Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years from OOPS...

The artists of the Onslow Outdoor Painters Society wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you in 2008!

Plein Air artist and friend, Mike Rooney, starts blog to document his adventures!

Regional artist and friend, Mike Rooney, has stepped into cyber space a bit farther by starting a blog. He plans to share his thoughts and plein air adventures on it.

Click here to visit Mike's Blog... be sure to leave a comment..
Mike Rooney Studios
A place to show my most recent paintings and chronicle my life as a plein air landscape painter. Hope you enjoy it!



Mike and Bernie at Mike's solo show at the Baysden Gallery earlier this year...

If you ever get a chance to attend one of Mike's workshops... do so... you won't regret it!

Check out Mike's webpage and workshop schedule here...
Mike Rooney Studios

Mike plans to join us for a few "Paint Outs" when his schedule allows.

Mike lit a fire under me by double-daring me to paint 100 paintings. I've painted over 200 since his challenge in October 2006. Thanks Mike!

Bernie

PS... Brenda... It's your turn... ;)

Finished Art Work from December '07 "Paint Out"

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Karen Crenshaw

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Eileen Garbett

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Donna Tyree
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Earl Tyree
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Bernie Rosage Jr...
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9x12" Oil on Panel

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Mitchell Morton...

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Dean Remington...

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More to come...

January 2008 "Paint Out" set for the 20th at Heart's Desire Equine Rescue, Inc.

A note from Donna...

We’ve done historical sites, coastal scenes, and pastoral/barn scenes. Now, it’s time to see how we do with animals!

I have arranged for OOPS to meet at 1:00 PM on Sunday, 20 Jan 07, at HEART’S DESIRE EQUINE RESCUE located on Hogan’s Road in Bear Creek -- Hubert is the mailing address. Hogan’s Rd is also locally known as Hatteras Yacht Rd/ Tiara Yacht Road – where the boat-builder company is located in Bear Creek.

Also, The Red Barn Restaurant (traditional/fried seafood) is about 2 miles from the rescue stables; and, those who like could go for an after-paint gnosh (Dutch treat); they also have burgers and dogs if one prefers this over seafood.

Looking forward to another great outing!

~Donna G

Map to our "Paint Out" destination... (Click map to enlarge)...

January "Paint Out" scheduled for Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 1:00 PM.

Our next "Paint Out" is set for Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 1:00 PM. Donna Graham is picking the location but is waiting for approval by the landowner. We will publish the location as soon as possible but wanted to get the date out to you so you can mark your calendar!

Meet OOPS Artist... Eileen Garbett

Artist ~ Eileen Garbett

Eileen graduated from Lenoir Community College in the spring of 2007, with an AAS in Early Childhood Education. Upon completing her school work, she was able to pursue her long-time love of art. Eileen says, “I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember.”

She spends a great deal of time outdoors enjoying God’s creation, canoeing, geocaching and hiking with her husband of over 25 years, Bob. When she is indoors, she can be found in her kitchen creating edible works of art. The outside art experience of OOPS brings her love of art and the outdoors together.

She is an active member of New Hope Baptist Church, near Beulaville, where Bob serves as pastor. Eileen and Bob have a son who attends Campbell University studying Professional Golf Management.

January and Feburary "Paint Outs" TBA SOON!

I have received several emails from folks who saw us painting at the Aman Farm Sunday wanting to join us on our next "Paint Out"...

Again... I'd like to extend an open invitation to any artist in the area to join us. We will have dates and locations listed here soon for the next "Paint Outs"... so stay tuned!

All mediums and levels are welcome!

Sunday we had several photographers join us along with artists working in oils, acrylics, watercolor, charcoal, and graphite... where are the pastel artists hiding?

