"Hot Hot Hot", original watercolor painting by Karla Nolan

We were in northern California recently, specifically Sonoma.  What a sweet town, you should visit it, really!  I slid into the alley off the main square and returned to see the bouganvillea I saw a few years back.  Still blooming away, still impossible to paint, but easy to photograph.  So, my approach here is catch the color.....that's what it's all about, isn't it?  "Life is short, use color!" is my motto.  What's yours?

"Hot Hot Hot", original watercolor painting, matted to 8"x10", $55 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

 

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

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"Gold in Those Red Hills", original watercolor painting by Karla Nolan

A little more experimentation on the old watercolor paper!  I really enjoyed painting this one -- "gold in them thar hills" sounds a bit tacky but -- it just reminded me so much of the southwestern part of the U.S., part Colorado, Utah, Arizona and so on.  You just never know what lies in the red rocks, hills, cliffs, with the turquoise skies overhead.  To me these are the quintessential Western colors of our terrain out here.  Happy, happy! 

"Gold in Those Red Hills", original watercolor painting, 5"x8.5", $65 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

 

 

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com

www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Sunset Gold" by Karla Nolan, original watercolor painting

Ah, more watercolor experimentation with the skies, the sunsets in particular.  Don't all sunsets have a bit of magic in them?  They shift so quickly, sometimes they are breathtaking, literally!  November happens to be my favorite month to observe them, just before starting dinner, closing out another day.  (The lower picture is a close up view.)

"Sunset Gold", original watercolor painting, 12"x15", $175 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

 

   

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com

www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Sunset Gold" by Karla Nolan, original watercolor painting

Ah, more watercolor experimentation with the skies, the sunsets in particular.  Don't all sunsets have a bit of magic in them?  They shift so quickly, sometimes they are breathtaking, literally!  November happens to be my favorite month to observe them, just before starting dinner, closing out another day.  (The lower picture is a close up view.)

"Sunset Gold", original watercolor painting, 12"x15", $175 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

 

   

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

http://www.KarlaNolan.com

www.dailypainters.com

www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com

www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Delicate Arch, Utah" by Karla Nolan, watercolor painting matted to 8"x10"

There are many arches in The Arches National Monument outside of Moab, Utah, but this maybe the most famous.  Cliffs, arches, trails abound.  Bright blue skies overhead, red rocks, earth below, as well as ochres, yellows, golds, oranges.. It's a bit like a different planet and, of course, well worth the visit.  Amazing what Mama Nature does!

"Delicate Arch, Utah", watercolor painting, approximately 3.5"x4.5" image in off-white mat to fit 8"x10" frame, $60 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

 

 

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

http://www.KarlaNolan.com

www.dailypainters.com

www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com

www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Peppy Pansies" by Karla Nolan, original watercolor painting matted to 8"x10"

Just less than a week until autumn officially begins.  Hard to believe, this summer has flown by!  The pansies will thrive for a little while longer, thankfully.  These were not the easiest to paint, the colors varied so much in the petals.  They are a fine reminder of warm weather, I believe. 

"Peppy Pansies", watercolor painting, approximately 3.5"x4.5" image in off-white mat to fit 18"x10" frame, $60 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

 

 

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com

www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Sunny Day Cliffs of Moher" by Karla Nolan, original watercolor and ink miniature painting matted to 5"x7"

The Cliffs of Moher are among Ireland's most famous sights.  Traveling up the coast to see them, they were was so covered in fog we couldn't get into the parking lot (we couldn't really see anything!).  The next day we attempted again to visit the cliffs and this time succeeded in our quest.  There wasn't as much sun that day as there is denoted in the above watercolor painting, but it was an exhilarating experience being so close to the cliffs and the water.  Highly recommended!

