A Star is Born

Greetings friends. Today, I am in between paintings so I took the time off to paint an antique piece of wood. I love turquoise blue. The wooden star is an antique I picked up at a sale. It had hung its dusty grey color in my studio for a couple of years just waiting to be created anew. Squirting out some paint onto my palette, I was able to paint the star so it shines just bright enough. You're a star!

This wooden antique star gets a fresh lease on life with bright shade of blue.

                                                              "V" is for Victory.

Learning to oil paint brings new challenges -- and opportunities!

    First came the apple. Then came I. (Afterward, I ate the apple. And it was done.) 

    Plopping myself down on a lawn chair on the screened-in porch, I picked up my paintbrush and hesitantly dabbed it into the blue and red paint to make a purple-like mix on the brush. This color is what I use to make the "sketch" of the apple. I paint the light and dark areas that I see, on the canvas with a light or dark shade of this purple color. That saves the time of making a pencil and paper sketch. Maybe I'll try that someday -- not today.

     I find the dark and light areas of the apple by squinting at it. That in itself, is a new way of looking at objects that I've learned this year,   

     My paint has been too thick of late, so next time I will thin it down by using the mineral spirits; or the Almond Oil, my artist friend, Sharon Rusch Shaver, uses exclusively.

     It's satisfying and engaging to get out my painting gear and hunker down to make a small simple painting. Honestly, it wasn't easy! I like the way the oil paint goes smoothly onto the Senso linen canvas, too.... much different than a white canvas.

     This weekend, I will try to get motivated to take out my paints again. 

     Little by little. Small things and small steps are great and wonderful things. A brush moving on canvas. Easy. Take it easy. The weekend has arrived.

Plein Air painting in the Rocky Mountains

I would like to thank Sharon Rusch Shaver, a talented painter and adventure artist, for giving me the motivation to paint outdoors in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.  I have never felt so inspired and joyful. She taught me and several artists a different way to look at the mountains and the outdoors. She taught us to capture the mountains and scenery on a canvas with oil paints. The challenge -- which I embraced -- was to get a painting done in approximately two hours, and then, just, step away! For me, I would lay down the brush, and say, "Done," I'm out." What I have on the canvas, it is what I saw -- my interpretation and style. I have a painting style. How thrilling! Each of us had a unique style. We helped and motivated each other. 

Plein Air painting is challenging! Just as she said it would be. Sharon diligently corralled the team of painters each morning (after coffee) and hustled us out to a beautiful site where we set up our easels and hunkered down and painted. One day it rained. The wind blew so hard another day, Sharon's painting blew off its easel and had to be fished out of a lake. 

I have never felt such a feeling of calm and excitement at the same time! It takes courage to go forth and live my own dream in spite of life's challenges. It takes strength to carry all the supplies, paints, tripod, art box and back pack through a marsh, too. Thanks Sharon and thanks to Dan, her "Sherpa" husband, for inspiring me to live large and live joyfully.

Visit Sharon and become an Adventure Artist at  http://sharonruschshaver.com/


Oil paintings from the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, by Carol Labashosky

This last piece is done in oil pastels. I just couldn't get enough and stayed in the Rocky Mountains another day.

Artist Carol Labashosky debuts new “Scrapboarding” for Open Studio Nov. 14-15

Open Studio Weekend 2015

News Release
Oct. 30, 2015
Carol Labashosky - 502.649.6226                                                                             
carollabashosky@gmail.com

 

Artist Carol Labashosky's planning in-studio demos
for Open Studio Nov. 14-15

     (Louisville, KY) -- Fine art by Carol Labashosky will be showcased at her gallery and studio Barking Dog Enterprises Nov. 14 and 15. She is one of more than 100 participating artists for Open Studio Weekend - Louisville Visual Arts and UofL. She will be doing demos both days so visitors can see how an artist creates in her or his studio.

     Labashosky's fine art includes “scrapboarding” – an art form she invented. Scrapboarding is fine art collage where themes materialize in 3-D. Labashosky combines paint, photos and memorabilia affixed to boards in dramatic vibrant compositions.

     She is currently creating a 3-D art on a board of the Wizard of Oz’s famed Emerald City. "I used green bottles of all different sizes for the city and tiles of brick for the road. I feel like a mason and an architect,” she said. Labashosky will have her collection of Titanic fine art and a new photograph exhibit on display and will have paintings, prints, fine art greeting cards and scrapboards available for purchase.

