Angeles Forest Storm Wide

Angeles Forest Storm Wide ©2015 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 8 x 16 inches

There are times when the local landscape is especially inspiring. In this painting it's the mountains and skies of the Angeles National Forest.

In these links you can see the initial sketch and middle painting, and a companion painting.

Watching Clouds Float By

 Clouds Sailing Over Tweed River Valley ©2013 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 6 x 6 inches

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time."

John Lubbock

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." Sam Keen

Cloud watching is high on my list of ways to not waste time, along with reading, bird watching and gardening. What are your favorite ways to not waste time?

Happy New Year

Cloud Billows Over Scotland Hill ©2012 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 6 x 6 inches Private Collection

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and hoping that it is prosperous, successful, and fulfilling. I love hearing about everyone's New Year traditions and resolution routines, whether it's eating a plate of black eyed peas, or keeping an accomplishment jar.

 I've been thinking of trying out the jar idea; which is to write down each accomplishment on a slip of paper and add it to the jar throughout the year. As the year progresses you can see the jar fill up and at the end of the year open the jar and remind yourself of all the great things you've achieved. I like that this idea uses a jar, which is something physically very apparent, and not just a notebook somewhere. Notebooks to me are too easy to misplace.

 Last year on New Year's day I wrote down some things I wanted to accomplish during the year. I folded up that list and slipped it into an envelope that I tucked away so that now I can read it and see how I did. Unfortunately, I don't know where I put the envelope! It has somehow disappeared in the flurry of action. Maybe finding this lost item will be something I can add to the jar....

Energy and Art:Part Two



Separation Anxiety work in progress  ©2011 Katherine Kean  Private Collection
oil on linen triptych 18 x 42" overall

With a little time, listening, to music, watching a movie, or reading a book can change your mood. Artwork can also effect your mood, often instantly - something to keep in mind when choosing art and considering where to place it.

There may be places in your home that you want to maintain as a soothing sanctuary, so you might want to hang art there that conveys tranquility and calm. Places where you entertain or create may call for something that sparkles or energizes. In places where you do business you might want artwork that reminds you of abundance. A traditional Feng Shui choice might be images of birds – the birds representing opportunities and good news, and the more of them the better.

Color as well as content play a role as well and the effects these have will vary from person to person. What may be a soothing sage green to me, or an uplifting red, may seem a sickly or irritating shade to another. We all see color differently, so let how it makes you feel be a determining factor.

I believe that there is no value in adopting a belief unless it serves you well to believe it. Symbols may have cultural meaning as well, whether you consider a dragon lucky or threatening may depend on beliefs you were brought up with and haven't changed as well as experiences you've had. There is no need to change what you already consider auspicious – it’s easier to go with the flow. Just consider whether you are attracting or repelling energy, even, or especially, if it is on a subconscious level.

Summer Show: Tell Us a Story

 

Counting Raindrops © 2010 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 12 x 16"

I'm pleased to say that Counting Raindrops has been included in Segil Fine Art Source's Summer Show "Tell Us a Story". The premise of the exhibition is that each painting, whether whimsical, emotional, or purely narrative, should tell a story. The story must be original, but may be either real or imagined. The story, in 100 words or less, will be displayed alongside the painting.

The show runs from June 18 through August 20, 2011, with a reception on Saturday, June 18 from 5-7pm. Segil Fine Art is located at 110 West Lime Avenue, Old Town Monrovia, California 91016. The gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 1:00 -6:00 pm.

Sold: Coastal Pines Overlook I

Coastal Pines Overlook I  ©2011 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 6 x 6"

I spent all of yesterday afternoon at the emergency vet with my dog Bear. Somehow he got a foxtail in his ear, even though he was indoors at the time. There was quite a wait with lots of pets coming in needing immediate care. The wait was so long that Bear fell asleep under my chair. I've never seen him so relaxed in a vet's office before. What's more, I looked up to see someone I know coming through the door - a lovely woman that I've worked with over the years. She and her dog were experiencing their own canine medical emergency. We used the long wait to catch up. 

Our turn finally came. The vet got the foxtail out we went happily on our way. Once home, I found a message on the phone from the gallery saying that Coastal Pines Overlook I had sold.

Fresh Off the Easel: Connect the Drops

Connect the Drops  ©2011 Katherine Kean  SOLD
12 x 16" oil on linen

I've had no lack of inspiration for rainy day paintings this year! This is the second one in a series, the first can be found here. I like the contrast between the soft, misty background and the sharpness of the drips.

While working on these I came across the saying, "No one raindrop thinks it caused the flood", which some say describes the mindset that brings about the social phenomenon called "diffusion of responsibility"; related to these other social phenomena; design by committee, the bystander effect, and the Nuremberg Defense. However, couldn't it also mean cooperation, gathering together to accomplish a common goal, or achieving something otherwise out of reach for a single individual?

Role Reversal - Bloomingdale's Buys Artwork

First Day of 2010
16 x 20" oil on linen
©2010 Katherine Kean

In a switch on their typical role as a retailer, Bloomingdale's has been buying artwork for display in their new store opening in Santa Monica at the end of the week.

