For this blog post, I chose Sherwin Williams' color of the year for 2019, "Reflecting Pool". It's in that beautiful spot on the color wheel between blue and green.
Blue is a color which gives a feeling of relaxation and peace. This painting, "Endless Summer Day" features turquoise blues, dark greens and a touch of violet. The greens inspire feelings of harmony, nature and growth. The pop of yellow on the trees sparks a feeling of energy and happiness. The idea I wanted to convey with this painting is of childhood summer days, when you could explore the outdoors and it felt like it would last forever!
The next painting, "On the Umpqua" features blue-greens and violets against a dark green shadow. The blue range of color can actually sooth your mind and calm your metabolism, while green is soothing to the eyes. Also noteworthy, horizontal lines, such as in this landscape, give a restful feeling. I painted this outdoors on the first days of autumn.
The third painting, "Rhythm and Blues",has a very peaceful color design. But it also has plenty of energy, with very expressive brushstrokes. The purples and violets in this painting inspire deep thinking and mystery, as well as creativity.
Stay tuned for more blog posts about collecting meaningful art for your home. To follow me for insight on how I create, please subscribe to my newsletter. Your can shop my paintings by clicking on Kristina Sellers Fine Artist.
]]>Finding just the right frame can be tricky, but it's worth the effort. Everyone recognizes a beautiful woman when they see one, but put her in the right dress and wowza! No one can take their eyes off her. Same with paintings.
Here I've photographed one of my paintings with three very different frames. Depending on what you want from your decor, any of these frames could work.
The black frame with a gold liner brings out the rich darks of the painting. It's a wide frame, which emphasizes the piece of art's importance.
When I put the painting in the gold frame, I was surprised it looked this good. I wasn't expecting it to work. It picks up the warm sunlit tones nicely. I think it is perhaps a bit too ornate for this painting. In general I like a detailed painting in a simple frame, and a dressier frame with a simple painting.
The gray frame is both rustic and modern and would fit in well with current trends. I think it's simplicity showcases the painting well.
What do you think? I'd love to hear your take!
While you're on my site, feel free to view my online gallery to see more of my original oil paintings.
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This was painted during January's Strada Easel Challenge, which brings me to my next bit of news. I'm starting the September Strada Easel Challenge tomorrow! This means I will paint or draw from life for 30 days straight. Ah, the things I will paint...sunflowers, barns, landscapes...I honestly don't know for sure! But I have for sure decided to add to the mix the Artist Support Pledge! This is an international art movement designed to help artists support other artists during Covid-19. For every $1000 in sales, I pledge to pay it forward and help another artist by purchasing their work. This has been very encouraging to me personally and I have connected to some amazing artistis I didn't know about before. And even better for art collectors, all the paintings I am offering will be $200 or less. This means you can buy one of my paintings before the paint is even dry! There are several ways you can find my Strada/Support Pledge Paintings: Follow my Instagram @kristinasellers and watch my daily posts, or check the Strada Easel collection found on the home page of my website. My newsletter subscribers are the first to hear about it! Thanks in advance for your support.
If you are in the Portland, Oregon area and would like to see some of my art in person I am currently featured in the Marilyn Affolter Fine Art Gallery in Mcminnville, Oregon and in Chrisman Frame and Art Gallery in Lake Oswego.
I also have paintings available online at the Pittock Mansion and the Arts Council of Lake Oswego. I'm also excited to share one more announcement. I checked my email the other day and a very unexpected honor came my way. My painting "Lavish Blooms" was accepted into the American Impressionist Society's online show! Some of my very favorite American artists are in this show so it's kind of blowing my mind. This is the first time I've ever been accepted into an AIS show, and believe me, I have applied before. It feels like I got straight A's or something!
I truly hope each one of you is keeping safe and well during these hard times. There have been many days when all I can do is count my blessings, pray and continue with my art. Beauty is a powerful force of nature God has given us and I hope my art can in some way tap into that and encourage you. It's nowhere near Thanksgiving yet, but that doesn't mean we can't start our praise and gratitude today.
]]>As a professional artist, I'm here to say, people are a really tough subject to paint. When you paint a dog, there are no hang ups. Perhaps if a dog could speak English he would say, "Can you make me look younger?" "I look too fat" "Can you get rid of my double chin?" But I don't think so. Our self image is so important to us. It's what put Glamour Shots and Instagram on the map. But in my book, portrait paintings that are truthful and reveal something about the inner person are the ones that shine, no matter the person's age, weight, ethnicity or gender. The further from our "ideal cannon", the more interesting they are!
As I have grown as an oil painter, I have learned to look at subjects in an abstract way. Starting with major shapes and working my way to the subtle nuances in the painting, it's amazing to see a portrait take shape. It's fascinating to watch a person's beauty reveal itself.
I have been doing oil painting portraits for a few years now, but I recently received some specialized training in it. I'm excited to keep honing my new skills! Because I would like to build my portfolio in this area, I'm doing a special offer right now. During Covid-19, while it's difficult for people to get together, I'll do an 14x11 portrait of you or a loved one from your photo for $300. Please email me at kristinasgallery@gmail.com or comment if you are interested!
]]>A) ignore them and pretend they don't exist?
B) compliment them as you walk on by?
C) tap them on the shoulder and engage them in a conversation about how your Aunt Jenny once took a watercolor class?
D) A or B but never ever ever C?
Well I'm sure you guessed the right answer is usually going to be D! The truth is, there are as many personality types among artists as there are fish in the sea. Most artists create their work to be seen and shared and are fine talking about it. However, at a gallery opening or on social media may be the preferred setting for that conversation. The reason is that they are in the middle of their work. This is their business. They are also quite possibly in the midst of creating art for a competition with a strict deadline. Any artist working in the great outdoors is in a race against the clock because of the changing light and shadows. Furthermore, they could be at a critical stage in their painting that requires concentration.
Also consider that you may be interacting with a newbie or a master artist. Do you really want to ask them if they are doing this for a class? Or compare their work to Aunt Jenny's watercolors? Depending on what stage the painting is at, it might not look like much. It is afterall, an incomplete painting. Some paintings don't come together until the last brushstrokes are added.
If you have a genuine interest in what they are painting, by all means take a quick moment with them. Taking the next step and connecting with them through email or social media is universally welcomed by artists. And who doesn't appreciate a few words of encouragement? And by the way, that painting they're working on is most likely for sale. You might get a sweet deal by buying right off the easel.
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As one of this unique breed myself, I can tell you many a stranger has questioned me, "Why don't you just take a picture?" Well the simple answer is that while photography is excellent for capturing shapes, there is a surprising amount of information it can't convey. The diagram below illustrates the range of visual information print material and screens can convey compared to what the human eye can perceive.
Plein air paintings usually need to be done quickly because the light and shadows are changing as the artist works. For this reason, most plein air pieces are on the small side, which also makes them relatively inexpensive. They may not have the detail of a studio painting, but a good plein air painting captures the essence of the day in a way that most studio paintings don't. Color relationships get skewed by the camera, but an experienced plein air painter can capture them.
Many plein air painters use their plein air pieces as studies for larger studio pieces. But plein air paintings seem to have a life and personality all their own. And so often there's a story behind them, kind of like the stories of fisherman! There is a kinship among plein air painters, because honestly, it isn't easy. It can be so much work just to gather everything you need and get out the door. And you never know what challenges you'll encounter. Pictured below is a recent outing I did in the Columbia Gorge, famous for its east wind.
To follow my plein air adventures and keep up to date on my upcoming art shows, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. To view my current painting collection, please click Kristina Sellers Fine Artist.
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