Saturday, November 22, 2014

Santa Rita Mountains


"Santa Rita Mountains", 8 x 10 In, Oil on Museum Board

This was painted a couple of weeks ago south of Tucson in the Santa Rita Mountains. It is so interesting that in Washington State, 5500 feet elevation is timberline--above that are alpine meadows and upwards the glaciers. In Southern Arizona, at 5500 feet, I'm not even sure you are out of the desert! I tried to look it up, but I couldn't find a site that told me what the tree line is in the Santa Rita Mountains. If anybody knows, please comment!

Purchase this unframed painting.
Contact me if you would like to purchase a plein air frame.

4 comments:

  1. This is quite good, Karen. I love the design you have going on here. So much interest!

    I've been following your paintings since I encountered you in September. I can't remember but I think it was Leslie's 30-in-30 that I learned of you.

    Your work is just so lovely. What do you use to keep your brush strokes so fluid? Do you start out with thinned (OMS) paint, and then just use paint straight from the tube? or do you add more oil or a particular medium to the final surface strokes? They are quite rich and fluid.

    I paint so thinly. Don't know why. I enjoy thicker, juicier paintings with lush strokes like you have. Just never quite figured out how to get more paint on the brush and how to get it to move. IT always seems so thick and stiff.

    Anyways, just wanted to say good morning and for sharing your works. I find that I get lost looking at the textures and abstract shapes. It's not so abstract that you lose the sense of representation, but not detailed either. A nice balance!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  2. Hi Robert--thanks for your comments! Here are some ideas: Use a #10 bristle brush--that will force using more paint. For exercise, limit number of strokes or limit the time period. Use your non-dominant hand to paint. Anything to break out of habit!

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  3. Thanks, Kathryn! I will give that a go! #10 bristle! :)

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