Art & Spirit by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"FLORAL IN MOONLIGHT"

Painting #1194 / Oil on canvas (16"x12") 8-5-2016

Free I am free to live a full and meaningful life.

Saturday, August 6, 2016 Theoretically, if a clear barrier is inserted into an aquarium, a fish will attempt to swim through but will eventually adapt to the smaller space. If the barrier is removed, the fish remains confined as though the obstacle remained. Are my habits or perceived obstructions limiting me? I am free to live a full and meaningful life. If fearful thoughts are limiting me or if I’ve grown accustomed to having others tell me “No,” I affirm: I am free to live a full and meaningful life. I have gifts and talents to share, ideas to explore, and dreams to pursue. I accept myself as a child of God having abundant potential and freedom to be my best self. For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.—Galatians 5:1

Art & Spirit by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"ROSES ARE RED"

#1117 of 1185 Paintings / Oil on Canvas  (24"x20") Completed March 5, 2010

"ORCHIDS WITH CHAKRA BACKGROUND"

#1186 of 1186 Paintings / Oil on Canvas (24"x 36")  Completed November 12, 2015

From Unity's "DAILY WORD"

Comfort Divine energy soothes my spirit and I am at peace.

Saturday, November 14, 2015 One of the joys in life is warmth at a fireside. Whether I am taking in the rich aroma of a meal cooking outdoors, or being warmed by the heat in my home, comfort emanates from the hearth. Relaxing into the warmth of home, I let go of all concern and feel blessed and at peace. In the same way, the warmth of my inner hearth is a place of sustenance and calm. Comfort fills my heart, and pain and sadness fade away. My soul moves into the quiet. I feel divine energy restoring my spirit. I am enfolded in the comforting love of God. New hope arises for a satisfying, orderly life. I am comforted, healed, and renewed in mind, body, and spirit. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.—Psalm 84:3

Art & Spirit by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"WHITE ROSES / BLACK & WHITE"

New painting #1184 / Oil on Canvas (50"x 40")  Completed September 2, 2015

"This painting is now hanging over my fireplace instead of the "Angel" painting."

LEO

"LEO, my Miniature Schnauzer, wanting to get up on my lap"

"ORANGE BEGONIA"

 #1074 of 1184 Paintings / Oil on Canvas  (24"x 24")  Completed October 30, 2009

"WISTFUL"

#800 of 1184 Paintings / Oil on Linen  (20"x 16") Completed Nov., 2004   SOLD

"CLEMENTINES"

#1016 of 1184 Paintings / Oil on Linen  (14"x14")  Completed Nov., 2008   SOLD

"RED ROSES"

#1032 of 1184 Paintings / Oil on Linen  (12"x12")  Completed May 7, 2009     SOLD

Art & Spirit by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"PORTRAIT SKETCH of LEO"

Painting #1183 / Oil on Canvas (48"x 48")  Completed July, 2015

"While the men were working on my new kitchen, I was painting "Leo".  This is actually a design piece that I painted especially for my living room.  It hangs on the wall next to the old, white baby grand piano."

The reason I have not shown pictures of my finished kitchen is because it is not finished.  The "great carpenter" went on vacation."

Lively I am lively in Spirit. Saturday, July 18, 2015 Unity cofounder Charles Fillmore certainly knew how to lead a lively life. Even in his later years, he stayed active and taught Truth principles. When he was 93 years old, he wrote one of his most popular affirmations: I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm and spring forth with a mighty faith to do the things that ought to be done by me. This lasting exuberance for service springs from an inner source—the Christ within me. My body and mind are in a constant state of renewal. I nurture this vitality by praying and meditating. Paradoxically, my quiet time with God unleashes vast storehouses of energy and inspiration. Whatever I am called to do, I do with zest and zing! Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord.—Ephesians 6:7

Self Portrait by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"NORA At 76"

              Painting #1180   /   Oil on linen on board  (20"x18")        Painted August 29, 2013

"This is me alright, minus the wrinkles.  Artists can be such wonderful plastic surgeons, you know. 

Now, I can't stop smiling.  The second cataract eye surgery was done on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 and I can see Sooooo Well!   Am I ever thankful!!!   Dr. Corrent of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute can be my "Angel of Sight" now."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

From Unity's DAILY WORD                  Saturday, August 31, 2013

POSSIBILITIES

I am one with the divine Presence, and all things are possible.

