Oklahoma Redbuds

This is a painting I did a long time ago, and gave to a friend, who reminds me of it almost every time I see him. The painting came to my attention today, when I was looking for something on my computer. Being that we are in the redbud season of the year I thought I would post it.

Our redbuds have already started blooming almost a month early. In fact spring is here in Oklahoma already. I look out in my backyard and the daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths are blooming everywhere. Lots of flowers on the plum and peach tree, and I pray that it won’t freeze so we can have an abundant crop of fruit this year, but you never know in Oklahoma. The weather can change dramatically. It’s hard not to get your hopes up.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

All Thy Works With Joy Surround Thee

This painting is from a photo I took on a road to the beautiful Sandia Mountains in Santa Fe.

It reminds me of this beautiful verse from the hymn Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee written by Henry Van Dyke:

“All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
call us to rejoice in thee.”

El Santurio de Chimayo

This beautiful Catholic church in Chimayo, New Mexico is a National
Historic Landmark, built before 1813 of adobe with a bell tower on each
side, wooden doors, gardens, and arched gate.

12″ x 16″ oil on linen

$425

Canyon Road

An adobe house on Canyon Road… Santa Fe, New Mexico.

12″ x 16″ oil on linen

$425

Back Pasture Plein Air

I spent a lot of time last fall, practicing plein air painting up in our back pastures. Plein air painters always make the process look easy, but there are a lot of things to know and remember just in the equipment you are using… portable easel, paints, pallet, brushes, paper towels…etc. We have an old Kawasaki Mule that I loaded up, which makes it easier for me than hiking with all that equipment, but I still would end up usually forgetting something.

One day I was doing some small sketches in the afternoon of some gorgeous fall trees, when this deer came and stood in front of me for the entire time, I’d say at least 15-20 minutes, just staring at me. This was the time I unfortunately forgot my camera, but I did add the deer to my sketch… 🙂

As I said it is not a simple thing to get all the gear ready to plein air paint, but then painting outside as the lighting and shadows are constantly changing is another challenge. Here is my fall painting and what it looked like before I took it into my studio and finished it up…

Now I really liked this, but wasn’t exactly sure how to finish it up. It sat in my studio for a couple of months and then this happened…

I tried out a whole new technique of painting, and I love it!!!

Autumn Wanderings

12″ x 12″ oil on panel

$280

Santa Fe Adobe

Who doesn’t love the historic adobe buildings in New Mexico? This is a first in a series… Adobe with Blue Windows.

9″ x 12″ oil on panel

$250

I was sketching for this painting while listening to an interview with artist Joe Paquet… He says about his art…”Don’t use the word product…they are pieces of my life that I’ve poured my life into.”

Love that!!!

Wildflowers in Silver Plume, CO

One of my favorite places in Colorado, the little old mining town of Silver Plume. This little cabin is right across the street from a wonderful bakery ‘Sopp and Truscott’. When our dear friend Frances owned the shop many years ago we would always feel welcome and very loved. Her bread was out of this world delicious! Wildflowers flourished in front of this small cabin in the summer months.

20″ x 24″ oil on canvas

$650

Back Alley Series in the Gallery

They are up and I love how they look hanging in the gallery.

What do you think?

A Peek into the Gallery

A couple of days ago I had a inquiry for one of my sunflower paintings.

This collector lives far away from here, and couldn’t remember exactly the painting she was interested in purchasing. My daughter just happened to be working at the gallery that day and sent me this picture to refresh her memory. Thought I would share it here and give you a peek into the gallery. 🙂

There are more paintings on my website karinnaylorpaintings.com

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Abandoned Grain Elevator ~ Guthrie, OK

For a long time I have wanted to do a series of paintings called Back Alley Guthrie. Guthrie was the first capitol of Oklahoma when it became a state in 1907, but not for too long. In 1910 the capitol moved to Oklahoma City and Guthrie was forgotten, but well preserved, so that now it is the largest Historic Preservation District in the nation. Here’s a great article with pictures that I found while researching … Only in Your State

Guthrie has some amazing buildings, but not too many people go around to the back to see what treasures are hiding there. Driving around town one day looking for old historic forgotten back alleys, I came across this abandoned grain elevator down by the railroad tracks. And this became my first inspiration…

“Abandoned” 12″ x 16″ oil on canvas

Some paintings are such a delight to paint and this was one of them. I love the way this turned out.

More to come… 🙂