Blog

Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Grinnell, Iowa.

I wanted to share that this little gem of a painting is currently hanging at Rice Gallery, in Overland Park, Kansas, as part of their juried 'City Life' exhibit.

Here's the link to the exhibit -  link

It was a bunchofun painting to paint!

The story follows the image.

Just Around The Corner Deli. (plein air)

12x12 inches, oil on panel

black wood gallery style frame

Just Around The Corner Deli.

Just off to the right would be the big ferris wheel remaining from when Atlanta hosted the Olympics. But my attention went to the red canopy of the corner deli.

I had been toting my plein air bag around downtown Atlanta, in that mode of ‘I need to find the perfect thing to paint’. Of course, there were perfect things all around, but I am kind of glad I waited for this one to set up my easel!

I was just getting started when a gentleman in a white chef’s jacket walked across the street. Our conversation went like this:

-Hello! You painting my deli?

Yes sir!

-He walked back to the deli.

3o minutesish later he returns.

-Can I take a photo of it?

Yes sir!

Back to the deli he goes.

I finished and started packing up, when he crosses the street yet again.

-I like it! Can I take one more photo?

Yes sir! And now can I take your photo with the painting?

-Yes ma’am!

Then he shared this:

His granddaddy opened the deli way back when. His daddy ran it before him, and this was his turn. But his son, was getting into the business now. And the gentleman was ever so proud to tell me that the 5^th generation was soon to be born, his grandson, to carry on the heritage.

What a day of painting it was. Maybe plein air painting is really all about the stories?

Thanks for stopping by.

Later, Karen

Greeting,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Grinnell, Iowa.

Today, I am sharing the easel shot column here on my blog space - not everybody knows how to find the column, but here's the clue:

https://www.karencooperpaintings.com/page/13905/todays-easel-shot

Today's easel shot 3 14 2022

My excuses:

1. I am way behind on photos of the daily studies, there are more than I've shown you here.

2. I went on vacation. Again. But boyohboy did I get some great photo inspirations!  (vacation is the best place to camera-lurk)

3. I signed the commission piece I have been working on, one less thing to take minutes out of the day.

So, truth, it felt really good to get back to the daily studies, I have missed them.

Did you notice #2 and the reference to photo-lurking?  Today's ref photo, courtesy of Pacific Beach Farmer's Market, San Diego.

Yes, the wet paint glare is overwhelming - wait till it calms down and I show you it's official photo - this capture is my new favorite!

Farmer's Market Farmer.

5x7 inches oil on panel

about 40 minutes

The weather has taken a turn for the better in Grinnell.  Maybe this will be a good week to get caught up on getting paintings photo-d ... stay tuned!

Later, Karen