Whitworth Gallery

Mixing Oil Colors In My Recent Portrait Painting – How To Tutorial

Karen Whitworth — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:39:38 +0000

(Image excerpt from my new video! Click here to watch it now.)
This is my first how-to art video and the beginning of something really fun. Thanks to my Patrons and fellow artists for the support to pull this off! SO! Welcome to my art studio for the nitty gritty on the paint colors I use, some of my favorite mixtures, and other tips for in the studio. WARNING: Cheesy acting and a few bloopers are included. Follow this link and Enjoy! **Be sure to select highest quality**

Back to Basics

Karen Whitworth — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 21:06:18 +0000

This is an 8×10 General Pencil Company charcoal drawing on Canson Mi Teintes paper by Karen Whitworth

“My fb friend, Kathy Toynbee submitted a moving photo for me to draw. It is of her son, Chris and Keely during the birth of their child, Kathy’s grandchild. I found myself imitating Keely’s expression as I carefully marked the emotion on her face. Those who have endured childbirth (or have been with a loved one during the process) know just how intense the experience is. I loved how sensitively the photo captured this incredible experience and am so happy I got to draw it. Thank you, Kathy, Chris, and Keely!”

Click here to see the drawing enlarged! YAY detail!

Wet Paint! Maui to Molokai new painting by Karen Whitworth

Karen Whitworth — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:39:38 +0000

“Maui to Molokai”
6×6″ Oil on panel by Karen Whitworth – Original Painting is Available
“I have been blessed with the the opportunity to watch sunsets from the beaches of West Maui. From there the sun sets behind the Island of Molokai, often with gorgeous fanfare. With all this heavenly weather we’ve been having in Washington, I find my mind drifting to Hawaii. And a new painting is born.
Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting.”

Want a print of this painting or maybe a phone case?
Get yours here!

Due To Unforeseen Circumstances…

Karen Whitworth — Wed, 28 May 2014 15:42:32 +0000

“If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans” – Woody Allen

This summer has not gone how I had planned…. (God must be chuckling as I type this.) My dreams of a beautiful organic community garden plot, and all that went with it, were dashed – slowly and frustratingly. It was a product of me realizing that I am indeed, mortal. *ugh*

Over the past several months I had noticed my energy levels depleting and just feeling all around miserable despite my best efforts of eating clean, high nutrient foods. This progressed until I could no longer function and saw a doctor. Long story short it is a nasty sinus infection in the maxillary cavity. I’m still in the process of ridding myself of it and have learned (hopefully!!) that it’s ok to be flexible and it’s ok to alter my plans to meet reality. I cannot tell you how hard it was to reign myself in… I would have happily run myself into the ground, working the garden, if only just to accomplish what I set out to do, not leaving it undone. I can be quite stubborn you know. I waited 20 years to play in rich soil without rocks…naturally (Alaskans, can I get an amen!?), in a temperate climate. Now, the thing I thought I finally had, is being taken away and I was the one who had to make that decision. *big sigh* It was NOT easy. I finally contacted MCGA and returned my plot for reassignment. A big thank you to my hubby and close friends for being gentle with me as I battled with this decision and a huge thanks to the Marymoor Community Gardeners Association for being extremely understanding of my situation.

I know now it was not meant to be.
Onward!

Great source for custom printing!

Karen Whitworth — Mon, 12 May 2014 19:16:15 +0000

Ever heard of Vistaprint? This is a company that I have used for much of my printing needs since 2007. They have quick turnaround, and to date, the customer service and product I have received have been quite noteworthy. Right now they have a special with Groupon giving you a total savings of 61%! I want to share this with you because I know first hand how much these savings add up. And if this means you will be able to save a few bucks, or maybe splurge for that extra special frame for your next masterpiece with the money you saved, I am thrilled to help!
Things I have ordered from them:

Flyers
Banners
Phone Cases
T-Shirts
Tote Bags
Postcards
Note Cards
Rack Cards
Etc.

There are countless more items available. These listed are just some of my favs.

So the special I want to share with you is through Groupon. For $27 you get a $70 credit with Vistaprint to use on your next order. That’s a savings of 61%! I snatched one for myself as soon as I saw it. That’s a great deal! You can get yours here.
Hope this is useful!

Favorite Things – Karen’s Must-Have Plein Air Supply List

Karen Whitworth — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 21:52:26 +0000

Here is my plein air supply list. Everything fits beautifully in my Caden backpack and I even have room to spare! The pochade box that I use fits perfectly in my bag can be purchased at Judson’s Art Outfitters. It is their Guerilla Painter 6×8 Thumbbox.
Click the image to view a full sized printable version of my list. It makes a great checklist for traveling.

Was this list useful? Join my email newsletter for a monthly email about fun things just like this.

Art for Charity

Karen Whitworth — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 15:39:40 +0000

Art For Charity

In 2014 it is my goal to give back more than before. Every week this year I will strive to host a new fundraiser featuring my art that benefits a special charity. Each week it’s something different!

This week I am highlighting the recovery effort in Oso, Washington as the community sifts through the rubble of a mudslide that killed dozens of people. I am offering 100% of the proceeds from 5×7 prints of my painting “All Things New” to this effort. There is no limit to the quantity of prints that can be purchased. Each signed print costs $18 with $2 shipping anywhere in the US. Together we can bring light and relief to those affected.To participate in the fundraiser click here.

Create.