     Come and meet the artist during Open Studio on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15 from noon-5 p.m. at Barking Dog Enterprises, #136 in Building One, Mellwood Arts Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave, Louisville, Kentucky. Get tickets for 2015 Open Studio Weekend at 
http://www.louisvillevisualart.org/open-studio-weekend



 For more info call (502) 649-6226. 


http://www.scrapboarding.etsy.com

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Emerald City scrapboard -- hello Yellow Brick Road

It's good to be back on the web to give you all some of my fall project updates. Thank you to my visitors who stop here to read about my art.

After kicking myself into gear to put away the paints, and reach for a board, I have now begun a new concept and idea for a 3-D scrapboard. In The Wizard of Oz, the Emerald City is the destination of the plot, but the story never ends there.  The Yellow Brick Road is the analogy of the journey.

I started the fine art piece with a 24 by 24 inch sanded board. (Bored) Sanding a board is boring, yet paying attention and being mindful of the sandpaper going across the board is both soothing and invigorating because I am in the process: beginning. This is one of the many joys of creating work.

Green plastic bottles are adhered to the board in a -- what I like to call haphazard -- configuration. I love how they shine and are so smooth. One could put lotion in them I suppose...but I have better plans...

A trip to Home Depot is when things really got exciting. Why, the Yellow Brick Road! Tile? Rock? Stones? Should they be yellow? I want more 3-D! Here's where things got really sticky. Scrapboarding's secret ingredient is glue. I used Gorilla Glue for some of the "masonry" - ha - brick work, and as per usual, got it on my fingers. I also discovered I had to wait five minutes or more for the glue to cure to "set" the small bricks because I wanted them to physically come out of the board. Painstaking work, but rewarding. "Hello" (!) Yellow Brick Road! Elton John, love your song, though.

  Green plastic bottles were the design element for the Emerald City chosen by the architect -- me.

The Yellow Brick Road begins with a trip to Home Depot's tile aisle.

Yes, I'm bored (board). I had to start somewhere to get beyond summer Plein Air painting and ease into a new fall fine art piece.

Merida, Mexico Cathedral fine art painting "draws" rave reviews

Ta Da!  It's always a pleasure to get some critiques and comments on a new completed painting. It's time to let go and let it be finished. The black canvas format is what made Merida, Mexico Cathedral, stand out among the other paintings of mine on display. It is a bittersweet farewell to this painting as it hangs in the Mellwood Arts Center Gallery with my current exhibit, "Seasons ," which has been extended through February. If you haven't got out to see it, stop by the Mellwood Arts Center Bridge Gallery, Louisville, Ky. Merida is available for purchase at https://scrapboarding.etsy.com

Rustic Barn Autumn Painting from modest beginnings emerges a gold-toned fall scene

 

The finished fine art painting with gold paint embellishments, ready to hang, approximately 18 x 30 inches. A stunning piece representing all that is colorful and beautiful about fall! Buy here at

https://www.etsy.com/listing/205688166/autumns-rustic-barn-18-by-32-inches?ref=shop_home_feat_3

 

Here, we see the fall colors emerging with tones of burnt umber, orange, brown, forest green. I used a spray bottle and then a water color technique on the burlap. The paints soaked in lightly creating a muted affect.



Here, I wanted to create an untamed and unruly grass foreground.

In the beginning there was a palette knife and some grey and white paint. I sketched in some of the background, but that usually changes as the painting moves along.

August Shark Week Fine Art

I was able to complete three pieces of fine art for the summer Jaws exhibit at Louisville's Block Party Handmade Boutique Gallery. I used paints, paper, photograhs and other collage materials to assemble the pieces. I enjoyed using baseboard for a sign, "Amity - as you know - Means Friendship." The black and while photograph of the Jaws boat, "Orca," had been photoshopped and it has turned into a black and white grainy mounted photograph -- which, now belongs to a happy customer.

August signals Shark Week and Fine Art Exhibit "Jawsome"

Today, August 1 begins the world's annual celebration of its fascination with sharks. We celebrate the shark by "shark month," and soon, Shark Week on television. In a clever move, the co op /gallery and boutique I am represented by, has a new exhibit on, yes, sharks. I have contributed several fine art pieces to the Block Party Handmade Boutique's "Jawsome" gallery showing for the month of August. This was very challenging, creatively, to come up with shark art that would draw a viewer into my paintings and photographs created for the show. Since Jaws in my top favorite movies - I watch it every summer - I was thrilled that Mary Levinsky, proprietor of Block Party would create such a unique theme for an exhibition.

I began with a piece of 24 by 24 inch pine board upon which to paint with a blue grey palette, an upcylced piece of floor trim to make a sign with lettering and then I replicated a photograph of the Orca, the famous boat in Jaws, the movie, from which the shark ultimately met his demise.

