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Anatomy of a Painting: Finale

December 28, 2017 By karenlad Leave a Comment

The finished painting:  4′ x 6′

You see the original hash mark lines from the original wallpaper.

The added colors:  Some Black Paint Pen from Sharpie, Gold Paint Pen, Gold Paint Crayon, Sherwin Williams Wet Concrete (one of my absolute favorite colors), other Sherwin Williams whites, off whites Red Harvest, and of course the great greens from the Dick Blick Acrylic collection.

I see this as a culmination of all that our original little summer Cape Cod home has been through.  Think of the mix of colors as change and the location and love of this place as the constant green hash marks.

Enjoy the whole, explore the crops as you see the intricacies of the design.

Catch our signatures (Joseph helped stretch the canvas, prime it, put the hash marks on and added his input to the composition.  He has been a part of this home for many years as our friend and as the most loyal of all our dear friends and professionals who helped put our home back together post Sandy.

How did I know it was done?  Take a look closely. See how your eye is given time to rest, time to be intrigued and time to question.  See how there’s movement, and so much to see but not overwhelming to the point that your eye and subsequently brain, get to rest.

 

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The Anatomy of a Painting

December 27, 2017 By karenlad Leave a Comment

How does is start? The painting I mean. How does it begin and when is it finished? Realistically the desired outcome is to depict a scene, set a mood and make figures recognizable. Finished in this aspect is subject to style in all its forms. Determining an abstracted piece as finished is subjective to the artists’ concept, often with little regard for the viewer. My quest as a visual artist is to depict my life, my emotions, my experiences through my images. This apple is an iconic image that has been in my consciousness probably since I was born as the wallpaper it came from was in our family summer home built before I was born. I remember it vividly as a child and then as a young adult. When I was about 25 and had moved here full time, I painted over all the wallpaper for a fresh new start. It was good at the time. I regret not peeling some of it off now, but regrets are futile. So when I found partial rolls of it in the attic in the 1980’s I began to work. Results are below:

  • Red Blue Vase with Poppies

These collages became a part of the WallpaperWeekly series I began in 2010. This big blue vase found its way into a cousin’s home when too many things were closing in on us, but was a part of our summer memories.

So back to the original apple. The favorite of all the fruits repeated on the grey green ground, surrounded by the dark green crossed lines which give way to the background white crossed lines. What we saw as Nana cooked amazing meals, what we saw as we ate our wonderful family dinners, breakfasts, and lunches, usually all together.

It was the crosshatching, the dark green shadowed by the white, and of course the deceivingly simple play of greens, white and black that made up the apple itself.

These hashmarks became the cornerstone of the mural Joseph and I designed as we brought the studio back from its flooded destruction in 2013.

From paint sketches:

To additional detail:

To finished product:

The apple takes on a life of its own in colors and patterns far removed from the original, yet still recognizable as the wallpaper image.

The desire to abstract comes when I see detail worth seeing more of; detail that is intriguing on its own. So what happens next is zeroing in on the minutia of the composition and adding. And adding, and adding…..I hung this 5′ x 5′ canvas next to my bed for weeks along with my materials, paint, paint sticks, paint pens, and all the necessary implements to get these materials on the canvas, with the idea that as I stared at it on waking and as I drifted off to sleep, the whole picture would come to me. The convenience of being able to reach out and add a dot or a line here or there, or to just wake in the middle of the night and add to it was fantastic.

It was great working like this, as I was in the presence of the painting more often even than if I’d spent every day from dusk to dawn in the studio. I’m employing this technique with the series I’m currently working on as well to great satisfaction.

Next post will show you the finished painting. Thanks for reading.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Art Abstract Art, Art in Progress, The Artist's Process

Back to the Blog: Once a Week

December 3, 2017 By karenlad Leave a Comment

Reds & Golds. Abstract Landscapes.

Yellow & Gold with Red Water

The Turquoise Pool by the Tree

Winter Blues, the color not the mood. Cobalt Pool.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: abstract drawings, art, colors, drawing, landscapes, sketching

Coloring Pages: Color with Friends, Color to Relieve Stress, Color for a Gift

March 26, 2017 By karenlad Leave a Comment

The beauty of having the Coloring Pages is that you can take them out of their book and give them as a gift.

Then there is the case of my wonderful daughter, who took the book I gave her as a gift and had her friends color pages to relieve the stress of their midterms (as well as to create a wonderful Birthday Gift for her Mom!).

Today I want to take you on the journey of the creative process that evolved into The Doors of Marfa, TX:  Coloring Pages.

Joseph and I were in Marfa, TX.

 We began to sketch the door across the street from our rental home.  On returning home, I saw a series in these sketches, inked them in and began to create finished drawings such as this one.

Color, Coloring Pages, Stress Relief, Gift, Marfa, TX.

This is one of the abstracted sketches of the door we loved. It is taken directly from the sketchbook.