Join in on the fun. The "Paint Outs" are not instructional events although a wealth of knowledge can be gleaned from watching artists at work. We do share ideas, techniques, etc... but encourage artists to learn or sharpen their plein air skills by doing... the experience of plein air work alone is worth the trip out. We may even kick around the idea of doing instructional workshops in the future... ;)

If you are one of those artist interested in joining us email me (see sidebar) so I can put you on our update list.

Have a great day...
Bernie

Meet OOPS Artist... Ellen Elder

Artist ~ Ellen Elder

After 30 years of teaching, ( the last twenty teaching art), I've finally retired and picked up my art utensils again. Originally from Northern California, I graduated from California State University in Sacramento witha BA in Fine Arts. I later completed a graduate program in Special Education and taught multi-handicapped children for several years. In 1986, I was offered a teaching position to teach art for the Dept. of Defense. I traveled to Japan and taught at Yokota Air Base for 2 years. I met my husband Mike, a Lt. Col. in the USMC (now retired), in Japan and we moved to North Carolina in 1988. We have lived in Surf City ever since. Until my recent retirement, I taught art for the Camp Lejeune Dependents' Schools.

My art has been on the back-burner and I hope to rekindle the passion. I used to paint large oil paintings and watercolors, but over the past fewyears have worked on smaller detailed pencil drawings. I feel a need to branch out and OOPS! came along at just the right moment.

Another dream of mine is to build an art center midway between Jacksonville and Wilmington near Holly Ridge and Surf City. I have the land, am negotiating with a builder and hope to break ground next year (2008). It will offer studio space, a gallery, space for classes, etc. I will keep you posted on the progress.

If you have any questions or suggestions for the art center, please e-mail me at:
ArtExposure@charter.net.
Ellen Elder

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This just in... Great News from Ellen about Art Exposure L.L.C. coming in 2008...

Dear Artists and Friends,
My name is Ellen Elder and I am a recently retired art teacher. My dream has always been to open an art center that would be representative of The Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA and ArtSpace in Raleigh, NC. I own an acre lot on Highway 17 midway between Jacksonville and Wilmington, closest to Holly Ridge and Topsail Island. I plan to break ground this spring with a 4600 square foot open barnlike area that can be used for several purposes. If you’re not familiar with The Torpedo Factory and ArtSpace, let me share my vision:


Vision Statement: ArtExposure will provide the local community with a dynamic space for artists of all ages to work and learn. The art center will be a needed addition in an area that is lacking a large central location for artists to meet, teach classes, work in open studios and market their work in a public forum. ArtExposure will offer twenty studio spaces for lease to deserving artists that need space in which to work. Artists must spend a certain amount of hours a week working in their studios. Since ArtExposure will be open to the public, the artists will be juried in by a board of directors. The board will be elected by members of ArtExposure. Regular weekly and weekend classes will be offered for children and adults. Summer art and theater camps will be offered for children. A large open community space will be available for the public to rent for special events such as receptions and meetings. This will generate additional income for the center. In addition, this open communal area will be used for rotating art shows which will be open to the public.

Where: Highway 17. Drive ¼ mile south of 210 (by Lowes in Surf City) and Highway 17. It’s the one acre lot on the right next to Anchor Realty.

For additional information: please e-mail http://www.blogger.com/ArtExposure@charter.net

Meet OOPS Artists... Donna and Earl Tyree

Artists ~ Donna and Earl Tyree
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Artist Statement : Donna Tyree
I have been in love with art since I first picked up a crayon as a child. I have spent a significant portion of my life in the last 18 years painting. Most of my paintings have many hours of devotion put into it, and some have taken me several months to complete.

The main media I paint in is Acrylic, although I have done some paintings in oil. I mostly paint on canvas in my studio while listening to music. Besides canvas, I like to paint on wood and clothes.

Born in Lynchburg, Va. in 1952, we moved to Onslow county in 1986 where I now live and have my Home Studio Art Gallery. Although I was a portrait sketch artist for many years, I changed to a landscape painter in 1989. I treasure the days that i can devote to relaxing and painting at home in my studio. Not only is it a great stress reliever for me, but my art devotion has become my " Sanctuary". My favorite artists are Kinkaide, Bob Ross, Roger Bansemer, Sandra Kuck, and Monet.

