I love my poppies.  I've decided to paint these flowers and other favorite blooms for a while, along with a few sunsets.  They're soothing to paint once I get past the frustrating items. 

Seeing poppies in bloom is such fun for me.  They appear to be a mass of one color, but then I go up to them and see that they are many shades and hues of that color.  When the sun hits a petal, that can bring out even more surprising tones.  And the centers of the flowers are amazing, a web of pistils and stamens just waiting to tempt the next winged insect in to aid in repopulating the garden.  The seed pods are just plain fun to look at and play with.  

Go enjoy your blooms today! 

A close up of this painting is also at www.KarlaNolan.com
"works/glass paintings". 

"Poppy Love", 8"x15" edge to edge glass, framed in black, $360 + $14.95 domestic shipping; go to www.KarlaNolan.com "works/glass paintings", click on Paypal, or contact me for more information

www.dailyartpainters.com
www.marketplace-daily-art.blogspot.com
www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com

I guess it can sound almost obnoxious, "when I was last in Italy", but, when I was last in Italy, my husband and I stayed in Montepulciano, a small town in Tuscany, and a wine producing mainstay.  The small bed and breakfast in which we stayed overlooked the town, since we were on the top floor and it is a hill town, so at dusk I went outside with my ever handy camera to photograph the sunset.  Lo and behold, the rooftops and houses themselves were as intriguing as the sunset! 

Red roofs dot Tuscany.  Simply built houses fill the towns.  The hill rock and roll, filled with vineyards and olive trees.  Of course, the best time of the year for me is when the red poppies are in bloom.  They are my favorite flower to paint. 

Go there.  See it.  If you can't make it there, then enjoy my tour for yourself.  I relive it when I paint it.  That's fun! 


(Two close ups of this painting are available at my website, www.KarlaNolan.com.  Go to "Works", glass paintings, then three views are together for your perusal.)

"Dusk in Montepulciano", 16"x20" edge to edge glass, framed in black with gold lip, $14.95 shipping domestically, Paypal at  www.KarlaNolan.com (works/glass paintings)
www.dailyartpainters.com
www.marketplace-daily-art.blogspot.com
www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com

I don't know who called the Grand Canyon the Great Gash, but my husband told me that quip a long time ago.  It really does look like someone went at that part of Earth with a fury and split it apart. 

Doing what I enjoy most, I have taken my artistic license and simplified it and intensified the colors.  Reds and oranges warm up the scene and, since this is Arizona, it does get hot! 

Have fun with the travels, art and otherwise!


"The Great Gash (Grand Canyon)", painting on glass,  framed in black with gold lip,11"x14" glass edge to edge, $450 + $14.95 s&h domestically, go to www.Karla Nolan.com and click on "works, glass paintings", Paypal or contact at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information
www.dailyartpainters.com
www.marketplace-daily-art.blogspot.com
www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com

I return again to Santa Fe.  Strolling down Canyon Road, I spot a lovely window, turquoise trimmed, featuring a box laden with flowers.  Now this is my kind of painting -- adobe and flowers!  I love both so much, I had to paint this scene.  I have done that in oil and pastel.  Here is the scene painted onto glass. 

As I mentioned in my last post, painting onto glass is a difficult task.  (Say that ten times quickly, it's hard to do, also!)  I must say that I enjoy the fruits of my labor ultimately, but during the process I ask myself, "have you lost your mind, Karla?  This is a pain in the 'tuchas', there are easier things to do!"  Still, it is such an unusual artwork to see.  A fellow artist was wise to remind me -- it's not the easiest thing to view on a screen, much better in person, as the photograph of the creation doesn't show the luminosity, the glow, nearly as well as viewing the real thing.  Please do keep this in mind as you look! 

Enjoy your show!  See you tomorrow! 

"Santa Fe Windowbox",  painting on glass, 11"x14" edge to edge glass, framed as shown, Paypal accepted plus domestic shipping of $14.95 (go to "Works"/glass paintings)
www.KarlaNolan.com
www.dailyartpainters.com
www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com
www.marketplace-daily-art.blogspot.com

Quite the title, huh?  Drama!  Well, that's how it is in these parts with some of the sunsets over the Rocky Mountains (also known as the Backbone of the Continent!). 