It may seem that a situation is impossible, or a problem is unsolvable, but I know that with God, the impossible becomes possible.
As I open my heart and mind to the presence of God, I grow in awareness of the divine potential that is present in all of life. The Presence transcends any appearance of lack or limitation.
I connect with God in prayer and meditation, where the fullness of life becomes clear. My imagination and faith allow me to see possibilities beyond outer appearances. My wisdom and will empower me to realize and manifest new possibilities.
At one with the divine Presence, I embrace my unlimited potential. Right outcomes are coming to fruition.

For God all things are possible.—Matthew 19:26

New Oil Paintings to Gallery by Artist, NORA KASTEN

NEW PAINTINGS TO INDIANA GALLERY

"These four paintings were shipped to The Brown County Art Guild Gallery, Nashville, Indiana yesterday and will arrive in time for their Fall, 2012 Exhibit.

A walk on Naples Laudermilk City Beach yesterday was delightful!"

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

New Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Bavarian Vase"

© Nora Kasten

Oil painting on linen on board   (12"x12" unframed)        August 18, 2012

"It's good to be painting again and I've also been listening to the audio version of  "The Untethered Soul" by Michael A. Singer.  I just want  to share with you.  It is a wonderful book!  This author explains, in the best way, what I have experienced since childhood.  I always referred to it as my gut feeling or the still small voice within but finally someone has explained what I didn't have the words to do."

This book came to me through a beautiful lady who just recently entered my life and she too is a widow.  She was widowed after 60 years of marriage and has not yet reached the first anniversary of her Beloved's transition.  "Transition" is her word for her husband's death and I want to use it too.  Her presence in my life is most certainly a Godsend and I realize anew how precious life truly is."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Oil Painting "Yellow Moroccan Vase" by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Yellow Moroccan Vase"

© Nora Kasten

Oil painting on linen on board   (24"x12")     July 31, 2012

"Today is much, much better and life is certainly our most valuable possession.  

This painting was started over a week ago before my youngest son,  Jason, and his lovely wife, Leticia, were here for the nicest visit.  Sadness hit me when they left but we all visit with one another on the phone every afternoon so I always feel they are close."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Reworked Paintings, Destroyed Paintings by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Red Geraniums"  (Reworked)

© Nora Kasten

Oil on linen on board  (24"x20")    Reworked July 22, 2012

"Peach With Franciscan Ware"  (Reworked)

© Nora Kasten
Oil on linen on board   (12"x12")  Reworked  July 22, 2012

"Today, I did something that I almost never do and that is to rework a painting.  I go with the theory that it is better . . .    and saves precious time to start a new painting rather than try to fix a bad one.  But the two paintings above were reworked today and I feel better about them.   I removed two inches from each side of "Red Geraniums" before reworking."

No hope for the two paintings below so I destroyed them and they are GONE

"March Bouquet No. 1"  (16"x12")
Oil on linen on board

"Dried Roses & Blue Vase"  (12"x12")
Oil on textured canvas

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Oil Painting "Peach With Franciscan Ware" by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Peach With Franciscan Ware"

© Nora Kasten

Oil painting on linen on board  (12"x12")       July 20, 2012

" Today was another painting day and also a walk on the beach.  I consider this another practice painting and it's just good to be back at the easel."

Loudermilk Beach,  Naples, FL    July 20, 2012

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Oil Painting, "Red Geraineums" & At The Beach by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Red Geraniums"

© Nora Kasten

Oil on linen on board  (24"x24")  July 18, 2012

"Another practice painting.  I painted all morning yesterday and then to the beach for an hour walk.  When back home, I painted until 6pm."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

I like to walk on our city beach, Loudermilk Beach, here in Naples, Florida


Photos taken with the IPhone

It looks like I was up high but I wasn't.  It's just one part of the
 beach that I walk over or around  . .  . .  .   Depending on the tide. 

This little boy was really busy

It was high noon when I took these photos  yesterday
and here it  looks like  the little ones were out for lunch .

This is all I could get of my feet with the sun directly overhead.

This photo is either sad or uplifting, depending on  how it registers with YOU.
It belongs to an elderly lady who was pretty far out in the Gulf, enjoying the water with her husband.

