ALLA PRIMA LADY

DENNY my BROTHER

2011-08-31T15:52:00.000-07:00

"Dennis" in pastels

Dennis always a child, loved little kids, until they maybe teased him too much; including us-his siblings. After Dad died, there was 10 of us kids, 3 of which were in the Navy; regardless, Mom had her hands full. Dennis, we were told, was mentally retarded resulting from brain damage from a high fever in infancy.

Looking through Mom's magazines, he would find a photo of a child and smile and happily stroke the face for hours, so much, the paper would begin to fray.

Many people could not always understand his stammering jabbering, but we of his family knew what he was saying. One of his favorite sayings was: "I'm w-working t-too hard! I'm t-too-too busy all the time!"

It amazed me when he learned to print his name and that he always knew what day it was. And when I held up a crucifix asking who was on it, he simply answered, "God". No question about the deity of Christ here.

Denny had an awkward gate, quite often walking on his toes. Outside he was compulsed to pick up or kick away any stones, twigs, trash in his path.

Every Saturday was clean the house-time. Denny would sweep out his bedroom, leaving the dirt in the hallway next to the wastebasket.

Once I happen to go in there looking for something; when I looked under the bed I was astonished. Way back beneath the bed against the wall was maybe ten or so round boxes from oatmeal & such filled with various things. Each one had a different variety of objects he scavenged from the street edge or the waterfront (we lived on Lake St Clair; debris occasionally washed up onshore). It was his private collection of stuff he had saved & neatly sorted according to shape, material & size, etc. I discovered my brother had a sense of order, neatness & cleanness.

When Mom died, Dennis went to live in a small group home in Genoa OH. After a number of years he died from complications due to congestive heart failure.

SURPRISE from the PAST

2011-07-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

Last month an old friend came across some of my artwork that I had mailed to her some 25 yrs ago. Once they were scanned & emailed to me, I was amazed; since I do not remember sending or even painting them!

No doubt I was probably inspired by the publication Arizona Highways, usually had a copy nearby in my studio. I recognize the medium used as tempura, on opaque type of water based paint. They are small, done on paper.
These 3 of the 8 sent go well together; also inspire me to continue further with similar content of the Southwest.
Still surprised & amazed! Thanks, Carolyn

SKULLEY'S NECKLACE

2011-06-02T05:31:00.000-07:00

Every so often I have to paint/draw my skull.

cowskull, that is! Acrylic ~ on gessoed

board. 11 x 14

Skull is thinly applied washes over pencil

drawing. "Turquoise" is thick epoxy blobbed

over painted gem detail of necklace.

Background looser manner with mottled look

of minerals.

HOW-TO: PAINT a DRAGON

2011-04-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

In this case, 3D dragons.. these happen to be cast of pewter. 1. My initial step was to basecoat with a flat grey primer spray; 2 or 3 light coats. 3. Nextly, using tube acrylics, mix up whichever dragon color you have chosen, be it green, blue or red, proceed to paint entirely. 4. Drybrush underbody with a much lighter shade of chosen color. Allow undercolor to appear in crevices. (if red = a soft yellow sets it off) 5. Paint top areas in a black or darkest shade of desired color, blending at edges. Inside mouth and on tongue a bright red. The eyes originally were rhinestones which I painted over for more realism, any crystals or jewels hold off until entirely done with painting and all final spray coats of gloss or satin lacquer. The tongue and eyes get their shine from 5minute epoxy deftly applied after final spray.

PAINTING from a PHOTOGRAPH

2011-03-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

Tropical World - Oil by Karen Roncari

painted edge box canvas, Tropical World

ARTistically speaking, whether you paint from a live model, a still life setup or on site (plein-air); these methods seem to be aesthetically superior to working from photographs. However, there happens that certain photo of a subject or composition that inspires us that we simply must use as our "model". There are numerous painters who have files of various reference materials, I for one.

magazine photo

A good point to keep in mind is to not slavishly copy it. Determine what feature attracted you to the image, enhancing it to Your pictorial advantage. You can brighten the colors, as I did here, tone them down or even change them. I took liberty with the background, made birdie more upright & showed more tail feather. Everyone who draws or paints has the ability to render in their own style, media, colors, size, the list is endless, besides: being Creative makes Art more FUN!!

