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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Fireworks

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Wow, am I pleased! I know I keep talking about how excited I am with my own paintings lately, and I must apologize. But I am absolutely in love with the results of allowing the paint itself to play a much larger role in my paintings. The challenge and joy for me, is finding the balance between using paint to create the illusion of form, versus using paint to become the form.

Paint becoming the form is a goal I've been striving for, for several years now. finding my own unique voice to do that with is key. Each painting I do lately feels closer and closer to realizing this goal, so I'm just on cloud 9!

42 comments:

Unknown said...

I recently painted a still life with a bow and have a new respect for how hard it is! Yours are wonderful, and I would say that the application of paint on this one really helps add to the reflective quality of the bow.

Karen Appleton said...

Thanks Jeremy, they certainly aren't the easiest thing in the world, that's for sure. As you can tell, I'm still trying to master them after 6 years of painting them!

Unknown said...

Talk about an explosion! Beautiful!!...as always.

kathrynlaw said...

It's so thrilling to see this work and to hear how excited you are about it, knowing how long you've been working in this direction. In Art History, there was a pivotal moment when JMW Turner first used a huge, thick glob of paint to represent the sun. He crossed a line at that moment for the first time--the paint was representational, but it also was just a thick glob of beautiful paint. It's very exciting to see you crossing the line so joyfully, and with such beautiful results.

Christine Bray said...

I love the thickness of the paint. The sparkle of the orange is fantastic and makes the whole painting come together and sparkle. That is great that you have had a breakthrough in what you wanted to achieve.

Jennifer said...

Dear Lord, this one knocked me back in my seat when the page loaded... Lervely!

Karen Appleton said...

Hey Georgette, Kathryn, Christine, and Jennifer! It is so funny to address you four together, because you all have been right there by my side through this journey!

Georgette, thank you so so so much as always! You have always been such a great encouragement to me!

Kathryn! It has been tooooo long! :) I'm so glad you stopped by now, because we've really had great discussions about pushing ourselves and our paintings, and I've been thinking about you! How cool to hear about Turner and his crossing the line, yes yes yes, love it! I must go thicker! :) I want to see just how far I can take that thick glob of paint! Thank you!

Hey Christine, you poor thing, you've been listening to me about this the longest! :) Way back in Atlanta after my 'Van Gogh experience' when everything changed! Wow, that was four years ago! Thank you!

Jennifer Jennifer Jennifer, You crack me up as always! Thank you so much for taking the hit!!! :) You are toooo kind and I really appreciate your tremendous compliment!

Hilarie Lambert said...

You can tell when the artist loved doing a painting - there seems to be something mesmerizing about it. Great one Karen!

Susan and Bill Bonnell said...

dear cloud 9: omg. i love it! seriously, it is wonderful to look at, to almost taste! you are very right--you are finding even more of your own voice. i am so happy for you. thrilled actually! and did i say proud? love, susan

FCP said...

Simply stunning, Karen. And it is so great to hear what a joyful experience it was for you to paint it!
Faye

Karen Appleton said...

Hey Hilarie, Susan & Bill, and Faye!!! You all flatter me to much and I'm so grateful for your comments!

Hilarie, I feel every painting of yours comes from an act of joy and love of putting paint on the canvas, you are too kind as always, thank you so much.

Susan and Bill, ohhh I love the idea of almost tasting the painting! :) Fireworks-summer-fourth of july- I'm tasting lemonade and lemon icebox pie! Thank you!

Hey Faye!! Thank you so much! Well I would be lying if I accepting this compliment, and now that I'm thinking Hilarie's too. Happy with the results yes, but struggled to get there! :)

supplies overflowing! said...

Wonderful!

Elizabeth McCrindle said...

Have just found your Blog and what a first painting to view....deeeelicious....will be back ;))

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you so much Supplies Overflowing! Great to hear from you.

Welcome Elizabeth! I am so glad you found my blog, and I loved discovering your blog and website too! Thank you for stopping by!

Kellie Marian Hill said...