"Florida's Plumbago" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Florida's Plumbago"

© Nora Kasten

Oil painting on linen on board   (12"x12")          July 4, 2012

"This is the second painting from the Plumbago blooming in Debra's yard on Marco Island.  

Again, as the first one it was executed totally with a palette knife but I still didn't get the finish that I was after.  Maybe another one . . . . I don't think so but we'll see."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Plumbago" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Plumbago"

© Nora Kasten

Oil painting on gallery wrapped canvas  (11-1/2"x11-1/2")   July 1, 2012

"Just to be painting is my goal right now and I'm certainly surprised how each painting turns out.  I might be able to salvage this painting but have decided not to and just take the lessons learned to go on to the next one.

"Plumbago" was created totally with the palette knife to give me the loose, impressionistic look that I'm after . . . .  .  that's ok.   The big problem here is too many values when 4 or 5 would have been best to create a dramatic "center of interest" that I always strive for.  

The excitement and joy of painting again at this stage in my life is most refreshing.  It is a new beginning though and I'm having to relearn or remember so much that used to be second nature to me."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Large Bouquet" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"LARGE BOUQUET"

© Nora Kasten, 2012

Oil on canvas  (48"x36")   June 19, 2012

"This large painting has been on my easel for several weeks now and I'm finally declaring victory, saying "It is done".

In the beginning this canvas was another oil painting that I had completed on March 13, 2010 . . . .  5 months to the day before Karl died.  The painting, "Personal Reverie", never pleased me and I don't think Karl liked it either so it seemed fitting to paint over it.  I covered the painting with Griffin titanium white alkyd paint and let it dry for a few days before starting this new painting.  See the painting "Personal Reverie" below________________

"Personal Reverie"  Oil on canvas  36"x48"   March 13, 2010  /  Destroyed March, 2012

NORAKASTEN WEBSITE

"March Bouquet II" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"March Bouquet II"

© Nora Kasten

Oil painting on linen on board  (20"x6")    March 31, 2012

"March Bouquet II" is produced on the last day of March and now I want to go into a larger format.  

Yesterday, I had lunch with two very accomplished and successful artists, Joyce Norwood and Abby Warman.   It was so good to be with these friends yesterday, to share with one another and talk the "Art".  I came home with a feeling of thankfulness and enthusiasm to be painting again.  Listening to and heeding the Still Small Voice within always shows us what path to follow and what steps to take.  I am Blessed anew. 

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"March Bouquet I" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"March Bouquet I"

© Nora Kasten

Oil Painting on linen on board  (16"x12")   March 26, 2012

"I simply couldn't think of another title so this will be "I", in hopes that "II" and "III" will follow.  

A bump on the tip of my nose was biopsied today so I plan to stay in and paint for the next few days.  Who could have guessed that it would take this to get me back to the easel?


One thing that I would like to share with you is about my MAC and the new "Lion" operating system I've downloaded.  I've lost so many Pages documents and Pictures folders and even my bank can't open up my account using Safari.  They told me to use Google Chrome until they get the issues resolved with Apple and thank goodness, that works.   I am so sorry I upgraded to Lion because everything was working fine until then.  


Have any of you had this problem and how are you solving it?  I really want to go back to the old operating system, Leopard."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE 

"Roses, Outdoors" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Roses, Outdoors"

Oil painting on linen on board  (14"x14")    November 8, 2011

"This painting took far too long to complete so it may look labored but I've decided to declare "victory" and move on to the next.  Laboring over a painting never makes it better.

Life is very good here in Naples, Florida with many days at the beach.  Today, I'm going to a beautiful spot on the East Trail and am hoping to get some good photos."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"October Sunset In Naples" Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"October Sunset In Naples"

Oil painting on linen on board  (6"x6")  October 23, 2011

"Well, of all things, a friend has introduced me to jazz music recently and I like it!  It's Sunday morning, jazz music coming from the computer and this little painting has come into being."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Happiness Is . . ." Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Happiness Is . . . "

Oil painting on linen on board  (18"x18")    October 18, 2011

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"White Roses" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"White Roses"

Oil painting on linen on board  (24"x36"   October 17, 2011

"It's time to declare victory on this and move on. . . . it's feels good to be painting again."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE