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Monday, July 15, 2013

"Broken"


Long time in the making ... 
Finally finished...
Could not be happier :)

detail shots




TO DO LIST:
non-glare filter for camera asap :)

BTW
I am teaching a two day 
WORKSHOP IN ATLANTA
September 14th and 15th
a few spaces are left.

I will give a short demo of my process, instruction will focus on painting in oils from life
OH and
props will be bows and presents not headless dolls :)
Click HERE for more info
or email any questions my way.

Many thanks to all who have encouraged me on during this painting!

16 comments:

Jennifer said...

Wonderful!!! Did you have a favorite doll head??

Karen Appleton said...

WHAT an interesting question Jennifer! Hmmm... each had unique and fun challenges because of different positions and shadows. I love the green eyes and expression on the top larger head on the right side, and the chubby cheeks of the small profile head on the right ... but also those in part shadow with blurrier detail too. Come to think of it, love them all equally! :)

Tony said...

Tremendous! It was worth the wait, and more. Love those dashes of colors in the model's hair. Is that, or is that not, a HALO (perhaps of the medieval or byzantine sort) encircling that beautifully troubling head? And is that, or is that not, a distinctly Madonna-like posture that she's posing in? The plot thickens.

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you thank you thank you Tony! I'm slipping none of my subtle allusions by you! Yes on both halo and pose :)

Karen Johnston Daily Paintings said...

Superb Karen!! Love the pose and all those gorgeous colors:)

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you Karen!!

Unknown said...

A stunning and intriguing painting - I'm wondering about the psychology behind the painting, is it a self portrait or is this just something you have put together as you found it interesting

Karen Appleton said...

Hi Sharon, thank you! it is a highly edited self portrait, but the doll and heads are fairly close to accurate. I started buying heads on ebay in 2011, made the actual "headdress" and photographed myself in this pose, but I wouldn't say I necessarily see it as strictly a self portrait. I hope the painting is open enough for many interpretations and that others might see a little of themselves in the painting too. Thank you so much!!

Dottieb said...

I love this! I am 60 and have all of my dolls. My favorite is a Tootles. Tootles was my 5th birthday present. My Daddy still calls her his 5th child because he gave her more bottles and changed more diapers on her than he ever did on us. She is still beautiful. My late husband said he always knew an argument was serious with us, because he could hear me packing Tootles! Thanks for bringing back happy memories!

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you Dorothy, so glad the painting resonated with you!

Michel McNinch said...

SO EXCITED. Just signed up for your workshop in Atlanta! See you there.

Karen Appleton said...

OH SUPER!!! Thank you Michel! I'm so excited too, and really looking forward to painting together!!

jiffyPop said...


What do you mean, a non-glare filter for your camera?
You mean a polarizer? For landscapes or photographing paintings?

Karen Appleton said...

For paintings Jiffy :)

Kim Rempel said...

I've been away from your blog for too long. I feel so refreshed! Stunning work Karen!

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you so much Kim!