Sunday, January 31, 2010

Keep Pushing On


I know it is the time of year, or so I keep saying. Days of I cannot do one more thing. I have pushed and pushed. I need some sunshine and heat. I miss taking art classes and going to Open Studio, as there is such a synergy of working with other artists. I call this painting Ode to Helen, Helen Frankenthaler, born in 1928, a woman definitely ahead of her time. An American abstract expressionist, she expressed herself as a color field painter. She had great admiration for Hans Hoffman and Jackson Pollock. She later married fellow artist Robert Motherwell.

If you love art as I do, look up some of her art, Pollocks, Motherwell's, and Hoffman's works. Of course don't forget Albers, de Kooning and Rothko. I think you will be amazed at the saturation and intensity of these greatest of the great in a very important movement in the arts.

44 comments:

Maria Killam said...

Kinda like a Rothko painting, and the orange is my favourite!

Purple Flowers said...

Lovely painting. I know of Jackson Pollock and Rothko, however, I will look up Helen Frankenthaler as well. Thank you!

Debra said...

I'm always interested in reading up on artists. I love this recent work. It surely brightens-up my moring here in the northeast!

Karena said...

My favorite reads are biographies and autobiographies. I just finished reading "Loving Frank"....a historical fiction on the life of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Very interesting.

Pauline Wiles said...

January is a tough month! Hang in there ;)

Greet Lefèvre said...

I so love the paintings of Pollock!
But your paintings are also just wonderful!!!!
xx
Greet

Unknown said...

I heard Loving Frank was a terrific read. Speaking of love, Love looking at your work, very inspiring!

annechovie said...

What gorgeous, war tones, Karen. It does remind me of Rothko, too. Have a super week!

Karena said...

Thank you so much for all of your encouragement!

Haven and Home said...

I will have to look her up. I need heat, sun and flip flops ASAP.

one sydney road said...

Oh I understand how you feel...I reach a point in winter where I just can't wait for warmth and sun! (it's about that time that I wonder "why do I live in a cold climate?"!) I even noticed that I keep being drawn to yellow things :) But just think of how lovely spring is...and it's right around the corner!

columnist said...

Thanks for stopping by. I am not so familiar with this genre, but I hope you can command the same $$ as the ones I featured!

Crystal @ Plush Palate said...

LOVE the monochromatic artwork!

Anna White said...

Karena, just beautiful...makes me feel all warm inside. I love the mixed shades of orange tones and the streaks of yellow...very soothing. Great work x

Blayne Macauley said...

I love anything orange, so this is beautiful to me! I am off to look up Helen :) Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

LaurenFaythe said...

Love the orange - your work is very serene. Beautiful!

Sue

LaurenFaythe said...

Hmmm... just left a comment, and it didn't publish....anyway, I was saying that your work is very serene. I love the orange - beautiful!

Sue

pve design said...

Good to push and then to pull back and take a break.
I always enjoy my books and learning about other artists that have such signature style. I know they must have felt the same push, pull of an artist's work.

alexkeller said...

omg - this is absolutely gorgeous!!! i love love love the orange

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I am so envious of artists, since I don't have a single bit of artistic talent. I've scrolled through your posts, and your talent is wonderful. laurie

Maria Killam said...

Karena, thanks for your comment :)

High-Heeled Foot in the door said...

Oh I must agree some sunshine and heat would be nice. As I sit here typing this I'm wrapped up in my snuggie to prevent frostbite in this chilly home of mine!

smilla4blogs said...

I love your "Winter Sky" posted 27 December. Those of us with cameras are always striving for a similar capture. Thank you for a spiritual dose of vitamin C and I appreciate your visit to my blog very much!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Thanks for the introduction to Helen. I wasn't familiar with her work. Lovely painting.

Joe Ruggiero said...

I like the look. Bold and graphic.

Ivy Lane said...

beautiful painting and I love the sentiment that goes with it! I LOVE art and just had the pleasure of seeing the Gaugin exhibit here in Cleveland... it was WONDERFUL...

I am thinking about taking a class this summer..I am no artist that is for sure, but think I might do okay with some guidance...! Happy Sunday and thank you for stopping by my blog and for all your kind words!

Decor To Adore said...

Oh this is great! I was wanting to cover a female artist for my sons class art lesson that I do once a month.

Thank you so very much for the sweet wishes for my upcoming trip.

Karena said...

Thank you all, the positive energy is so fantastic!

Viera said...

My kind of art.
Thank you for stopping by my blog.
Have a nice week.
X
V

drollgirl said...

such lovely colors, and i think it is somewhat reminiscent of rothko. have you seen his paintings in person? i used to work for a museum that had many in their permanent collection. standing in front of them made me just want to ENTER the paintings and be part of that lovely realm of color.

sorry if this sounds/reads cheesy. i am crazy for art. :)

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for sharing! It`s great to revisit the greats!

Splendid Willow said...

Karen, I have not been here for a while and I am now adding you to my blog roll so I won't miss your posts! The painting is wonderful. On top of my coffee table is the book "Mark Rothko in New York". I am always drawn to monochromatic paintings. Helen would have appreciated it too. What is not to like! Happy week, Monika

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

I love art, but I am always amazed at what is suppose to be the great works of art... what draws us to one piece over another ect. It is the one thing in your home that never needs update!

Noel Solomon said...

Such a beautiful & touching post. Thank you~ I'm some what familiar with Jackson Pollock, amazing artist. How interesting art can be... it seems to smooth the days over for me and carry me to a place filled of warmth, just like your painting.

Love,
Noel

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Karena,

There are some really beautiful works here. Wish I could take one of each home!

Miss Mustard Seed said...

You have some very beautiful pieces. It must be such a great outlet for you. Thanks for sharing your talents with us.

DesignTies said...

This is the perfect painting to raise the spirits on a cold & snowy winter day :-) The orange is so bright & warm & happy :-)

Kelly

Holly Lefevre said...

Beautiful...orange is such a great color.

Millie said...

I can tell you need some sun Karena, hang on in there it won't be too much longer! Adorable painting.
Millie ^_^

Cobalt Violet said...

Love this painting! ... Yummy, saturated, lovely color! ... It too reminds me of Rothko a bit (one of my favorites!)

I have always loved de Kooning and Motherwell but I'm so happy to learn of Helen Frankenthaler! I just checked her out and I am very inspired. Thank you so much!

And Happy Valentine's Day!!

Cobalt Violet said...

Love this painting! ... Yummy, saturated, lovely color! ... It too reminds me of Rothko a bit (one of my favorites!)

I have always loved de Kooning and Motherwell but I'm so happy to learn of Helen Frankenthaler! I just checked her out and I am very inspired. Thank you so much!

And Happy Valentine's Day!!

Francine Gardner said...

Inspiring painting and very uplifting and daring...beautiful work. I love the painters you mentioned and am more of a modern monochromatic type...I absolutely love the works of Pierre Soulages and was very upset to have been unable to see his retrospective at the Pompidou museum in Paris. Alechinsky and the Catalan artists of the beginning of the century are my very favorite artists. Francine

Four Seasons in a Life said...

Dear Karena,

I thought I was here before and commented about the painting.

Egmont

Fifi Flowers said...

FUN to be included! ENJOY! Fifi

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