Karen Lostracco Austin, Daily Paintings

Green pear painting and

2010-07-25T20:19:00.003-05:00

More pears and then asmall 8x10 oil on linen study of an Apple and red cup helped me forget all those green pears I had painting over and over!!!

Pears

2010-07-25T20:01:00.004-05:00

Traveling and Painting, but failing to post so will begin again!!! Hungary, Austria, Germany, Spain, Alaska.

Also traveled in our wonderful United States.

Santa Fe, NM, Atlanta, Ga. Shorter trips, but just as wonderful as the longer trips I listed above.

But to start back posting, let me share this painting of Pears that I finished in NM. It is an oil on linen board that travels well. It is light weight and easy to pack.

12 x 16 oil on canvas board.

lobster boat at New Harbour Maine

2009-11-24T23:52:00.002-06:00

8x10

oil on linen panel

$90

this is another of my plein air studies that I did at New Harbour this August. I had an opportunity to really study boats. We don't have that many chances to do that here in East Texas.

Oil Painting of Black Rooster

2009-11-24T23:45:00.003-06:00

22x28

oil on stretched canvas

450.00 unframed

I took a photo of this fellow as he was going full speed. Painted him with large splashy strokes of thick oil paint.

Texas WildFlowers

2009-11-24T23:38:00.002-06:00

30x40

oil on stretched canvas

Texas Wildflowers

Sold

finished this one last week and it is now in its new home! I love doing bluebonnets.

2009-11-16T16:10:00.002-06:00

I never thought I would have the opportunity to paint on location in Maine. So many artists have spoken of the beautiful light there. Well it is all beautiful. We were so fortunate to find such beautiful 70 degree weather all the time we were there in New Harbor, Maine, staying at the amazing property " The Moorings". It was sweltering here in Nacogdoches, tx in the 90s at the time. The crowds of visitors to Maine seemed to all be gone and the locals were beginning to board the windows up and get ready for winter. The flowers were putting on there final blaze of glory before the cold came in. I did this 11x14

11x14 oil on linen canvas oil sketch at Pemaquid Point looking east from 125.00 the light house.

Pointlookingeast the light house.

oil painting of New Harbor Maine

2009-11-16T15:51:00.004-06:00

Lobster Shack

11x14

Oil on linen panel

While in New Harbor we often ate at Shaws fish and Lobster Wharf. Soooooo good.

Right across from it was a lobster shack that got some of the boats coming in with their crates of lobsters. We got up early one morning determined to paint on the restaurants wharf before anyone was out and about. Instead it was crowded with a boat full of people leaving for a day trip out to Monhegan Island which seems to just loom out on the horizon. (We are going there next year) We were able to do a couple of quick sketches any way and were ready for the afternoon location

Paintings of Maine

2009-11-16T15:29:00.004-06:00

While we were staying at New Harbor, a must see, at the Moorings we painted each morning and evening. We ventured over to the harbor at Round Pond and set up our easels at the Lobstermens coop and I painted this little 9x12. Lunch was fresh lobster (9.95 each) and corn on the cob. It was cooler and the wind was blustery.

What a fine day!

9x12

oil on linen panel

$125.00

Apple Painting

2009-09-06T19:48:00.003-05:00

This little painting was done on a 11x14 stretched

canvas with bristle brushes. Nice thick paint.

It was great to be back painting and posting

again. Off to Atlanta Ga next week for a work-

shop and then on to Maine with a friend to do

a little on location painting with all that wonderful

light!!!! Yeahhhhhh cant wait to get there

Texas Wildflower Painting

2009-09-05T07:28:00.003-05:00

30x40

oil on canvas

Texas Wild Flowers

I completed this one recently. The photo is not as clear as I would like but it is painted on a large 40x50 canvas and is a commission work for a client. The texas wild flowers are bluebonnets, indian paintbrush and indian blankets.

Bluebonnet Painting in Oils

2009-09-05T07:21:00.003-05:00

This painting was done earlier this spring. It is oils on stretched canvas 16x20. The bluebonnets, indian paintbrush and little mock dandelions are rendered loosely to get a sense of distance in the closeup design.

