Day 5 - Sunset Pagoda

Today's painting is of the Pagoda, a well known landmark in these parts.  It has an interesting history and currently has a small restaurant and hosts community events periodically.  I most like the bell that is in the very top (unseen in my painting)  as it is quite old...  The Pagoda sits atop Mt. Penn overlooking Reading, PA and the surrounding area. It can be seen for miles around.  I have included it in quite a few of my paintings for this reason.. It just kind of shows up in my reference pics from time to time! This painting isn't for sale just yet.. I have plans for it... :)

Sunset Pagoda,  oil on panel 6" x 6",
Not currently for sale

Day 2 of September 30 in 30 - Crossing Penn St. Bridge

One of the hardest aspects of being is an artist is... shifting gears.   Today, I worked on Art Plus Gallery's website, typed up the minutes of last nights member meeting and put a final coat of poly urethane on a commission that is almost ready for delivery.... And then, I had to get into the studio to paint today's painting.  How to change the brain to get into painting mode?  Some days work better than others. Today was a challenge..... But....
I live near this small city, Reading, PA.  Back when my Grandmother was young (in the 30's), Reading was the place to go... shopping, dancing, working... but through the 20th century, it suffered the fate of many small towns across the U.S.  It fell to the wayside and started becoming a not so great place to go anymore.  But... in the past 10 years or so, Reading is making a comeback... the art scene is huge (and growing fast!)  and great things are happening every day.  This is just one scene of Reading, (with it's iconic Pagoda Peeking in the distance) that I see on a regular basis and it beckons me to paint it, every time I see it from just this spot.  I had my camera with me the other day, and (yes, it's true) I was snapping pictures of this as I passed over Penn Street Bridge. I promise, I was paying attention to the road...

If you would like to purchase this painting, please visit my Daily Paintworks site here  

Thanks for looking!

Crossing Penn Street Bridge, oil on panel, 6" x 6", click here to bid

Art of Jazz Show

Well, my piece "The Elements of Dissonance, Principles of Harmony" got into the Art of Jazz show!  I feel pretty honored and quite happy!  I went to the opening last night, despite being rather sick, and there is some amazing artwork in the show.  If you live in the area and would like to see it, it is up until April 27th at the Goggleworks in Reading, PA.

Elements of Dissonance, Principles of Harmony, Oil on textured canvas,
24"x30", for sale through the Berks Art Alliance
Contact me for purchasing information at karenlyn1772@yahoo.com

Day 21 - Commemorative painting for the Riverfront Credit Union

Last night I presented a commission that was several months in the making.  The Riverfront Credit Union headquartered in Reading, PA was holding their 800th board meeting and several of the members/board members hired me to create a painting to commemorate this event.  The painting shows the credit union's history as it was originally founded by the members of the Reading Railroad.  After time, other organizations were acquired, starting with Conrail, then Amtrak.  There were many other acquisitions after that, too numerous to list, but the credit union finally settled on the Riverfront as their name.
The painting has many references to the credit union's history, including these names put on the engine and rail cars.  The caboose's number indicates the date of the meeting (1-20-15).  The city in the background is the town of Reading, PA as it is today.  I must say, this was one of the more challenging parts of the painting as I had to cobble together many different photo references from the web to create this panorama.  The view of Reading is looking West from atop Neversink Mountain roughly at a location known as the Witch's Hat.  The Pagoda, an historic landmark of Reading can be seen atop Mt. Penn on the right side of the painting.  The people who commissioned me also wanted to include Berks  County's rich farming history, hence the rolling hills and farm land receding into the background.  Finally, the sun is rising on the horizon, to symbolize Riverfront's new beginnings in the 21st century.
The frame was also made by myself and my husband and I am quite happy with how it compliments the painting.  Under the painting is a plaque that lists the current board and upper management.  This was a long time in the making, but I have to say that I love creating historical paintings such as this. Through researching the history of the credit union I learned so much about the Reading Railroad, which was huge in it's time as well as the history of Reading itself!

Commemorative Painting for the Riverfront Credit Union, oil on canvas, 18" x 36"
Sold

Commemorative Painting for the Riverfront Credit Union, Unframed

Do you know this local (to me) landmark?

If you live anywhere near Reading, PA, you should recognize this familiar landmark.  It is called the Pagoda and was built in 1908.  It has a rambling history which you can read here if you are interested. It is visible from all over the surrounding area and I have a few more reference pics that just might end up as paintings. The  pic I took for this was taken on my kids last day of school in June.... (seems like yesterday!).  I also tried a few new techniques out for this painting including using the palette knife exclusively for the sky and several new paintbrushes that arrived at my doorstep yesterday! (Christmas in September...)  I am not putting this one up for sale just yet... have plans for it!

The Pagoda in June, oil on panel, 6"x6", 

Close up of the impasto juiciness

Day 1 of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 painting challenge

I am taking part in a challenge to paint a painting a day for 30 days straight hosted by Leslie Saeta a California artist I follow.  The challenge started today..... and by gosh, I finished a painting on time!  (I was also framing all day in preparation for hanging the new show at my gallery tomorrow morning!)  I am tired, but, as part of the challenge, I am posting my daily painting on my blog, facebook, website etc...and this is day 1's post.  I hope you enjoy following me through the next 30 days!  I may not paint a masterpiece every day (I am sure I won't) but I do plan on gaining insight into planning and organizing my time better so I actually make it to my studio every day.  :)  As always, thanks for looking!

5th and Penn, oil on hardboard, 5" x 7"
To purchase, please click here to go to my DPW gallery

Working on a Commission

I have recently been commissioned to create a commemorative painting for a Credit Union in the Reading Area. For every commission I do, I feel honored and humbled that people like my work enough to ask me to realize an idea for them that they have floating around in their brain.  Doing commissions present a unique set of challenges but also opportunities for me to learn about and paint subject matter that I may not have other wise chosen.  For this latest one, I was asked to include some specific things, such as a train from the Reading Railroad, the city of Reading some Berks Co. farmland and, of course, the Pagoda.   The pic below is the initial sketch I submitted for review.  I chose to do the sketch in watercolor and decided to go a bit further and make it a rather finished sketch. If approved, I will move forward with the final painting!

Reading PA, (sketch for Riverfront Credit Union commission), 12" x 24", watercolor