This is a small commercial break in your life to let you know I still exist–I’m sure this will make your day! 😉
Actually, if you are not friends with me on Facebook, you may not know that I’ve put my career in art as I’ve known it on hold for a while–thus, no posts.
Three Egretful Poses–finalists in The Artist Magazine 33rd Annual Art Competition–Animal/Wildlife category (Available through me)
I am gearing up to get back into the studio soon, it helps to have a show coming up in October. As exciting as that is, I especially wanted to share with my friends that yet again, I’ve been honored to be chosen as a finalist in The Artist Magazine’s annual competition. In fact–three out of three paintings were finalists! Out of over 5,900 entries, I am feeling very blessed.
You’ve seen them all on this blog, but here they are again–the plein air painting that is featured is just a bonus for you. That was from the plein air event in Cannon Beach back in June.
Goin’ Fishin’ With Audubon’s Great Blue Heron–Finalist in The Artist Magazine 33rd Annual Art Competition–Animal/Wildlife category (available at NW by NW Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR)Dreamin’ Dogs–Finalist in The Artist Magazine 33rd Annual Art Competition–Animal/Wildlife category
Until next time–now back to your regularly schedule program. Stay cool!
Four months have past since my last post–YIKES!!! You don’t want to know gory details of why. Mostly because I don’t remember all the details, life’s been so busy–all is well though.
Here’s a painting I’ve been working on. It’s not quite finished, but I wanted to share and even take a vote. I am experimenting with a new format for my bird watcher series. Paintings without the mannequin. I wrote a poem to go with this painting and was considering writing it on the painting in the big white spot. However, now I’m questioning that wisdom–when it’s finished I think it may look nice blank. Here’s the poem I wrote, called A Tiny Blackhawk Flyby.
A Tiny Blackhawk Flyby–work in progress
A tiny Blackhawk does a flyby.
Its target—delicate flower heads dangling above.
Possibly he’s pursuing that pesky gnat—I hope he is.
With a whir he’s gone. Where? I look around.
A chirp, then a flash—I see him—perched and preening atop a branch.
He seems so small, fragile, in fact—his life measured in fractions of seconds, ounces, and inches.
As if to puncture this notion in my head—he dives at the speed of sound.
Then, again he hovers above—moving from flower to flower–drinking in each fragrant moment—gathering a memory bouquet.
When the time is right, he’ll visit each memory again.
Lingering—drinking it in—I’ll visit this memory again.—the end
Close up of male Anna’s Hummingbird
UPCOMING EVENTS
It’s Plein Air season! This year I will be getting in some good practice.
June 24-26–This weekend is Plein Air & More at Cannon Beach, sponsored by the Cannon Beach Gallery group. I will be painting some of the time in front of my gallery, Northwest by Northwest, other times out in one of the other designated areas, both Friday and Saturday. I am still not sure what Sunday will hold–I may not be there. Here is link to all that is happening this weekend at Cannon Beach if you are interested–cbgallerygroup.com.
July 9&10–Up to 120 artists will have plein air pieces on display at the Chehalem Cultural Center ballroom in Newberg, OR–yours truly will be one of them. From today through July 6 we will be participating in The Oregon Lavender Paint Out. Free aroma therapy whilst painting on select farms–what more could an artist want? A link to all things lavender–WVLavenderFestival.org.
October–Solo show at Boomerang in Vancouver, WA. Up all month, opening reception October 7–during First Friday Art Walk.
November–Open Studio Tours–more info on that as it comes out
Other misc. projects this summer–finish painting and installing the mural on Andersen Dairy–oh and meet my new granddaughter in August!!!
I’ll post some painting results from the weekend next week–have a lovely rest of the week!
My calendar has been so full lately I’ve not had a chance to update you all on what’s coming up–I will keep this short and sweet so it doesn’t get confusing and so I can check my blog post off my list and head to bed. In anticipation of all the work ahead this is how I feel and probably how I look–
Which way do I go, which way do I go?
Upcoming Events For Kara Krieger-McGhee Art
October 2–30 Â Show hanging at Lava Java, 2 S 56th Pl, Unit 102, Ridgefield, WA
October 3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Art Collaborative project for Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge Anniversary and Grand Opening of the newly remodeled Carty Unit unveiled–10-11 a.m. I believe.
October 3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Plein air painting at the wildlife refuge, Carty Unit–1-4 p.m.
October 4         Beginning a month long painting challenge–a small bird portrait a day–trying different techniques, posting daily. Also, I will be spending the month painting and preparing for Clark County Open Studio Tour.
