Spring Celebration in wine county

Spring has arrived with all its power after the rains. Now is breakout time for me to paint outdoors in paradise. My van is loaded with canvas, paints and lunch for days on end till dusk. It is a season to drink in the Earth.

I have been in Napa for 5 days painting, chasing vistas of mustard. Fresh greens, the crisp smell of the earth and play of colors are inspiration unparalleled. California’s unique landscape and angle of the spring sun are a delight to my painters’ eye and palette.

As I drove toward Yountville I searched for a site that I fell in love with twelve years ago. After reconnoitering for some time, I gave up and headed further north. Suddenly, there was a flash in my peripheral vision. I pulled over and headed towards the hills. Suddenly, there were patterns in the distance against the rising blue hills. Eureka!

For the next 5 days I found a variety of vantage points using back roads, always facing the sun and looking for what a painter needs to see: values that translate into a painting. Color can enchant, but it is the dark and light areas that are the backbone of a composition. Combining the two can explode into a dynamic painting!

After working most of the day, I drove down the Silverado Trail for a glass of champagne on the sunny deck at Mum’s with my friend Rita. After painting and seeing so intently, tasting was the perfect way to continue drinking in the colors of a glorious spring day. Come visit!

You will see my new paintings at Marin Open Studios on May 1,2 and 8,9th in the Industrial Center Building, Sausalito, or in Carmel at the Pearl Canyon Gallery, Dolores Street off Ocean Ave.

On the Earth in Autumn, California

In the middle days of November I was consumed by the fiercest need to be among the colors of the vines when the slant of the season's light brings a glow to the earth. This year when I travelled to Carneros to paint there were more leaves on the vines, a quality of yellow orange. Every day the oranges became deeper, heading towards ocher, sienna, ruby and scarlet.

I mixed every warm color I had and then started again, using the contrast of the earth shadows.

Every day I searched for the right composition to start another painting through one spot after another facing the sun, now setting earlier. It was a race against coming rain and cold which would devastate the leaves, and all six paintings needed attention.

I believe that sunlight flowing through red leaves is the most intense color that I can find on the planet. It reverberates through my whole body to scream red. It is so bright I cannot begin to use enough color to express what I am seeing.

It has been thrilling to be up in the hills alone with only the changing drama of the light and my own struggle to catch it. These paintings are my yearly tribute to the celebration of oranges, vines, earth, and the golden world in the waning days of autumn.

These fresh paintings will be on exhibit this weekend at the 41st Annual Winter Industrial Center Open Studios. Please Join me and 80 artists:

December 4th, Friday Opening 6-9pm, and December 5-6th Saturday and Sunday 11 - 6pm.

480 Gate 5 Road, Studio 331. Visit my website for directions. I look forward to seeing you there! Warmly, Kay

Kay's New Blog

Welcome to my blog. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who have flowed through my studio and exhibitions over the years. By taking the time to write here I intend to share my experiences, recollections and current happenings in the art world.

I will keep you up to date with shows which may not be listed on my website, as well as painting trips which influence the content of my work.

There are two distinct parts of my life. Painting for me is an inward journey, a source of new ways of seeing. It is a constant surprise as well as a challenge to learn how to express what I am seeing. Particularly, plein air painting requires a certain awareness of the earth and how to move with its seasons and weather.

What happens after the painting is painted is the next phase of my life. I have had years of practice at how to take care of my work so that it lands in the right place and earns a good living for me. This phase of my life is also creative though it involves different skills. I am so grateful to the many collectors, friends and people who appreciate my work who have made this aspect of being an artist prosperous for me. They support the woman who goes out to make those paintings!

I hope you are enjoying my new website, www.Kaycarlson.com. If you want to be kept up to date with my work, bookmark this blog. I also look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Kay Carlson