Beach of Dreams

I have a great friend who LOVES Hawaii. He has been there several times and is going again very soon to vacation for two weeks. During each visit he is great at taking lots and lots of photos. I used one as a reference in a painting workshop. It is not an exact representation of everything in the photo. I added some people and simplified the background. I also didn't put in all the trees that were in the photo and moved some around to make interesting shadows. It is an acrylic on 8x10 canvas framed for $125.00.

Several people have asked me why I don't have prints for sale of my work. But I do! For example, most people ask about prints of my pencil drawing "2 Horses of Rothenberg". I joined a website where anyone can order prints, posters or even t-shirts with the image. The item is mailed directly to the customer making it easy for both my clients and myself as I do not have to maintain an inventory of prints. The page lists the photographic prints first but if you scroll down you can see the options for prints on canvas or chromalux. I have not yet ordered any items for my own use. Although I'd love to get a t-shirt with my drawing on it! However, from samples I've received the quality is very, very good.

I have received advice from many friends and clients asking about giclees, but I don't do them. The reason is they are expensive both to produce and to purchase and my prices would definitely have to go up. If I thought many, many people would buy all my paintings or even some of them as giclees I would be more than happy to work with a local professional printer to produce them. But at this time it just isn't worth the cost to me. However, if anyone is interested, just let me know and I'll price it out for you.

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Decadent

This is the third in my newest set of paintings inspired by Herrmans Lippizans -- but just from head shots I got at some of their shows while they were at Freedom Ride. The entire set of 3 was available for $250, but Tasteful (below) sold at the opening. If anyone is interested in the last two as a set I offer them together for $200. That would be this one, Decadent, plus Delicious (below). They are each acrylic on 12x12 canvas with no frame, but ready to hang. Speaking of hanging ... I thought I might add a piece of advice I recently gave to a friend of mine.

Pop the hood of your car once-in-awhile and take a look. You don't need to be a mechanic to see a potential problem in the making. In this case, one of the battery terminals was completely corroded. It finally got so bad the car would not start. I advised my friend to pour some Coke on it. Sure enough, that's exactly what the tow truck driver did. Then he jumped the car and it started right up. My friend didn't even know how to open the hood of their car. The bottom line is this: Dare to take a peek and try to learn how thinks work under there. You never know when a little bit of knowledge will come in handy.

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Tasteful - Sold

This is the next piece in a series of three that I did for my show at the University Club. By the way, the show was a huge success! I think everyone had a good time and there was plenty of food (but not too much!)

I was completely surprised when some people walked in and one said "You don't remember us, do you?" My mind was racing! Did I know them from another show or an art club or from work or what? But the mystery was quickly resolved when one of them told me they used to work with me! I was reminded of everyone's names and it was so cool to see them again!! One of my friends even bought this painting. It is just coincidence it was the next one I was going to post anyway to my blog. It is an acrylic on 12x12 canvas. I don't think my friend will mind if I just use her first name: Thank you, Kathy! As soon as the show comes down on July 29 I will contact her to meet and deliver her painting.

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Delicious

As promised I am starting to post the paintings in my show! That way if you cannot attend or would like to see them after the show is down (July 24) they are viewable here.

This is "Delicious". I guess I was hungry when I titled it. Along with two others that are in this series! Wait until you see those titles. This little painting is an acrylic on 12 x 12 inch canvas. Inspired by one of Herrmann's Lippizans. The cost is $125 USD.

My solo show is tomorrow! I am so tired after getting back from vacation but I am also excited and can't wait to see my friends and family that will be able to attend. The food is purchased and in the morning I'll be cooking up the sloppy joes and little hot dogs wrapped in croissants. I got sweet tea and both pink and regular lemonade. I hope I don't forget to pack the ice cream in the cooler as it is the only frozen item I am taking. My mom is making the potato salad as we speak. It is a two day process!!

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Sun. July 12 Solo Exhibit

Click on the image to see a bigger version of it. The opening reception will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at the University Club in Winter Park, Florida. These gracious people invite one artist per month to display and sell their work in their beautiful facility. I am the artist for July 2009.

The food will be great! I am planning an indoor picnic with little hot dogs, sloppy joes, my mom's potato salad, apple pie, ice cream, lemonade -- you name it! *If* there are any leftovers by 4:00 p.m. everyone is invited to take food home -- except my mom's potato salad! That's mine if there is any left. It's a favorite at all family get-togethers.

In addition, I have subscribed to a newsletter service. Click on the following link (http://eepurl.com/b5V6) if you would like to subscribe to it. After this show I will no longer be using email to contact everyone about my shows. The list is just too large to manage and I don't want to take a chance and accidentally start spamming someone who no longer cares to receive my emails. Not that I've sent that many out recently. And that is why I have not done so. The newsletter service will manage my lists for me automatically including Unsubscribes.

