Thursday, June 19, 2008

Easter 1949


I have been making art all of my life but I didn't start painting seriously until 1985. Actually, I didn't know I was serious at the time, I just started this painting as a way of holding on, I suppose, since it was painted in my mothers apartment where I was caring for her as she was dying of cancer. It was painted from an old photograph that I found in a box. It is my Mom and my oldest brother in front of Saint Joseph's College which I believe is the one in Philadelphia. Amazingly, I went though my high school years of art without even being taught the color wheel and so when I started painting, I had no idea of how to use color, let alone mix it with oil paints. This painting is in black and white 1. because it was from a black and white photo,2. I didn't know how to use color at the time, and 3. I was so dirt poor, I could only come up with enough money to buy a canvas, a few brushes and a tube of black and a tube of white oils. I am primarily self taught as you can see in the crudeness of this painting. After so many years, I am a little better at what I do, yet this painting and some that I will share in the future, I feel are among my best work.

3 comments:

  1. Karen, it's really cool to see your first painting and to read about how you began as an artist. Is the painting "Party Girls" of my Grandmom Kate and Aunt Bonnie? It sure looks like them. Of course, I have a special fondness for the painting "Red" as it is done from a picture at my house. Thanks for sending the blog to me, I did enjoy looking through the gallery. Also, I love your portrait on the blog! Catherine

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  2. Karen,
    Yet again you amaze me with your talents, your drive, your artistry and your sincerity! I love the newsletter and the blog. Keep doin' what you do so well!
    Love,
    Shawn

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey Karen,
    Yet again you amaze me with your talents, your drive, your artistry, and your sincerity! I love the newsletter and the blog! Keep doin' what you do so well!
    Love, Shawn

    ReplyDelete