It can be yours for $300.00!

Orchid Painting

2009-09-05T07:05:00.002-05:00

20x24

The trip to Greece in April was wonderful even with the long recovery of the respiratory problems I encountered along the way!! Summer has tempted and won me over to a relaxing time with my husband and family. I am still painting but not everyday as I had planned. My next few postings are of various works that I completed in oils on canvas. I hope you enjoy them. I am back to painting almost everyday. Looking forward to painting on location in Maine this month.

Pansies

2009-04-13T21:30:00.002-05:00

6x8

original oil

100.00

It is almost time for the pansies to be pulled up here and replaced with flowers that can handle the hotter temperatures. I can not hardly stand to do it. So just a few in a tiny vase makes a lovely study.

Patio Door

2009-04-08T08:00:00.003-05:00

20x24

Oil on Stretched canvas

500.00

Maybe the long stretch of silence in posting is over!!! I have finally hung my solo show in Shreveport La. 28 paintings at the Gardens of the American Rose. Exit to the gardens off of I20 is #5. Follow the signs, perhaps one mile off the interstate and visit the beautiful gardens and see my show. I hope you will like it. The roses will be best from mid April through mid May. My show will be up from April 1 through June 30.

The Artists' reception will be May 3, Sunday at 2:00. You are invited.

The painting posted above is the final one I finished for the show. It was done with bristle brushes, with the goal of catching the light outside the door as it rapidly changed.

Callas

2009-03-21T08:21:00.003-05:00

16x20 oil on canvas

Calla Lily

I wanted to get the feel of callas twisting and searching for the light. I love this flower and sometimes I feel that is what I do in my own life. Search for the light. I used soft brushes in the oils with little build up on the canvas.

Thanks for stopping by and viewing my paintings

Painting of South American Chickens

2009-03-17T11:38:00.002-05:00

16x20 oil

Chickens

This was a great little painting, working from photos my friend took in South America recently. Don't you like chicken paintings? I alway wonder why I do but they are something I like to paint.

Painting of White Roses and Shells

2009-03-17T11:32:00.002-05:00

20x24 oil on stretched canvas

This is a high key painting that was done using oils with bristle brushes. Some build up of paint helps bring the focus into the roses.

Oil Painting of Pears

2009-03-17T06:21:00.001-05:00

12x24 stretched canvas oil

Pears

After the painting session, they make great fruit salad!

Painting of Roses and Pansies

2009-03-17T06:16:00.001-05:00

20x24 oil on stretched canvas

roses and pansies

This is one more painting of roses for my solo show in Shreveport in April.

Sea Gulls

2009-03-17T06:11:00.003-05:00

18x24 stretched canvas oil

This is a painting of sea gulls was from a photo snapped at a ferry crossing. No one shared their perch!

Still life

2009-03-16T23:07:00.002-05:00

20x24 oil on stretched canvas

I have not posted for several days because I have been painting from dawn til after dinner each day. I have a special friend that is an artist and every so often we get together, shut ourselves in the studio and paint, paint, paint. We have worked all week from set ups for still lifes and landscapes from photos we took on our trips. We do critiques for each other and draw inspiration from works each other are doing. Its a great time with a lot of laughter mixed in. I hope you enjoy the next few posts, because I certainly had fun doing them!!!

My Friend at Work

2009-03-09T21:49:00.002-05:00

11x14 oil on canvas

This little oil sketch was something I painted today to give to my friend. We often paint together. I had finished my painting that day and was walking around snapping shots of the scenery in case I wanted to do another painting when I got home. The sun was hot, the wind was whipping our canvases around, and the day was a wonderful one! Good memories!

Painting of a rose

2009-03-07T20:40:00.002-06:00

20x24 oil on stretched canvas

Roses in Glass

I am sure I have told you that I am busy working on florals for my upcoming show. I started this one on Thursday and felt it was done with todays work. The rose fascinates me. I believe they have moods just like we do!!! They are a challenge for me to paint and try to capture that elusive beauty each blossom has. After the more involved look at the anatomy of the rose in some of my other paintings I felt the need to try for a free style that just caught the light on the roses.

