Monday, May 31, 2010

"Red Hibiscus" Oil Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL


"Red Hibiscus"
© NORA KASTEN, 2010
Oil painting (mostly palette knife) on gallery wrapped canvas  (6"x6"x1")

"The setup for this little painting was a large red dahlia but not too long into the painting session, it was obvious it wanted to be a red hibiscus instead."


Sunday, May 30, 2010

"Floral With Copper Urn" / Oil Painting by Artist Nora Kasten / Naples, Florida


"Floral With Copper Urn"


Oil painting on linen  (40 x 30 inches)   SOLD

"Another one from the archives.  No painting for almost a week now because I've been so busy for days cleaning and rearranging things inside and out of this big house.  One friend asked me if the new baby was coming soon.  It seems this burst of energy and nesting I've been subject to is what most mothers experience just before a birth.  One big  job was moving my office out of the art studio to an area in the big family room.  It's a perfect solution and the idea came to me from the Inner Voice.   After reading Don Hatfield's Blog today I'm encouraged to write about that Inner Voice and The Power Of Now. . . . .  Coming soon."

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Oil Painting "Violets With Lemon" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Violets & Lemon"
© NORA KASTEN
Oil painting on linen   (8 x 10 inches)  SOLD


"Here is another painting that was painted ten years ago and the violets were actually Plumbago from our gardens."

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Oil Painting "Grapefruit & Violets" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Grapefruit & Violets"
© NORA KASTEN
Oil painting on linen  (12 x 12 inches)   SOLD

"This was painted probably ten years ago and to be truthful . . . .   the violets were actually Plumbago from our front yard gardens in Key Colony Beach, FL where we were living at the time."

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Oil Painting "Plumbago In Stemware" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Plumbago In Stemware"
© NORA KASTEN, 2010
Oil painting on linen  (7 x 5 inches"

"This is a total knife painting and was done late yesterday afternoon after returning home from taking Karl to the doctor's office for his routine blood work.   In fact, Karl's words are what spurred me on to paint when he asked me earlier in the day if I'd forgotten how to paint.

I've only seen Plumbago growing in Florida and it's actually a bush.  We have several in the front landscaping of our home and it's easy to bring in a small bouquet.  In years past I've painted small plumbago bouquets and represented them as violets in teapots or even teacups.  Isn't it great how we can make all the changes in the world if we like."

Friday, May 21, 2010

Oil Painting "Zinnias & Peaches" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Zinnias & Peaches"
© NORA KASTEN
Oil painting on linen  (24 x 36 inches)  SOLD

"This was painted in 2003 and has the same brass vase in it that has appeared in many other paintings."

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Oil Painting "Orange Symphony" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Orange Symphony"
© NORA KASTEN
Oil painting on linen   (20 x 16 inches)

"Since the easel doesn't have a painting on it right now I'll just keep posting those in the archives."

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Oil Painting "The Morning News" by Artist NORA KASTEN Naples, Florida

"The Morning News"
© NORA KASTEN
Oil painting on linen  (40 x 30 inches)
"Another painting from the archives."

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Oil Painting "Artistic Expressions" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL

"Artistic Expressions"

© NORA KASTEN
Oil painting on linen  (24 x 30 inches)   SOLD

"This painting was done almost twenty years ago.  It's my granddaughter, Megan, when she was four years old.   I smile when I remember how her favorite color was purple, purple for everything."

Monday, May 17, 2010

Oil Painting "Girls Day Out" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida

"Girls Day Out"
© NORA KASTEN
Oil painting on linen  (11 x 14 inches)  SOLD

"Continuing to show paintings from the archives"

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Oil Painting "Floral In Brass Vase" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida

"Foral In Brass Vase"

© NORA KASTEN
Oil painting on linen  (30 x 24 inches)   SOLD

"Another painting from the archives"

Friday, May 14, 2010

Oil Painting "Brown Eggs" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida

"Brown Eggs"
© NORA KASTEN, 2010
Oil painting on linen   (14 x 11 inches)  SOLD

"Another painting from the archives and is in the collection of Mr. & Mrs. Keith Broviak of Indiana."


Thursday, May 13, 2010

Oil Painting "The Shortcut" by Artist NORA KASTEN, / Naples, Florida

"The Shortcut"
© NORA KASTEN, 2010
Oil painting on linen  (16 x 20 inches)

"This was painted yesterday using three mirrors and painted from life.  Last week-end I took the hair clippers to my hair and clipped away.  Karl's hair is longer than mine now."

The photo below shows my three mirrors.  The one you can only see the back is the tall standing mirror that swivels and is always in back of me as I paint at the easel.  Turning around and looking into that mirror always gives me a fresh look at the painting.

The two mirrors hinged together are 16" x 20" plain framed mirrors from Michael's, bought over seventeen years ago.  Karl put the hinges on for me and all of my self portraits after that have been done using these mirrors.


Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Oil Painting "Three's Company" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida

"Three's Company"
© NORA KASTEN, 2010
Oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas  (6 x 6 x 1 inch) SOLD

"Another little painting from the sold archives."

Monday, May 10, 2010

Oil Painting "Just Waiting" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida


"Just Waiting"
© NORA KASTEN, 2010

"This is a detail from an oil painting (30 x 24 inches) our of the archives."

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Seat For The Painting Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida

Seat For The Painting Artist


"Here is  the latest acquisition for "My Small Art Studio".   It arrived on Thursday, May, 6, 2010, two days after ordering it from the UK.. . .which explains why the shipping fee costs were  as much as the stool alone.  ($85.00 plus $80.00 shipping)  It is just GREAAAAT!  I lowered the painting that was on the easel to use as a backdrop.   The seat goes higher and also lower than what you see here.  You can sit on it almost in a standing position while painting and then make it lower if you want.   The different heights are a good feature.  I have to admit that it's not the most "ladylike position" but it is comfortable and gives me good back posture and support."

THE STORY BEHIND THE STOOL / As a lot of you already know, my husband is in very ill health and is home bound.   A wonderful young lady, Michele Bracket, comes to our house every six weeks to give me a pedicure and manicure.  She gives Karl a pedicure.  Well, she has all this wonderful portable equipment she brings into the house and sets up quickly to get the job done.   You guessed it!  This stool came from one of her catalogs she shared with me.  

Friday, May 7, 2010

Oil Painting "A Grand Bouquet" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, Florida

"A Grand Bouquet"
© NORA KASTEN, 2010
Oil painting on canvas   (30 x 30 inches)

"This painting was started over a week ago with many interruptions but I'm happy with it and plan to keep it."

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Oil Painting "Red Roses" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL


"Red Roses"
© NORA KASTEN, 2010
Oil painting on linen  (12 x 12 inches)
This is another painting from the archives and is in Indiana

"Today is a sad day as I will be attending funeral services for Donald C. Runkle in Bonita Springs, Florida.  Don and his wife, Pam, have been a GOOD presence in our lives for many years and I'm asking those who read this to join with me in loving prayer for Pam."

Monday, May 3, 2010

Oil Painting "Seven Cousins" by Artist NORA KASTEN / Naples, FL


"Seven Cousins"
© NORA KASTEN 2010
Oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas   (36 x 48 x 1.5 inches)

"Another painting from last year.  "Seven Cousins" are the grandchildren of Robert Vaught in Indiana and the first inspiration for me to paint again after bringing my husband, Karl, home from the hospital in May, 2009.  We're keeping the original because we both really enjoy seeing it on the gallery wall in our home."

"There is a 30 x 30 inch canvas on the easel now.  It's a floral with my favorite colors and hoping  to be painting again soon and finish it."