Isn't red just the most dramatic color in a sunset?  It almost seems exaggerated when in a painting, but believe me, I've seen lots of shades of reds and oranges in them around here.  Not every evening is dramatic, however.  I find that the November evenings show the most drama.  Maybe it's the time change, but I'm just more aware of them at that time of year. 

Are you enjoying these paintings on glass?  As I mentioned in my last blog, I don't always enjoy painting them.  I find them to be somewhat anal and tedious at times.  My personality is such that I move very quickly, multi-tasking to three things at once many times.  Motherhood may have provoked that way of living, but I think it's a natural for me.  I have been diagnosed with ADD and I'm proud of it -- think of the creativity associated with that diagnosis!  Even Winston Churchill painted...and he was believed to have had ADD.  The brain can do funky things to you -- best to dwell on the positive aspects, in this case creativity. 

Must go, see you on Monday. 

www.KarlaNolan.com
(go to "Works" glass paintings, Paypal accepted, $14.95 shipping domestically, 12"x12" edge to edge glass, framed as shown, black frame, gold lip)
www.dailyartpainters.com
www.marketplace-daily-art.blogspot.com
www.karlanolan.blogspot.com

Here are the happiest mailboxes I've ever seen!  They are in one of my favorite spots for the past 35 years, Santa Fe.  I don't get down there that much these days, but I do enjoy it when I do.  I remember eating blue corn tortilla enchiladas years ago at Jose's Casa de la Comida  but that cafe's gone now.  Life does trudge on, doesn't it? 

These mailboxes just grabbed me a couple of years ago when I was down there with my husband.  Color, color, color!  Can't get enough of it! 

This glass painting  process is something else, I must tell you.  Very, very trying.  I have mixed emotions about it while I'm in the middle of painting -- can't even see the finished product until the next day, as the liquids glide all around the surface.  The medium controls me, not the other way around. 

I honestly hope you are enjoying these paintings.  I am (most of time). 

www.KarlaNolan.com
(go to "works"/glass paintings/ 11"x14" measured from end to end of glass, framed as is, black with gold lip; $425 + domestic shipping, Paypal
www.dailyartpainters.com
www.marketplace-daily-art.blogspot.com

Papaveri.  Coquelicot.  Poppy. 

(Italy.  France.  U.S.A.)

What happy names for cheerful flowers! 

Red.  Orange.  Yellow.  Even blue. 

What bright colors for these amazing little blooms.  The blue is a Himalayan poppy, hard to grow in these parts.  However, the reds and oranges are commonly seen around Fort Collins.  The orange  and yellows are reminiscent of California. 

No matter what the color, these lovely flowers make me smile.  I love, love, love to paint them.  Don't forget:  "Earth laughs in flowers!"


"Papaveri", painting on glass, 10"x20" (measured by glass edges),  framed as shown, $650 plus shipping to be calculated domestically 

www.KarlaNolan.com (go to "Works", "glass paintings", Paypal available)
www.dailyartpainters.com

Okay, hard to believe that I'm featuring a "winter" painting.  But it has been so hot here, almost 100 degrees, that I actually enjoy the thought of it being cold!  Go figure! 

I noticed a serene twilight last winter while driving home from grocery shopping.  It stayed with me, in my thoughts, the entire evening.  There is something about just before darkness that is so soothing to me.  The day has to end.  I need to take time to appreciate it.  Here it is. 

The glass is painted on the reverse side, although I almost never think of it as "reverse glass painting".  That must be totally different.  I've seen that on antique lamps.  This is more modern, more contemporary, in my mind.  It's difficult to attain the correct colors.  The medium truly controls me.  I hope you enjoy this.  Let me know. 

www.dailyartpainters.com

"Winter Twilight" painting on glass, 11"x14"  measured from glass edges, framed in black with gold lip, at www.KarlaNolan.com/Works (glass paintings), Paypal available with $14.95 shipping domestically

I would like to introduce you to something new for me.  My husband and I were traveling in Italy a while back and we discovered some spectacular artwork in Tuscany.  I was so inspired and, dare I say, awed by it, I decided to bring the technique home and apply my very own topics which I enjoy painting so much to this technique. 

