I have collected a few bird's nests over the years. I did not disturb them...they were found from trees that were cut down...and also one cleaned out from my gutter! I use artificial eggs to stage the still life. The backgrounds are painted abstractly---sometimes skies, sometimes leaves. Recently I have painted a series of 4...all from this "Egg Drop" series.

This year was a great year to paint snow in Clemmons, NC. We had so many snow days! And as a public school art teacher we had to make up the snow days in June! This sunrise was spectacular one morning looking out from my deck.

This piece was donated to the American Red Cross. It will be auctioned along with works, "Let Them Eat Cake," from my Dessert Series on March 5, 2010, at the "Give Me Shelter" dinner auction at the Deacon Tower in Winston-Salem, NC.

I was driving along Farmington Road and saw this beautiful pasture. I stopped to sketch and take some pictures for references. I used a much brighter palette than Mother Nature provided in this painting.  Toning my canvas set the mood....several landscapes are being painted from these references.  North Carolina has many beautiful landscapes ready to paint!

My new series involves painting tea cups and beautiful reflections. These belong to one of my best friends...

  Yep, I did try to eat this one, but not by myself! I had help, although it takes a family of 5 to really get the job done!  This gigantic banana beauty can be found in Lexington, NC at the Barbecue Center Restaurant on Main Street.  People come from all over the country to try to eat this giant banana split! The barbecue is good, but this is spectacular.  The original oil is available.  I also have a limited edition of giclees signed and numbered  for that perfect gift for the ice cream lover's birthday....or just a colorful conversation piece to enjoy! Dig in. 

Plein Air Painting with Karen Evans.  Immerse yourself in your art and the outdoors with this 3 day workshop.(July 30, 31 & August 1, 2009).  We will focus on capturing the light of the morning, composition, color mixing and values.  You will receive help in setting up and getting the most from your outside painting experience.  We will finish the day with a critique at Iggy's. Iggy's Art Supply is located at 6311 Stadium Drive, Clemmons, NC 27012 (near Winston-Salem).  On Saturday afternoon, you will have the opportunity to share what you have painted with others.  We will have an exhibit of our still wet beautiful interpretations of what we experienced as plein art artists!  Come on and join the fun.  Get out of the studio and paint!  Visit my work at karengevans. com.  Call Iggy's at (336)766-6211 to Sign Up. 

I am still very busy painting desserts for the "Sweet Times" series.  My studio smells soooo good.  It's hard not to eat my still life, especially if it's chocolate! Twenty of these "sweet things" will be printed together in a very limited edition of giclees titled "Sweet Times".  They will also be printed individually for "pick your favorites".   
Stay tuned there are many more in the oven and then on the easel!

Karen Evans
karengevans.com

I have started teaching classes at Iggy's Art Supply Store in Clemmons, NC.  Iggy's is a convenient place to grab that wonderful Gamblin oil paint that I love to paint with!  Once I started painting with Gamblin, it is hard to settle for anything else.  This is a beginning oil painting class.  It is a great location with plenty of room for a paint-a-long demonstration.  Our first painting is a landscape of a beautiful garden In Old Salem, Winston-Salem, NC.  Step-by-step instruction is given...questions encouraged.  I am one of those artists that loves to paint and talk at the same time.  This is a group of enthusiastic painters.  Call Iggy's if you would like to sign up for upcoming classes (336) 766-6211.  Address:  6311-C Stadium Drive, Clemmons, NC.

I am also teaching an intermediate group of oil painters in my home studio in Clemmons. I will post paintings to the "Thursday Night Brush Strokes" category as we complete them.  Currently, we are working on marsh scenes, lily pads, sushi and springtime golf course landscape!  We recently submitted 5 painting to Karin Jurick's "Different Strokes from Different Folks" Blog of our sushi paintings.  They look great on her site and they are all unique! 

Painting with a regular group is so much fun!

Karen Evans
http://karengevans.com

I have been so busy with teaching art to kids and adults this year, that I did not get out Christmas cards. So over my Christmas break, I painted our "centerpiece" which was a Gingerbread Train. This will be the image for next year's 2009 card. Thinking about our current economy gave me the idea for the title.  There will be "Sweeter Times Ahead" for all of us.  Keep the faith.