  I recently started a "Sunset Series".  So far all of these are in a similar color palette with cool blues, teals, and purples but as Fall is in the air I'm thinking I might try a few in a warmer palette.....stay tuned!  Click on the painting below to see the entire series:

"Lake Sunset Series 05"

36x36, oil on canvas

It's been a while.......

I have not posted anything in quite a while!  For those of you who don't know me personally, I eat, sleep, and breath baseball with my 15 year old baseball player son during the Summer.  It literally takes over our lives and none of us has much time for anything else!  I have managed to sneak out into my studio only a handful of times.  The last quick outing produced these two small Seascapes which will be headed to the Sundae Art Gallery, in Concord, NC for their "Water" themed August show.  Hopefully come Fall, my production speed will pick up!

 "Surf's Up 1"

8x8, oil on canvas

$200 framed

©2012-13KarenAlley

 "Surf's Up 2"

8x10, oil on canvas

$250 framed

©2012-13KarenAlley

It's a Ribbon!

Very excited my painting won 3rd place in the Guild of Charlotte Artists' Show tonight! The show runs until July 1 at Christ Episcopal Church.

Guild of Charlotte Artists' Show

During the Month of June go by and check out the beautiful work by all the Guild of Charlotte Artists' members!  The show is hanging at Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC.  This is a judged show and all work is for sale.  Here are my two entries:

 "Hot, Hot, Hot (study)", 12x12

 

"Eight Trees", 30x30

The Peacock Symbol!

Peacock Symbolism

The peacock is a symbol of immortality because the ancients believed that the peacock had flesh that did not decay after death. As such, early Christian paintings and mosaics use peacock imagery, and peacock feathers can be used during the Easter season as church decorations. This symbol of immortality is also directly linked to Christ.

"Sittin' Pretty"

24x12, oil on canvas

$720

Click here to view or purchase.

"Peacock Portrait"

8x8, oil on canvas

$200

Click here to view or purchase.

Just off the easel for May!

Well, it has not been "Hot, Hot, Hot" here in Charlotte lately, as a matter of fact it has been quite cool for the month of May, but these two paintings are titled "Hot, Hot, Hot" because of the warm colors.  Again, I tried to do two different sizes using the same color palette, one is a 36x36, and the other is a study at 12x12.  And don't forget, Mother's Day is this weekend!

 

"Hot, Hot, Hot (study)"

12x12, oil on canvas

$450 framed

Click here to view or purchase.

 "Hot, Hot, Hot"

36x36, oil on canvas

$2265 framed

Click here to view or purchase.

My color efficient idea!

I am trying to not necessarily make my work easier lately, but more efficient, so I am testing different ways to accomplish that.  This week I wanted to try working on more than one painting at once using the same exact piles of paint!  Usually I have 3-4 paintings going all at once, ALL using a different color palette!  I don't really have enough space to keep that much paint mixed and "wet" for long periods of time, so inevitably I will let one (or 2) paintings wait too long and the paint dries up and goes to waste.  So....here is the result of my "2 for 1".  Aren't the colors yummy?!

"Mountain Spring in Spring"

14x11, oil on canvas

$425

Click here to view or purchase

"Cherry Float"

24x24, oil on canvas

$1440

Click here to view or purchase

Wave Series!

I finally did something I've said I was going to do for a long time - work on similar paintings, different sizes, all at the same time!  When I finish one I like, I always have intentions of going back and doing a different size or shape but it never happens.  Or if I do try, I have long since forgotten the colors I used to mix the paint, or the way I held the brush or knife to get a certain stroke......the two larger ones in this group are actually similar in size, but one is long (15x30) and the other more upright (18x24), and then I threw a baby one in (6x6) just for fun!

"Wave Series I"

15x30, oil on canvas

Click here to view or purchase

"Wave Series II"

18x24, oil on canvas

Click here to view or purchase

 

"Wave Series III"

6x6, oil on panel

Click here to view or purchase

 

Happy Easter!

This is actually the largest painting I have attempted to date - 36 x 60! It is perfect for over a King sized bed, or a large sofa or mantel. The colors are a little more muted than what is normal for me, but this one just seemed to call for color restraint on my part (it was hard)!  I am actually glad I finished it when I did, as this glorious sunset reminds me of the beauty of God's world all around us, most of which we take for granted.  He provides us everyday with some beautiful "paintings", we just need to look around us!  Happy Easter everyone!

