Blog

Snowy Note Cards/painting

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:37:08 +0100

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

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:48:40 +0100

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 this spring.

Regards,

Kathy O’Rourke

Footfall Note Cards/painting

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:11:52 +0100

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 come along?

Relaxing in my mind,

Kathy O’Rourke

Serenity Note Cards/painting

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:05:49 +0100

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 energizes my spirit. I just love to paint the many moods of the ocean. Serenity is a painting/note card that reveals my favorite summer hangout. I can’t help but find Serenity in the ever changing yet timeless beauty of the sea. The deep blue tones and fresh whites are beautifully enhanced by the pearl border in this note card in the Sea Dreams Collection.

More next week,

Kathy O’Rourke

New Jersey Artist

Sandy Note Cards/painting

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:52:27 +0100

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 weather-beaten tin of an old shore house bucket was important in this painting. The ripples in the surrounding shallows seemed to paint themselves. Other note cards and paintings of children fascinated by the sea can be viewed in my Sea Sprite Collection.

Regards,

Kathy O’Rourke

Connor Note Cards/painting

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:52:04 +0100

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” painting at the end of the day would most likely depict P&J smudged cheeks, dirty finger nails, and a hanging shirt tail……but the smile….that would be for keeps!

More next week,

Kathy O’Rourke

Artist- Teacher

Lindy Note Cards/painting

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:51:27 +0100

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 tinge of concern. This child has a marvelous head of ebony curls and the complexion of an angel, so it was easy to suggest the wispy and somewhat heavenly quality of her dress.

More next week,

Kathy O’RourKe

New Jersey Artist

Tiny Treasures

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:50:19 +0100

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 still, breathe deeply and remember.

The silver light of the late day sun casts wonderful peachy shadows on the sand. The crisp white of the little sundress sets up a perfect contrast to the deep blues of the evening sea. The title of this acrylic painting poses the question what or rather WHO is the Tiny Treasure? View this and other paintings in my Nature’s Child Collection at my newly created web site http://www.notesbykathy.

More next week,

Kathy O’Rourke
New Jersey Artist