These are paintings on glass.  I use several different types of specialty paints developed to adhere to glass and are formulated to be highly UV lightfast.  I researched these techniques and experimented constantly.  These artworks are reminiscent of stained glass panels but I do not want to be anyone but myself, so I never trace photographs or patterns for these paintings, but rather I draw upon my own memories and references and freehand draw these artworks. 

Color has always been of primary importance for me and these creations are saturated with color.  I feel that color influences emotions and hopefully lifts them.  I derive great joy from creating these paintings on glass, but find them to be more difficult to produce than either oil paintings or soft pastel paintings, far more tedious and difficult to control. 

Please, let me know your opinions of these creations.  My plans are  to sell them framed for now in simple black frames with gold lips, so that the paintings are not overwhelmed by the frames, but complemented by them.  And I sincerely hope you enjoy the journey  of my new adventures! 



"I'll Always Love Italy!", 12"x16" (measured along edges of glass), framed in black frame, gold lip; call 970-225-0025 or write KarlaNolan@gmail.com for further information


www.dailyartpainters.com

Have you ever noticed how clouds drift through the sky at dusk?  I have and this is my presentation of that action. 

As you must know by now, sunsets are my favorite subjects to paint.  However, I am also onto something brand new and I invite you to keep tuned to this blog!  I hope to unveil a new type of painting for me on this website....I am offering these paintings as framed items, as they are ON glass, not just UNDER glass, so I have put them into some basic black frames with gold lips....I was inspired by an Italian master on a recent trip to Italy and took the dive into a new medium for me.  I'll unveil them on Monday!  Please send me your thoughts or questions....

Meanwhile, back to this post.  Travelling is 18"x36", oil with palette knife, on gallery wrapped canvas and is available for $870.  Click on "Works/Skies" and buy directly from Paypal -- or order as a print at www.karlanolanprints.com.  The original painting need not be framed! 

Thanks for viewing!  See you soon. www.dailyartpainters.com

Occasionally I just see the most sumptuous sunsets over the Rockies.  This is an example of one of them.  When I paint with oil paints I use a palette knife throughout the artwork.  Brushes and I do not agree on anything; they make mud, I usuallly don't want mud! 

The colors in the sky vary.  I don't think it's such a seasonal thing, just Nature working magic.  This is the most serene time of the day for me.  It's work, hurry, go, plan, quick...all day long, just as everyone does.  Then, get home, go outside, avoid mosquitoes, sink back into a better frame of mind, maybe a glass of wine....You get the gist! 
b
This painting, "Billowing Dusk" is 12"x9, oil on canvas panel, sold unframed and costs only $220.00.  Not too bad for these tough economic times, huh?  Call me at 970-225-0025, e-mail me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com or through my website, http://www.karlanolan.com/ (go to "Works"/Skies and buy through Paypal) or at http://www.dailyartpainters.com/.  

Living in Colorado has tremendous perks when it comes to artwork.  The natural beauty of the state is stupendous and I am fortunate enough to live in northern Colorado, right next to the foothills. 

As I walk out in the evening to view the sunset, I am amazed at how lovely it usually is, but also at how quickly it appears and then leaves.  Capturing any part of it can be difficult; I am compelled to refer to photographs but usually end up changing them rather rapidly -- I am the Great Editor for a brief time! 

This sunset, as I recall, was during a hot summer night -- the temperature at nighttime usually drops 20-30 degrees, but I remember being unsure about this night.  It wasn't a sure thing that we'd have such a good one!  What do you think?  I was very pleased with that evening's works.

"Another Torrid Sunset", 9"x12", pastel, sold unframed
Contact Karla at KarlaNolan@gmail.com or 970-225-0025


www.dailyartpainters.com

Okay, I put up a pretty dusk for you to gaze at.  Sorry about the poor English there, but I'm annoyed with myself today.  I'll explain why. 

I am involved in mastering a new form of art, paintings on glass.  I love it.  It's very, very, very difficult to learn, however, and takes a large measure of patience.  Patience is not my prime virtue, although I have certainly acquired a lot of it from raising children. 