"Sunny Day Cliffs of Moher", original watercolor and ink miniature painting matted to 5"x7", $54 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

 

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com

www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Shy" by Karla Nolan, framed and matted watercolor painting

My dear friend, Meg, owns EsScentuals, a unique boutique here in Fort Collins, Colorado.  She displays my flower paintings, be they in pastel, oil, or now watercolor.  I recently brought in several new pieces of my favorite flower:  poppies, coquelicot, papaveri.  The languages may differ but the sounds are bright and happy.  Should you be interested in purchasing this 7"x5" (mat size) work for $95, please call her at 970-484-7862 or visit EsScentuals when you are in town at 142 South College, in the heart of downtown.  Tell her Karla sent you! 

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com

www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Opera Pink Hollyhocks", watercolor painting by Karla Nolan

Isn't life just one big experiment, really?  As if I needed any new challenges!  My father painted in watercolors, one of my best friends does also, and I have decided to acquaint myself with this medium.  Game on, right?  I have never painted hollyhocks before, so this is a double whammy!  It's matted and ready to pop into a 10"x8" frame, put it on the nail in that wall....

"Opera Pink Hollyhocks", watercolor painting, 4.5"x6.75" image in off-white mat to fit 10"x8" frame, $60 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

http://www.KarlaNolan.com

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com

www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"The Arches of Utah Beckon" by Karla Nolan, 4"x12" unframed palette knife oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas

I love the red earth and blue skies of the West.  The U.S has so many varied regions in it but the wide open skies and the ruddy orange and vermillion tones of  Terra Firma speak to my memories.  I hope we go back to Utah soon and see the Arches, Capitol Reef, Zion and so on................

"The Arches of Utah Beckon", 4"x12" unframed palette knife oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas, $100 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

 

 

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

http://www.KarlaNolan.com

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com

www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Early Spring Lightning and Thunderstorm" by Karla Nolan, 8"x10" unframed palette knife oil painting

Well, you know the old saying, "April showers bring May flowers"?  It happens here in Northern Colorado, that's for sure, those thunder and lightning storms bring the much needed moisture to the foothills, mountains, and plains.  This is a bit of a dramatic stretch as I'm not an art literalist, but a firm believer in artistic license.  It's more fun!

"Early Spring Lightning and Thunderstorm", 8"x10" unframed palette knife oil painting on gesso board, $160 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

http://www.KarlaNolan.com

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com
www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Seattle Sunset Reflections" by Karla Nolan, unframed palette knife oil painting

Visiting Seattle, Washington, a number of years ago was a real treat.  I'd never been to the Northwest portion of the U.S., and I loved the waterfront views.  The clouds at sunset were still vibrant, it was early summertime, and catching the reflections of the clouds just over the mountains but in the water, before the sun was too far West, was challenging to paint.  Knowing when to stop painting is always difficult, hopefully these reflections weren't taken too far!

"Seattle Sunset Reflections", 8"x10" unframed palette knife oil painting on gesso board, $160 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

http://www.KarlaNolan.com

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com
www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Moon Rise" by Karla Nolan, 4"x12" unframed palette knife oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas

I found some 4"x12" ready made canvases recently and have just gone to town with them.  They don't need to be framed, necessarily, have light colored painted borders, but would look great in a frame, also.  The moon just shows up in the sky sometimes around dusk, thought it'd be fun to capture that.  And who can resist a sunset over the mountains?  I can't! 

"Moon Rise", 4"x12" unframed palette knife oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas, $100 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

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www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Impromptu Ballerina Rose Bouquet" by Karla Nolan, unframed 14"x11" palette knife oil painting

I studied oil painting with Daniel Edmondson some time ago, a marvelous teacher and fine person.  He paints the most beautiful still life paintings, something I never felt I could even approach with a brush or palette knife.  I was inspired, however, more than I knew, to attempt a more "rugged" or less refined painting recently, with the thought of the pink ballerina rose bush planted in front of our house as the subject matter.  Dan has a more representational approach and I just tend to abstract my realism, as you can see!  (I might add here, he teaches some amazing painting classes via DVDs, you might want to check into these....he's on Facebook with more information....)