Now I am immersed into the possibilities for this series so I begin to enlarge some of them for a series of works on canvas.

Doors, Works on Canvas, Painting, Abstract, Coloring Pages

This is one of the works on canvas shown tacked to my drawing board as it rests on my easel.

 After finishing the works on paper and I was starting the painting series, Joseph and I thought that these images would make a great coloring book. So we began to curate a selection and vectorize the drawings.

Coloring Pages, Color, Gift, Stress Relief

Door #33 in the series of 52, vectorized and ready to color.

The wonderful surprise I received for my birthday was the coloring of the entire book by Veronica and her friends. They told me what a great stress relief it was to take time out during midterms to put color to paper.  I was so touched that they went to such trouble to be so creative.  I am just loving the results.  Thanks wonderful young people.

Here are 2 examples of the same door  #33……I am always blown away by the myriad interpretations…..

 

 

 

 

coloring pages, doors, stress relief, coloring book

Above: This door was finished with some gorgeous cool shades of watercolor. Thanks Rachel  Below:  Finished by Veronica.  Thanks for everything wonderful daughter. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Color, coloring book, coloring pages, Gift, Sketch, Stress Relief

Coloring Illustrations of the Masters & The Doors of Marfa, TX

March 21, 2017 By karenlad Leave a Comment

Coloring has been a part of my life since I was old enough to hold a crayon.  Probably even before I was able.  Coloring has been a part of my life since I first saw my Mom and Nana coloring for me, showing be the wonders of putting color on paper.

coloring, coloring pages, coloring books, illustrations

This is a page from The Doors of Marfa, TX: Coloring Pages

I remember like it was yesterday, coloring for hours with Nana & Mom; crayons, pastels, watercolor coloring pencils, markers. My favorite Coloring Pages were the amazing large format coloring books that reproduced the original E.H. Shepherd illustrations from A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, and my other favorite, the coloring book of illustrations from the Babar series by Jean DeBrunhoff.  Wow! These books were about 20″ x 30″.

I had them in my studio in my horizontal file.  I cherished them.  They were destroyed by the Hurricane Sandy. They are the only thing I miss from when the studio flooded with 3′ of water.  But I have the memories not only of the process of coloring with Mom and Nana, but how I felt while I was coloring.

Serene.  Peaceful yet Powerful. After all you get to choose the colors!  And as for adding whatever you want to the page, that is your choice as well.  I might look for these books on the internet one day if I am blessed with a grandchild, but for now, I have the coloring book that I designed with Joseph.

Doors, Coloring pages, Coloring book, Marfa, TX

A detail of a brilliantly colored door from the series by the GWU students

The Doors of Marfa, TX:  Coloring Pages. A series of line drawings, most very minimalist and very open to expression.

 

I was overwhelmed a couple of weeks ago at dinner celebrating my birthday. My only child, Veronica, presented me with a rectangular package…..it took me a few minutes, but I knew immediately what it was: her copy of The Doors of Marfa, TX:  Coloring Pages. I had sent her a copy and asked  if she would color some pages for me. Well being the thoughtful, creative daughter she is, I was presented with the book colored from cover to cover. And to make it even more special, she had enlisted her dear friends to each color a page. The wonderful young people who knew me, wrote me notes on the page, some of the ones who didn’t wrote me as well. Wow! Today I began posting a few of the line drawings as they appear in the book and I will take it page by page to show you the unique creativity these hard working students from The George Washington University colored.  They enjoyed the break from their stressful week of midterm exams and papers.  Coloring as a soul soothing, centering activity. Only one of these students are visual art students. But you can see that their imaginations are working overtime. And the fruits of those imaginations will be carried with them into whatever career they choose.

So let’s not hear anything more about defunding the arts.

The Doors of Marfa, TX: Coloring Pages

$30. USD. Shipping FREE in the Continental US

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The Doors of Marfa, TX: Coloring Pages. A new book for everyone.

March 20, 2017 By karenlad Leave a Comment

Coloring Pages:  The Doors of Marfa, TX

These coloring pages, abstract line drawings of doors will appeal to Artists & all who like to color. Minimalist Art is the focus of the artist Donald Judd whose art is the focus of the Chinati Institute in Marfa, TX

https://karenladu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/VIDEO-2-BOOK-BOOK-GOOD-1.mp4
Marfa, TX, Coloring Book, Art Book, Art Destinations

Joseph in the Door way of our rental home in Marfa, TX

Karen La Du

The 3 doors we became obsessed with during our stay in August 2015
have led to a series of 52 abstracted drawings.
4 Series of 13 pieces each based on a door.

The first door we encountered was the one on the dilapidated home

across the street from where we were staying.

