Friday Feature: Karen F. Rose

Alachua Blue original oil by Karen F. Rose

 Hi Everyone it's Friday, Wooooo Hooooo!!  I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.  To send you off with some inspiration let I have the fabulous Karen F Rose as my feature today.   Her work speaks for itself.  She paints in oils and pastels.    Karen's work is influenced by the Tonalist artists of the late 19th and early 20th century, her paintings in oil and pastel reflect a search for a contemplative mood in the landscape and portrait.  To see more of her work visit her:

Web www.karenfrose.com

Blog  http://kfrose.blogspot.com

Facebook fan page- Karen F Rose Fine Art

Email Karen@karenfrose.com

How did you get your start?  What’s your artist journey so far

Encouragement to draw and paint came from my parents. My dad always was drawing.

My parents both had a keen sense of observation.

When I was in grade school in Michigan a severe Ice storm, covered all the trees n thick crystal glaze and the early morning light made everything sparkle.

My father said, “Look closely because you will never see a sight like this again”.

And you know, I never have. I remember that moment,  like it was yesterday.

             

 I’d have to say, memory and drawing on that plays a huge role in the thought and inspiration in my paintings.

            

 “The Sentinel” which received a People’s Choice Award in the Women Painter’s of the Southeast 2012 exhibition is an example.  I had a distinct memory, a vision of tall stand of pine trees I saw before they were about to be bulldozed for a road project.

             

Art was not my major in college, I studied film and speech. Often I would story board illustrations for college film projects. Guess I have always wanted to be a storyteller in some way or another. I have always wanted to be the director.

             

I have been blessed to be encouraged by family, friends and gifted artists. Portrait artists John Howard Sanden and Daniel Greene, landscape, artists Deborah Paris and Terry Miura have been so inspiring.

             

Painting for me is a journey of self discovery. At first I hoped to render a subject accurately and now I hope to bring more to the painting, an elusive feeling and emotion that speaks beyond words..

           

 In the next few months I am preparing for a solo exhibit that will be at the Melrose Bay Art Gallery in Melrose, Florida January 12 to and February 24, 2013.

Cumulus Crescendo original pastel by Karen F. Rose

Where were you born?

          

 I was born in the Midwest but have lived on the East coast and now in Florida.

If you could live anywhere where would you live?

             

 I think I can live just about anywhere except climate extremes. Don’t care for really hot humid temperatures so the tropics is out, and I have done my fair share of sub zero winter weather driving and snow shoveling. Wouldn’t we all love to live near a lake or the ocean?

What’s your favorite thing to paint and why?

“While nature and realistic are my source. painting softly leads me to look for the poetic element, what is not seen but in reality is felt”. 

That’s kinda of sums it up. I tend to look for an emotional connection when I paint whether in a landscape or a portrait. A connection to a memory that strikes a chord for the viewer and I.

I have been told there is a “sense of vastness, mystery and spirituality present in my landscapes”.

I love to hear a collector say that.

The Sentinel original oil by Karen F. Rose

Could you talk about your painting techniques?  

I work in oil and pastel. Many of my oil paintings are done in an indirect manner. Creating an underpainting then developing the painting by layering on thin glazes of transparent oil paint, sometimes as many as 10 coats of glaze.

             

To have light actually pass through the paint layer similar to the effect of a stained glass window and then bounce back creates a luminous glow that I love.

But I am always experimenting.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore original pastel by Karen F. Rose

Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?

          

  In pastels I love the soft Terry Ludwig pastels. Especially his intense darks. I also cherish my Henri Roche pastels. The history behind them makes me use them very sparingly. I wrote my unbelievable experience of visiting the shop in my blog www.kfrose.blogspot.com.

In oil, gotta love the Gamblin transparent oils. And Vasari makes a wonderful color called shale.

Do you have a favorite artist?  Who has been your biggest inspiration?

           

 Wow that is a difficult one to answer because I admire so many artists. One pastel artist I absolutely love is Maurice Quentin de la Tour. A French pastel artist (1704 to 1788). I had the good fortune to be “alone in the museum” with him. It was one of those “let me pinch myself to see if this is real moments”. Guess I better explain that huh?

            

 The print room of pastels at the Louvre is not always open to the public. My good fortune was first of all to even be in Paris, to be at the Louvre AND to be there on a day the print room is open.  It’s a small room far from the maddening crowd of tourists. I was the only person in the room except for these amazing people from the past. The portraits were alive, fresh as the day they were painted...just breathtaking.

           

 I have been so blessed to be encouraged by my husband, family and friends. And in the last two years listening to Leslie Saeta and Dreama Tolle Perry in their workshops and on AHA radio has been a real joy. The idea of using social media to let people be aware of your work to see your art and to purchase your work direct from your website is a real eye opener for any artist.

In Garden Shadows original by Karen F. Rose

            What have been some of your crowning achievements?

             

Well I have been honored to receive awards for my paintings but what really pleases me the appreciation of a collector. To hear, “This painting is the nicest gift I have ever received. I cherish it” For me, it doesn’t get much better than that.

What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)

             

            Start a program nationwide that puts art in hospital waiting rooms. 

            Have a behind the scenes tour of at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

            Spend a month or longer in France painting and sightseeing.

            Spend quality time with family and friends

            OK ...is this where I can say win the Boston Marathon, become a champion downhill skier and a gourmet cook all in the same week?

Mimic original by Karen F. Rose

 What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?

           

 Ask yourself  “What am I trying to say...? What attracted me to this painting idea.

Really think about that before you put the first stroke on the canvas. Then have fun with it.

           

What is the best advice that you have received as an artist?

             

Thumbnails, thumbnails,  thumbnails...if it doesn’t work small ..it will never work on a large canvas.

SPEED ROUND!

Chocolate or vanilla?

....CHOCOLATE

Your dream vacation spot?

            Provence

Book or movie?

            Movie

Favorite author/book?

            Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

Favorite movie?

            It’s a Wonderful Life

Romance or comedy?

            Comedy

Favorite dessert?

            creme brulee with fresh berries

Night owl or morning person?

            Morning, morning, morning  5 am

Thank you so much Karen and best of luck with your solo show:)

Carrie