October 11       Opening of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Best of America Show—Look! Flying Jewels!, Is honored to be a part of that show.
November 6Â Â Â Â Â Artist Reception for 3rd Annual Clark County Open Studio Tour, 5-9 p.m., North Bank Artist Gallery
Nov. 14, 15Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Studio will be open for CC Open Studio Tour–my new studio address is 711 NE 1st St, #105, Battle Ground, WA.
December 4Â Â Â Â Â Â Battle Ground First Friday–studio open
December 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Special studio event–this will be a surprise and more announced in the future
That should do it for now. I’m really excited about starting those small, daily portraits. I think they will be fun to share and I’m looking for feedback on what people like or don’t like. Until next time–good night!
It’s time to break the long silence–this will be short because a newsletter will be sent out by Kara, the artist, very soon and a copy of it will be posted here. However, I am too excited to make an announcement, I just can’t contain myself, so I’m going to spill the beans before the newsletter comes out. “Look! Flying Jewels!,” the 3rd painting in The Bird Watcher series, of which I am the star–or possibly I’m just a supporting character in the painting–has been chosen to participate in two shows. Last week Kara told me that she had received notification from the National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society (NOAPS), that it was one of 150 paintings chosen to participate in their Spring On-line Show.   The show is currently up on their website: http://www.noaps.org.
The other show I, I mean, the hummingbirds, are featured in is in the 1st Annual All Things Birds and Beautiful Show and Sale on Orcas Island. I’m particularly exited about this show because all sales commissions go to helping bird habitat in the San Juans, particularly Orcas Island. Kara and I will be heading up to the show opening VERY early on Thursday so we can catch the ferry by 10:45 a.m.. You can find all the details about the show as well as see all the beautiful art that is included in the show/sale at www.allthingsbirdsandbeautiful.org. This should be a great opportunity to meet fellow wildlife and bird artists as well as wildlife/bird art collectors. We, Kara and I, will also be doing some en plein air painting and photography while there. Watch for pictures to follow. 😉
Most of you who read this blog do not live nearby and can’t stop in and visit, so I’m bringing you a narrative, day in the life of, studio tour to you.
It is a beautiful day here in the Pacific NW. I started my day doing my Doodling Devotional (which I post every morning at DoodlingDevotional@wordpress.com–shameless plug, I hate it when people do that!). Then off to Lewisville Park with my dog, Bekkah, who meet a new golden retriever friend. They romped around while I visited with the dog’s “parents.” I love walking at Lewisville Park. It’s a little like over the hill and through the dale, to grandmother’s house we go. We start out walking a mile through the woods, which in the spring looks different every day. It was as if the woods exploded into every shape, shade and texture of green, with a pop of pink salmon berry flowers here and there as well as a clump of Trilliums dotting the ground. Then we’re down the hill and walking another 1 1/2 miles along the currently, rushing Lewis River. It’s a feast for the senses–especially if you’re a dog.
Let’s get back home….studio tour days are unpredictable so I eat a couple fried eggs and a piece of toast, this had better hold me for a while. Indeed it was a good idea because my next meal didn’t come until 3:45. (We will have to be more prepared with snacks the next couple of days.) The day started slow. I had time to answer a few emails and catch up on things that I needed to do. Around 11:30 everything changed.  My first group was ladies from the coffee shop (thanks for bringing them Linda–you know who you are), and it never ended till 5. I had a blast seeing friends who drove an hour to get here and coworkers from a past life, as well as new friends from my gym. It never ceases to amaze me that people would take time out of their day to come see what I do and to take such an interest in it. I am most blessed!!! Thank you everyone–wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. You haven’t seen the tour yet. The entry to my studio as you come into my driveway, and of course, the door going in. (Don’t you love the welcoming, hand-written sign, oh, if you’re tall, duck your head coming in so you don’t hit the canopy.)
Welcome to Kara’s studio. I put a canopy here hoping people will realize they need to come here instead of my front door.Please come in.
Several waves of friends and acquaintances flowed through today. I have been pleased to see the interest people have taken in my plein air pieces. It’s definitely time to paint more as several have found new homes. As you come into my garage/gallery/studio, this is the first thing you see. Two of these pieces have found new homes.
First impressions–Bekkah, my dog taking a nap when she was a puppy and a few framed plein air pieces.
I have painted several new bird paintings this year already and it has been fun to get a vote on the two that I should enter into an international show I’m hoping to be chosen to participate in. This is my new last year “gallery” space.
