Red and Black Plums (SOLD)

This is the next painting in the 125 series. I am currently working on a commission due at the end of this month, so that is my top priority for the next few weeks. I'll continue to create new paintings in this series as time permits. I had hoped to be able to juggle teaching, the commission, and this series, but it wasn't reasonable. I look forward to getting back to this series regularly after the commission.

Red and Black Plums
5x7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

I started this painting last week, intending to send it out Saturday, but had a hard time getting the plums to look right. The first approach wasn't working, so I had to take a different approach, one that I should have started with from the beginning. My first approach was to paint the colors as I saw them on the surface. The approach that I needed, which ended up working, was to look past the surface light (reflections) to the base color of the plums, and then working wet on wet, to build up the colors, ending with the reflections.

Juliet Tomatoes (SOLD)

I finished this painting yesterday, but cadmium red takes a long time to dry, and it wasn't ready to scan until today. I will be sending out another painting tomorrow. These two juliet tomatoes are from my vegetable garden. I hadn't heard of juliets before this year, and I highly recommend them. They are about the size of a large grape or small roma tomato, and the plant is a high producer.

Juliet Tomatoes
4x6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

The Unfinished Painting

This morning I started working on a painting of a green tomato, something I have been looking forward to painting for a few weeks. Unfortunately, it just wasn't happening. I was about half to three quarters of the way done, and it just wasn't clicking. As an artist, every painting doesn't end in success and satisfaction, and you have to know when to move on to something else. This was today's story. Maybe you will go back to the painting the next day, week, or months later, but sometimes paintings stay stacked in a dark closet, never to see the light of the studio again. I started a new painting of two red juliet tomatoes, but got called away from the studio this afternoon. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Tennessee Fourth (SOLD)

I painted this in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on July 4th while visiting with my wife's family. It is so refreshing to get out in the mountains and valleys of western North Carolina and East Tennessee. Such a beautiful landscape right in the backyard.

Tennessee Fourth
5x7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Shells (SOLD)

Shells
5.25" x 6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Pear with Jar (SOLD)

Pear with Jar
5x7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Willow Oak Study (AVAILABLE)

Willow Oak Study
7x5"
Oil on Masonite
$185 (includes shipping within the U.S.)

To purchase this painting, please email info@paulkeysar.com or call 704-596-1286.

Blueberries with Lemon Peel (SOLD)

Blueberries with Lemon Peel
4x6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Shell (SOLD)

Due to my schedule this week, the paintings for this week will probably go out at night. Here is the new painting in the 125/125 series.

Shell
4.25" x 6"
Oil on Cardboard
SOLD

Cucumber Accident (SOLD)

This is the first cucumber grown in my garden. I accidentally stepped on it when transplanting, and it took on a deformed shape, and then stopped growing. I like to find fruits and vegetables that have unique characteristics. They are much more interesting to me than what is considered a 'normal' look. I have started to play with color in my paintings. The background in this painting started out green. I then changed it to red to play with its complement, before changing it back to green.

Cucumber Accident
4x6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Field on Contees Wharf Ln (AVAILABLE)

Today was a very hectic day. I'm sorry for the late post. Going forward, I would say, I'll get these out as early in the day as possible, but things come up outside of my control. For instance, this painting took a long time to dry, so I had to wait to scan it in. The Habanero Peppers painting has sold. Tuesdays and Wednesdays paintings are currently available if interested. Here is today's painting:

Field on Contees Wharf Ln
6x6"
Oil on Masonite
available

This is a plein air study. There's a little bit of glare on the right side of the photo.

Cherries with Peach (SOLD)

I must say I had a very difficult time editing the scan of this painting. The light reflecting off of the medium used created glare spots, and for some reason, the color just isn't conveying. The actual painting turned out quite nice, and its background and foreground colors are softer and more even than what the photo is depicting. Photo documentation is probably the most frustrating part of this process.

Cherries with Peach
5x7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

I am always looking for variety in my paintings, and frequently use what's on hand. This is a combination I haven't painted before and was able to make use of these fruits before they went bad.

ELEMENTary Opening Reception6/26/09, 6-9 PM - Concord, NC

Please join me at the "ELEMENTary - The Basics: Air, Earth, Fire, Water" opening reception on Friday, June 26, 2009, from 6-9 p.m. at the Cabarrus Arts Council galleries, Historic Cabarrus Courthouse, 65 Union Street S, Concord, NC.