I want my paintings to be peaceful to look at with a flavor of light and colors. I have a desire to share my visual perception of Gods' handwriting to the world. I want others to see this through my paintings of landscapes and the human touch with color, to convey a sense of tranquility and peacefulness to the collector. With my persistence to detail and perfection, i paint at a much slower pace.

I owe my gratitude first of all to God, who gave me this " self-taught" art talent, and to my husband who has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams of becoming a successful artist. I would also like to thank my children who have encouraged me throughout the years.


Artist Statement: L. Earl Tyree
I began my journey with art from my experience of painting cars in auto body shops. I've always enjoyed a challenge and using my imagination. After retiring, I wanted to explore different ways to relax. Although I painted cars for 25 years, I never knew that I would try my skills as an artist. My wife who is also an artist, helped me to get started 2 years ago. I have painted many paintings since then.

I like using the freedom of imagination and the ability to express myself. I mainly paint with oils, although I also use acrylics. I usually paint landscapes with a Bob Ross " flare ". My favorite artists are Bob Ross, Thomas Kinkaide, and Roger Bansermer.

Born in Lynchburg, Va., in 1951, we moved to Onslow county in 1986 where I now live and have my Home Studio Art Gallery. It's really nice to be able to share my interest in art and talents as an artist with my wife.

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Visit their webpage at... Tyree's Art Expressions

A Beautiful Day and Setting for December Paint Out!

OOPS December "Paint Out" at the Aman Farm...



We were blessed with a perfect day for plein air painting... 70 degrees and sunshine by the gallons! The Aman Farm offered several vantage points for some great artwork. We were joined by Thomas Brock and his photography group and look forward to their photos. We also had two new artists join our ranks... Eileen Garbett and Ellen Elder. Karen's daughter, Kristen, even found time to sketch after she finished her school homework.

Our group photo from the December "Paint Out" at the Aman Farm... 12-9-2007.

Left to Right: Dean, Stephen, Mitchell, Ellen, Earl, Donna, Karen, Kristen, Pat, and Bernie.

Keep an eye open for our finished paintings... coming soon!

A special thanks to Catherine Aman for letting us gather on her beautiful property to create our works of art!

Great News for OPPS in 2008!

GREAT NEWS: This just in!

Connie Wenner (Executive Director of the Council for the Arts in Jacksonville) has asked us to have a gallery show next summer. The show will be in the Baysden Gallery at the Council in June 2008. It will consist of plein air paintings created during our "Paint Outs" by OOPS members. What an honor... let's get busy creating those plein air works of art!

See you all Sunday at the "Paint Out"... weatherman is calling for sunny and mid-70's... couldn't order a better day!

Bernie

Bernie back from Blue Ridge Plein Air Trip!

I'm back... WOW... what a great time I had... read all about my adventures here...
My Plein Air Adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Bernie

Meet OOPS Artist... Dean Remington

Artist ~ Dean Remington

I AM NOT A PAINTER!!!! With that said, I am a photographer. I have a small studio in Jacksonville, NC. I got interested in painting from my friend Bernie, also an OOPS painter. He gave me some paints and invited me to November's paint out. I really enjoyed it. What I find I like most about painting is that there really is no right or wrong. It is a personal endeavor. Your only critic you need to listen to is yourself. You can push yourself to become better or you can enjoy whatever you bring to the table that day. The brushes never ask where you have been if you haven't painted in a while. It truly is a relaxing experience. I do not ever see myself painting much in the house but I do see many enjoyable hours "en plein aire".