So far the vote for the paintings to enter has been “Territorial Dispute,” the large painting and the American Bittern piece which is still under construction/wet.“Evening Preen” is also a piece in the running for me to enter. I’m interested in what everyone out there in computer land thinks.
So far I’ve been standing in one place to take the last two pictures. If you spin around to the right you will see that I’m set up to get some painting done–possibly tomorrow. We’ll see if anyone comes.
Maybe I’ll paint!
Now, let’s go into the inner sanctum–where that easel is usually set up–my studio. It’s usually warm and cozy, music is playing (Hey, that’s what I forgot to do, turn on the music!) and the instant I come in I feel inspired. To the right as you come in the door are two pieces I painted in a couple of workshops with William Cochran. Teacher and artist extraordinaire! This is where I learned about values and color and working with a VERY small pallet–the result, vibrant, harmonious paintings. Thank you William.
Top painting done in black, white and sienna I believe. Lower painting was painting with primary colors plus black and white.
Take two steps further and on the right is my desk where I am currently sitting and typing. (I’m invisible and chairless–spell check says this isn’t a word–in this view.)
Above my desk is my wall of inspiration. Lots of stories there. Bekkah’s bed and my pretty tin garbage can that I LOVE!! It was my mother-in-laws. A real antique. Oh, the desk and file cabinet were hers as well, just remembered.
Now, I’m sure you’re tired. Have a seat in the chairs that used to be in the reception area where my husband works. I did a little upgrading. Behind them are my “barn door” display walls. You don’t want to know what is behind them–actually, it’s blank canvases and supplies. These are a few plein air pieces. It’s a great way for me to have a place to set small wet paintings and enjoy them even after they dry. Sorry about the glare.
Take a load off and visit.
While you’re sitting you can look at the other wall. Here you will find a collection of reproductions of my first three in the Bird-Watcher series–what inspired the concept behind this blog.
A few things to look at while you relax. If you’ll notice, under the drafting table is the prop I used for the hummingbird painting. It was sitting up on the shelf where the poppies reside and I stood on a step stool to paint that painting so I could maintain the perspective. I had a light rigged behind the window to shine through onto the still life.
A little more to your left, more things to look at. Two older pieces.
A couple of older paintings. The nest, “Waiting to Crack,” is in acrylic, and the Beware painting is mostly done with my faux finish plasters, spray paint and chalk. The bird area I masked off so it would be smooth. This piece is called, “What City Birds Hate, Scary Graffiti.”
The tour is now coming to an end. I am getting hungry again and should go eat and crash. Thank you for taking the time to walk through my day with me. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. And, if you happen to be in the neighborhood, stop by. I’m here tomorrow and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
En Plein Air piece–painted while sitting on grass. Burrrrr!
One of my goals this year is to paint at least one piece a week en plein air–in layman’s terms–paint out in the air.
I didn’t get my business goals set until mid-January so my plein air pieces didn’t start until last week. On Friday, January 30, at 11:30 a.m. I headed out. It was a balmy 47 degrees here in the beautiful NW. The sun was shining, mostly, and the birds thought it was spring. A perfect day to paint. Loading gear and dog into the car, I headed to a nearby field where I discovered I’d forgotten my tripod for the easel. Fearing I might not come back if I went home I decided to just sit and paint. The insulation between me and the cold, wet ground was a thin plastic bag meant for hauling my garbage home. The perspective was not what I’d hoped but I made the best of it and while Bekkah, my dog, ran from one mole hill and mouse trail to another I captured the essence of the day, then decided to add her as well.
As you can see–it’s loose and thick with oil paint. My goal when starting out, is to complete a piece within 45 minutes to an hour max. This piece was done in about 50 minutes. I’ve done only a few plein air pieces in my lifetime so I’m hoping to see an improvement throughout the year and look forward to sharing them with you each week. Look for them on Wednesdays–currently that is the day I’ve blocked in time to paint in the great outdoors.
Actual painting size is 4 1/8″ X 6 1/2″ and does not include the white boarder. The painting surface is gesso primed heavy art paper that I tape to a hardboard while I paint. My palette: Viridian green; ivory black; UM blue; Raw Umber; Cad Red; (Gamblin) Cad Yellow Medium; Raw Sienna and Titanium White.
Bekkah–the Mighty Hunter and gatherer
All these pieces will be for sale once dry and can be shipped. Please contact me if you are interested.
Stories in My Mind 