I have 14 works on display, including 7 new oil paintings, one of which is shown below. Hope to see you there!

Shore Line
16x20"
Oil on Canvas
SOLD

Below is an invitation to the opening:

The exhibit is on display through August 13, 2009. Regular gallery hours are M-F, 10-4.

Cloudy Night (SOLD)

This is the second painting in the 125 series of small paintings.

Cloudy Night
6x6"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

In this painting, I wanted to show the coolness of night and the way the light of a full moon plays off of the clouds.

Habanero Peppers (SOLD)

This is the first painting in the 125 series of small paintings.

Habanero Peppers
5x7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

I was first drawn to paint these peppers due to their delicate, petite nature—a true testament to looks being deceiving, as the habanero is one of the hottest peppers in the world. You won't catch me eating these now that the painting is done. I also wanted to play with the complimentary colors of orange and blue. At first, I had the tablecloth a darker blue, with lighter blue in the background, but the contrast was too strong, so I reversed the foreground and background colors.

For an early preview of tomorrow's painting, please subscribe to my email newsletter (see top right of blog). Thanks!

Watermelon Slice (SOLD)

While you are waiting...here's one currently available:

Watermelon Slice
5x7"
Oil on Masonite
SOLD

Finished!

I have finished and turned in all paintings for my second exhibit this summer. I have been working on preparing for the "Realism Found" exhibit (on display through June 30th), and the upcoming "ELEMENTARY: The Basics - Air, Earth, Fire, Water" for the past two months. I am ready to switch focus.

The ELEMENTARY exhibit runs June 22 - August 13, 2009, with an opening reception during the Art Walk on Friday, June 26, 2009, from 6-9 p.m., at the Cabarrus Arts Council, Historic Courthouse, 65 Union Street S, Concord, NC 28026. For more information about this exhibit, please contact the gallery at 704-920-ARTS (2787).

I saw a preview of the exhibit yesterday, and it looks really great! There is a great mix of styles from artists across the region. Please come out to the opening if you can. It won't disappoint.

I'm still working on editing images of the new paintings completed for the two exhibits, so I can show you the new paintings. I created four new paintings for the Realism Found exhibit and seven new paintings for the ELEMENTary exhibit. I'm still working on my website redesign. There's been a lot going on. I'm not posting new information on my website until the redesign is done. In the meantime, look for news on my blog or follow me on Twitter at @paulkeysar.

"Realism Found"Opening Reception June 5th, 6-9 p.m.

I have 13 pieces on exhibit, including several new, never before seen, pieces. Please come out to the opening if you can. I would love to see you there.

Work in Progress

I am currently working on finishing five paintings for "Realism Found: Charlotte Artists Find New Meaning in an Old Tradition". I have to finish these by Monday to get them photographed and framed prior to next Wednesday's hanging. I'll post some photos of the paintings in the exhibit later next week. The show runs June 2-30, 2009, at The Queen's Gallery, 1212 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC. If you're in town, please come to the opening reception on Friday, June 5 from 6-9 p.m., or the Plaza / Midwood "Krawl" on Saturday, June 13, 2009, from 7-10 p.m. Hope to see you there.

After those paintings are finished, I have several more I have to be finished for another exhibit in June in Concord, NC. Those need to be turned in by June 1st. A very busy week for me lies ahead.

May 2009 Plein Air Painting Workshops

Upcoming Plein Air Landscape Painting Workshops

Saturday, May 23, 2009 (rain date rescheduled from last week)
McDowell Nature Preserve, Charlotte, NC
1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
$35

Saturday, May 30, 2009
Colonel Francis Beatty Park, Matthews, NC
Morning Session: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Afternoon Session: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
$35 per session, or $70 for both.

To register, please call 704-596-1286 or email info@paulkeysar.com.

Skill Level: All skill levels.

Medium: Demo will be given in oil. Participants may use the medium of their choice.

Limit: Workshops are limited to eight (8) participants.

Workshops will deal with the problems artists face during the beginning, middle, and end stages of a painting. Through demo, discussion, and critiques, Artist and Instructor Paul Keysar will help participants develop a higher understanding of and gain a greater confidence in painting the landscape in plein air. He will cover topics such as, how to work with your materials, the use of drawing as a foundation in painting, color choices, the importance of a good composition, and more. Paul will start each workshop with a short lecture and discussion time, followed by a demonstration. The remainder of each day will be spent painting the landscape with each student receiving individual guidance as needed.

Upon RSVP, supply lists and directions will be emailed to you.