So happy for you- I know it has to feel wonderful to be so thrilled with these pieces, and it is more than justified, theyre beautiful, and the brushwork is amazing!

Karen Appleton said...

Hi Kellie, thank you so much for visiting my blog and for your compliment! Much appreciated! Thank you thank you!

Helen Read said...

Karen, I love the color - its subtleties, the undertones, the background hints of color ... wow! It really works :)

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you Helen! So glad to have you take a look! I really had fun with this one!

Tracey Mardon said...

Hi Karen,
If bows can be luscious, yours certainly are! Been thinkin' 'boutcha lately.

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you so much Tracey!

Anonymous said...

Karen,
Fantastic! You just sculpted that bow out of yellow pigment. I love that inner glow at the center of the bow. The whole effect is explosive.
I see you're not having technical problems with your color reading well on-line anymore.
Do you mind if I use this image as my mac's screen saver?

Karen Appleton said...

Oh my Gosh Silvina, you sweet thing you - you are cracking me up. Of course you may use it for your screen saver, I am totally flattered!

I LOVE how you phased "sculpted out of pigment," may I use that for my artist statement ;) That makes so much more sense, than form becoming form, or whatever I said! :0

Anonymous said...

Well, since you are allowing me the privilege of enjoying this painting as my desktop image, I will concede to you using the brilliant phrase; "sculpted out of pigment" as your own. ; D

Tammy Hext said...

Karen - I am in awe of your work. Very inspiring - and I think it is okay to be thrilled with ones own work. It keeps you wanting to do more and I cannot wait to see what you post next.

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you so much Tammy!!

Tammy Hext said...

Hi Karen,
I love your work and I have given you the Bella Sinclair award. Thank you for inspiring me!

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you so much Tammy! I am honored!
Karen

Don Coker said...

Karen, this is a stunningly beautiful piece!

www.doncokerart.com/blog

Karen Appleton said...

Don thank you so much! What a compliment, how very kind of you!!

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Anonymous said...

i think we are probably our own toughest critics so enjoy bathing in the success of achieving your goal. stunning work, and wonderful insight, made me reflect... thanks for that. r.

Karen Appleton said...

Hi Rahina,
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for reading my post! :) I'm looking forward to checking out your blog. Thanks so much!

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

A follower was kind enough to send your blog along and I do have to say that you a painter after my own heart. My blog and website business are about gift wrapping and I am entranced with your subject matter and technique. I will happily spend hours looking through your gift wrapped work. I would also love to tell my readers about your work as they would love this connection. Let me know if this is alright and your work is incredible.

Jack said...

Thats really great paintings...thanks for your work..keep going..


___________________
Jack
Home Security Systems no CREDIT CHECK everyone is approved

Delilah said...

What a great painting, love your bows

Marian Fortunati said...

You should be pleased, Karen... but what are you doing now??

Hopefully still painting!!!

Olivier said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Karen Appleton said...

Hi Sande - A Gift Wrapped Life - Please send my thanks to whoever it was that forwarded you to my blog. How exciting to discover your site! We are most definitely speaking the same language with our love of presents. Thank you!

Thank you too, Jack and Delilah! So glad for your visit and comments.

Hi Marian! Yes yes yes, always painting. You are so sweet to ask! I'm actually a full time painter, although the economy might change that soon. I am lucky enough now though to paint every day, usually even on the weekends. I am a slow painter and I have been working much larger lately, so less to post about. Also, I've been working on some new ideas for both present paintings and other bow themed directions, and I'm giving these ideas some time to develop before posting :) Thank you for asking!

L.Holm said...

Absolutely brilliant, Karen.

Karen Appleton said...

You are too kind Liz! Thank you!

Alia El-Bermani said...

Cloud 9 would make a great title (for another one)! This is another Beauty Karen. Hope all else is well. ;)

Karen Appleton said...

Hey Alia! Cloud 9...I love it! I can see it now!! All whites and grays and silvers...thanks for the inspiration!!

Don Coker said...

No reason to apologize, Karen. Your work is lovely and the fact that you are satisfied has to be a great place to be! Enjoy.