Karis Fine Arts

I brought two books and my sketching supplies to the library ... then I found three more books and a padded chair and desk all to myself, alone in a bright corner.
I'll be here for the foreseeable future if you need me ...

DRAWING TO WIN THIS ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR!
Okay friends, it's time for step 2 of my campaign to help Nour and her family escape Gaza!
RULES:
1. Make a donation of any amount to Nour's gofund.me
( Https://gofund.me/08772408 )
2. Take a screen shot of your donation confirmation (second photo). Feel free to blank out the amount!
3. Private message me the screen shot to be entered!

I will make a drawing on July 1 and deliver/mail this original painting to you free of charge!

Today was our neighbor's Tim and Jim's first Father's Day; I knew I had to celebrate so I whipped up this little watercolor and ink; I didn't mean to make it so detailed but old habits die hard. I feel so privileged to get to watch their beautiful journey. 😁

Look how cute Diana Deer is! I am almost halfway done with the sketching process for her book - summer means more time for art.

Nour and her family are currently displaced after their home and her husband's work were destroyed in the war in Gaza. This is a portrait I painted as a way to "adopt" this sweet family and help them start over.
You can support Nour and her family's escape to Germany through their Go Fund Me account at
Https://gofund.me/08772408

Here's the finished tattoo design I had commissioned this spring! Really excited about how it turned out and the fun of painting with these vibrant colors.

Introducing "Juneteenth for Queen". Watercolor, approx 16×20.
I painted this for the Queens Butterfly House. They are a residential not-for-profit that helps formerly incarcerated women find solid ground to complete their metamorphosis into the healthy, transcendent women they were meant to be.
As this painting was birthed in me, I was thinking about metamorphosis and the connection between our modern penal system and chattel slavery. And also how Black women are bound by racism, misogyny, and often poverty but still they endure and transform. The matriarchal strength of Black women is something I hold in high regard.
In this painting, "Queen" is shown emerging from the cocoon on her prison jumper, her wings spreading out as she prepares to incorporate her struggles into her strength to fly.
This painting will be at auction at the Queens Butterfly House Juneteenth Extravaganza on June 19th. All proceeds will go to Queens Butterfly House!

Pepe Fest is coming up in a couple weeks - and I am so thrilled to be part of it this year! During the celebration, Pepe's team will install cabinet doors painted by local artists as the backdrops for raised herb and vegetable beds they will maintain for the neighborhood children to use. I just finished my painting - come see it and a dozen others with me on Sunday April 28th!

Now available through Karis Fine Arts; "Curious! A Day In The Life of Freddy Fox" is about our Enneagram 5 friend, who thinks deeply about everything and sometimes get stuck in his thoughts. Join him on his journey with his friends as he learns how to balance and let himself relax!
Message me with questions or to place your order. Books are $13, and I mail anywhere in the U.S.

My most recent painting was a commission for . I was so honored to bring his vision to life with a watercolor rainbow affect and a man supporting his younger self in a dance studio mirror. The mirror was a challenge and I really enjoyed capturing the reflection effect!

I am feeling European robins for this Valentine's Day! What do you think?

Okay I've been working on the third layer of this painting, but I am not sure what I think about it. Its supposed to be the figure pulling golden threads out of the dark - what are your impressions? What does it say to you? I would love your honest impressions!

A year ago today I took this little meadow fey into Meadowlark Coffee Shop and they bought it! That was a fun day. Now I feel a ripple of joy every time I see it hanging there. Thank Meadowlark Coffee and Espresso , for supporting local artists!

Every small business owners "favorite" day of the year - sales tax day! My business is still small enough to submit sales tax once a year so it feels a bit overwhelming.
Actually, after the painful act of writing the check, I love that I am contributing to the economy and the infrastructure of my home state. Go small businesses!

The ink is still drying, but I think I am done with this layer of the painting.

New Year, now project!

Hello lovely people! I am doing a post office run on Saturday - now is the time to get your calendar orders in so they get to you on time!
Just $15 each and I take any form of payment. Shipping is just the cost of postage. Message me to place an order!

It's almost that time! "Love Wins" calendars make a perfect Christmas gift. Filled with 12 new paintings, each month highlights someone - either historical or present day - who has made contributions to humanity. So every month you have a sweet picture and uplifting information to go along with it!
Complete with space to write notes and plans, this gift - for yourself or a loved one - will keep giving all year.
Only $15 each and I can ship anywhere in the U.S.

So excited about the commission I got to start today!

Genesis Photography

Handersen Publishing had a few recommended tweaks to the cover art, so now we have an even BETTER image! So excited to see it all together in PDF format soon!

This spread nearly did me in! I spent a good two days on it - and I think it finally came together. 😊

As Freddy finally falls asleep, Twinkle sprinkles stardust on him with the thoughts "I will relax and enjoy the present", "It's important to express my feelings", and "I accept myself and others".

Sometimes little ideas turn into something really fun!

Somebody got some color today! I had to take a break to work on Freddy Fox and the Love Wins 2024 Calendar, but today I had a chance to play with Remy again. My 7 year old (nicknamed, incidentally, "Baby Dragon") helped me come up with the color scene. What do you think?

Just ONE MORE painting to do, then I can do my calendar layout and order! Any bets on whether I can get it done in time for it to be here for Art in the Garden on September 9th? 😆

A few months ago, a friend commissioned a pet portrait for some friends of his. He had some specific setting ideas for their two cats and two gerbils - and what came of it is my favorite pet portrait to date! Thank you Ryan Messman for your commission!

New greeting card coming soon!