PAINTING PROGRESSION: lupine meadow--a painting in one minute

I mixed things up a bit this week and created a short video of "lupine meadow" coming to life.

A painting in one minute.

To see more like this, click on "progressions" on the right sidebar under labels.

available for purchase here

Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour--fine art in the Monadnock region, NH

Save the date!  My studio will be open on October 12th & 13th, 2013 for the Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour.

 

The Monadnock region of southwestern New Hampshire is fast becoming the place to be for fall foliage and fine art tours. On Columbus weekend alone, over 100 artists open their studio tours to the public and invite them to an inside peek at the New England tradition of fine art and craft at its best.

Check out the latest issue of Monadnock Living to read a description of all the tours in the region.

The Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour features 20+ artists in 9 towns.  Come experience a glorious weekend of fine art and fall foliage. Artists open their studios for a self-guided tour showcasing sculpture, pottery, painting, fiber, jewelry, drawing, photography, glass, wood turning and furniture. The backdrop is the peak autumn foliage of the rolling hills, mountains, and quaint towns of the Monadnock region. Come for the day or spend the weekend.

Stop by my home/studio and the Happy Camper Mobile Art Gallery.  I will have my vibrant colorful paintings new and old on display, affordable prints, and greeting cards and happy camper t-shirts too. Come meet my studio kitties (and say hi to the chickens out back in their extra fancy coop cottage) and enjoy some treats and a glass or wine (or two!)

Pick up a tour map at my studio or print one online.

 

Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour

October 12th & 13th, 2013

87 Ashuelot Street

Keene, New Hampshire

10am to 5pm

PAINTING PROGRESSION: happy camper at the height of land

This next painting progression has two of my favorites in it--the Happy Camper Mobile Art Gallery and the Height of Land. Located in Maine on Route 17 between Rumford and Oquossoc--the Height of Land offers incomparable views of the lakes and mountains of western Maine. I've stopped here every year since I was a child on my way to visit my family in Rangeley.

The snappy green car pulling the Happy Camper is wishful thinking--I actually pull it with a silver minivan.

happy camper at the height of land, oil on canvas, 24x30 inches. ©2013 Kristina Wentzell

PAINTING PROGRESSIONS: poppy profusion

Poppies! That riot of warm reds and oranges that makes everyone smile. 

This is a more stylized version of poppies than my other paintings. I really enjoy playing with the negative shapes that the stems, pods, and blossoms make as the weave together in one piece.

I start with a charcoal drawing on the painted canvas so I can rework the composition until I get it just right. Next step is to paint in the lines with a dark color--my favorite is a mixture of ultramarine and cadmium orange.

Go here to view available paintings

SERIES FEATURE: poppies

I sing the Poppy! The frail snowy weed! The flower of Mercy! that within its heart Doth keep "a drop serene" for human need, A drowsy balm for every bitter smart. For happy hours the Rose will idly blow-- The Poppy hath a charm for pain and woe.  - Mary A Barr

So true! I paint poppies to help get me through these long, dark northern winters.  Poppies are happy and vibrant and can't help but make one think of bright days and sunshine.

poppies on blue, ©2011 Kristina Wentzell

wild poppies, ©2011 Kristina Wentzell

poppy profusion, 20x60 inches, acrylic. ©2013 Kristina Wentzell

kippy's poppies, 12x 18 inches, oil on canvas.  ©2009 Kristina Wentzell

poppy field, 24x30 inches. ©2010 Kristina Wentzell

poppies on blue, 12x12 inches, oil on canvas.  ©2010 Kristina Wentzell

poppy field, 11x9 inches, oil on canvas. ©2009 Kristina Wentzell

poppy duo, 8x8 inches, oil on canvas. ©2011 Kristina Wentzell

scarlet bouquet, 8x8 inches, acrylic & paper. ©2012 Kristina Wentzell

poppy meadow, 8x8 inches, oil on canvas. ©2011 Kristina Wentzell

Go here to view available paintings

PAINTING PROGRESSION: blue ridge

Continuing with my series of progression demonstrations...I present "blue ridge"

Inspired by my hike along the Appalachian Trail with my sweetie, I wanted to this piece to be very simple in composition as I tried to capture the cool and serene landscape of those southern mountains that seem to go on forever in an endless sea of blue.

blue ridge, oil on canvas, 12x36 inches.  ©2013Kristina Wentzell

Go here to view available paintings