A Year and a New Studio

copyright © kay eneim 2010

I can't believe it. It's been a year since beginning this blog... and I'm long overdue posting something new.

I thought I would show you my new 'digs' ... the temporary studio set-up.

Truth be told, I am struggling with this new environment... for lots of reasons... and paintings have been slower coming off the easel. It's nice to have beautiful, natural, north light, to be sure, but it's taking a bit to get used to this new spot.

More than anything I miss the dark walls... and not having the garden for inspiration and subject matter... but I'm working toward a solution for the garden.

... it's time to do some plein aire painting outside and 'blow out the cobwebs' in the mind.

Darby and Blueberries

'Darby and Blueberries' . 12 x 16 . oil on linen panel . 2010

copyright © kay eneim 2010

Available

More fun with light falling on blueberries and roses!

Amy's David Austin & Blueberries

"Amy's David Austin & Blueberries" . 8 x 10 . oil on panel . 2010

copyright © kay eneim 2010

Available

I am temporarily without a garden. For me, trying to paint without a garden is a bit of misery!

I have been searching for something to inspire a new painting. That inspiration hit when I went to the local nursery with my daughter who happens to be a Master Gardener and landscape designer.

We came across a new variety of blueberry that is supposed to do well here in Arizona... so there we go... it now sits in a pot in the patio, loaded with new unripened berries just beginning to blush with alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue. I had to, ...had to paint them!

Later that day, I was gifted a rose from my daughter's 'David Austin' in her garden... it was the last blossom left on that rosebush. It just may be my next favorite variety... it produces incredibly beautiful roses.

I sure love roses from the garden.

Baby Artichoke & Tulips

'Baby Artichoke and Tulips' . 14 x 18 . oil on linen panel . 2010

copyright © kay eneim 2010

Whew! At last I am back working in the studio after six weeks... I couldn't be happier to be back. The day this was painted I had feared it would be a long shot to put oil on canvas and have it work. As it turned-out... it was one of those days when everything came together. I am so happy to be back at the easel.

This painting will be included in the upcoming event...

Howard/Mandville Gallery Anniversary Show Celebrating 38 Years in Kirkland, WA. The opening reception is on May 8th.

You can click here for purchase information through Howard/Mandville Gallery.

Eucalyptus

'Eucalyptus' . 14 x 18 . oil on linen panel . 2010

copyright © kay eneim 2010

Available

... eucalyptus branches and light drifting through the north window.

Cheviot Sheep

photographs copyright © kay eneim 2010

I was allowed to visit and photograph some Cheviot sheep last week at the Desert Wind Ranch. Marlo and Bob Schuh were very kind to let me do so. I had a great time.

The Cheviots are a good bit smaller than most breeds.

These little guys were very curious about my being there, and were tame enough to let me get close. They were carrying a lot of wool... lots and LOTS of wool! They will be getting a good shearing when the nights warm-up a bit.

It was too cloudy a day for good resource photos for a painting, though. I hope to find the photos helpful, nonetheless.

FAV 15% Award!

'Early Dawn Peeks Into the Barn' . 9 x 12

copyright © kay eneim 2009

sold

I am pleased to announce that this painting was awarded the FAVORITE 15% Award for the FineArtViews Painting Competition for January 2010. The FAVORITE 15% Award is given to the top-favored 15% of paintings entered in the international online competition, with the awards being granted by a jury. This particular competition included over 650 entries... I am very happy this little painting received this recognition!

Rosie Day

'Rosie Day' . 6 x 8 . oil on linen panel . 2010

copyright © kay eneim 2010

sold

Abraham Darby roses are, to me, the most fragrant, most beautiful roses.

I have been pruning them back, as we must do here every January to give them a fresh start.

I will miss their blossoms very much and will be anxiously awaiting the Spring.

Rachel's Rose

'Rachel's Rose' . 7 x 5 . oil on linen panel . 2010

copyright © kay eneim

Click Here to Acquire

My daughter-in-law and son gave me this vase. I love it.

The rose is from the 'New Dawn' climbing rose in the garden. It has been rambling like mad! Though a prolific bloomer, each of its blossoms lasts on the bush no more than a day... two at the most. I have to stick to business to get them painted!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

photograph © Sarah Eneim 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

'Mengs' Adoration of the Shepherds'

copyright © kay eneim 2008

'Early Dawn Peeks Into the Barn'

'Early Dawn Peeks Into the Barn'

9 x 12 . oil on gessoed board . 2009

copyright © kay eneim 2009

sold

"The Best & The Brightest" Juried Fine Art Exhibition and Sale 2010

February 18, 2010

www.ScottsdaleArtSchool.org

These wooly ones were resting, all cozy and content, as the early morning sun peeked through the barn door.

I was on a mission that chilly morning while in Vermont one Fall day. I got up bright and early to make it to the barn first thing. I had hoped to see some little newborn lambs. I missed their births by about an hour... but what an experience to see those new babes!

