Transportation

We've just returned from a whirlwind trip to Germany to visit some of M's relatives. I have had an overdose of planes, trains, buses and cars. Thus, I dedicate this post to transportation, in its many forms. I don't take photos in airports or airplanes, usually. I don't know why. Maybe next time I shall make it a point.

M got to drive a car on the Autobahn. There are great stretches where you can drive as fast as you want - heaven for the Evel Knievel in your life. There is a recommended speed limit of 130 km/h, and many sections of the autobahn do have speed limits. (for example, near road construction and near urban areas.) I didn't drive, but spent a good deal of time doing deep yoga breathing on the passenger side. One thing about driving at speeds near 150 km/h, when you do finally slow down to normal speeds it tends to feel like you aren't moving at all. Craziness.

Normally, I would be giving myself a day or two to sleep and re-adjust to this time zone, but as it turns out, I will be getting BACK in the car to drive to San Diego tomorrow. I am the featured artist at Art of Framing for the "Art Around Adams" artwalk this Saturday from 2 to 10 pm. I can't say I am overly excited to get back into a car, but I am excited to show my work to a new audience and meet new people!

On the morning walk

One of the trails we like to hike with the fuzzy dog is rife with Parry's Nolina. It is one of my very favorite desert plants. They are in various stages of blossoming, and it is a sight to behold. Photos don't really do them justice, but I try for you. These were taken about a week and a half ago. Recent photos coming soon...

Not only were they covered in bees, but I also spotted a lizard in one, who ducked out of sight when the camera emerged.

Photos of new paintings will be forthcoming...

Experiments in video

I have recently been having fun with the camcorder on my phone. I wanted to share with you the experience of being under our Palo Verde Tree when it is in bloom and full of bees. It doesn't look good full screen, but at least you can hear the bees.

Refueling

No matter what anyone might say about it, art is not created in a vacuum. My art is heavily influenced by my surroundings, and I also need to take time away from my art every now and then to refuel that creative engine. I draw inspiration from books, music, other artists, and travel. The reason you haven't heard much from me lately is because I have been trying to fill up my tank. Hopefully, I will have more to give you once my imagination tank is full.

Last week, we loaded the dog into the VW camper van and went camping with some friends in the Mohave National Preserve. It is a fairly short drive from our home in Joshua Tree. I have driven past the area so many times, and never did I imagine there was such beauty tucked away behind those mountains! Wow. It is now probably getting too hot to do much more camping in this area, but when the weather cools down again in the fall, I would recommend giving this area a good exploring. I hope to go back!

Here is just a small sampling of what we saw:

I also had the good fortune to see an exhibition of Richard Deibenkorn's Ocean Park Series at the Orange County Museum of Art. The exhibition is up until the 27th of May. If you have a chance to see it, I highly recommend it. There is nothing that can compare to seeing original works of art in person. This was the first time I had ever seen one of those paintings in person, and I will say that the experience was powerful. I am still absorbing those paintings and the impression they left on me will not fade anytime soon.

Spring in the desert

hello Dear Blog readers!
My studio sale on Saturday went well, and I was happy to see so many friendly faces. Thank you so much for all of the well wishes, and thank you to all of those who came and bought some art!!!!! I am so grateful for all of you.

My parents are visiting from Colorado, and we have been showing them around the desert. I just wanted to check in with you, and share with you some of the wonderful flowers I have been seeing in the desert. It has been a rather dry year, and I wasn't sure there would be any flowers at all. So any flower I see is now greeted with much excitement and attention.

Last week, Matthias and I also got a chance to say hello to this fellow:

Ah, yes. I love spring in the desert.

Studio Sale

I am busy getting ready for Saturday's Studio Sale. For those of you who don't know about it yet, I am having a clearing out sale this Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. The art on sale will be older works - pre-Joshua Tree! (and a few works from our first year in Joshua Tree.) I will have original watercolors, pastels, oil paintings, drawings and giclee reproductions. Also, I am selling books, art supplies, and other miscellaneous studio stuff. The sale takes place at our home in Joshua Tree, California: 6925 Juniper Road. Feel free to email me for more information and/or directions. karine@karineswenson.com

Here is one of the paintings I will have for sale:

"Change is Inevitable." Oil on canvas, 30 x 36 inches.

Many of the works will be half the usual retail price. I just need some more room for all of the new paintings I have been doing and will be doing! I have never had a sale like this before, and I don't know if I will ever do it again, so don't miss out.

For those of you who are far away, I will try to post some of the works here on the blog this week. Please email me if you see anything that interests you. I can ship anywhere.

"Winds of Change." Oil on Canvas, 30 x 38 inches.

My parents are coming on Wednesday, and they have promised to help with the sale. Not ONLY that, but Matthias is coming home, too! Join in the fun and come over Saturday, even if it's just to say hello.

Success and failure

Here we are on a dusty, windy Friday. I have been struggling in the studio today, so maybe writing a blog post won't be quite as painful. I hope. Forgive me if I don't try for a great essay this time. My confidence has been severely shaken by art failures.

Maybe there are artists out there who want you to believe that they never have failures, or that they never struggle. They want to wear the hat of a master. I was brought up to tell the truth, and the truth of it all is that for every success in the studio, there have been a pile of failures. The reason why a good painting is so wondrous is that they don't come around every day. Not for mere mortals such as myself. I am willing to share all of this with you, dear darling readers, because somehow I know you love me despite my imperfections. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

"Contentment." Oil on canvas, 30 x 24 inches. ©2012 Karine M Swenson

Of course the only way to success is perseverance.

Happy Friday, everyone.