"Impromptu Ballerina Rose Bouquet", 14"x11" unframed palette knife oil painting on gessoed panel, $300 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com
www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Poppy Progression" by Karla Nolan, unframed miniature palette oil painting

From bud to just open to completely smiling at the sun, here are the red poppies once again.  Mother Nature does have a way with flowers, doesn't she?  Poppy seeds are so small, it's more than a miracle we have such lovely blooms!

"Poppy Progression", unframed 6"x6" miniature palette knife oil painting on gesso board, $72 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

http://www.KarlaNolan.com

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com
www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Seattle Sunset Sail", unframed 4"x6" miniature palette knife oil painting

Another take on Seattle, this time at dusk with the sailboats out on the water.  I guess I could easily drive up the road to Horsetooth Reservoir this summer and see a similar sight, however it certainly wouldn't be near the ocean, would it?  We are basically landlocked here.  That's okay, it gives me a good excuse to travel to the ocean once in a while, and I really do appreciate those opportunities.  Doesn't it look like fun out there? 

"Seattle Sunset Sail", unframed 4"x6" miniature palette knife oil painting on linen panel, $48 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com
www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Yellow Water Lilies in Yellowstone National Park" by Karla Nolan, framed painting on glass

Well, this is kind of different, isn't it?  We were in Yellowstone a number of years ago, just driving along, looking at all the marvelous sights when I saw something that just didn't quite seem to fit in with what I expected to see in Wyoming.  Hawaii, yes, Wyoming, no.  Water lilies were in bloom in water near the road -- I got out of the car, went over, looked at almost black water, and there they were, floating on the pads, in that water.  I was amazed, and bright yellow, to boot!  We have been back to Yellowstone National Park since then, drove to the same spot, and, voila, they weren't anywhere to found.  Another amazing nature story from the mysterious planet called Earth!

"Yellow Water Lilies in Yellowstone National Park", 11"x14" measured edge to edge glass, framed painting on glass, $465 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

http://www.KarlaNolan.com

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com
www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Winning Threesome" by Karla Nolan, 10"x8" framed painting on glass

It has been quite a while since I've posted any paintings on glass, so here is one for you to take in.  I've been concentrating on palette knife oil paintings lately but still enjoy the look of the glass works.  This particular piece comes framed up, the bottom photo is a close up of the poppies.  

"Winning Threesome", 10"x8" framed painting on glass, $240 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

http://www.KarlaNolan.com

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www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com
www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"Glowing Clouds Near Seattle" by Karla Nolan, unframed 6"x4" miniature palette knife oil painting

I've only been to the northwestern part of the United States one time, but it was an impressive region to visit.  Luckily, it was springtime so there were some warm days.  I did notice how the clouds could just hang on one in Seattle, very unlike my beloved Colorado.  I'm so accustomed to blue skies and reddish/brown earth -- well, this terrain had floaty light grey or blue skies and the waters of the Pacific Ocean.  Delightful seafood, great sounds -- and, oh, by the way, did I mention some beautiful and inspiring sunsets?  

"Glowing Clouds Near Seattle", unframed 6"x4" miniature palette knife oil painting on linen panel, $48 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

http://www.KarlaNolan.com

www.dailypainters.com
www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com
www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan

"First Snowflakes Over Rocky Mountains" by Karla Nolan, UNFRAMED miniature palette knife oil painting

Okay, this could be titled "Second Snowflakes...." because it has snowed already this year --you  get the gist of the painting, I know!  Winter's only a couple of days away but it is bright, a bit warm, and sunny today.  I know that won't last!  For you snow lovers out there, this one's for you! 

I have taken a quick pic of this unframed painting in a matted gold frame, to give you a hint of what it could look like on your wall! (Imagine a linen mat, please.)

"First Snowflakes Over Rocky Mountains", 4"x6" miniature palette knife oil painting on linen panel, $48 includes s/h in continental U.S., click Paypal button below or write me at KarlaNolan@gmail.com for more information

Thanks for viewing my art!  Greetings from Fort Collins, Colorado

http://www.KarlaNolan.com

www.dailypainters.com
www.KarlaNolan.blogspot.com
www.artforconservation.org/artists/karlanolan