Mining For Lace

"Mining For Lace"
24" x 12"
Mixed Media on museum wrapped canvas
On this, my second painting in this series, I wanted to use lace, but I didn't want it to look frilly or girly. I wanted it to look like in order to get lace, you had to mine it, like one would mine gold or other precious substances.

I adore lace, so this is a statement piece for me. And it kind of looks like the lace-covered cowgirl boots I got over the weekend... well, they're not in these colors, but they are just as fancy.

Carol

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

Marbleous

"Marbleous"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard
I thoroughly loved the process of making this painting. I knew the essence of how I wanted it to look, but I wasn't sure how I'd arrive at the finished piece.  I nearly wiped it off twice, then changed my tack. I stopped thinking about it, and allowed my hands and heart to make it. I love when I can let go and let my body do what it does best.  Mm-mm-mm. 

Carol 

Lily and Marble

"Lily and Marble"
10" x 10"
Acrylic on wrapped canvas
I grow red day lilies for the pleasure of having them as subject matter. The day this one snapped off in a storm I brought her in and set her on a dinner napkin while I looked for a vase.  She looked so cozy on the napkin that I brought a marble to add to the composition and photographed it.  

The background lace pattern is textured with joint compound, then painted on when dry.  I love to make up new techniques.  

Aqua Marble

"Aqua Marble"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard panel
More opaque, and traditional in design, this one reminds me of my mother. Aqua was her favorite color.  Anything and everything aqua was just dandy.  I miss aqua in the landscape of contemporary colors.  It'll recycle back to a popular color, but I doubt there will ever be aqua stovetops and ovens again.  

I am such an agent of change. Wouldn't you think I could do a three piece series with all the backgrounds the same?  Not hardly!

Thanks for rolling by today.
Carol

Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com
My DPW Gallery
Brushstrokes@comcast.net

Shake Your Booty

"Shake Your Booty"
8" x 10"
Oil on canvas panel
I debated over lots of issues in this painting: even number of items, odd composition, spilled salt, or are they pepper shakers?  I only have one of each, so I have nothing to compare them to—hole-wise.  So salt it is.


I liked the red/green background behind my first sugar shaker, so here it is again, with a variation on the theme. I have one more sugar shaker to add to this collection, so I'll hop to it in a day or so.

Thanks for stopping by.
Carol

Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com
My DPW Gallery
Brushstrokes@comcast.net

Cherry Mango

"Cherry Mango"
6" x 6"
Oil on canvas panel
The mango balanced on the narrow strip of wood as easily and with as much finesse as the cherry.  However, in the scheme of things, it would have been more of a contest with a bowling ball and a marble.  


I bought the mango for its color.  I photographed it with Ms Cherry, here, then ate them both.  I was particularly fond of using two different patterns and colors of fabric on this piece.  I like the way it turned out, too.

Thank you for coming to visit!
Carol

DPW
My DPW Gallery
Brushstrokes@comcast.net 

White Peony on Black #2

"White Peony on Black #2"
10" x 8"
Acrylic on canvas panel
Here is another in the series.  The patterns are arranged differently, yet the essence and elegance remain the same. 

This is another example of my faux finishing background.  I love pattern, texture and decorative art.  And it's a super way to feature a painterly, single bloom.

See it on DPW.  Buy it there, too.

Thanks!

Carol

White Peony on Red"

"White Peony on Red"
10" x  8"
Acrylic on canvas panel
Another peony and pattern adds to the texture this time. The addition of symbols and coins gives it an oriental flare.

I had made several in the black and tan combination when it felt right to add another color.  This brick red was a good choice. 

Dailypaintworks.com is the place to see this and my other pieces, and to purchase them. 

Thank you for taking the time to look.

Carol

White Peony on Black

"White Peony on Black"
8" x 8"
Acrylic on canvas panel
I combined a limited palette with texture, pattern, and a single bloom to make this whimsical, decorative piece.

This is the first in a series of similar paintings I'll be posting over the next few days.  It would make lovely table top art when framed. 

This and all my pieces funnel into Dailypaintworks.com where they can be viewed in my gallery or purchased at auction.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Carol

Coins

"Coins"
20" x 10"
Acrylic on canvas
There's a place where coins rest on bottom of the sea, all crusted over with indigenous minerals and marked with trails of migrating organisms. 

"Coins" is the last in the series of textured orbs.  It was an enjoyable experiment. There will be more after the first of the year.  I'm eager to paint like this again.  It has a freeing quality about it.  The rules of composition and color remain, but it uses a different part of my right side. 

See them all on Dailypaintworks.com in the area marked Carol Keene's Gallery.  Or click here to zoom there without having to attach your wings. 

Carol 


Circumventing Reality

"Circumventing Reality"
10" x 20"
Acrylic on stretched canvas 
This piece was done at the same time as yesterday's, but I had tackled robust color and a lot more texture.  It's quite lovely in person.  Wow, I was feeling my oats!

I scraped, dabbed, combed and painted in shadows on this one. There's also gold metallic paint in the goings on. Yup, I'll be doing more of these!

See this one in my gallery on Dailypaintworks. com.

Thank you for looking today.
Carol 

Spring Stuff

"Spring Stuff"
24" x 24"
Acrylic on wrapped canvas
I was a faux finisher and muralist for many years.  When that phase of my life came to an end, I missed it.  This piece pays homage to a lot of years learning how to manage enormous expanses of wall with a degree of expertise.

This piece is sold, but lives on in my heart.  And before it left for its new home I added a third egg to the nest. However, I did not get a photo of that addition.

This painting will be shown on Daily Paintworks, but it is not for sale.  That would be silly.

Thanks for visiting my nest today.
Carol

The Goddess Hoarfrost

"Hoar Frost"
8" x 16"
Oil on wrapped canvas
This cornfield up in Bull Valley surrendered her edges and contrasts to The Goddess Hoarfrost.  The field and trees wore her flocking like a gossamer shawl, and waited for the sun.    
  
This was an exercise in texture and technique.  I had acquired a device called a Colour Shaper by Royal Sovereign, and wanted to use it for more than just scraping texture on a rock. It was more fun than I anticipated.

This painting is listed with, and for sale through Dailypaintworks.com

Thank you for visiting,
Carol