News of a workshop & Barbara Flowers new easel by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"YELLOW ROSES"

Oil painting on linen on board  (24"x20")
I think that I destroyed this painting last summer while clearing out.

"Laura Robb is giving a four day workshop in Taos, NM / September 24 through September 27, 2012.
The workshop will be held at the Blumenscheim Studio, 222 Ledoux Street, Taos, NM  87571
(575) 758-0505.  The class is limited to 10 artists and I'm signed up already.

Now, please go to Barbara Flowers blog.  First to see her beautiful work and then to learn about the Hughs easel.  Below is the comment that I left on her site."

"Barbara, I am so happy for you and I know just how you feel.  Five years ago my dear husband bought the Hughs easel (same as yours) for me, for my 70th birthday.  Just like you, we ordered it and 2 or 3 days later he delivered it to our house and totally set it up for me.  It is well worth the money and the easel of every artist's dream.  I enjoyed using it for 4 years but gave it to The Salvation Army last summer with a prayer that the right person would get it.  After Karl died I sold our big home and had no place for it then.  Today, I'm blessed with a good place to paint again.  It's just not big enough for that easel and yet my heart is full of Love and Thankfulness for such rich memories.  God is so good to us . . . .  and Barbara, I kept the 2 paintings I bought of yours and enjoy them every day."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Motor Trip Highlights & The National Museum Of Art by Artist, NORA KASTEN

(iPhone photo)   Renoir at The National Museum of Art, Washington, DC  on  June 9, 2012

     "Today is Saturday, June 16, and my second day to be back home.  Both days I was privileged to take my walk on the Naples beach at the edge of the water and as good as the trip was  . . . .  it is even better to be back home.

       It's been over 20 years since I visited The National Museum of Art in DC and the Philadelphia

Museum of Art, along with several other museums in the Eastern states.  At the time I had been painting for only 5 or 6 years and I was in complete awe of most of the paintings.  My husband, Karl, 

would often ask me on those days what it was that I liked about such and such a painting and I couldn't 

always tell him.  After several days of museum touring, one evening Karl summed up his opinion by saying "I believe if the artist's name was Monet, Degas, Manet, Renoir or any other famous artist's name, the quality of the work was not considered.  Good, bad or mediocre . .  it was In".  I couldn't hear that then but after last week's museum visits, I believe he was right.

      It really doesn't matter what I feel or believe about the art of the past but today I am changed and I was quite disappointed with far too much of the artwork exhibited.  Contemporary artists today such as

Richard Schmid, Dan Gerhartz, David Leffel, CW Mundy and so many others are producing fabulous and excellent works of art that are a joy to view and behold.  My eyes much prefer their works.

The paintings of artists, Barbara Flowers and Joyce Norwood, are also a delight to behold."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE 

Road Trip, Flat Rock NC by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Flat Rock, NC, home of Barbara & Jack Schreihofer. 

The last three days spent here with good, wonderful friends has been a balm for my soul.  Barbara is an artist, not of paint, but of the landscape using the most beautiful flowers. . . . .  hundreds of flower beds, designed to perfection.

It is such a disappointment that I couldn't transfer the photos of the Koi Pond, Rose Gardens, all the Flower Beds and so many Potted Arrangements.  Hopefully, I can figure out how to do that later.

I'm leaving in the morning but don't have a definite plan yet.

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Road Trip for Artist, Nora Kasten

"Last Friday, July 1, I started out from my home in Naples, FL on a road trip. It was not planned but I just wanted to get away from the sadness and loneliness.

The IPad is with me, not the laptop, and I don't know how to insert photos or for that matter to even post normally. I would appreciate any and all help.

Friday, July 1, was good to spend some time with my son, Jasson, and his wife, Tish.
Saturday, July 2, I arrived in Cumming, GA for a 3 day visit with my son, John, and his family. I have been in awe of the beauty of this place.

Saturday, July 2, John and I drove up to Cleveland, TN to meet my dear niece, Cathy, (John's cousin) for a 3 hour visit at the AppleBee's there. I gave the painting of her dad and I that I painted a few years ago from an old photo. My brother and I were 12 and 10 years old when the photo was taken. John and I got back home at 6pm to a wonderful dinner Colleen had prepared for all of us. The best brisket, ever.

Tuesday, July 6, (today) I'm leaving for Flat Rock, NC to visit with good friend, Barbara.

Paintings on Nora Kasten Website: http://www.norakasten.com