"Sunset On Waterway"

36 x 60, oil on canvas

$3780

Click here to view or purchase

 

An Abstract?

Every now and then I like to veer out of my comfort zone and experiment with something a little different.  I have always loved abstracts and have painted a few over the years, but trust me, it's not as easy as it looks!  Many think you can just throw some colors and patterns on a canvas and call it an abstract, but a truly good one takes much thought and planning, usually much more than a representational painting.  I am very happy with the way this one turned out.....the black is actually the part of the canvas I taped off and did not paint.

"Red Hull"

24x24, acrylic on canvas

$1150

Click here to view or purchase

Rainy Days and Mondays........

.......actually produce a nice bright painting!

"Golden Pastures"

36x36, oil on canvas

$2595 framed

Click here to view or purchase.

If I may say so myself....

.....this one is scrumptious!  For most artists, each completed painting becomes like one of our own children,  it's hard to say you like one more than the other.  That said, I am admitting this is one of my favorites.  I'm not sure exactly what it is, but everything just came together and I was so pleased with the outcome.

 

"Glory Road"

24 x 24 oil on canvas

$1440 framed (see below!)

Click here to view or purchase.

 

A Colorful New Painting!

This one was really fun, and as usual, it took a different turn than what my original plans were.  Once I painted the foliage and tree trunks it just needed "something" else, so I decided to start carving out branches through the paint and it was exactly what the piece needed!

"Warm Yellow Tops"

15 x 30, oil on canvas

$1125 framed

Click here to view or purchase

Hanging in Charleston!

My paintings have made it to Charleston and are now hanging on the wall at Ellis-Nicholson Gallery on Gallery Row (Broad Street)!  Yipeeee.....

Oh my, check out this blast from the past!

This is too funny! I wrote this booklet in 1988 when I was doing some work for a craft book publisher. I Googled my name today and this popped up! It was for sale (SOLD, I might add, back in June) from an Etsy seller located in Hawaii.......I had completely forgotten about it. Think I could collect some royalty on that $3.00?!

 

 

New Work for the week!

The first really large one I have painted in a while....and YES, this was from a picture of a REAL sunset on Lake Keowee.  Some of the best sunsets I have ever seen are on that lake!

"Sunset Sail"

36 x 48, acrylic on canvas

$3450 framed

©2013KarenAlley

Click here to view or purchase

New Gallery!

I am excited to announce that beginning March my Artwork will be represented in Charleston, SC at the Ellis-Nicholson Gallery. Ellis-Nicholson is located on historic Gallery Row at 1 1/2 Broad Street. I am looking forward to working with Jeannette and Victoria at their beautiful Gallery!
http://www.ellis-nicholsongallery.com/

New series!

In the new year I have also decided to try and work in series, or a group of 4-6 paintings with a "theme".  Looking through a bunch of pictures I took over the holidays I got the idea to paint a series of paintings with "distance" to them, where the subject or focal point is far away.  Here is the first one, and I really like the way it turned out!  Don't you just want to see what is at the End Of The Road?

"End Of The Road"

24 x 48, acrylic on canvas

$2300 framed

©2013KarenAlley

Click here to view or purchase.

Just off the easel.......

Finally, after a brief rest from the 30 in 30 Challenge, I am posting again!  This is also a small one which got me back in the groove to then start some bigger ones, which you will see next week!  This was done with only a palette knife, which always keeps me nice and loose in my style.

"Looking Across"

10x8, oil on canvas

$200 framed

Click here to view or purchase

My Challenge Thoughts

Again, thanks to everyone who followed and encouraged me during my 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge!  Here are some of my thoughts before and after the 30 days and my guess is that they can apply to others thinking about doing anything out of the ordinary.

First of all, here were my reasons for NOT accepting the Challenge:

1. What if I could not finish all 30?  I'd be embarrassed.
2. What if all my talent ran out after painting #10 or #17 or #28!?
3. Just the word "Challenge" makes it sound hard.  It's out of the norm, I'd probably have to work harder and longer.
4. Time constraints.  Could I plan it out that well?  What about the two weekends when I was going to be out of town?  I would have to have extras!
5. It's a commitment. Do I really need ANOTHER commitment?!