STEP by STEP in ACRYLICS

2011-03-22T06:44:00.000-07:00

I had a sketchy idea

of the composition, so quickly blocked it in using a bit of negative painting. Although totally enamored with the lillies, the 2 canvases had to be tied together with something less dramatic, while giving the bottom weight and enhancing their delicate beauty. Patterned cloth, with contrasting colors of those in background and flowers provided the necessary anchor.

When painting wraparound canvas, one must keep the painting going over the edges; so as details progressed, they happened on the sides as well.

LILLYSCAPE

This particular project has given me unparalleled satisfaction and I had Fun every minute of it.

IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE

2011-03-06T12:48:00.000-08:00

I have been working on this post over a month...(just not good with words)

I just did this pastel of a dream I had 37 years ago. Not many details except that people wearing white are floating upwards to Heaven. The startling thing about this dream was the realization that I was merely watching the people and

NOT among them!!

At that time during my unregenerated life I was presented with the message of the Gospel and simple plan of Salvation. I also learned of how Jesus Christ alone can save us; not merely through good works or because of any particular religion.

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us"..Titus3:5

And finally..."we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." 1Thess 4:17

PHANTOM WIZARD turns SHEPHERD

2010-12-21T08:20:00.000-08:00

I SPOTTED HIM IN A SPLIT MOMENT, my model, entering a neighboring booth at the MI Renaissance Festival. Our booth was then the highly popular Lizardz, Wizardz & Ringz.
Of course, the "wizard" had no idea he was to be my model. This old gent was in costume, but one could tell the hair & the beard was genuine. He was just one in a crowd of festival goers who like to dress up like in medieval times while browsing the booths and sideshows of the Faire in Holly, MI.
I grabbed my digital camera, snap, snap; then he was gone, lost from view. A few months later I used his image to compose the shepherd scene that became my Christmas Card for that year.
The laptop and camera are also gone now along with the image. (everything on it crashed)
But the 24 x 30 Oil Painting remains in my inventory, and sometimes..
...I wonder as I wander, how that old guy is "fairing".

He Saw a Great Light

BYGONE LANDMARK

2010-10-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

Year 1968: That day I was told they were all set to take down the old church to make way for the new one. St. Gertrude, founded 1826, on Jefferson Ave in St. Clair Shores, MI. You might say I had a front row seat since I lived right across the street from the parish church, rectory, convent and parochial school (all 12 yrs of which I attended). The bulldozer readied to begin its destructive work.

I had a cheap box camera attained through redemption of Gold Bell Gift Stamps. This I grabbed from my house and ran out to record the scene from my neighbor's front yard. Not seeing any others around with cameras, I am sure this is the only photo documentary on the subject.

The old St. Gert's used to be a handsome church with unique scalloped wood siding in front. The new A-Frame structure that replaced the original one never did appeal to me; I watched it's contemporary steel beams gradually rise in place of the old white steeples with fine details.

FROM 'THAT' TO "THIS"

2010-09-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

Speaking for myself mostly, I believe all artists from time to time do a painting that is totally disagreeable with how we intended it to end up. Now, even though I enjoyed the composing of this floral, it kept transforming, changing. The next thing ya know--I 90% hate it.
One day out on the deck the oil paint rearranged itself into a landscape.
Pictured is halfway point, keeping a few of the magenta flowers.
Final solution: I am satisfied with it now; ready for framing [as soon as today's paint is dry] Title: Light Unto My Path

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

2010-07-31T19:38:00.000-07:00

Today is my dear mother's birthday. Emily (Germain) Mueller left this world in 1984 at age 72. Mother of ten, she never drove a car, widowed in '61; she cooked for the nuns across the street to help put us through parochial school. {St Gertrude, St Clair Shores} Dear Mom, you will ever live on in my memory and in my heart. See you some day in Heaven. love, Karen

Mom in my Oil "Sunday Afternoon"

Mom's cake I made around 1971

postcard mom got from an aunt in 1924

Tony van Hasselt: Creative Realism In Watercolor (DVD)

2010-06-30T04:44:00.000-07:00

FRAMES & TEXTURES

2010-06-26T18:03:00.000-07:00

MOST of the ART

on my website are framed pieces. The watercolor paintings and all drawings all have professional mats. The ones in this group having frames contain glass.

All the Oil and Acrylic paintings that have frames do not have glass. Those painted on wraparound canvas do not require a frame. Other materials I paint on range from stretched canvas to gessoed hardboard in 1/8" to 1/4" depth. Quite a few of these I textured specifically for the subject or left smooth for thin glazes.
One way of using texture is to trowel on thick gesso or modeling paste right over your rough sketch. There are many sizes & shapes of palette knives available for this. Once dry it can be painted, emphasizing the relief efforts for an impasto look.