Visit Dean's art blog here: An Exercise in Expression

Meet OOPS Artist... Gordon Adams

Artist ~ Gordon Adams

Gordon Adams prefers to sketch in pencil and later do the final drawing in pen and ink. At work in the boiler plant, he frequently sketches on paper towels and on the backs of logsheets. This year he won 2 Gold Medals in the Senior Arts Competition in Onslow County for his ink drawing of Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities in Southern Pines, NC and for some of his boiler plant art. Many years ago, he took Art lessons under Ione Ervin Griese' of Richlands and Effie Taylor Caldwell, at Jacksonville High School. At age 58, Gordon has recently started to pursue his artistic talent again.

More Finished Works from OOPS "Paint Out"...

Bernie Rosage Jr...
6x8" Oil on Canvas Board




Dean Remington...

Some Finished Works from the Nov. "Paint Out"

This just in... some finished paintings from OOPS artists from the November "Paint Out" in Swansboro... More to come soon!

Mitchell Morton...

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Donna Graham....

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Donna Tyree...

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Earl Tyree...

TECH TIP: How to Photograph Your Artwork

I find the easiest way to photograph my artwork to publish on the web is to simply shot a digital image of my work outside in the shade. Remember to hold the camera steady, turn off the flash, shot straight on, and make sure you are shooting in a solid shaded area (no dappled light).

Here are some great articles that explain the process in more detail...

"How to Photograph Art" by Dallas Art Revues

"Digital Abracadabra: Posting Your Art on the Web" by Scott Burkett from Wet Canvas

"How to Successfully Photograph Your Own Artwork" by Sylvia White

Finished paintings by Brenda Behr from November "Paint Out"

We were blessed to have artist Brenda Behr join us for our recent "Paint Out". She resides in Goldsboro and traveled to spend the day painting along the Carolina Coast and participate in our November outing. Her first painting was done on Emerald Isle before we started and her second one was done during the "paint out" on the small island between the bridges in Swansboro.

Shades of Emerald... by Brenda Behr... 16x20" en plein aire,
11-11-2007.




Shades of Mauve... by Brenda Behr... 18x24" en plein aire at OOPS
"Paint Out", 11-11-2007.


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Although OOPS is made up of Onslow County artists we'd like to take this opportunity to stress that artists from the region can join us anytime... an open invitation is always extended to Brenda and any other regional artist. Come join us!
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More finished works from OOPS artists will be posted within the next couple weeks... so stay tuned! I'll be away on a plein air trip to the Blue Ridge for ten days so please bear with any delays.
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Thanks again Brenda! Visit Brenda's site here... Brenda Behr. She is also in the process of building a personal blog and promises to share with us once it is finished.
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Bernie

December "Paint Out" Date and Location set...

Karen picked us out a great location for November in the picturesque coastal town of Swansboro... Stephen Greer has has equally picked a GREAT location for our next "Paint Out" in December... The Aman Farm.

It gives an artist many options to paint from... including an old country lane, tobacco barn, old cemetery, huge oak trees, and open fields. A beautiful spot which may not be around in the future with plans to four-lane Piney Green Road.

The location is near the corner of Piney Green and Old 30 Roads. Simply follow Piney Green Road and turn at the light onto Old 30 Road at the Kangaroo Quick Mart... (Old 30 meets Piney Green Road about half way between the length of Piney Green road which runs between Hwy 17 and Hwy 24). Once you turn the scene is immediately on your left with parking on the right hand side in Catherine Aman's yard. Catherine was kind enough to give us permission to paint on her private property and park at her house. Thanks Catherine! We bumped the time up to 1:00 PM since the time change and it's getting dark earlier.

Mark your calendar for December 9th at 1:00 PM... See ya there!

Photographer, Thomas Brock, shares his photos from our recent "Paint Out"

Photographer, Thomas Brock, shares his photos from our recent "Paint Out" in Swansboro. You can view them here. There are also some photos of a short walk through Swansboro with Cindy Archbell, another accomplished photographer who also enjoyed photographing the day.