Thanks for visiting.

Demonstration Painting

2009-03-04T21:54:00.002-06:00

oil on stretched canvas 16x20

In my afternoon class, I did about an hour demo today in which we discussed using a photo and then really exaggerating the color to add some emotion, how to simplify the design, and still use the reference photos we took to use as a guide. I took this photo in Vermont this summer and will finish up the demo painting and post it again.

painting

Summer Hydrangea Painting

2009-03-03T21:38:00.003-06:00

20x24 Hydrangea

Oil on stretched Canvas

I taught this painting at a demo class today. It was originally painted last year. It was even fun to do again today. The figs are one of my favorite things to paint.

Columbia River Gorge Painting

2009-03-02T19:08:00.002-06:00

12x16 Oil on stretched canvas

Columbia River Gorge

While I had my photos out I couldn't resist painting this view of the gorge. A very famous place and a breathtaking view.

Painting of the Oregon Coast

2009-03-02T19:02:00.002-06:00

24x36 oil on stretched canvas

This was my painting for last Thursday. I demonstrated it for my group at Hideaway Lake. They did a great job on their paintings. My husband and I took a road trip all down the Oregon Coast, Hwy 101. Oh My, What a beautiful state. If I didn't live in Texas, I would want to live there!!

Louisiana Iris #2

2009-02-27T08:18:00.004-06:00

24x30 oil on Canvas

Louisiana Iris #2

I am still working on the large painting of these Iris. Finished this morning, with another view point of it!!!

Rose Painting in Oil

2009-02-23T13:58:00.003-06:00

24x36

oil on stretched canvas

This is a large painting that I did from photos I took at the American Rose Societies beautiful gardens in Shreveport, La. This particular rose just took my breath away. It is so lovely.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Pomegranates in oil

2009-02-23T13:34:00.006-06:00

oil on a 8x10 stretched canvas

Pomegranates

75.00

Pomegranates are wonderful to paint. So many luscious colors and bumps and ridges! I finished this one up on Saturday.

Japanese Magnolia

2009-02-23T13:19:00.002-06:00

8x10 stretched canvas

oil

unframed 75.00

painting of daylilies

2009-02-19T19:36:00.003-06:00

20x24 oil on stretched canvas

400.00

I finished this one up last night. I had demonstrated it for a class and love the way we let the oil colors run, fusing together to create a lot of excitement. Then the lilies were pulled out of areas of color washes and some form was emphasized leaving lots of lost edges.

Have a great day.

Painting of Pansies

2009-02-19T19:30:00.003-06:00

5x7 oil on stretched canvas

framed in gold frame 70.00

This miniature was painted by me on Tuesday, but I haven't had time to post the paintings daily. I love doing Pansies. They always seem so cheerful!

Rose Watercolor

2009-02-16T21:54:00.003-06:00

My painting today is an 6x8 watercolor on WC paper. I am exploring the rose as you can tell by my recent posts. It is good to change mediums sometimes to think with a different slant on the form of the object.

This painting is available, matted in a cream color matt for 69.00.

Watercolor February 15th Daily Painting

2009-02-16T21:23:00.005-06:00

This little water color sketch was done on a quarter sheet. I enjoyed getting away from roses for a day! He is such a Darlin' Little Boy.

Thanks for visiting my site.

American Rose Painting

2009-02-14T17:53:00.003-06:00

30x40 oil on canvas

American Rose Society

I have been working on this very large painting of one of the AmericanRose Society Roses for several days. It was so beautiful this last summer in their gardens. I have a little left to do on the edges but wanted you to know I have been painting every day!!!!

Bougainvillea

2009-02-13T02:43:00.004-06:00

20x24 oil on stretched canvas

These are not my favorite flowers but I loved painting them thinking of the hot hot summer days!

Have a great day!!!