A frame much like the final brushstroke of the artwork can make it or break it. Paintings that had a lousy cheap frame on looked so much better once I got them reframed by a professional. Much can be said about the choice of colors, depth and width that finish off artwork that you have labored over.

To LEAF Or Not To LEAF

2010-03-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

...that is the Question. I have longed to use gilt for quite awhile in my paintings, probably after studying Klimt's work. Before I even began on this picture, I planned to gold leaf the halo parts.

The outer circle was formed by adding a semi-dry string of Tacky Glue onto which I carefully pressed pieces of the delicate leaf. I had to exercise extreme self control while working with this near-weightless material; the slightest exhaling just from normal breathing propels the stuff like you would not believe.

Never having done this before, I was somewhat nervous about this 'new' to me procedure; yet fascinated at the same time. This one of Jesus is titled: "I Will Never Leave You". Another icon I have, "Heavenly Peace" of baby Jesus & mother Mary, is getting a similar treatment; both of which I will show in a later post once finished.

ARRANGING those PAINTINGs

2010-03-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

It's one thing to buy a painting you like; and quite another to know how to integrate works of art into your personal space otherwise known as your home. Personal home decorating is something we all do; and there are endless ways to attractively display your collection as opposed to simply hanging it over the couch.

A current decorator trend:
Stack-leaning against the wall
on a high shelf or mantle with
coordinating or enhancing 3D
accessories [props] as
pictured here.

Conventionally hung on wall
in a grouping with similar
subject matter or colors is
undeniably a successful choice.

Finally, letting your imagination run
wild together with your favorite 3D
objects allows the art to
be a focal point of the room, which
can be such fun.

p.s. photos taken in my daughters'

homes; decorating credits go to them.

CAPTAIN LEO

2010-01-30T11:08:00.000-08:00

It was no coincidence that the property our family moved to was lake frontage back in 1952. [ I was about 6] Our house on Jefferson Ave was situated on Lake St Clair in St Clair Shores, MI. http://www.great-lakes.net/lakes/ref/stclfact.html

My dad, Leo Mueller, was by instinct a boater in many degrees.. he sailed, motor boated, ice-boated, raced, even winning a couple trophy cups. He made boats in his garage & at his job. I remember him layering itchy fiberglass and potent-smelling resin on the bottoms of overturned boats to make them waterproof.

Years after he died [at age 49 in 1961], I used this method to mend holes in our leaky rowboat. Dad wore a nautical cap most of the time. He had a white one and a navy one, as in this photo tinted by me during my photocolorist days. [mid 70's] You will notice the resemblance in my ID photo.

MOMENTOS of My Dad

2009-11-18T17:22:00.000-08:00

~ pencil, pastels, acrylics on board ~ Titled: "Dad's Things" 1970.
[more about him in next post: "Captain" Leo]

Pictured are some belongings of my father [Leo Mueller] rendered by me some ten years after his death. My collection of this memorabilia provided subject matter for a still-life which I set up right in the very room he finished in knotty pine, as seen in background. An heirloom octagonal table seemed appropriate to hold most of the items. Handcrafted by him in wood was the chessboard and ship. the chess pieces [some broken by one of us 10 kids] were cast by him in resin. Above the Indian axehead is a siren from WW2. In front of his rifle is an old magnifying glass in leather slideout case. Behind curtain is antique Argus in leather case, and a trophy he won sailboat racing. Lastly, his boat whistle next to what was left of his telescope. [so many kids, you know..!]

California, Here I Come

2009-10-15T18:54:00.000-07:00

That's where 3 of my paintings were sent to be digitally scanned for Giclee prints. The French word 'giclee' itself means 'sprayed ink.

This type of art reproduction results in a high quality image.

The proofs I received were amazing as far as accuracy of color & detail. These 3 works will soon be available in 18" by 24" signed prints

the NEW Artists on the Block

2009-10-06T17:17:00.000-07:00

Saturday-at-Gramma's...grandaughter #1 brings her own art supplies and much to my surprise painted as long as I did at my easel...more than half of the day until 10:00 pm~! grandaughter #2 not quite as devoted, but still, a painter in her own right; she eventually broke away to read a favorite storybook.

