ART & SPIRIT by Artist, NORA KASTEN: April 2010

Friday, April 30, 2010

Oil Paintings Recently Sold At Auction by Artist, NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida

"Roses Are Red" & "A Rose Setting"

"These two paintings were recently sold at the highly successful Golf Outing / Dinner / Auction here in Naples, Florida. Dr. & Mrs. Edward Banaszak head up this annual gala/fundraiser with all proceeds going to The Naples Senior Clinic. The clinic is located in downtown Naples but soon moving to a larger property in North Naples. They are fine doctors who donate their services for our under privileged senior citizens and keep the Clinic operating smoothly. I am honored to participate with my painting."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Oil Painting "Emerald Ring" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Emerald Ring"

Oil painting on linen (20 x 16 inches) SOLD

"Showing a painting out of the archives while I'm busy doing other things today."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The Brush-Mate Electric Cleaner used by Artist NORA KASTEN

Clean Brushes

This info was planned for "This Small Space Art Studio" article I'm working on to publish later but just have to post it after seeing Stapleton Kearns blog today. Cleaning our paint brushes.

You can't see the cord on the Brush-Mate but it is electric. I do a quick clean up of my brushes at the end of the day's painting by swishing the brush in turps to get most of the paint out and wipe with Viva towels. Then I turn on the Brush-Mate, put the brushes (sometimes 4 or 5 at a time) in, roll them all at once with my hand back and forth in the swirling cleaner while I count fast to 25. I turn the Brush-Mate off and take one brush out at a time, wipe and shape it with a Viva towel . . . the job is done.

The Brush-Mate has been the best thing since cotton candy for me. The brushes you see in the background are all old. . . . I mean really old. New brushes have been ordered though and most of these will go to the Art League here in Naples for the children's classes this summer.

I don't remember the price or which art supply company I bought my Brush-Mate and cleaner from but when this one quits, I have to buy another one right away. Can't be without it now.

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Monday, April 26, 2010

Oil Painting "Mixed Roses" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida

"Mixed Roses"

Oil painting on canvas (15 x 30 inches)

"Mixed Roses" was painted to fit a 15"x 30" frame. I seldom do this but was happy after getting started. The only request was "not much purple". It needs drying time so it will be a while before presenting this painting to a gallery."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Don Hatfield's New Video

"Wanting all my artist friends to know about the new Don Hatfield video, it's just out. You can purchase it from Jerry's Artarama. Don Hatfield "Fantasy Portraits in the Garden" DVD and it's only $24.95. I really like it and know you will too."
Note: Jerry's have put the wrong picture over Don's new video but it's first.

NORAKASTEN WEBSITE

Friday, April 23, 2010

NORA'S BIRTHDAY

"Today is my 73rd birthday & It's a GOOD thing."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Oil Painting "A Little Blue Vase" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Little Blue Vase"

Oil painting on canvas (12 x 12 inches)

Note: This painting was painted by starting with the grays and coming back with purer color. It's obvious that I don't have the knack for doing that yet but it's the best I could do today.

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Oil Painting "A Jar Of Roses II" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida

"A Jar Of Roses II"

Oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas (20 x 12 x 2 inches)

"This painting on the right is the canvas that I wiped the lilacs out. The goal was to have a pair of paintings (not a diptych) to hang together and compliment each other. See below."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Oil Painting "A Jar Of Roses" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"A Jar Of Roses"

Oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas (20 x 12 x 2 inches)

"This painting was completed yesterday and I plan to start a companion piece to go with it today. . . .. . just haven't decided what flowers to paint."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Friday, April 9, 2010

Oil Painting "Peach Roses" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida P

"Peach Roses"

Oil painting on canvas (24 x 20 inches)

"This was painted yesterday and it was a delight for me to be back at my easel, painting away."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Oil Painting "Tropicana Roses" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida

"Tropicana Roses"

Oil painting on canvas (24 x 20 inches)

"This is a reworked painting. The painting was white roses with a bright background and I made the roses my favorite color, orange. As it turned out I like the new muted background better than the new orange roses."