My New Art Studio Location by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Self Portrait Demo" by

David Leffel

"I watched this demo by David Leffel this past week.  He painted it from a photo and also he was in front of a mirror.  I'm inspired to paint a self portrait from a photo that is blurry but that may work for my benefit.  

The sketch on canvas was done last Thursday, thinking I could paint on Friday.   Not so because the Comcast tech was working in the den (my studio) in my friend's home and he created other things for me to do.  Too bad because Saturday I had to begin the big job of moving my art studio to another location here in Naples.  The storm, Isaac, is on us right now but I got the last load of painting gear to the new location just before the rain this morning.  My energy is exhausted but tomorrow I should be able to get my new place organized and possibly move my office too.  Even with this big detour I'm still enthused about painting."

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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."

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Sold Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Pitcher Of Roses"

Oil on linen     (16"x12")                 SOLD   August 15, 2012 

"Many thanks to the nice couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary who bought this painting last week at The Brown County Art Guild Gallery in Nashville, Indiana.  I wish that I could find the better photo of this painting but just not having any luck."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

KARL KASTEN

"Today, two years have gone by since my most dearly beloved Karl transitioned.  I was truly Blessed for the years we had together and I miss him so much."

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

The Widowed Life by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"This music is a Blessing to me and I'm glad to share it with you. 
 In two weeks it will be two years since my dearly Beloved Karl died.  I thought the agony of grief would be behind me by now but  . . . . . WRONG.   He's always close to the surface of my thoughts but most days I am at peace.  Maybe the coming anniversary of his death is bringing on the waves of horrible  grief anew but I thought that I would be stronger now.  Someone said to me a while back "Nora, take time to enjoy your sadness".  What does that mean?  I have fought it for so long.  Can it be true that this grief for Karl, after all, is just "prolonged self pity".

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

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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

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