Wednesday, October 24, 2012

To Taos, NM & Back by Artist, NORA KASTEN

Artist, Laura Robb in her studio, 9/26/2012

"If anyone is noticing it has been a month now since I've posted on this blog.  Two days before Earl and I flew out to NM on American Airlines (Everything went wrong because of the pilots calling in sick),  I had closed on my new home.  It's a beautiful condo.  I'll share all the good news about that in my next post but now it's time to tell you about Laura Robb's wonderful workshop in Taos, NM.

She not only paints beautiful flowers and still life, she is quite beautiful, herself.  There were 10 of us artists in attendance and it was one of the best group of artists that I have ever been with.  Laura was so thorough in her teaching and she shared everything with us, always going the extra mile for each one of us.  The night before our last workshop day, Laura invited us all for a pizza party at her wonderful, unique home and studio in Taos.  What a privilege for us and it was really special.  Before going to NM I only knew Laura from her published, beautiful works of art but now I am honored to count her as my good friend.  Did I mention that she has a keen wit and great sense of humor too?

Have you noticed yet that I have not published notes from Laura's workshop?  Well . . . . . . the reason is I was SICK. . .  . through it all and it was a big effort just to function for me.  The weather, the scenery, the season, the mountains, EVERYTHING was perfect and I couldn't enjoy it.  Two weeks before the trip, I was fighting a sinus infection and one week before I was struck down with a horrible vertigo attack, dizzy, headaches, vomiting, the whole nine yards.  With massive antibiotics and a trip to our Naples hospital to receive the Epley maneuver, I thought that I was well enough for the trip but I was WRONG!  The air flights always give me terrible problems with my ears but this time it was just too much.

Today could be the first day that I am feeling somewhat back to normal and Oh, I'm just remembering the author, Joan Marie Ambrose, who sat next to Earl and I on our flight home.  It was well worth the discomfort that I was feeling to meet this dear lady.  I think so because she is one of the very few people I have encountered that has also realized "The Power Of Now" in her life.  Her book is 10 years old and out of print now but I was able to get it through Amazon and it has been a blessing to me.  I can whole heartily recommend it to you.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Sold Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Bavarian Vase"
Oil painting on linen on board  (12"x12")              SOLD

"This Bavarian vase was a favorite of mine for many years, starting back in the early years of my painting journey.  I am so happy this painting is now in the wonderful collection of Rick & Brenda Kelley  of Nashville, IN."

Sunday, August 26, 2012

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."

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

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!"

Saturday, August 18, 2012

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."

Friday, August 17, 2012

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."

Monday, August 13, 2012

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."

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

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."


Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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".


Monday, July 23, 2012

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