The selection of work for this new collection was made using a "blind jury" process. Bloomindale's went to Crussell Fine Arts and an open call to artists was announced. Over 300 artists responded with over 1000 images, out of which a final 17 pieces were chosen - the identities of the artists were not revealed until the very end of the process. I'm happy to say that the painting above, First Day, is one of the pieces selected.

I remember how helpful reader comments and feedback were while I was working on this painting - your encouragement makes all the difference - thanks!

Happy Memorial Day

Coastal Pines - SOLD - 3 x 3" graphite
© 2010 Katherine Kean

This weekend does feel like the unofficial beginning of summer, having warmed up suddenly. Perhaps I can finally put away the space heater and take the winter comforter off the bed. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day.

Finding My Missing Cadmium Orange

 Grey Surf Under Summer Storm SOLD
24 x 30" oil on linen
© 2010 Katherine Kean

Last week when I reached for some cadmium orange paint and came up empty I was confused. I'd recently bought two tubes and I don't have any orange paintings, so where did it all go? The answer is qute simple, not that I realized until after looking high and low, through every paint drawer and box, and on every shelf that I might store back up art supplies. I use cadmium orange in underpainting, especially under green grasses like this marsh painting and also to mix darks. I mix it with ultramarine blue and a bit of alazarin to get a deep color that is nearly black, as in the new painting above. Fortunately I happened to be going by the art store the following day and I was able to restock, because one can't get cadmium orange from mixing cadmium red and cadmium yellow.

Some say we are lucky to still have the cadmium pigments to paint with. In the 90's legislation was proposed to ban all the cadmiums due to health and environmental hazards. Amid great outcry from the art community paint for artists' use was excepted from the ban. This article, from the Golden Paints website mentions that even though it is still allowed for art use, it may become increasingly difficult to find as widespread manufacture declines. I sure hope that isn't true.

Erasing Kitten Damage

Wayward
18 x 24" oil on linen
© 2010 Katherine Kean

One morning last week I walked into the studio to see paintings scattered about on the floor. This was not the result of earthquakes, the kittens seem to be the culprits. At first I didn't notice any damage, but a closer look revealed some light scratches on the surface. It seems that in an effort to get to the window above, the kittens attempted to climb the paintings leaning against the wall. I'm lucky that the marks didn't go too deep - the underpainting was unscathed. I very lightly sanded the scratched areas and repainted. I've also rearranged all the paintings in the studio so that none of them look, to a kitten's eyes, like the ladder to a view.

The likely suspects.

A Smaller Stormy Sea

Stormy Sea 8 x 6" oil on canvas
© 2010 Katherine Kean

I brought this new small painting to the gallery yesterday. This is a smaller version of the wave action for a larger piece. Both paintings have a violet underpainting, which still shows through in the clouds and on the water's reflections. It will be hung tomorrow in the upstairs gallery at TAG Gallery.

New Place

A Small Look at the Great Marsh -SOLD-6 x 6" oil on linen
© 2009 Katherine Kean

I'm prepping work and updating my portfolio this week. Saturday is TAG's official opening day at the new location and I'll have one small piece as part of a group exhibit that opens December 5th and runs through December 26th.

I went by on Tuesday - which was move in day. The movers happened to have an irresistably adorable little puppy with them that someone had given one of them that morning while they were on the way to our location. Luckily someone had some spare dog supplies in her car and a box with a blanket was prepared. The puppy slept through the morning in her box, but later when she woke up I ran out and got some puppy food. Feeding her and taking her for a little walk was a fun distraction from moving.

When I left the painters were already making good progress even as furniture and office supplies were being moved in. It looks like everything will be all set for the opening on Saturday.

Distance Close

We had perfect weather for the artist reception at TAG Gallery last weekend. And since the new, cooler lights have been installed it never became too hot in the gallery even with all the people filling the space.

Photo courtesy of Anne M. Bray

It was great to see so many friends and wonderful to have the opportunity to meet some new friends. A couple of people came that I've only emailed with before; it was super to meet them in person.

The exhibition continues through June 14th. The gallery hours are Wednesday - Saturday from 11am until 5pm.

Upcoming Exhibit: Still Places

Where the Water Goes oil on linen 18 x 24" (c) 2008


May 21 - June 14, 2008 at TAG Gallery in Santa Monica.

Also exhibiting is Danielle Eubank Waterscapes and Anne M. Bray Irwindale.

We will be having a conversation with the artists on May 21st from 6-8pm. The reception is Saturday, May 31st, 5-8pm. Please join us!

Lingering

Here's a new painting. It's a small oil, 6 x 8" and is
available at TAG Gallery.

New Work, Monterey Cypress Trees

Point Lobos Path With Steps © 2012 Katherine Kean
oil on linen  18 x 14 in.

This is a new oil in a series inspired by the coastal path through Monterey Cypress Trees at Point Lobos, California. Some earlier studies that this developed from can be found here.

Wandering Water: Ballona Network Art Auction

Wandering Water Katherine Kean

This is the painting I'm donating for the Ballona Network Art Auction.

This painting is 8 x 8", oil on canvas.

A preview showing more of the artwork donated, including paintings, tiles, photography and jewelry, is available on their website.

Commission: Sunflowers

This is a small (12" x 9")recently completed, commissioned painting, about to be delivered.