Karen Whitworth — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 23:20:03 +0000

It’s fun to remember that “art” is a loosely defined word. For me it is something that has a root in creativity and a passion for life. These roots can grow into so many different things by just adding a person’s individual DNA to the mix. We are all created different and with unique creative desires. Maybe one person finds their “art” in baking, or in what they wear, maybe another is how they live their life with adventure and new vibrant experiences, for some it involves dimensional and tactile elements maybe fabric, clay, or stone. We all have these happy escapes that ignite our inner flame towards creating. To some extent, we are all artists. What ignites you? Are you feeding the creativity?

On this first day of Spring, it seems right that we think about new life and creating beautiful things in the world around us. What better way to honor that, than to foster a very literal translation. At our house we have been saving eggshells and their cartons for a very special project: natural seed starter pots!
We planted the first wave of seeds in their eggshell homes on 3/15. Just 3 days later we were already welcoming the baby Zinnia and Asters that had sprouted their adorable little leaves. They were immediately followed by poppies, basil, and larkspur. At the bottom of this post I will share some ideas and tips for you to do this project at home.

Think this project looks like fun? It is, and very simple. I bought these eggs at costco. They are organic and come in a convenient recycled plastic carton. It’s like a miniature greenhouse! The community garden I am a part of is entirely organic so I am trying to use organic materials in all I do. These shells will be planted in the garden with the plant once the temps and plant are ready. The shells will help introduce minerals into the dirt, and I love the zero trash involved. I will even keep the (already recycled) carton for future plantings.

How to crack an egg…
I know, sounds silly. But I found the best method was to tap a steak knife around the crown of the egg creating a crack that follows your tap patterns. We didn’t loose a single eggshell, I thought those odds were pretty good! As you can see in the pictures, it doesn’t have to be a perfectly smooth crack. After you have taken the little top off the shell and emptied it (you’re having omelettes tonight, aren’t you!? ) Take the steak knife and tap the bottom of the shell using the very tip. This will be the drainage hole for excess moisture.

Stuff
I used an organic potting soil mixture to fill the eggshells with some kitchen compost that I had been accumulating and processed.

Plant
Follow seed instructions as to how deep and optimum temperatures for planting. For instance, poppies don’t like fertilizer so I skipped the compost additive for their batch.

Water
I found that a tablespoon worked perfectly for watering each individual eggshell. Then set on a windowsill or table with good light.

GROW!
My first seedlings emerged after less than 72 hours. I was very pleased! Seeds and conditions will vary but over all this has been rather painless and productive in a short period of time. I will add pics of the plants as they grow and mature, and again as I plant them in the garden.

If you decide to try your very own eggshell planter project, I would love to hear about it in the comments! Have a super spring! Go create something wonderful.

Online Art Critique, Instruction, Encouragement, and More

Karen Whitworth — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 18:00:14 +0000

Ever wish you had someone to bounce ideas off of? Do you have a painting on the easel *or maybe one that’s been banished to the closet* that needs an extra set of eyes to troubleshoot? Or maybe you would just like some encouragement and feedback to push through to the next level in your art. Do you need some pointers in marketing your paintings to the world?

Great news! I will now be offering online critiques, instruction, tips and more! It is very laid back and at your leisure. You even get to choose what it is worth to you. I have started a Patreon Page that allows me to create exclusive content (Think tutorials, step-by-step progressions, member only area where you can post and share progress & questions, etc.) for and interact with a select group of people. And once you’re a member, you will receive a whopping 20% off workshops that I host. I LOVE to see artists learn and grow as they strive towards their creative dreams. It’s some pretty powerful stuff!
I would be honored to have YOU join me on this journey in artistic growth.

How It Works…

Step one: Visit my page and choose how much this kind of content is worth to you, **be aware I have a pretty fabulous award structure set up to bribe different contribution levels.** But if you can only afford a small amount, guess what, that works too!

Step two: Enjoy the ride! You can start posting questions, critique requests, or anything you fancy right away! I can’t wait to see you over there.

Have questions about Patreon or the process? Feel free to shoot me a message here

Hawaii In February – Yes, Please!

Karen Whitworth — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 17:58:17 +0000

We had the wonderful opportunity to visit Maui in February…
Hawaii is such a special place for me. Not just for the usual reasons, I mean really, who doesn’t enjoy it!? But it inspires me on a really intense level. Something about the islands awaken my deepest creative passions. It’s as if I had been looking at the world through dark, dirty, and scratched sunglasses everywhere I go, then land in Hawaii, and they just melt away. Everything is more vibrant, intense, I feel awakened from a groggy and ghost-like state.

These feelings can be overwhelming the first couple days. I can hardly process them. Imagine the shock to the senses! It’s almost too much to take in. Then come the waves of incredible urgency: Must. Paint. Must. Create. Must. MAKE. I think my natural reaction to beauty as well as beautiful experiences is to imitate or honor them by creating something. I find it incredibly difficult to describe this feeling, this drive, this directive. When I try to ignore it I find myself irritable and my mind begins to obsess about it. Why not give in!? I ask myself this often. The reasons that often allow me to excuse myself from partaking in creating an imitation of God’s Creation are varied and usually good ones. But do they matter? Do they really matter? Hawaii helps me tune out some of the things that, though ‘good’, are not as good as actually creating, actually channeling that intense emotional knee-jerk reaction to what beauty sits before you . I hope this trip will help me keep that focus as I return to reality, emails, deadlines, obligations, and more. Those things are all GOOD, and most are necessary, but I must not allow them to insulate my senses as a painter, adding another layer of grime to those dark, dirty sunglasses. Must clean my sunglasses.

Thanks to my Hubby, Greg Whitworth for some of these pics. They are gorgeous… I’m jealous of the camera on his phone.