American Rose Garden Painting

2009-02-11T21:56:00.003-06:00

24x36 stretched canvas oils

American Rose Garden Painting

1200.00

This was done from the Shreveport La, Gardens. such a beautiful place.

There are 65 individual gardens in this 118 acre American Rose Society Center. It is located off of I-20 close to Shreveport La. I love to visit there.

Roses and Lambs Ears

2009-02-10T10:27:00.003-06:00

12x12 oil on stretched canvas

Roses and Lambs Ears

175.00

I painted on this little jewel on Friday and Saturday. Lambs ears are one of my favorite plants in the garden and they work well in paintings too. The texture is wonderful.

I hope you like it and thanks for stopping by.

Karens' Daily Painting for Feb. 06

2009-02-07T11:55:00.002-06:00

8x10 oil on stretched canvas

Daffodils

100.00 includes shipping

After cleaning out flower beds I brought these little jewels in to paint.

Thanks for looking.

Painting of Villa d'Este

2009-02-05T15:45:00.004-06:00

Last year I took 34 on an Art Tour of Italy. Not all were painters, but we all photographed the many beautiful sites. We were able to take in the wonderful art museums, the Vatican, Florence, Venice and many other cities in Italy. The painting I finished today was from one of my photos of a sheltered corner at the Villa d'Este. This amazing villa and gardens was built by Cardinal Ippolito d'Este, the son of Lucrezia Borgia and the grandson of Pope Alexander VI. The gardens have something like 500 fountains and the surprising Fountain of the Hydraulic Organ. It is about 34KM from Rome. If you are ever in the area, don't miss this spot.
I loved the way the light hit the crumbling wall in the late afternoon in March!

Daily Painting for February 4th

2009-02-05T15:28:00.003-06:00

16x20 oil on stretched canvas

unframed 400.00

Again, a painting from my Plein Air Painting in Vermont photographs.

I remember standing in the middle of the stream shooting down stream on this one. I have to admit it was much more comfortable painting it in my studio than the one done from the shore on site that day. It was nice and warm but the bugs were pesky.

Thanks for looking

Landscape

2009-02-03T22:14:00.002-06:00

Just a little landscape in oils on an 8x10 stretched canvas. 100.00

I worked from a photo I took this summer at an apple orchard looking out over the hills. So beautiful even in July!

Karens'Day Lilies

2009-02-02T18:36:00.002-06:00

24x24 oil on stretched canvas

Day Lilies

I have worked a couple of days on this one. This is another flower that the deer and I fight over each summer. I managed to save several with deer netting draped over them.

Thanks for looking

American Rose Painting

2009-01-31T21:45:00.003-06:00

24x24 Oil on Stretched Canvas

"American Rose"

600.00

This is a painting I finished today in preparation for an upcoming show with roses. I worked with a photo that I took last year at the American Rose Gardens in Shreveport,La. Spring there is an outstanding site with all the fabulous gardens.

Thanks for viewing my paintings. I appreciate any comments.

Daily Painting,"Vermont Summer"

2009-01-30T18:03:00.004-06:00

11x14 oil on stretched canvas

"Vermont Summer"

125.00

contact karenlostraccoaustin@yahoo.com

Todays painting was painted from a photo I took on my summer trip to Putney, Vermont.

Daily Painting for January 29th, Landscape Demo

2009-01-30T17:55:00.003-06:00

20x24 oil on canvas

400.00

if interested contact me

karenlostraccoaustin@yahoo.com

This Landscape was painted as a demonstration for a great group of painters at HideAway Lake Estates here in Texas yesterday. I enjoy teaching this group as they are an energetic group who always has a good time painting!

Thanks for looking

Daily Painting

2009-01-28T20:42:00.003-06:00

11x14

oil on canvas

100.00

I took this little fellows' picture while visiting my son in Corpus Christi. He was fun to paint today, very simpy, with bristle brushes, a painting knife and thick juicy oils.

Hope you like him. Thanks for looking

Tulip

2009-01-27T21:54:00.003-06:00

24x24 stretched canvas

oils

The tulips are being sold everywhere now. I painted this one this morning before I left to teach my painting classes and then added some final highlights this evening. Its cold tonight, even for east Texas and the tulips are forcasting spring!!