However, mainly because my friend Dottie told me I needed to do it, and many of my other artist friends were also participating, I succumbed to the Challenge pressure.  And here is what I learned:

1. I have it in me.  I COMPLETED what I started.  I am PROUD of myself.
2. My talent did NOT run out.  Or at least I don't think so, everyone seemed to enjoy all of the paintings.  (And 10 of the 30 sold!)
3. I took the opportunity to play with different types of canvases, sizes, and techniques that I had not done before, and found many I will use again.
4. A better planning of my day allowed me to accomplish much more than I thought I could.  I need to apply this ALL the time.  I would get much more done!
5. Challenging yourself every now and then is a GOOD thing.  Don't look at all the negatives, because THE POSITIVES WILL ALMOST ALWAYS OUTWEIGH THE NEGATIVES.

Have a great weekend!!!

30 of 30! ALL DONE

Well, here it is, the last one in the Challenge!  And it may be one of my favorites.  A Facebook friend had posted this as her profile picture and I just loved the pose, the hat, the bracelet, the water, everything!  I had another long skinny canvas that was just calling to have this image on it.  I will give more thoughts on this Challenge in a separate post and in my newsletter, but sufficed to say I am proud of myself for making it through and I hope we do it again next year!  And to those who bought many of these paintings, new collectors and old, thank you.......and a big thank you also to those who have followed and urged me on!

"Cooling Off"

6x12, oil on panel

©2013KarenAlley

NFS (She liked and bought!)

Click here to view.

#29 of 30!

This is only Seascape I've done in the Challenge.  Beach skies can be so interesting to paint, so many combinations of colors and cloud formations!  Only one more day.........

"Flowing Through"

8x10, oil on canvas

©2013KarenAlley

$200 framed

Click here to view or purchase.

#28 of 30!

This is a small version of a larger painting ("Looking Through The Reeds") I did a little while back.  I love the view of being down in the grasses and looking across to whatever you want that landscape to be in the back.  Going to call this little one "Pink Sky".  I can't believe there are only two more days left in the Challenge.  It has actually flown by much quicker than I anticipated!

"Pink Sky"

10x8, oil on panel

©2013KarenAlley

$175 framed

Click here to view or purchase

#27 of 30! SOLD

You can't go wrong painting the trees of Charleston, they just have such a presence!  These were again situated on the golf course at Yeaman's Hall and this painting was done almost completely with a palette knife.  This is a different size and shape for me too - 6x12, long and skinny.

"Sunlit"

6x12, oil on panel

©2013KarenAlley

$125 unframed/$175 framed

Click here to view or purchase

#26 of 30!

Another still life in the same vein as "Roses For Mom" (#21).  To be perfectly honest I am not sure exactly what kind of flowers these are (sort of like a hydrangea, but not).  I just liked them and snapped a picture.  They are the same size and framed the same way as "Roses For Mom" and would look good hanging together.

"Purple Pop"

10x8, oil on canvas

©2013KarenAlley

$175 framed

Click here to view or purchase

#25 of 30!

Yes, more lipstick!  This one is actually a commissioned piece after I posted the first lipstick painting, "What's Your Shade?"(#3).  Who knew lipstick would be so popular?  This one is square and a slightly different color palette. Just FUN!

"Pretty Pinks"

8x8, oil on panel

©2013KarenAlley

NFS

#24 of 30! SOLD

It's a terribly gray day here in Charlotte, with ice and snow expected this afternoon.......so, we need something to brighten it up.  What better than some "Yummy Yellow"?  For those who like the vibrant colors, this one's for you!

"Yummy Yellow"

10x10, oil on canvas

©2013KarenAlley

$200 includes frame

Click here to view or purchase

#23 of 30! SOLD

This was one of my favorite pictures taken while I was in Charleston!  This great little pond had all these majestic cypress trees growing right up in the middle of the water.

"Charleston Cypress Pond"

10x8, oil on panel

©2013KarenAlley

$175 framed

Click here to view or purchase

#22 of 30! SOLD

I just spent the weekend in Charleston, Yeaman's Hall to be exact, and had the opportunity to take lots of new pictures for painting references.  This is the first of probably many to come.  The big old oak trees there, dripping in moss, are spectacular!

"Yeaman's Oaks"

6x6, oil on panel

©2013KarenAlley

$100 includes small display easel

Click here to view or purchase.