This was the view from our place across the street. Our destination was totally unique.  I had been out west before, Joseph had not, but we were both in new territory.  There were dilapidated buildings like this interspersed with middle class homes and upscale homes, galleries and restaurants.  An eclectic town with so much to offer artists and non artists who love art and super interesting places to visit. Out in the middle of far southwest Texas, Marfa is very close to the Mexican border giving it an even more exotic feel.  So much history here. So much being made as Donald Judd’s Chinati Foundation grows with the addition of works by other artists and of course the greater influx of tourism that has occurred through articles about Marfa and word of mouth.

This particular door became the catalyst for 2 different series.

MARFA DOOR BLUE SERIES:  NUMBERS 1-12 & NUMBER 39

 BLUE SERIES HERE:

Door Image #1 of our coloring pages inspired by Marfa, TX

 

Door Image #2 of our coloring pages inspired by Marfa, TX

 

The original sketchbook pages for The Doors of Marfa, TX: Coloring Pages 

Sketchbook Page #1

 

The original sketchbook pages for The Doors of Marfa, TX: Coloring Pages 

Sketchbook Page #2

 

 We are hoping that by showing you our creative process that you will be inspired to create and expand your horizons through travel to interesting places that are not the usual tourist destinations.

The world has so much to offer.  We hope that you’ll continue on our journey with us as we show you the book and share pages colored by friends and acquaintances. We hope that you are interested to email us for a download of a page or two or to order a book.

khladu@comcast.net.

Each book is $30  USD with free shipping in the continental US.

We will honor bulk orders and hope to interest a book store to carry our coloring book.  Thanks for your interest.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Art Books, Color, coloring book, coloring pages, Marfa Texas

Underwater Fish: Your Loyal Friend

February 6, 2017 By karenlad Leave a Comment

THE UNDERWATER FISH

 Underwater Fish: available as prints, pillows, coasters, placemats and more to come.

Underwater Fish will swim to you as a print, a pillow, coasters or placemats.

Underwater Fish is a wonderful fish, a loyal friend, a loving partner, a very hard worker, a perfectionist when you give him a task.  But don’t mess with UF, or try to know him too well or he will flee into his world of mystery beneath the waves.  He loves but hides his feelings and guards his privacy, that’s why he only shows himself surrounded by all those bubbles!
Never underestimate Underwater, he is loyal and caring.  Funny and fearless.  He will be your friend for life, swimming to your side at the expense of his own safety.  He wants you to see the good that lies beneath us all.

Welcome Underwater Fish into your home. His image will remind you that we are not all able to share our innermost thoughts and that is OK.

Long Live  “U Fish”!

Underwater Fish can be found on pillows, prints, coasters, placemats and…well we have some surprises in store.

Filed Under: Fabulous Fish Tagged With: art, beach decor, black & white, coasters, fish, home decor, pillows

You’ve Seen Her, now its time to meet her: Introducing, Dude Fish.

January 16, 2017 By karenlad Leave a Comment

Dude Fish is a spunky fish, ready to take on the world; fearless, beguiling, charming and most of all AUTHENTIC. True to her friends, family and acquaintances, she goes out of her way to help and connect with others whether for a minute or a lifetime.  She appears to wear an impenetrable coat of “armor” protecting her from dishonesty and evil, but she is tender and easily wounded by those who only care about themselves.
Never underestimate Dude, she is loyal and loving.  Smart and sassy.  She will be your friend for life, swimming to your aid no matter the cost to her.  She wants you to see the bigger picture that is our world.

Welcome Dude into your home.  Her image will remind you of the qualities that are so valuable in life.

Long Live The Dude!

Filed Under: Fabulous Fish, Uncategorized Tagged With: art, beach decor, black & white art, fabulous fish, fine art, fish, home decor, pillows

Bubble Fish Pillow

January 7, 2017 By karenlad Leave a Comment

Bubble Fish Left

THE BUBBLE FISH PILLOW SWIMS to THE LEFT!

Karen La Du’s Fun Fish Design is now for sale!

All on a 100% cotton Giclée printed pillow.

Karen created this design originally as a linoleum print on rice paper.  She has adapted the original design for use as home decor in the form of pillows, napkins, fabric and wall coverings.

This pillow is piped with black cotton piping and finished with a white zipper at the bottom to easily insert your favorite pillow form.

Bubble Fish Pillow Swimming Left looks great paired with

Bubble Fish Pillow Swimming Right!

ORDER NOW from www.karenladu.com

 

 

Filed Under: Fabulous Fish

The Doors of Marfa, Texas: Coloring Pages

January 3, 2017 By karenlad Leave a Comment

WOW!

We’re excited that our supplies are here and we’re starting to put the books together.

 

We’d love to have feedback from our followers about which pages they like the best.
Choose your favorite page, send us your email and we’ll send you a page to color.
We’ll begin featuring colored pages on the blog.
We already have @ www.theDoorsofMarfaTX.blogspot.com

 

Check it out!

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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