2009-01-26T21:24:00.002-06:00

9x12

oil on canvas

100.00

I did this daily painting from another of the Putney Vermont photos that I took while I was there in July. It was downtown, and I painted the little bridge on site while I was there But this one was completed today with bristle brushes, impasto paint and great memories!

Louisiana Iris

2009-01-25T19:55:00.003-06:00

I painted the iris on a 24x30 today, large and loose. I still have some adjustments to make. It was a great exercise with a flower I really like.

Oils on a stretched canvas, bristle brushes for lots of texture.

Thanks for looking

Karen Lostracco Austin Roses on a 24x36

2009-01-24T17:18:00.003-06:00

I am working on a large 24x36 canvas in oils for a show coming up. Im using bristle brushes and really have the paint flowing. I love roses. This is just a section of it as none of the painting is completely finished . I just started today.

Sunflower

2009-01-24T17:12:00.004-06:00

I have a tiny little 8x8 oil of a sunflower for yesterdays daily painting that I did this morning. So caught up to today!

100.00 8x8 stretched canvas

Putney Vermont Oil Painting

2009-01-23T17:07:00.003-06:00

This landscape of the road down to the river in Putney, Vermont. The road to the river was right beside the B&B and people took their boats to launch them. I was fascinated by all the shadows and the light filtering through the trees. I took the photos, worked on site and then finished this one up yesterday. I will try and finish two tomorrow so I will be current on my daily paintings. It is oil on a 12x16 stretched canvas.

Boats in Portugal oil Painting

2009-01-21T23:40:00.003-06:00

I took a photograph of these two boats nestled together in Portugal a couple of years ago. There were fishermen that had just unloaded their load of shiny silver eels.

I painted it today on a 16x20 stretched canvas using bristle brushes and painting knives. Lots of nice thick paint.

Sunflowers and Brass Painting

2009-01-20T21:45:00.001-06:00

This is a 20x24 oil on stretched canvas. It was painted from a photograph. Those big floppy sunflowers even smelled like late summer as I painted it! Hope you like it.

Painting of Knockout Roses in Copper

2009-01-19T20:41:00.003-06:00

I finished this painting today. It was started while I was in Atlanta last week. I used a photo taken last summer. The roses in the little copper pot are double knockout roses that the deer in the neighborhood seem to like as well as I do. We are in battle over them!!! This is an oil painted on a 20x24 stretched canvas.

Thanks for viewing my paintings. If you are interested in purchasing one, email me and I will give you a price list.

Red Tulip Oil Painting

2009-01-18T22:02:00.003-06:00

Today's painting is oil on a 16x20 stretched canvas of a bright red tulip.

The day was full of sunshine and so was the center of this tulip.

Have a great week.

The Red Charger

2009-01-17T23:09:00.003-06:00

I painted a still life of pears on a red charger today on a 12x16 stretched canvas. I'm busy planning for a floral show with my paintings and getting ready to start teaching weekly painting classes starting Tuesday. Thanks for viewing my blog and my daily paintings.

Vermont landscape painting

2009-01-16T18:32:00.002-06:00

Someone ask me if I liked to do landscapes. I do and find that plein air painting really helps me judge values in nature. When I paint only from photos I tend to paint as dark as the darks in the photos and we all know that is not accurate. I painted this 12x16 oil on location, down in the creek bottom on a overcast day in last July, in Putney, Vermont. We spent a week there and painted everyday, even when it rained and we got soaked putting our supplies up. What fun. It is truly a lovely place. On the following Saturday we got to watch an oil demonstration done by Richard Schmid, one of my favorite artists. I will share some more on my plein air paintings at a later time.

Oil paintings of a red rose and of a copper pot

2009-01-15T19:34:00.005-06:00

Two new paintings today and I will have my new year committment up to date!! Both are oil paintings. The pears and copper pot was a still life I taught on January 9th in Atlanta. It is on a 12x16 stretched canvas. The rose for today I did on a 11x14 stretched canvas. I hope you like them.