"Early Dawn Peeks Into the Barn" will be included in "The Best & The Brightest" Juried Exhibition and Sale 2010 and the "Celebration of Art" from January 15th to March 28th. Both events will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The photo shown below of the babies didn't make for a very good painting.

However, I did get a good photo of the 'ladies' resting nearby... it was used for 'Early Dawn Peeks Into the Barn.'

What a great morning it was!

Twins... just born. How beautiful!

copyright © kay eneim 2004

'Orchids'

'Orchids' . oil on linen panel . 11 x 14 . 2009

copyright © kay eneim 2009

Available - click here to acquire

Painted from life, what stunning colors and shapes lay in the buds of these orchids. So ethereal. They just jumped out and took hold!

Feast of the Immaculate Conception-December 8th

'Of Murillo's Immaculate Conception'

copyright © kay eneim

Happy Feast Day!

'Not So Mellow Yellow'

'Not So Mellow Yellow' . oil on linen panel . 18 x 14 . 2009

copyright © kay eneim 2009

Available - click here to acquire

... Sunflowers painted from life in the studio.

When watching coverage of the Tour de France cycling race this year, we could see acres and acres of them in the fields of France. What it would be like to see them like that! They must be sooooo spectacular!

Sunflowers and whistling...they just make ya feel happy!

FIrst Place! in 'Fresh Paint' Beaux Arts Miniature Fine Art Show and Auction

'Pear and Manzanita Berries' . 5 x 7 . oil on linen panel . 2009

copyright © kay eneim 2009

sold

This little painting was awarded First Place! in the "Fresh Paint - Emerging Artists" category of the Beaux Arts Miniature Fine Art Show and Auction, to benefit the Scottsdale Artists' School. With this award came a $500 scholarship towards any workshop at SAS! I was thrilled! It was a great event.

Cover of Catholic Digest December 2009!

"Of Bouguereau's 'Madonna and Child with St. John' "
by kay eneim

On the Cover of the December 2009
Christmas Issue of Catholic Digest!

Catholic Digest

copyright © kay eneim 2004

Private Collection

Gicleè prints of this painting are available.

These gicleè prints are beautiful!

Made with the finest archival inks and canvas,

your gicleè print is mounted on masonite, ready for framing.

To purchase, simply click here: 8 x 10

Order in time for Christmas!
Make Bouguereau's 'Madonna and Child'

a Christmas gift for you and for those you love!

Mengs' 'Adoration of the Shepherds'

" ' Mengs' 'Adoration of the Shepherds' " . oil on canvas
40 x 30 . 2008
copyright © kay eneim 2008

Anton Mengs' rendition of the birth of Christ is a truly grand piece with the Holy Family surrounded by the angels and animals as well as those you see in this painting. I chose to paint the Nativity with those you see here. I loved the way Christ is looking at us... with the light and the warmth coming from Him.

Gliceè prints of this painting are available.

These gicleès are beautiful!

Made with the finest archival inks and canvas, your gicleè print is mounted on masonite, ready for framing.

To purchase, simply click here: 11 x 14 'Adoration of the Shepherds'

Order in time for Christmas!

'Adoration of the Shepherds' will make a beautiful

Christmas heirloom tradition for you and those you love!

YIKES!

My Garden in the Spring

copyright © kay eneim 2009

I think homegrown flowers are the most beautiful to paint, and I think it's good for a person to get down in the dirt and dig... so gardening is good for me. Time flies when I'm in the garden.

Well... a few weeks ago I had a rude awakening. I was greeted...up REALLY CLOSE and personal...by a rattlesnake!

He had been hiding in the overgrown herb bed. When I started watering the bushy plants he was hiding under, he decided to pop his head up out of the bush, about a foot above, and he just looked at me. He then slithered over and down to a clearing. That's when I saw the rattles on the tail.

Surprising to me, he never coiled and he never rattled. Thankfully, he didn't strike. I might easily have begun digging in that spot. It happened on the Feast of the Guardian Angels. I am very grateful to mine.

Not being any sort of expert on the subject of rattlesnakes, I can only guess that, with the cooler weather, he was starting to get sluggish for his winter sleep. I've heard that rattlers don't always warn you with their 'rattle' when they are around, but I was pretty shocked to have experienced it.

I will definitely keep the garden trimmed closer from now on so those critters won't have a place to hide anymore because I still love... truly LOVE... living in the desert!

Howard/Mandville Gallery 19th Annual Invitational Small Works Show

'Roses IV' . oil on canvas . 14 x 11 . 2009

copyright ©kay eneim 2009

available through Howard/Mandville Gallery

Green Pomegranate' . oil on linen panel
6 x 16 . 2009
copyright ©kay eneim 2009

sold through Howard/Mandville Gallery

These two little paintings will be shown in the Howard/Mandville Gallery 19th Annual Invitational Small Works Show

in Kirkland, Washington, from November 5 - 30, 2009.

The sale will be held on November 14, 2009.

For purchasing information, please contact: www.howardmandville.com

800-544-4712