Monday, October 12, 2009

Grey Day

I know it's been a while since I posted, but I put down my paint brush this summer and concentrated on writing. I took a glorious trip up the East coast and many many stops along the way visiting places I had not seen before. During my journey I got to visit many galleries as well as stopping into the Metropolitan Museum of Art, always a treat.
So now I am back at my studio and trying to integrate some of the visual sensations I experienced along the way. I am still very interested in capturing mood. In this painting called Grey Day it is not just the overall somber lighting that tells a story, but I also choose the lone tree in the foreground to amplify the feeling of moments of reflection.
Enough with the gibberish, basically I am still working on translating the beauty of the surrounding water and sky to my viewer. This oil painting is 14" x 18" and sells for $399

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Free at Last

This is what freedom feels like to me. After 12 straight years of a court battle I am finally free free free from all the court whores, corrupt judges, and voyeurs. This scene was painted from my back yard. Actually it was inspired one afternoon after I went out kayaking in the Gulf which is my backyard. The feeling of complete oneness with the world and the beauty of our planet enfolded me in it's arms. This 16" x 20 " oil painting goes for $1200

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Blue, blue and more blue, this has to be one of the most soothing of colors. Though in the foreground a dark storm cloud is looming, chances are it will dissipate within a half hour. Because the keys are a collection of small specs of islands, clouds and stormy weather seem to pass us right by. I think because our land mass is so small there is nothing to keep a storm lingering, so most of the year the days are filled with sun and wisps of clouds. This 10" x 10" original oil painting sells for $250

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Kite flyer

Another lovely day is ending in the Keys as the bewitching hour descends upon us. The fun and joy of children running down the beach, flying kites and splashing in the water is a perfect end to a perfect day. I just love that water, love that sky, love that sunset, love the wondrous effect it all has on me. This oil painting is 10" X 20" and sells for $1200

Sunday, May 3, 2009

A DAY AT THE BEACH


The beach is one of the best places to go and watch people, gaze off into the seas, listen to the surf and feel that all is one with the universe. The lure of the ocean is that it has a wonderful soothing effect that engulfs our very being. Everyone can just be themselves, there are no airs, no one is wearing designers clothes or driving expensive clothes, there are no judgements there is only peace.

This could be anyone, any family, any stranger at any beach in the world. If you are wondering it is a painting of the Bahia Honda Beach which is MM40 on the keys in Florida. Voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world. This oil painting is 24" x 18" and sells for $899

Friday, March 27, 2009

Thunder head cloud

I guess I spend so much time in the clouds, because the situation here on earth seems more elusive, then the ever changing skies. I turn on the news or pick up the paper and it is hard to make heads or tails as to what is going on in the world. All is turned upside down, flaunting your sexuality at any age is a good thing and believing in traditional marriage is a bad thing, you be the judge. I only know that in the topsy turvey world that we live in I can count on looking up every day and being totally calmed by our audacious sky.
This original oil painting is painted on a 9" x 12" gallery wrapped canvas, and continues on all four sides. Price $199

Friday, March 20, 2009

Fading Fay


This is the after effects of Hurricane Fay. I live in the Keys so the approach of a hurricane brings about all types of feelings, anticipation, concern, hours of preparing our homes, stocking up on food water and gas, the excitement and then the long wait. We were lucky that Fay was just enough of a hurricane to cause a small frenzy, but not enough of a hurricane to cause any major damage. What is most thrilling are the cloud formations, the feeder bands, and then the sun's rays as it peeks through the clouds as the hurricane heads out.
This oil painting is 20" x 14" price $499

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Rowboat on the Gulf

Looking out from my porch I see a lonely rowboat anchored in the Gulf. The setting is serene and the image does much to calm my being. In this painting the only tangible subjects are the boat and the small mangrove islands. In this painting I hope to accomplish a sense of peace and harmony.

This original oil painting is 11" x 14" on a a gallery wrapped canvas..Price $250

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Heavenly Clouds


If I were to close my eyes and imagine what heaven might look like, it would be exactly like what I see here on earth in our skies. Such color, space, atmosphere and softness is difficult to imitate on a two dimensional surface. The sky is my ever changing landscape it is more engaging then any television or video show, and though I can sit and look at the same spot everyday it is in constant change and never looks the same. This six panel gallery wrapped oil painting is 30" x 30" when lined up side by side. It can be spread apart to open up the airiness quality I try to capture as the image wraps around the side of the canvas. Price $1200.00

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Sunny Clouds triptych


This is the view I first saw when I was looking for a new place to live. I remember the realtor opening the door and I could see straight through the sliding glass doors out to this beautiful vista. I knew at that moment that the house was for me, and before I looked at anything else I said "I'll take it". That is how it has always been with me as far as places to live in. I forget about the practical in terms of how big is the space and what condition is the home. If I am not moved visually by the house and it's surroundings then I cannot live there. When The realtor asked me if I wanted to see more details about the kitchen I sort of looked at her in surprise as if something so mundane as where I would be cooking my food mattered to me. So here is the view from my living room and porch and I count myself blessed every day to be fortunate enough to have this feast for my eyes. In a world that I feel I understand less and less every day I find some comfort in the constant beauty that I am surrounded by.

This painting is painted on 3 Gallery wrapped canvases 10" x 10" in size using oil paints. The price for the triptych is $600.00
To view some of my commissions of my portrait work as well as paintings of the village of Key West visit my website at www.portraitsbycaren.com

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Going it Alone

I find that the skies are most interesting when storms or hurricanes are coming. The unique storm clouds as well as the reflection of the sky and water make for some very unusual paintings. Often I am asked if the colors I paint are true and some of my viewers believe I am making up the color. In reality I more often find it harder to paint the subtleties while depicting the vibrancy of the color at the same time. I am well aware that I am painting with a tangible medium something that is not tangible and is in constant motion. The elements of air, sun rays, clouds and water as well as atmospheric pressure cause all kinds of surreal effects to take place in our skies. This painting was done during the long wait to find out if Hurricane Wilma would land in Key West, or blow by us. Luckily for us we were spared the harsh effects of this storm, and enjoyed many hours of strong wind gusts, but not enough to endanger our homes. This painting is 20" x 16" painted in oil on canvas. Selling $250

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Pelican Sunset


While driving along the overseas highway and crossing the 42 bridges that connect the Keys islands one is swallowed up in the water and sky. During one of my drives I pulled over to get the last glimpse of the sun before it set. It looks like these pelicans had the same idea. When I am in transit and do not have my paints available I pull out a sketch pad and my camera and try not only to capture the image, but also the feeling of the moment. This painting was done completely with a palette knife. I wanted my viewer to be swimming in the texture and color of the surroundings.