Snowy Note Cards/painting

December 31, 2008



   The note card/painting, Snowy, combines rosy cheeks, a pair of fuzzy warm mittens and the frosty blue-white chill of a first winter snowfall. In this painting it seemed important to keep the background free of clutter to reinforce the clean “whiteout feeling” of a fresh snowfall. The child’s blue eyes anchor the other blue tones of the piece and her rosy cheeks and lips highlight the surprise of frosty flakes. It was necessary to experiment with a variety of delicate splatter techniques to suggest the falling snow flakes. Snowy is one of the few winter themed paintings I have done. On snowy days I am usually out in the “white stuff” playing ….getting my fuzzy mittens all dirty and much too excited to paint. Happy snow days!!

 

 

More next week

 

Kathy O’Rourke

Snow Day Connoisseur

 

Daisy Note Cards/painting

December 8, 2008



There is something innocent, open and expectant about a small child offering a bouquet of freshly picked flowers. I tried to capture all of those tender feelings in the face of this child….and most especially in the eyes. The teal and orange tones of this painting compliment each other very well. The suggestion of delicate lace trim on the child’s dress plays nicely with the white of her freshly gathered daisies. I hope you have a child in your life to bring you unexpected surprises thi...


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Footfall Note Cards/painting

November 26, 2008




A deserted dune, two lazy gulls and a subtle set of footprints create the sense of untroubled tranquility in the painting Footfall.
The fresh colors and bold shadows of the dune grasses splash interesting contrasts against the powdery white sand. This painting suggests the isolated beauty of a hidden hideaway – the kind that beckons beach combers everywhere. During the gloomy, gray months of winter in the Northeast my mind escapes again and again to secret spots just like this one. Want to ...


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Serenity Note Cards/painting

November 16, 2008



     Summer for an artist/educator/counselor is a time to kick back, breathe deeply and create, create, create! Sometimes my paintings well up from deep within and seem to splash onto the canvas like ocean waves. I tend to complete most paintings in one day and often in one marathon sitting (sometimes stretching into the wee hours of the morning). Then the creative energy ebbs, like the sea, until another creative wave comes crashing in.

     The beach always recharges my soul and energize...


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Sandy Note Cards/painting

November 10, 2008


 

  
Most grandparents have absolutely acute vision when it comes to “recognizing wonder.”  The note card/ painting,
Sandy, focuses on a small child, deeply engrossed in pouring the ocean into an old tin bucket.  How charming a theme for this Gram Artist!  It didn’t matter to Sandy that her oversized sweat shirt was borrowed from an older cousin.  This painting depicts the child completely joyful and fully fascinated by a simple pouring shell and a well worn pail.

     Creating the wea...


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Connor Note Cards/painting

October 31, 2008




    Touching images of children sometimes help teachers to remember what drew them to the classroom in the first place. Connor is an acrylic paining of that little guy with the freckled face and straight off the school bus grin that makes every teacher’s day! His shirt is still clean, his eyes are shining and enthusiastic and his manners are heart warming. How many teachers could scoop up such a little man first thing in the morning and take him home.

     Of course, the “So Long” ...


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Lindy Note Cards/painting

October 30, 2008




Capturing the subject, tone, and texture of an artist’s heart is the work of a life time. I have been privileged to work with young children as an educator, counselor, and artist for more than thirty years. During that time I have walked through moments of uncertainty, worry and sadness with many beautiful youngsters. 

Lindy is a note card/painting from my Nature’s Child Collection that stretched my creative boundaries. I wanted to portray a sensitive child with doleful eyes and just a t...


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Tiny Treasures

October 29, 2008





When the child in your life debuts on the canvas of your studio it is truly a magical moment! 
Every toddler padding barefoot along the shore of a vast ocean is a touching scene.  But what if that child is a precious grandchild and the spitting image of her mother (your daughter) at that tender age?  This was my inspiration for Tiny Treasure.  This painting captures the memory of two special little ladies, my daughter, Kristen and her daughter, Lacey.  The heart of a grandma led me to stand s...


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About Me


Kathy O’Rourke lives, plays and paints near the shore in Ocean County, New Jersey. Her acrylic paintings feature themes closest to her heart. The Nature's Child Note Card Collection combines captivating natural settings with the enchanting innocence of childhood. The Sea Dreams Note Card Collection reflects Kathy’s deep love of “all things ocean.”
 
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