Roses and Tomatillos

2009-01-14T19:18:00.003-06:00

I want to post the paintings I have completed in the last few days. I just got back from the Atlanta workshop yesterday.

All are oil on stretched canvas.

The White and Red Rose Painting is on a 12x16 canvas and is one that I demonstrated for the Atlanta Group. They did a great job on the still life.

The Rose garden is one I painted Sunday evening from a photograph Gloria took in France last year. It is an 18x24.

The double roses painting I did on Monday from a photo I took last year from the ARS gardens. It is also an 18x24.

The tomatillos are on a 9x12. I love the papery covering and the wonderful greens! What a fun little set up. Did it on Monday too. Will put the other two paintings on tomorrow as they don't photograph well, wet under the lights at night!

Daily Painting of a Red Rose with Cherries and one of Pink Roses

2009-01-09T20:30:00.007-06:00

I'm in Atlanta Ga. having a wonderful time. My friend and I set up a still life each and painted all day on Thursday. Seventeen students arrived early Friday morning to begin their workshop. I am so proud of them. They all finished their still life paintings and started another today. I will demonstrate a painting on Saturday and again on Sunday, and then we part ways again for a while. I love teaching and working with this group. They are such a creative bunch of painters and the energy level is great. I have enclosed a photo of the paintings I did on Thursday to suffice for both Wednesday and Thursday daily paintings. I will post again on Monday to catch you up on my daily work.

The oil painting of the Pink Roses is done on a 11x14 stretched canvas. The Red Rose and Cherries is on a 14x18 stretched canvas, in a wonderful blue and white vase brought to us from China.

Thanks and have a great day!

Red Pear Painting

2009-01-06T20:54:00.004-06:00

The painting for today was of a lovely little red pear. I painted it in oil on a 8x10 stretched canvas.

I will be leaving in the morning to teach a painting workshop in Atlanta, Ga. So I will be unable to post until I return although I will certainly be doing a painting a day. I will post all seven when I return.

Bye for now.

Another American Rose Society Beauty

2009-01-05T17:31:00.004-06:00

I have been doing a series of paintings from the American Rose Society Gardens in Shreveport La. This is a watercolor I did today on paper, about 8"x 8".

Pink Rose Oil Painting

2009-01-04T19:35:00.004-06:00

As Sunday winds down, filled with family, church, and friends there was still time to finish up this still life of pink roses.

One of my goals for the new year is Focus. Doing a painting a day for a year will take some focus but I want that in my life with the things that truly count. Simplifying, doing only the things that count in my life, like family, my painting, gardening, and the other busyness that overwhelms me should evaporate leaving only the things that really count. I just have to remember FOCUS!

My Daily Painting for January 3 2009

2009-01-03T14:22:00.002-06:00

This little piece is a watercolor that I did today. I will do an oil tomorrow of pink roses. I have committed to doing a painting a day for 2009. I paint often anyway and this will be a good exercise.

Yellow Rose Painting

2009-01-02T21:08:00.003-06:00

The American Rose Society has a wonderful garden outside of Shreveport La. which is only 80 miles from me. April is a wonderful time to visit it. This oil painting is done on a 24 x 24 stretched canvas from a photo I took last April. I started it yesterday afternoon and did some glazing in transparent oils today. I am trying to learn to photograph these oils with out a glare when they are still wet! There must be a way to do it!

A New Year

2009-01-01T15:28:00.003-06:00

A new year comes in and taps me on the shoulder! Time to consider the opportunities that confront me in my life and my art. This little 12x16 oil painting is simple but graceful as I hope my days ahead in 09 will be. I grew the little callas outside my patio door last summer. I wish the real ones lasted even longer than they did.

Painting for the last day of the year 08

2008-12-31T12:41:00.003-06:00

Shuffling through the pictures of my summer garden I found these gardenias. Thin washes of transparent dark colors and then a splash of opaque light values and this 18 x 24 canvas is finished. It may be dreary outside my window but the light at my easel is great!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!