Not sure if I may have started a trend; these homeschooled girlies prefer their own techniques, and I must say:

We actually inspire one another.

PAINTLADY'S ART LESSONS

2009-08-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

While preparing for an auction, I stumbled upon my Art studies of 1965 in a box with Speedball inks. While still in high school, this correspondence course introduced me to the very basics of composition, drawing & painting.

From these pages I distinctly remember to this day the paint blending techniques, as shown here along with excellent instruction. If not for the severely mildewed condition of the 3 binders, I'd like to keep them; however, they have served their purpose.

Monday Nights at the GALLERY

2009-07-04T12:19:00.000-07:00

1969. East Detroit & Grosse Point Woods [MI] area. I was 21 years young and met weekly to paint with a group of artists in an area known as "The Block". The others were all well older than myself and some of them art instructors.

Most of the time, there was a hired model, either male or female, sitting or reclining, dressed or not dressed. When there was no one to pose, we took turns being model for 1/2 hour each, however not in the nude!

The sketches shown range from charcoal to pastels are from those days.

More on this topic in my Sketchbook Memoirs post. Stay tuned for a future one: Halloween Night at the Gallery~!

OIL PAINTING MAKEOVER

2009-06-13T17:05:00.001-07:00

One of my very first paintings I gave to my sister(back in late 60's). Some years after on one of my visits, I noticed it needed some work. Her husband's heavy smoking gave the whole thing a yellowed pall, and something had dripped on it. I took it home to give it a makeover.

After sealing with spray fixative, I went over the whole thing with fresh [Oil] paint; striving for better colors & composition.

I narrowed the river, rearranged pines, added a tree which looks dead, but I like the pattern of its naked branches. The red-earth foreground with abrupt cliffs did not belong in this misty-moist scenario. So they got covered over with grass & wildflowers.

After complete drying time a thin coat of damar varnish to protect its colors & give a slight sheen.

Even the frame got a fresh stain & varnish.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

2009-05-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

painted over 20 yrs ago, of my mom,[shortest one] and 3 of my aunts (all passed away now,[sniff!]) No makeup or jewelry, plainjanes in their homade dresses & aprons; all raised on farms.
I used a primitive style to invoke old-timey feeling of Sundays back in the late 50's, when I was still a schoolgirl. The time is about 1:30 or 2 o'clock, well after the last Mass is over. Sunday dinner is in the making as these wonderful cooks create aromas of some of our favorite recipes. A couple of us (5-daughters) Mueller girls (and 5 brothers make 10 kids total) take part in the preparation, following up with cake batter & icing bowls for the little ones to lick clean.

Long Way From Home

2009-05-31T05:10:00.000-07:00

An enhanced scan of an old faded snapshot of a Oil painting I did some 40 years ago [large, approx. 24" x 36"] Thus the reason for the incredibly grainy appearance.

This was one of those works that I grew disallusioned with (got sick of, in short: I hated it!) so, I gessoed it over, and did a totally different painting on top.

After bringing up some lost details with Iphoto, I am amazed at the thing; and glad to have a record of it!

YE OLD DRAWING TABLE

2009-05-25T15:27:00.000-07:00

Not remembering exactly what era of my life this was purchased,

I gather it must have been during my art training. This goes back to my high school days (the sixties) during which I took a correspondance course with Art Instruction Schools. Some of you may know of or remember their small black & white magazine ads boldly titled 'DRAW ME'. I more than likely bought it to do my lesson-work with my babysitting savings [going rate of that day was .50 an hr.] Nevertheless, it has a generous adjustable tilt level which I find desirous since I usually prop up what I am working on anyhow. Or, at times, my regular easel sits a bit too vertically. One nice feature: it can be set almost as level as a regular table. This is good for applying varnish or a watery wash which you don't want dripping down.

This drawing table ( along with my doll, Madeline :)! ) has survived many, many moves and situations.

MADELINE TURNS 50

2009-04-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

One thing I have from my childhood is my 18" Miss Revlon Doll which came to me on Christmas Day of 1959. Not having many toys, as I was one of ten children, I cherished this beautiful present, and immediately named her Madeline, no doubt influenced by the popular story of that day. This so happens to be the name of my youngest grandchild as pictured next to the latex version.

In the bl & wht photo, I am eleven yrs old, standing near my bed the brandnew Madeline sits on. Other photo is a close idea of how her original dress of navy organdy and black high heels looked which are now forever lost.