#21 of 30!

Today, a still life.  My Mom passed away several years ago, but her favorite flower was the pink rose (pink anything really!), so this one is for her, hence the title "Roses For Mom".  This canvas was primed in black and I love to sometimes let a little of the black show through, it sort of creates an antique feel in a contemporary piece.

"Roses For Mom"

10x8, oil on canvas

©2013KarenAlley

$175 framed

Click here to view or purchase.

#20 of 30. Two Thirds of the Way!

Today I have added a structure into the landscape.  Anyone can have a red barn, how about a Blue Barn?!  I will say this 30 in 30 Challenge has gone by quicker than I thought.  I really thought I would be struggling to decide what to paint, but maybe by divine intervention someone keeps putting ideas in my head!  For those interested, my pricing on these small paintings will go up after the Challenge is over the end of January, so if there is one you want, don't wait!

"Blue Barn"

8x8, oil on panel

©2013KarenAlley

$100 includes small display easel

Click here to view or purchase.

#19 of 30! SOLD

Another painting with a view from the upper deck of our lake home on Keowee in SC.  A slightly different angle from "Deck View", which was painting #7, "Deck View 2" has beautiful turquoise green reflections and the red/oranges in the tree tops!.

"Deck View 2"

8x8, oil on panel

©2013KarenAlley

$100 includes small display easel

Click here to view or purchase.

#18 of 30 SOLD

I have not worked with a palette knife in a while, and had forgotten how much fun it is!  And the colors in this one just turned out perfect.  I used this same image from a photo I took during a"nature walk" in Rimini, SC on a larger painting called "Rimini in Red" last year.  I could probably use it many more times with many different outcomes!

"Rimini Reflection"

11x14, oil on canvas

©2013KarenAlley

$300 includes frame

Click here to view or purchase.

#17 of 30.

Well, we did SEE snow falling here in Charlotte last night, but no sticking, and it's a beautiful yet COLD morning here.  #17 is one of my favorites so far, I think it's the cool (as in temperature) colors. Dioxazine purple and phthalo blue are two of my favorites.  Enjoy! 

"Little Grove"

8x8, oil on panel

©2013KarenAlley

$100 comes with small display easel

Click here to view or purchase.

#16 of 30!

Back to a landscape!  Wish the weather today here in Charlotte looked more like this painting.  Cold and rainy, yuk, good day to stay inside and paint!

"Purple Path"

8x8, oil on canvas

©2013KarenAlley

$100 includes small display easel

Click here to view or purchase

Halfway there!! #15 of 30. SOLD

The third of my butterflies.  For someone who loves to paint color, butterflies are perfect, I have enjoyed doing these.  Maybe I will do more in the future.  And guess what........I have made it through one half of the 30 in 30 Challenge!  I am so proud of myself, and my other fellow artists who have made it this far.  And on we go....!!!!

"Yellow Butterfly"

8x8, oil on canvas

©2013KarenAlley

$100 includes small display easel

Click here to view or purchase

#14 of 30! SOLD

Painting #14, Butterfly #2, and isn't the red one beautiful!  Again, maybe someone could help me with the species, but until I have a more formal name, this one is......"Red Butterfly"!

 "Red Butterfly"

8x8, oil on panel

©2013KarenAlley

$100 includes small display easel

Click here to view or purchase

#13 of 30! SOLD

This is the first of a series of three butterflies I think I will do.  I wish I knew the species and all that stuff about butterflies, but I don't, just that I think they are pretty.  Therefore, the very technical name of this one is......."Pretty Butterfly"........now you can't wait to hear the names of the next two, right?

"Pretty Butterfly"

8 x 8, oil on panel

©2013KArenAlley

$100 includes small display easel

Click here to view or purchase

#12 of 30 SOLD

A little diversion from what what I have been posting.  Today is a pet portrait of my now one year old lab puppy, Kasay.  When the photo for this one was taken she was only about 10 weeks old and looked like she was posing for the camera!  I have been wanting to paint this and finally got it started last week.  As with most of my work, I like to pop a little color in to give a more contemporary look to the portrait.

"Kasay"

8 x 8, oil on panel

©2013KarenAlley

NFS

Click here to see other Pet Portraits!

Click here to see all paintings in the Challenge to date!