Awesome work Thomas!

Had a BLAST at Swansboro "Paint Out"!!!!

OOPS members endured the brisk weather to enjoy another GREAT time of plein air painting together at our November "Paint Out" in Swansboro. Several new faces joined the ranks including artist Brenda Behr from Goldsboro. We met several people and were even interviewed by the Tideland News.

In addition to Brenda... the following artists were present...

Dean Remington

Karen Crenshaw

Donna Graham

Stephen Greer

Bernie Rosage Jr

Mitchell Morton

Earl and Donna Tyree

Pat Boni

Sandra and Gordon Adams

and Joseph ( a six year young artist).

A few of us gathered for a picture at the Otway Burns Statue...

Pictured left to right: Bernie, Dean, Karen, Mitchell, Donna, Stephen, Donna, and Earl.

Some new faces...

Dean

Gordon

Joseph

Earl and Donna

More photos and finished painting shots coming soon!

TRIVIA QUESTION??? about "OOPS Paint Out #2" this Sunday...

Do you know who the statue is of in the painting below and what he was noted for in history?

(answer below)


"Bicentennial Park", Swansboro, NC...6x8" Oil on Belgian Linen,
en plein aire, 3-29-2007 by Bernie Rosage Jr.

The small coastal town of Swansboro, North Carolina has a quaint friendly atmosphere aptly earning its nickname..."Friendly City by the Sea". The town was incorporated in 1783, and named for Samuel Swann, a former Speaker in the North Carolina legislature. The town's main attractions are its beautiful waterfront views and its quaint downtown, filled with boutiques, shops and delicious restaurants. One of its many beautiful spots is "Bicentennial Park" at the base of the Highway 24 bridge. It gives visitors a chance to fish in the White Oak River or relax and watch the water... not to mention a great place for an artist to set up his/her easel and paint away.


Trivia answers: Otway Burns, a local privateer who built the first steamboat in North Carolina. PLUS... this will be the very spot local artists will converge on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at 2:00 PM for OOPS "Paint Out #2".

Please mark your calendar and make plans to join us... See ya there!



The following artists plan to attend:
Bernie Rosage Jr
Dean Remington
Karen Crenshaw
Donna Graham
Randy Mills
Brenda Behr (artist from Goldsboro)
Stephen Greer
Mitchell Morton
Tracy Sorensen
Earl and Donna Tyree
Pat Boni
Wyn Easton (artist from Raleigh)
Sandra and Gordon Adams

New Richard Schmid DVD coming November 13th!

Richard Schmid is one of the foremost painters living today. He paints from life and his work is something to behold. He is one of my favorite artists... his book "Alla Prima" is the single most important volume in my library of art books... its tattered pages attest to my ongoing use of it.

His purchase date for "White Pine" ... #4 in a series of landscape paintings is set for November 13th!

Check out his site and other instructional videos and books... Videos & DVD's

Plein Air quote of the week by Scott Burdick

Plein air paintings are life, and without them the rest of my work would die. Without it, I would have nothing to say in the studio, because without real-life experience, art is impossible. (Scott Burdick)

Check out Scott's website here: Susan Lyon and Scott Burdick

Daily News Article about OOPS!... SUPERB!

I personally want to thank the Jacksonville Daily News, Timmi Toler, and Don Bryan for their SUPERB article about OOPS in the Sunday, October 18, 2007 newspaper.

If you didn't get a chance to read it you can check out the online version here...

En plein aire
A group of local artists have found a new creative outlet in an old form of painting by Timmi Toler.




Don Bryan also made a video of the outing and OOPS...

check it out

here...

(2 minutes and 29 seconds)

Finished works from OOPS artists' from "Paint Out #1" at the Pellitier House.

Here are the finished paintings from OOPS "Paint Out #1". The "Paint Out" was held in downtown Jacksonville at the Pelletier House near the waterfront giving our artists a variety of subject matter to paint from. This first event was a huge success and marks the beginning of a great opportunity for local plein air artists to fellowship and PAINT. Join us for "Paint Out #2" on November 11th.