Poor ol' gal needs a makeover. I keep her unruly hair in an upsweep. Her nails need a fresh coat of polish. The ink stains are there to stay. An unfortunate result of bad-lad nephew getting ahold of her once. Adding insult to injury, his bad-doggie also got ahold of her and chewed her toes.

SPEEDWAY & SCUD MISSILES, or DESERT STORM & ACCIDENT DAY

2009-04-21T18:17:00.000-07:00

This morning I had a flashback of an accident in which 2 of my daughters were hit by a pickup truck some 18 yrs ago.

Scenaro that afternoon in Tucson AZ: I was attending our jewelry business location on Speedway Ave. Business being slow [as usual], I happened to be working on my acrylic painting, "Jungle Party". Right across the street at the crosswalk of Speedway & Treat Ave, Sarah & Julie, returning from the library were crossing when a pickup truck hit them both.

Ironically, this was same day of Iraq's 1st Scud missile attack, opening day of Desert Storm. Daughter #1 had a knee injury, though able to hop away & come alert me the news. Daughter #3 ended up with a broken femur and a gash to the head, resulting in her having to wear a bodycast for 6 wks.

Daughter #2 was in Ohio with husband who was pursuing additional business interests [as usual].

The girls' pain and my self inflicted guilt for letting them go to the library on foot caused me great anxiety, opening this morning's fresh tears of regret.

The painting, finished & framed hangs in our now current successful location, Wexford Jewelers in Cadillac, MI.

Speedway Jewelry & Repair no longer exists. One morning I arrived to open for the day to find the lock changed due to nonpayment of the rent. This only added to the forfeitures our family experienced as a result of the poor business ethics and over-expansion.

SKETCHBOOK MEMOIRS

2009-04-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

As I browse through my sketchbooks I've saved over the years, they bring back fond memories much like a photo album does. The book these 3 are from depicts 3 separate art events or should I call them "happenings" from approximately 40 yrs ago.

One I sketched at our "Spring Exhibit & Sale" the club I was part of: Macomb Art Society, in Macomb Mall, Michigan. You can see the "S" of the Sears anchor store in the rear.

Another sketch from same book features some fellow artists I "caught" while in the outdoor life class at Oxbow which is in Saugatuck, Michigan. I knew most of their names, and tagged them at the time.

This third one selected was labeled "Gallery Night" in the Grosse Pointe Woods [Michigan, of course] area. On Monday nights I belonged to a group of artists who met in a room above a music store in an area known as "The Block". The lady with red hair, Nancy Profit was an excellent painter and art teacher, a good lady and mother of 8.

METEORS or UFO'S ?

2009-04-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

A sighting had occurred in our area Nov. 1999 (Cadillac, MI). Five yellowish white saucer shapes silently trekking above the freshfallen snow is how 3 members of our family witnessed it in the sky that evening. (I was not one of them[sniff!]) It was also seen by others in nearby counties and was documented in the Cadillac Evening News. "Meteors provide light show in local skies". My daughter, Julie, one of the witnesses did a simple painting of it while the image was yet fresh in her memory.

The 9 x 12 canvas board got shuffled around the house for a couple years til one day I dusted it off & added more detail, reworking the trees and shading, etc. Thus it is signed, "Karen*Julie". On the backside, I glued the news article, now yellowed with nearly 10 yrs of age.

PALETTE KNIFE PAINTING

2009-04-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

Briefly used in a couple of my first works, I have recently rediscovered working with the palette knife. The interesting effect it produced could not have been gotten with a brush. The technique depends on the quality and size of the knife used.
I must say it doesn't help my carpal tunnel any. After applying paint like this for a half hour or more, my hand & wrist are 'happy' for me to take a break.
I'm about to order a smaller size spade-shaped one for better control of smaller details.
Oh-the fun of ordering art supplies!!--[another subject]

Cosmic Bride

2009-04-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

Cosmic Bride ~ Oils

One of those works that almost fall in place by itself...began with a drawing of my favorite tree. Then a woman's face here, another larger face there, some lace, some nebulous cosmic atmosphere... next thing I knew, it was a surreal scene with a bridal effect.

The emotion that reverberates from it is almost unearthly quiet, of a still moonlit night combined with M'lady's eerie sadness.
The redness of the rose is reinforced by that of her lips. Her veil forms the pattern of the stellar backdrop, while she is clothed in mystery.

This painting is for sale here.