Impressionism

KmCarey.com

I've been wanting to
do something with this
"feel" and through the
inspiration of a sensitive
friend, it came to be.

"4 Fingers"
9" x 12" acrylic on canvas
© 2006 KmCarey

"Wear & Tear"
- self portrait -
12" x 16"
acrylic
on canvas
© 2006 KmCarey

ART 4 sale information

                     "Love Birds"
                                    24" x 18" acrylic on canvas
                                                               © 2005 KmCarey

With my brother's wedding coming up,   I thought that I might try and
put together a painting as a gift .   I became inspired! The Doves were a
natural choice, as I have often found myself transfixed by their beauty,
grace and commitment   to their partner.   I    wanted   to celebrate their
closeness - their unity.   The   background "fire"   reflects the   burning
passion kindled by their unabashed embrace.

I wanted the lines graceful, the moment beautiful.

          "Open Sea"
                12" x 24" acrylic on canvas
                                                 © 2005 KmCarey

An   experimentation project - something
"in between". An exercise in    same color
application, as I movedthe " blues " around
and around !    My vision ? To peer from a
window framed by   sea life, into a   watery
world of openness and vast space; a place
of quiet and serenity;   a place   shaped by
the light of day.

"Lost at Sea" was born with the intent to capture the essence of someone I know.   Someone who lives far away.    Someone who I wish was closer
in my life.   It's there to me (the essence), but might not be apparent to her?

The evolution of this painting took many twists and   turns - some hairpin!    I went without clothes because I just wanted "her".    The full moon,
the rolling   - cresting - spilling ocean;   all images to wrap the mood.

Sometimes the colors,   in this instance the reds,   oranges and yellows decide for themselves how they will participate in the scene   - and I do what
I am told! Very curious how and why this happens.   Honestly I had some big time issues with the water that flows,   cascades and loops upon her
body.

So what is Lost at Sea? A woman (my friend) finding herself in a place of extreme comfort and contentment - harmony. And it brings me joy to look
upon her in this way

"Butterfly Swirl"
6" x 6"
acrylic on canvas
© 2005 KmCarey

"Blue Butterfly"
6" x 6"
acrylic on paper
© 2005 KmCarey

"Red Winged Blackbird"
6"x 6"
acrylic on canvas
© 2005 KmCarey

"The Good Shepherd - Prince of Peace"
                                      16" x 20" acrylic on canvas
                                                              © 2006 KmCarey

Jesus   has    legs!     This   project   was the brain child of a desire to
contribute "something" to my church auction.   It all came together initially
in a very inspired, concise and creative manner - great! However, as the
layers of acrylic began to accumulate and the image began to "pop" , it
became clear that poor Jesus was left without legs - or the appearance
anyway.    As a dear friend wrote to me and I quote,   " I have no right to
critique your work, --- I know Jesus is kneeling but, at first glance it looks
like he has no legs."   I did it with "Lift ME UP" and now again with this
one; never, never again will I draw a figure kneeling!   How did I remedy
this travesty ?    And I hope that I have ?    I took a picture of my back
leg/foot in a sandal and went from there... Back to the painting and what
the different elements might mean?   Good question and when I know, I'll
let you know. Actually, here are the easy ones. The dove is symbolic for
peace,   and once again I've used a similar dove as in   "Love Birds" .   I
reach   the   dove   out   against   a   brilliant   gradient   blue sky ( which
encompasses all of the heavens ).   Jesus is portrayed as the   "Good
Shepherd"   and the sheep/lamb symbolizes all of God's creatures.    The
landscape is easy when it comes to the "greens"; a rolling hillside that is
safe, warm and plentiful. The fire down below?   I really wasn't going with
the HELL idea, but the more that the colors presented themselves to me,
the more I was acceptable to the idea of this not being such a good place.