Click on the paintings to view larger images...


Karen Crenshaw chose a view of the historical Pelletier House.





Mitchell Morton chose a view from the waterfront looking through the willows at the Old Bridge Street bridge.





Bernie Rosage Jr. also chose a view of the Pelletier House. This painting is available for purchase via eBay auction... Click here...






Stephen Greer actually found time to finish two paintings. The first is a painting of OOPS artist, Donna Graham, as she works on her painting. The second painting is of a tree looking toward Anne Street.







Donna Graham painted a beautiful weeping willow tree on the waterfront.






Michael Hart chose a view looking across the New River from the waterfront.





We welcome your comments... in fact... we'd love to hear them...

Meet OOPS Artist... Stephen Greer

photo by Thomas Brock

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Artist ~ Stephen Greer

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Artist's Statement...

I express myself drawing and painting. Depicting the North Carolina coast and doing candid sketches of people in public places provide the visual references used in creating abstract and realistic work. Patterns, colors, rhythms and their astounding abundance in the world fascinate me. Carrying a sketch book makes it possible to take advantage of these fleeting elements. Life and art engage me fully in the evolution of growing and learning.

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More Info...

Ever since I can remember I have been making marks on something. Crayon drawings on walls, house paint on garage walls, chalk drawings on the street, ball point pen drawings on note book paper in history class- you name it. Encouraged by teachers, friends and family, I moved on to using a variety of art mediums and eventually settled into using acrylics exclusively. I participated in OOPS first outdoor painting event and I'm hooked. It was great to be involved with people pursuing a common interest! I have work at Art Escapes and Frames in Morehead City and Nicole's Studio and Gallery in Raleigh.

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Meet OOPS Artist... Mitchell Morton

photo by Thomas Brock

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Artist ~ Mitchell Morton

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Born and bred in Onslow County! One of those rare people-finds! I began working in an artistic way as a young boy by carving my mother’s Ivory soap (recall the LARGE bars we used to get!). I continued to experiment over the years to develop my talent. I truly do not think we ever fully evolve to that final “place” to which we all aspire… I see it as a continuous journey in which we continue to quest with each passing day. My work is done in a variety of mediums – oils, acrylic, pastels, and mixed media. My first “en plein air” experience was in October ’07 – and it taught me to work very quickly due to the constantly changing light. Out of this comes the fact that you, most times, compete a painting in one, short sitting.

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Visit my art blog at... River's Edge Studio

Meet OOPS Artist... Michael Hart

photo by Thomas Brock

Artist ~ Michael Hart

A senior and art student at White Oak High School.

Meet OOPS Artist... Karen Crenshaw

photo by Thomas Brock

Artist ~ Karen Lee Crenshaw

Karen Lee Crenshaw has been drawing “since she used to scribble on the walls as a child.” As the wife of LtCol Bill Crenshaw, USMCR Ret, she has been a part of the military life for 18 years. She has fourteen-year-old twins, Tom and Kristen, who share her creativity and have also done their share of wall scribbling. The family has lived in Jacksonville for the last eight years where Karen maintains Crenshaw Art Studio in their home at 708 Ireland Court.

Karen has been accepting portrait commissions for a number of years and specializes in portraits of women and children. Her work is traditional and lifelike, yet it maintains a painterly quality. She enjoys providing her clients with an heirloom that will last for many generations. “ I especially love working with children and capturing that innocence that seems to pass so quickly,” the artist says.

When she is not working on portraits, you can find her painting landscapes. “Coastal Images,” her recent one-person show at UNCW, featured scenes from Topsail Island painted from photographs and studies done before the devastation of recent hurricanes. “I am particularly intrigued by the pinkish-blue tones of the early morning light and the amber light of late afternoon. When the sun is low on the horizon, it creates wonderful contrasts of forms and oblique angles and shapes. I’m always looking for a dynamic abstract pattern on which to base the composition,” she explains.

