Flowers and Still Lifes
"My husband thinks this is one of my best watercolors," says the artist Karen, "but I like it because it catches the simple joy of anticipation I feel when this delicious fruit is at its best."
The peach is thought to have started its worldwide spread from China where it is considered to be a symbol of longevity, and well it might for its journey—via the Persian, Roman, and Spanish Empires—began well over 2000 years ago.
Here at the Underground Art Gallery, wild peach trees have sprung up on all the banks around the parking area, and their clusters of small but tasty fruit make the branches bend low each September.
To all you gardeners and cooks, Cape Cod artist Karen North Wells dedicates this painting. She loves painting still lifes using objects from nature.
Karen bought these angels created by Doreen Jenkins and Patricia Jutras, at the Cape Cod Community College from members of the Ethnic Diversity Club. The Club was founded in 1993. Its basic mission is to enhance the awareness of, and to respect the differences and similarities between various cultures, ethnic, and racial groups.
Karen found these angels so charming she had to paint a watercolor of them, and she hopes you'll find that it reflects the appeal of the dolls themselves.
"The minute I saw these zinnias in the old watering can being sold by the Chatham Garden Club I knew I had to paint them. They are among my favorite flowers."
5x7 note card
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
-Shakespeare
The rose is often proclaimed as the "queen of flowers" by many gardeners. Known both for its fragrance and beauty, the rose represents mystery, purity, and most of all, love. Roses were cultivated as early as 500 BC in China—over 2,000 years before they were introduced to the European market! Roses are suitable for every occasion and every décor.
Cape Cod artist Karen North Wells has found roses to be, among her patrons, a favorite flower for her still lifes. She loves painting them too, because of their everlasting beauty.
print - 9.5" x 13.5" (16" x 20" matted)
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
-Shakespeare
The rose is often proclaimed as the "queen of flowers" by many gardeners. Known both for its fragrance and beauty, the rose represents mystery, purity, and most of all, love. Roses were cultivated as early as 500 BC in China—over 2,000 years before they were introduced to the European market! Roses are suitable for every occasion and every décor.
Cape Cod artist Karen North Wells has found roses to be, among her patrons, a favorite flower for her still lifes. She loves painting them too, because of their everlasting beauty.
5x7 card
"'Wake up! Spring is here.' That's the message I always get when I see these bright familiar flowers," says artist Karen. "And they so often resemble little faces, it's hard sometimes, not to think they're actually speaking to me."
The common pansy was originally derived long ago from the old world, one of several species calledHeartsease and Johnny Jump-up. The Eastern field pansy of North America is a separate species. The plant has come to signify remembrance, a tradition reflected in the name Heartsease.
print - 7.5"x11.5" (14"x18" matted)
"'Wake up! Spring is here.' That's the message I always get when I see these bright familiar flowers," says artist Karen. "And they so often resemble little faces, it's hard sometimes, not to think they're actually speaking to me."
The common pansy was originally derived long ago from the old world, one of several species calledHeartsease and Johnny Jump-up. The Eastern field pansy of North America is a separate species. The plant has come to signify remembrance, a tradition reflected in the name Heartsease.
5x7 card
From the earliest of times, this North American native has been a source of food and delight to untold generations. Growing to heights of 8, 10, and 12 feet, it is sometimes used as a companion planting to various types of beans, which climb its sturdy stem.
Artist Karen North Wells loves sunflowers. So do her patrons. And her prints of this particular painting are popular. On sale at her Underground Art Gallery in Brewster and at many other locations across the country, it seems to say "good health and happiness" in its joyful exuberance.
print - 13x13" (20"x20" matted)
From the earliest of times, this North American native has been a source of food and delight to untold generations. Growing to heights of 8, 10, and 12 feet, it is sometimes used as a companion planting to various types of beans, which climb its sturdy stem.
Artist Karen North Wells loves sunflowers. So do her patrons. And her prints of this particular painting are popular. On sale at her Underground Art Gallery in Brewster and at many other locations across the country, it seems to say "good health and happiness" in its joyful exuberance.
5x7 note card
print - 13x17" (20"x24" matted)
A bouquet, a hot cuppa, and a waterview: What more could a person want in the morning? One of Karen's patrons had an answer: a crossword puzzle.
"Oh," said Karen, "it's right there on the bed next to the table."
Karen likes to do painting with healing themes. Where it's an ocean view, a flower garden or an idyllic pasture, she wants viewers to feel happy when they see her works.
Print Size:
print - 17x13" (24"x20" matted)
A bouquet, a hot cuppa, and a waterview: What more could a person want in the morning? One of Karen's patrons had an answer: a crossword puzzle.
"Oh," said Karen, "it's right there on the bed next to the table."
Karen likes to do painting with healing themes. Where it's an ocean view, a flower garden or an idyllic pasture, she wants viewers to feel happy when they see her works.
Print Size:
print - 9.5"x13.5" (16"x20" matted)
The transparent freshness of a true watercolor explains the popularity of this appealing print. In it, the flowers almost reach out of the frame with vibrant colors. It seems hardly necessary to mention that this lace cap is not to be worn during blizzards or dust storms.
print - 22"x14" (32"x22" matted)
These blooming hydrangeas are a fitting arrangement of fidelity, since once their initial burst of color fades, the flowers hold their bond to each other and stay true to their shape for years to come.
Through the window we glimpse a couple in the distance, walking along the sand—-could it be our honeymooners? Perhaps they've left their breakfast behind, eager to taste the new dawn of their love!
print - 9.5"x13.5" (16"x20" matted)
Something told Karen that the woman who offered to arrange the flowers for Karen's watercolor workshop would do a nice job, and the hunch was right: the roses, hydrangeas and sweet peas inspired the budding artists in attendance to paint some of their best work while Karen produced this demonstration for them.
5x7 note card
Having beautified the valley, these fragrant lilies have now moved in to do the same thing for a teacup and an apple. Is there no end to their skills?
Imagine painting a scene like this while the aroma of these bell-shaped flowers intoxicate the artist.
Karen loves painting flowers. The lily of the valley is one of her favorites.
5x7 note card
Wherever three green apples appear with a bouquet of lilacs in a Cape Cod window you can be sure that a beautiful bay scene is not far away. In this painting, Karen captures the romance of sail with the eye of a true perspectivist: the boat is in fact larger than the apples! Then why aren't the apples moved to the background? Wouldn't that even things up? Yes, but then...oh, well, never mind. Enjoy the picture.
5x7 note card
The contrast between vibrantly yellow flowers and an old clay pot enriches the appeal of each. This contrast moved karen to compose the two elements for maximum effect.
As we become an ever-more sun-conscious people these golden blossoms are timely reminders of the miracle of sunlight.
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The greatest thing since sliced bread is the multi-grain loaf produced by a little bakery called Flour Power. The crisp crust, the oven-fresh aroma, the rich taste, and the golden-brown colors make it a treat for the senses.