                    "Livermore"
                                          12" x 12" acrylic on canvas
                                                    © 2005 KmCarey

This project is a "surprise reality" - the painting wasn't planned,
but here it is!     I am sure we can all appreciate those kind of
things. This view into nostalgia was recreated via a small 1" x 1"
black and white photo.    One of four that would be found on a
strip developed from a carnival photo booth.    I am the profiled
figure in the back - I'm guessing around twelve years of age. My
cousin is front left   (he is no longer "with us").    The girls   are
from the neighborhood and although of the same age,     were
head and shoulders more physically mature than I could have
imagined. My comedic timing helped, but wasn't enough! Those
were hot and carefree summer vacation days in Livermore, CA

                    "Good Friday"
                                                     16" x 16" acrylic on canvas
                                                                                                    © 2005 KmCarey

My first "serious" painting. My dad asked me if I would interpret Michael
Angelo's famous sculpture,   "Pieta" and paint a picture for him. I went
down to the Catholic church where he said there was a replica and took
photographs   for reference.    I tried to accentuate Mary's focus on the
heavens.   To assist in   this vision,   I utilized a surreal background of
gradient blues. I delivered the painting on Good Friday.

"Butterflies Rising"
22" x 28" acrylic on canvas
© 2008 KmCarey

"They" say I don't
look like this.
- But it's "me"-

I hadn't   painted   an original
piece in a coon's age. Must be
feeling   better. The " butterfly
theme " is nothing new for me.
The background sort of took
care of itself - I'm thinking a
nice stand of Eucalyptus trees.
As I am often challenged, this
time around it was    to create
the illusion   of the butterflies
grace- fully gliding - rising

There was this empty "yellow wall"
right there across from my desk
at work. I asked the boss a year
or so back; if I paint something
could I hang it there?   And he
said, sure.   What   now   would I
choose to paint and display (to
be on public display - Yikes!)? As
the hotel   I work at sits   in the
harbor, I took my trusty Olympus
camera and snapped a view pics
from the bridge to get a "feel" for
what I was now going to attempt.
I began the project soon enough,
but   was   the   enormity   of   the
project grabbed me by the throat,
it sat on the easel gathering dust
for months.   Finally I got with the
program and finished it in rather
quick order.    3/4th through the
project my dad took a look at it
and   commented that he did not
understand the   "fence"    in the
painting?   < upon completion he
said he liked it>

I   painted   this for Anna, one of the
housekeepers at the hotel I work. She
always   had   nice things to say about
" Harbor Life "    and    said    she   liked
Hummingbirds - I was thrilled to surprise
her with it!

                 "Cyber Bobos"
                                18" x 18" acrylic on canvas
                                                          © 2010 KmCarey

Here we are, me and Mila - all caught up in a cyber existence. Some
how I felt compelled to try and render this "place" where we've ended
up in art form.   This place that has provided us with the best and
often most frustrating of times.   How improbably for us to have lasted
over 2 years! Of course, if it were not for the Cyber aspect of our
relationship, we would not have stood a chance in hell of survival.
Yet, our relationship has not only survived to this point, but it has
more   importantly   strengthen and grown.    This project it seems,
another continuation of projects that are focused on Mila and our
commitment to each other. A continuation of our story and another
way for me to remain as close as I can be to her. A "Bobo" or "Boba",
is someone on the crazy side of life - their suspect actions earning
this slang term. Thanks to Mila for originally calling me this (which of
course is a no brainer). Now she also calls herself a Boba, but that's
because she still choses to take her chances with me ... I still scratch
my   head    trying   to   figure this one out! I was without a suitable
canvas, so I painted over something that Mike had done as a very
young boy <I know, how could I have done this?!>. But the poor owl
in the tree had to go and now lies buried underneath a hell of a lot of
acrylic! The   painting   was not without challenges and meltdowns,
yet after all of the aggressive brush, sandpaper and spray acrylic
applications, I'm satisfied with the outcome. Especially our eyes, that
reflect the contentment, caring and love that we share for each other.

Emily   reminds   me of when I sang more
than spoke, trash talked and   was very
irreverent. I must have reworked the finish
on   this project 6-7 times. Ending up not
exactly what I had in mind - but close.

The   impressionist   background was left all alone
and    unaccompanied   on   the easel for months.
Ah yes, another hummingbird I imagined and sure
enough I had even sketched the outline;    but no
desire to proceed. Then,   as I was typing   away
at   the computer I   glanced   over to Heinz   and
SHAZAMMM! The "look", the "Pose" -   straight to
the camera <Click!> and to the paints-easel; 3 days
later   I've   got    a    portrait    of    my   straight up
handsome conejo (rabbit). ALL HAIL SIR HEINZ!