Karen was born in South Dakota and grew up in West Virginia where she obtained a B.S. in Art Education from Concord College. After teaching in Rockbridge County, VA, she returned to her studies at George Washington University in Washington, DC, receiving a Master of Fine Arts in Painting. Her paintings have been exhibited and have won awards in New York City, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and DC.

Karen has a working studio and exhibits her work at ArtExposure in Hampstead, NC. She also has available a number of small watercolors and landscape paintings in her studio. In addition, she has self-published two limited edition lithograph reproductions. “World War II Memorial, Virginia Tech” has been published in a limited edition of 1000 prints and is available for $65.00. “Potomac Sunset,” a water scene near Washington, DC, was published as a limited edition of 400 prints and is available for $50.00.

To commission a portrait, purchase a print, or schedule a studio visit, call her at home, (910) 353-8684, or contact her by email at kcrenshaw@ec.rr.com.

Vist Karen's webpage at http://karenleecrenshaw.com/

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KAREN LEE CRENSHAW
708 Ireland Court

Jacksonville, NC 28546

(910)-353-8684
kcrenshaw@ec.rr.com

Meet OOPS Artist... Bernie Rosage Jr.

my photo by Thomas Brock

Artist ~ Bernie Rosage Jr.

I appreciate the simple things in life. Many artists thrive with creativity in times of turmoil... I'm just the opposite... give me peace and harmony and the creative juices flow much easier... That is why I love working from life and enjoying nature. One of my favorite ways to paint is on location en plein aire... the French term literally translates in open air.

I love Plein Air painting because of the full EXPERIENCE... It fills all the senses for me. I also enjoy the challenges it presents due to changing conditions in my surroundings... it pushes me as an artist and forces me to capture the essence of the scene. I also like meeting people while I'm out painting in public... adding a more personal experience to the sitting. One of my favorite plein air experiences was painting at an old stone church in the Blue Ridge Mountains while a lone Scottish bagpiper played. My least favorite outing was when I was preoccupied by two alligators while painting at Greenfield Lake in Wilmington. I often paint with my artist buddy Olivia, my six year old daughter, who definitely steals the show when we are on a plein air outing together. The camaraderie I have found in this group of artists, OOPS!, will be a source of inspiration and admiration for me for years to come.


Olivia and Daddy plein air painting at Cedar Point. Check out the story of Olivia's first plein air outing here.

I'm a self-representing artist and have joined the ranks of the latest art movement... "A Painting a Day"... well... almost every day! I am completely self taught... except for "a little help from my friends"... my fellow artist friends that is.... who so generously share their thoughts and knowledge with me. We hang out much like the Impressionistic artists of old did in the cafés of Paris... only in a cyberspace kind of way. I mainly work in oils and and have been painting seriously since January 2004.

I have attended many workshops with many great artists but would be amiss here not to mention my mentor, artist Larry Seiler. Larry has been an encouraging and educational force in my work not to mention a GREAT friend. He taught me the "art of seeing". I also glean from and study the masters... old and new. Some of my greatest influences are Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, John Singer Sargent, William Bouguereau, Nicholai Fechin, Amedeo Modgliani, Richard Schmid, Morgan Weistling, Mike Rooney, and Marc Hansen.

My wife, Tami, and I had the privilege of seeing the "Monet in Normandy" exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art in November 2006... seeing those 50 works by one of my favorite artists has been a major inspiration and motivating factor in my work ethic as I usually paint everyday.

I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoy creating it. As a self-representing artist, most of my paintings are for sale... be sure to visit my art links below...

My Paintings for Sale
My Art Journal
My Art Gallery
My Art Demos
My Web Page
My eBay

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My quote below sums up what plein air painting means to me...

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