I'll tell you more about what to expect in my newsletters in future blogs. Please consider subscribing to the RSS feed (if you know how) or bookmark and check my blog at http://karenbowden.blogspot.com often over the next few weeks to see the paintings that are in the University Club show. I'll be posting them one or two at a time for those of you who cannot attend the show on Sunday, July 12.

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Oak Tree Park

My first video I am putting online. I had a rare few hours on Saturday and I found this beautiful tree in a place where I least expected it. Please enjoy. (Music version coming soon!)

March 19-April 17, the 3rd Annual Central Florida Watercolor Society members only show at City Arts Factory in downtown Orlando, Florida.

Saturday, April 4, Gardens of Winter Park South, painting en plein air at the 2009 Winter Park Historical Association’s annual garden tour. Tickets will be on sale soon. Times are 10am to 4pm.

Friday, April 17, Solo show! One night only at the Urban Think Bookstore in Thornton Park in downtown Orlando, Florida. Times are 6pm to 9pm.

Saturday, April 25, Sanford Gardens Plein Air event - Florida. Will post details when I get them.

Saturday, May 2, Stirrups & Strides fundraiser event. Chairs for auction painted by local artists. At the Paddock Mall from 12pm to 3pm in Ocala, Florida

Sunday, July 12, Solo show! One month at the University Club in Winter Park, Florida. Opening reception times are 2pm to 4pm.

Watercolor Show for Members Only

The Central Florida Watercolor Society Juried show will be on Thursday, March 19, in downtown Orlando, Florida at the City Arts Factory. See details below. Hope to see you there! Thursday, March 19, the 3rd Annual Central Florida Watercolor Society members only show at City Arts Factory in downtown Orlando, Florida. Times are 6pm to 9pm. Saturday, April 4, Gardens of Winter Park South, painting en plein air at the 2009 Winter Park Historical Association’s annual garden tour. Tickets will be on sale soon. Times are 10am to 4pm. Friday, April 17, Solo show! One night only at the Urban Think Bookstore in Thornton Park in downtown Orlando, Florida. Times are 6pm to 9pm. Saturday, April 25, Sanford Gardens Plein Air event - Florida. Will post details when I get them. Saturday, May 2, Stirrups & Strides fundraiser event. Chairs for auction painted by local artists. At the Paddock Mall from 12pm to 3pm in Ocala, Florida Sunday, June 28, Solo show! One month at the University Club in Winter Park, Florida. Opening reception times are 2pm to 4pm. You can see my entire blog here. If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Update to my Events

There's at least one event per month coming up for me. Try and keep up. Saturday, February 28, Duck Derby at Mead Gardens in Orlando, Florida. Plein air painters from Central Florida have been invited to paint in the gardens during this fund raising event! Times are 10am to 2pm. Thursday, March 19, the 3rd Annual Central Florida Watercolor Society members only show at City Arts Factory in downtown Orlando, Florida. Times are 6pm to 9pm. Friday, April 17, Solo show! One night only at the Urban Think Bookstore in Thornton Park in downtown Orlando, Florida. Saturday, April 25, Sanford Gardens Plein Air event - Florida. Sunday, June 28, Solo show! One month at the University Club in Winter Park, Florida. Opening reception times are 2pm to 5pm. You can see my entire blog here. If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Painting A Square Format

The monthly 3rd Thursday was held last night in downtown Orlando. I was asked to submit up to five pieces measuring 12 inches by 12 inches each. Last night was the first time I saw all three of my paintings together. It’s a series that came together kind of accidentally. (See previous post.) In the image they are a little out of order but it still works. I used a flash on #1 that was actually completed in 2007 and thought that picture would turn out the worst! Usually when you use a flash on a painting it is bad. But this time I wish I’d used it on all three. Nevertheless, I think you can see the final two okay in these quick shots. When I brought the paintings for hanging I was unaware (or forgot) that all pieces had to be priced at $200 US. Normally, I would price each one at $125. However, all three can be bought for $400 as a set. After I upload the high-res versions to ArtWanted next month I think I will have some coffee mugs and mouse pads made of one of these. The square format should suit those products perfectly!! I love painting in a square format. I have some more ideas for horse paintings in that format. Plus, squares always fit together so if you wanted to start a collection I would recommend them because you can fit all sorts of different sizes together, side-by-side or on top of one another on a wall and they they’ll fit like a puzzle. Events: Dec. 1-31 Steinway Piano Gallery in Altamonte Springs, Florida Dec. 18-Jan 14 AKA Lounge "12x12" in Orlando, Florida Feb. 12 HITS Ocala Equine Art Reception, Ocala, Florida