The paints I use are specially formulated for this type of art.   Some of them can be quite dangerous to breathe and also to get into one's eyes.  Guess what I did yesterday?  I had a blob jump into my left eye when attempting to put the lid on the can of lacquer paint. 

What SHOULD I have been doing?  Nothing differently, other than wearing SAFETY GLASSES or GOGGLES!  I spent 3 1/2 hours in the Emergency Room, having had much help from my studiomates flushing my eye with water, then taking me to the hospital.  The blue lacquer paint was no longer on my cornea but surrounding my eyeball in the socket.  It burned and scratched so I had to go through a liter of saline water dripping into my eye -- another eye flush.  Then more drops of numbing medicine, and a special gel to take home to apply to the eye.  Plus, of course, a pain killer to get through the night. 

Morning has broken and I can see again through the left eye, without wearing sunglasses now.  The sensitivity to light was intense and I missed my favorite moments of the day -- sunset.  I couldn't bear to look up towards the West as my husband drove me home from the hospital.  Luckily, all is turning out well -- even though I look disastrous -- my left eye is swollen around the outside and appears to be quite red and half of its normal size.  And, oh, lest I forget -- I also severely bruised my right foot walking through the dark hallway in the basement where I decided to sleep, should I wake up in the middle of the night, so as to not wake my husband.  I ran right into SOMETHING, don't know what, but was so hobbled I could barely walk.  Quite the day!  (And night.)

So...my advice:  Wear your safety glasses when it is warranted.  I suppose that's when you varnish or actively use dangerous paints, such as I did and will continue to do.  I feel foolish but as my dear friend Cheryl reminded me:  Accidents happen.  I can't really get off that lightly.  Enough said.  Have a good day. 


This oil painting, "Tranquility' is 9"x12", sold unframed, costs $220.  Contact me at info@KarlaNolan.com or 970-225-0025. 

With a title like that, it sounds like the beginning of the end of a romance!  I guess in a way it is, as I'm saying goodbye to Red Mountain today.  On to other views. 

Every time I see Red Mountain in southwestern Colorado, it looks different to me.  Either it's the time of day, the clouds, the sun hitting it at a certain angle, the season....you get my drift.  It never ceases to amaze me, however.  It's a truly beautiful part of the state. 

As you may know, sunsets are my favorite paintings to make.  There are never two the same, so you'll get to see many different ones from me!  Sometimes I just make them up completely -- I bet there's one like it out there somewhere in the world!  I've studied and studied them over the years -- they're split seconds in time, always drifting and changing colors.  I hope you join me in my Colorado skies and sunset journeys tomorrow. 

If you would like any details about the paintings I present in my blogs, look under the "Works" category of my website, www.KarlaNolan.com and you'll find what you need, hopefully. 

This oil painting, "Red Mountain II" is 11"x14", sold unframed, and costs $300.  Call 970-225-0025 or contact me at info@KarlaNolan.com.

Early autumn in Colorado means the very beginning of the leaf changes.  Our mountains are chock full of aspen trees.  They are lovely trees, not so rugged looking as one might think would be necessary for mountain survival, but they actually are much healthier up in the mountains than down on the plains, in the cities, where disease often strikes.  The autumn colors are not the same as in the Eastern U.S., where you'll find multitudes of reds, oranges, yellows, and various hues of those colors.  We tend to get the yellows almost exclusively.  Periodically you'll see a red or orange grove of aspens, but usually it's yellow, yellow, and then more yellow. 

The evergreen trees are in crisis in our fair state.  The pine beetle is slowing chewing its way through our pine trees.  I read that this (!&&$$$##**) beetle, yes I swore there, is all of 1/8 of an inch long but apparently this guy has quite the appetite.  Driving near Grand Lake this year, up in the high country, I was amazed at the devastation brought on the trees by this little culprit.  Nature takes strange twists and turns. 

This is the same red mountain as in yesterday's blog, but from a different angle.  My husband and I saw this mountain for the first time in the mid-1970's and he suggested I photograph it from this position.  I want to give him credit for this.  I could paint this over and over and over again, I enjoy it so much. 

See you tomorrow.


