Sausalito Art Festival, the Art of Fun

Inspire Yourself! Join me for the 58th Annual Sausalito Art Festival at Booth 228 (Located on the other side of the Artist's Stage, 2nd row to right) Labor Day Weekend Sepember 4-6, 10am-6pm August 3^rd, Friday night is the wildly wonderful Opening Night Gala, Uncensored, under the stars.

Join me for a celebration of creativity. You will find a fresh group of small oil paintings that I have harvested from the bounty of summer in California. I have been working with the light on the Carmel coastline, Sausalito, Sonoma, and the Sierras, all the dramatic places we love, play in, and enjoy. During my latest trip to Point Lobos I explored the scuptural Weston Beach where I once painted as Brett Weston photographed with his friend, William Current. Now, a painter friend and I stayed far into the golden light of sunset which brought new colors to my palette. Those two black and white photographers influenced me to be who I am as a painter with the wisdom of their eyes and hearts.

I also offer larger visions, colorful oil paintings from our renowned Wine Country that were began last autumn. I get so inspired by the work of other artists from all parts of the country, working in many mediums. I learn more about my work from you, so do join the fun! See you there, Kay

When summer comes, it is always time to visit the family Cabin on Razorback Road off Aurora Creek which flows into Plum Lake outside of Sayner, Wisconsin. I have discovered that the artist in me, the way I see, was formed by the light on Crystal Lake, back roads roaming distant birch forests,the mossy paths of deer trails, and the sound of loons echoing over the lake.

I began painting outdoors here, and return every year, bringing my adult skills back to recapture these visions of many summers. The power and fragility of "Up North" inspires me, moves me to create.

I hold my breath with the mystery, walk down a lane toward Aurora creek quietly to spot an eagle in the crook of a tall pine, confront a deer at the salt lick or spot a beaver head watching me from the water. Here you can get lost on single lane sand trails around too many fishing lakes to count, Lost Lake, Found Lake, Starett and Star, Plum extending toward places that are far from the noise urban. You can hear yourself singing.

You can find paintings I left behind this year displayed in the town of Sayner at Oh My Designs off Main Street on Froelich Lane. There is a rendition of the famous "Sayner Pub Sunday."

I will be back for next summers' feast!

Open Arts ( Studios) memories

This time of the year has so many visions and vivid pictures for me. I remember the first opening of Marin Open Studios seventeen years ago when Tim Rose and I walked the Gallery that we opened in Towncenter Corte Madera together. There was a light mist and we feared it would keep people away. The party was about to start, and despite all the months of hard work and difficulties, Marin County would now begin to see the amazing work of the artists around them. This was our dream as founders of the event. We were thrilled.
Last weekend, the Marin Art Council staff and Director Argo Thompson repeated this tradition. In the new permanent Art Council headquarters at 906 Fourth Street, the lights are blazing, shining on Art that continues to showcase the talents of Marin artists. The quality is so much higher than it was, artists continue to see one another's work and the bar is raised. Kudos and gratitude to Argo for bringing us to the mainstreet! Now the work shifts to the studios, where the party continues and it is time for real art viewing. This year over two weekends the community can see art where it is made. Children can meet the artists. It means that we share our Creativity and it finds way to your table, your living room, your office. Marin Open Studios directly means that the artists in your town are able to make a living and continue creating. Thank you all for coming out, for supporting us all these years! We thrive because of you. Grab a catalogue, find a favorite artwork, and come say hi. Drink it in, because, as Kim said to me about placing my painting in the catalogue, "This is where I live."

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