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I'm Like A Ghost

The end of the year is approaching fast. I finished a series last weekend and delivered the final painting for the 12x12 show at the AKA Lounge in downtown Orlando. The series is of three paintings. They are all done in watercolor but on canvas. Each painting is $200 US or $400 for all three. They have been sprayed with a UV coating to protect the painted image from both water and sunlight. I did the first one for last year’s 12x12 show that was held at the Metro Gallery. Since then I finished #2 of 3 around May 2008. I only have a picture right now of the first painting (#1) in the series. I got the idea for the series when I needed #1 for the Freedom Ride art exhibit fundraiser that was held at the end of May 2008. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a hold of the painting in time so had to paint a second one. I cannot paint the same thing twice (unless I have to) so I decided that from the two reference photos I could do a small series of three paintings. The first one, as you can see, it is of two horses staring out of their horse trailer looking away from the viewer. The second one has one of the horses looking at the viewer while the other one is still looking away. The third one has both horses looking at the viewer. I haven’t seen all three together – ever! Hopefully, Chris Johnson, curator of the AKA show, was able to put them up side-by-side. I requested it but he could not guarantee their placement depending on other paintings in the show, etc. That’s okay with me. I’ll get pictures of them Thursday night to put in this blog. I took two photos on film *years* ago at a dressage workshop. I wasn’t riding so had plenty of time to walk around and take pictures. That’s what I do at horse shows and events. I’m like a ghost. That’s what someone told me one time at a local show. Events: Dec. 1-31 Steinway Piano Gallery Opening in Altamonte Springs, Florida Dec. 18 AKA Lounge "12x12" Opening in Orlando, Florida 6 to 9pm Feb. 12 HITS Ocala Equine Art Reception, Ocala, Florida

Storm and Me and Fantasy

Here I am with Storm. He is one of Herrmann's Lipizzan stallions. They were at Freedom Ride Saturday and Sunday to do two shows. Unfortunately, the Sunday show had to be cancelled due to bad weather. But they will return on Sunday, December 21 at 2:30 pm! I'll be there!

I took LOTS of pictures for new paintings and drawings. My newest idea is a series of paintings of these beautiful horses in or near their stalls. I have a commission to complete first for a returning customer (Thank you, Angie!) and then I will begin the new year with my new series. They will all be oil paintings on canvas and a minimum of 16x20 inches in size. Although, some might be a square dimension. We'll just have to wait and see!

A new exhibit just popped into my schedule last week. The Central Florida Watercolor Society is having a showing at the Steinway Piano Gallery in Altamonte Springs, Florida. (That's still considered Orlando for those of you from out of town.) http://www.steinwayorlando.com/

I did a special painting just for the show called "Fantasy". It is *big* -- from memory I think framed it is 25x30 inches. The painting itself is only 18x24. I priced it at $350.00 US for its introductory appearance. This gallery takes no commissions so I am able to offer it at this low price for this first show. Here is a list of my current and upcoming events:

Nov. 20 - Dec. 17 AKA Lounge "Unify"

Dec. 6 Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, Orlando, Florida 1 to 8pm Plein Air Painting

Dec. 11 Steinway Piano Gallery Opening in Altamonte Springs, Florida 6 to 9pm

Dec. 18 AKA Lounge "12x12" Opening in Orlando, Florida 6 to 9pm

Feb. 12 HITS Ocala Equine Art Reception, Ocala, Florida

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3rd Thursday for November 2008

The Unity show is officially open now at the AKA in downtown Orlando. I've inserted two pictures of my drawings that are on the wall. Sorry they are cockeyed (crooked). They are on a well-lit wall but set high up around another painting done by the feature artist, Bob Gardner. I enjoyed meeting him last night and talking about art and life in general along with Sandra Monday, another local artist.

Next weekend Herrmann's Lipizzans will be doing two shows at Freedom Ride here in Orlando. I have tickets for both days and plan to "hang out" all day both days at the barn. Last year I got a lot of great reference photos of this beautiful breed. One has already been made into a painting. (See blog post below "Things Happening" -- which should have been titled "Things are Happening" but I was in a hurry and don't feel like fixing it now!)

TITLE: Dog Unity - Dogs are happy to work with humans or together. But when humans aren't around, enterprising hounds enjoy a good challenge!

TITLE: Principle of Cooperation - Bears can climb a tree, but this mom is teaching her cubs something more important - how to cooperate and work as a team. Even if it does mean a bit of a headache!

TITLE: Unity - Cat Stile - Cats use the staring technique to achieve goals. By combining their fixed gazes they will succeed - when a human eventually arrives to assist. Each watercolor drawing is approximately 11x14 framed for $125 US.

Upcoming Events:

Nov. 20 AKA Lounge "Unify" Opening in Orlando, Florida. The show is there until Dec. 17, 2008 Feb. 12 HITS Ocala Equine Art Reception, Ocala, Florida

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