This painting, "Red Mountain I" is oil, 14"x11", sold unframed, costs $300.  Contact me at info@KarlaNolan.com or 970-225-0025.

Colorful Colorado!  "'Tis a privilege to live in Colorado."  I grew up with those phrases.  Sunshine 300 days a year.  The word "Colorado" actually is Spanish, defined as "ruddy".  Let's start our Colorado tour in the southwestern portion of the state. 

There is actually a "Red Mountain" in Colorado, down near Silverton and Durango.  It's red and gold and ochre and beige....covered with aspen trees and firs.  I've painted it numerous times, will never tire of that.  I think, am not sure, there have been mines there.  This state has a mining history, silver, gold, molybdenum, coal.  What riches the earth bears! 

Colorado has mountains, yes, but also prairies, mesas, foothills, valleys.  Unfortunately, the plains get overlooked.  My mother was born and grew up on the plains in the southeastern portion of the state, in Springfield, where ranchers and farmers work hard to provide food for the tables of the land. 

When you say "Colorado" to people, they envision skiiers and freezing temperatures and mounds of snow.  Personally, I'm not a skiier.  Did that one winter, had a blast, was vain enough to ski without eye projtection (vain or dumb?  I was in my 20's) and got snow blindness.  I don't suggest doing such an idiotic thing to anyone! 

So...this is the place that I love to be.  It is a pleasure to travel to other lands and cities but return home to the blue skies and wide open spaces of this beautiful state.  Please enjoy your tour. 


This painting, "Red Mountain, Colorado" is available unframed.  It is and oil, 10"x8" and costs $160.  Contact me at info@KarlaNolan.com or 970-225-0025. 

Oy!  This is one tough blog.  We just returned from a quick, short, and wonderful trip to New York City.  I cannot say enough good things about The Big Apple!  It is exciting, endearing, enchanting, energizing, I could go on and on....and it is intense, exhausting, frustrating, also.  I prefer to dwell on the good . 

I was fortunate enough to see approximately 150 paintings of the English artist, J.M.W. Turner.  Turner is a hero to me, a true art adventurer, pioneer.  He was far, far ahead of his time, a modernist in a strange sense.  I encourage you heartily to view his works until September 21st at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Take your time, it's a bit overwhelming.  The very last painting made me stop and gasp, needed to catch my breath.  It's one painting I had seen in many books.  Seeing it several feet away was delightful.  And, yes, I'm a brat -- I will not tell you what it was. 

So why am I torn between two worlds?  I'm back in my beloved Colorado but already missing New York City.  I recall taking an art road trip with you -- and my next planned state was my own state.  So, I'll continue on with that (with Turner in the back of my head). 

Our skies go on endlessly here.  You see all shades of blues in them and the clouds can be phenomenal.  They rise up into balloon shapes, cotton balls.  We are of the brown and red earth here and the mostly azure skies.  Dramatically opposite of the Northwest and the Northeast, we thrive on sunshine. 

My particular passion happens to be skies.  Perhaps it was the years I worked with meteorologists that, unknowingly, influenced me.  I took it all for granted as a child growing up the first ten years in Colorado and then living five years in St. Louis.  New Jersey affected me as an adolescent, though.  It's more gray and green there -- very green!  When you grow up with the sun, it's hard to give up the sun.  So while I enjoy visiting the East Coast, I thrive in the West. 

Enjoy the view!

P.S.  If you look at the "Works" heading, you'll find more descriptions of the paintings presented in my blogs.  Feel free to subscribe to the blogs, clicking "RSS" above and selecting your delivery system.

This painting, "Blues Skies" is 36"x36", available unframed, gallery wrapped canvas, oil, for $1295.  Contact me at info@KarlaNolan.com or 970-225-0025 for information. 

In New York City at the moment.  Just found a computer to use.  Very quick blog here.  Hope you enjoy! 

Saw 140 J.M.W. Turner paintings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  I can say it:  I have died and gone to Heaven!!!!!!! 

No more can be said but the above -- here is a painting to keep you happy and inspired, as Turner has done for me!  Catch you next week!

This painting, "Cloud Dance" is painted in pastel, 14"x18", and available unframed for $500.00.  Contact:  970-225-0025 or info@KarlaNolan.com.