on painting and poems

It all started a few years ago, when I finished a moody, woodsy landscape and went hunting for a title. Tired of my simple “woods’ path” or “through the trees” titles, I picked up a volume of poetry and scanned through it searching for inspiration.

After a few minutes, I opened the page to Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” and my eyes rested on the line “the woods are lovely, dark & deep”. Perfect.

Kristina Wentzell, lovely, dark & deep, oil on canvas, 16 x 12 inches. ©2009

a bit about varnishing

Varnish is a protective, final layer that is applied to a painting after it is completely dried. In the case of oil paintings, that is from 6 to 12 months. Varnish serves several purposes. Esthetically,Varnish will ‘lift’ or increase the depth of color, it will also unify the surface sheen (matt or gloss or somewhere in between). The most important benefit is to protect the painting from dirt, dust, and pollution in the environment.

March CSArt shares: tulips!

Kristina Wentzell, tulips in a glass vase, March CSArt share, oil on canvas, 10 x 8 inches. ©2012

My CSArt project: A Year of Flowers started this month. First up, tulips. It's been fun to have folks drop by my studio to pick up their first shares. (Also good excuse to tidy up the place for spring ;-) It reminds me of how fun it is to pick up the first farm share in the spring--all those fresh, healthy greens in the first few weeks. It feels like I'm getting a treasure. I hope these painted blossoms impart the same eexcited anticipation!

No worries if you don't live locally. Shares can be shipped right to your door. I'm packing up these red tulips for some folks out of state.

Interested in purchasing a CSArt share?

Go HERE for more info.

April shows & trolley art tour

April is going to be a busy month with my art in three different venues plus a fantastic art opening coinciding with Open Doors Manchester trolley tours. Not sure if I'll be coming or going but it it's good to be busy, right!?

Manchester Open Doors Trolley Tours is a fun night out. Free and open to the public, the tour stops at 10 different art galleries & museums around Manchester. Each stop will be hosting receptions with food and drink. Don't miss Sage Gallery on the tour!

I hope to see you out and about this spring.

APRIL EVENT CALENDAR

April 3rd - 28th
Of Independent Hues, paintings inspired by the poetry of Robert Frost & Emily Dickinson
Sage Gallery, 70 Lowell Street, Manchester NH

April 19th
Artist Reception at Sage Gallery, 5-8pm

April 1st - 30th
Prime Roast, Keene NH ~ featured artist

April 5th - May 3rd
The Works Bakery & Cafe, Brattleboro VT ~ featured artist with Caryn King

the first ART shares are ready!

Kristina Wentzell, pink tulips, oil on canvas, 8 x 8 inches. ©2012

A Year of Flowers has officially started!

The first art shares for March are tulips in shades of pink and red. A cheerful and festive start for the year, don't you think? And the weather here in New Hampshire has very graciously turned springlike...my tulips in the garden are serendipitously poking their way out.

Wondering what all the fuss is about?

A Year of Flowers is a community supported ART project. Much like a farm share, folks pay an upfront fee of an "art share". Participants will receive six original oil paintings, each depicting a different seasonal flower. All at a tremendous value, over 50% savings.

For more information:

There is still time to sign up! Go here for more info.

A Year of Flowers

My CSArt project: A Year of Flowers starts soon.

First up, tulips.

I thought a lot about which springtime flower would be the first to start off my project. Crocus, daffodils, hyacinths...there are so many lovely, delicate blooms this time of year. Tulips seemed to me to be the classic harbinger of the season and they come in so many lovely colors and varieties. Check back soon to see the paintings.

Interested in joining the fun? There is still time to purchase a share. Go HERE for more details.

A Thunderstorm

Kristina Wentzell, a thunderstorm, oil on canvas 20 x 10 inches. ©2012

First piece in my series of poetry inspired paintings. This poem has such wonderful visual imagery. I love that feeling in the air just before a storm hits...everything seems so alive and vibrant and expectant. I used a lot of quick, gestural brushwork and a simple palette of violets and warm greens to achieve that feeling.




A Thunderstorm.

The wind begun to rock the grass
With threatening tunes and low, -
He flung a menace at the earth,
A menace at the sky.

The leaves unhooked themselves from trees
And started all abroad;
The dust did scoop itself like hands
And throw away the road.

The wagons quickened on the streets,
The thunder hurried slow;
The lightning showed a yellow beak,
And then a livid claw.

The birds put up the bars to nests,
The cattle fled to barns;
There came one drop of giant rain,
And then, as if the hands

That held the dams had parted hold,
The waters wrecked the sky,
But overlooked my father's house,
Just quartering a tree.

~Emily Dickinson

of independent hues

I've been busy in my studio working on a new series of paintings inspired by some favorite poems. I'll be showing the paintings at Sage Gallery in April. Lots more coming soon...be sure to check back!

Of Independent Hues
paintings inspired by the poetry of Robert Frost & Emily Dickinson

April 3rd - 28th
Sage Gallery
70 Lowell Street
Manchester NH
Artist's Reception April 19th: 5-9pm