'In From the Garden'

"In From the Garden" . 16 x 12 . oil on wood panel

© kay eneim

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I luuuuuv this little vase... I just loved the embossed design and was eager to paint it.

It's perfect for so many arrangements... for my daughter's sweet peas... and roses... and lavender... and... well, her roses were 'to die for'. They were the inspiration, first and foremost. Sooo beautiful, they were!

This is one of those times when the photo doesn't show the life and depth of the impasto strokes... but hopefully you can get an idea of this one.

Of 'Our Lady of Sorrows'

"Of 'Our Lady of Sorrows' " . 18 x 14 . oil on linen panel . 2011

© kay eneim 2011

... I began this painting during Lent in 2005 and have only worked on it during Lent each year thereafter... this Lent it was finished. It has been interesting to come back to it each year, with a new perspective and sometimes a new approach in technique.

I can't remember the name of the artist who originally painted this image hundreds of years ago, and haven't been able to track it down.

I'm struggling with some glare on this photo... it's difficult to photograph oil paintings, especially the darker ones. I'll be working on that.

'Lasting Arrangement' recipient of FAV 15%!

I am pleased to announce that 'Lasting Arrangement' (below) has been included in the FAV 15% of the Bold Brush Painting Competition, Fine Art Studio Online, March 2011... with over 865 entries!

Lasting Arrangement

"Lasting Arrangement" . 20 x 16 . linen on panel . 2011

copyright © kay eneim 2011

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This particular painting did not come easily... i mean really.

At the time it was begun, my head was in a fog. I was adjusting to a studio move which was far more to 'reckon with' than i had expected... and i was without a garden for inspiration.

In a workshop in April (2010) with Sherrie McGraw, i began this painting with much promise...

but i just couldn't get into the swing of things that week.

I had planned ahead for this workshop and had the last of the roses from a bareroot rose i had planted in a can... just so i could have some roses for Sherrie's workshop.

I loved this arrangement so much... it made the struggle all the more frustrating.

In the end... after getting the unfinished painting home... I decided to scrape down some areas and begin again with some new protea and new roses.

WELL... without a garden the 'new' roses weren't going to happen, either!

photograph © kay eneim 2010

At least i had this photo from the workshop.

As much as i really dislike working from photos, this photo did help me to work on the painting this week... many months later.

Sooooo... after an injury that kept me away from the easel for eight months, it is at last finished.

... i can't begin to tell you how grateful i am!

Feast of The Immaculate Conception

'Of Murillo's Immaculate Conception' . 20 x 13.5 . oil on linen panel .

copyright © kay eneim 2006

Today is the feast of The Immaculate Conception. As the angel Gabriel at the moment of the Annunciation saluted her, 'Hail Mary, full of grace!' we honor our Blessed Mother. She was conceived without the stain of original sin, making her the spotless tabernacle for Our Lord's coming.

As a side note... I am sorry I have had little new work to show you for the past six months. I have been recovering from a back injury, but it is, at last, so much better... I pray I have something new to show you soon.

Happy feast day!

Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Mother

"Barocci's 'The Immaculate Conception' . 5" x 3" . oil on linen panel

copyright © kay eneim 2010

Today is a great day!... the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I painted this little sketch as an adaptation study, taken from a wonderful painting done by Barocci titled 'The Immaculate Conception'. I have begun to paint this version in a larger scale.

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

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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.

Artichoke and Tulips

'White Tulips' . 14 x 18 . oil on linen panel

copyright © kay eneim

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.

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

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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

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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

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"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

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

... 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!