I'll soon post some pictures of my artwork hanging in the gallery.

Below, is the poster created for the gallery exhibit. Block Party Handmade Boutique is located in downtown Louisville, 560 S. 4th Street between the historic Brown and Seelbach hotels.

 

Camouflaged Squirrel Goes Nutty for Acorns fine art 16 by 20 inches

Look how lifelike this friendly backyard squirrel is while camouflaged by the barn wood fence! I took this picture after patiently waiting nearly a half hour to have the luxury of a perfect position. This grey squirrel is the subtle focal point of a fine art scrapboard. A Scrapboard is a 3D piece of fine art, my invention, scrapboarding, which includes photos, paints, and other exotic memorabilia assembled with professional glues and UV protection and loving attention to detail. My scrapboards are not duplicated and the concept is nationally and internationally unique.

This 16 x 20 inch piece is made on gallery wrapped canvas and is truly life like with the edges painted to replicate and complement the remainder of the fence. The wagon wheel pictured adds to the fine art as the inquisitive squirrel balances upon the wheel and fence. There are purple, brown and blue glittering embellishments and shimmering paint used in segments of the painted frame surrounding the fine art photograph.

The nut or acorn is artisan crafted and hand blown by  renowned Louisville glass artist Jake Pfeifer. The nut is rendered in complementary gold, purple and brownish hues with an opalescent cast. I frequently use other artists' work in my pieces. The nut is approximately four inches by five inches.

Squirrel Goes Nutty was a fine art showcased fine art piece in a recent gallery exhibition titled Disguises at Louisville's downtown Block Party Handmade Boutique Gallery.

This fascinating medium sized fine art piece is unique, ready to hang and a great conversation piece. For sale at  https://www.etsy.com/listing/196831713/squirrel-goes-nutty-for-acorns?ref=shop_home_active_1

New Fine Art Lithographs available of Glamouorous Harbor - CSI Miami inspired - by Carol Labashosky

These fine art prints are available in regular tone or color-fused which is an extra burst of added hue. The limited edition lithographs are signed by me, the artist, and there are 20 of 25 remaining. Click the link below for more information. The orginal fine art acrylic painting is hanging in Louisville, Block Party Handmade Boutique Gallery, 560 S. 4rth Street.

 

Glamourous Harbor Fine Art Lithograph 12 x 12 inches

"Brandy" fine art painting is complete and ready to hang!

by Carol Labashosky

Brandy Fine Art Acrylic Painting gallops along

"Brandy," is a commissioned piece of fine art for a Louisville client. I love it when there is an intriguing story behind the client's subject matter for the painting. Brandy, a white horse, was a family's dear friend for many years, willing to please, kind and gentle. The horse is a beloved companion that came of age in the 1970s.My client has plans to surprise her dear friend - who owned the horse - with the painting.

It has been challenging to add details to make a white horse stand out in a light background of trees, brush and shrubs. Using an aged and washed-out photograph as a guide, and changing the photo to black and white has helped immensely to move the project along with pizzazz and contrast. Thanks to Louisville Artist Amy Welborn for this great tip.

It's Spring - Bring on the Green

Embracing spring, I've been asked to paint a special and beautiful horse, as a testimony and memorial for "Brandy," a beautiful white horse from Kentucky. Brandy was ridden and owned by my client, Kay's friend, a long time ago. Kay realized how special Brandy was to her friend, and asked me to paint Brandy from an old photograph. I love the old photographs from the 60s and 70s, the square size, the white border, and the faded look. The prints are so sharp because the old-time negatives, though old school, did their job. And, there was always the suspense waiting to receive one's prints.

This is an acrylic painting. I'm using palette knives and some big thick brushes. I am enjoying the many green and yellow colors so far. Kay will give the painting to her friend as a surprise.

Sketching is the thing! I'm in a Leonardo DaVinci mode

Taking a break from large-scale artistic creations with paints, papers or photographs -- the things I typically assemble for scrapboarding -- is what I need now. I've begun a series of sketches with No. 2 lead pencils and a tablet from Target. I will be posting them here. The joy of sketching is that I am so in the moment and don't feel compelled for that rat, "Perfection," to crawl about in my mind. Be free! Sketch!

Here you see the constellation Canis Major, The Great Dog with Orion the Hunter, the caretaker and guardian of The Great Dog. Canis Major's main star is called Sirius, the dog star, which appears as the large ball about the neck of the dog. Sirius is the brightest star and the biggest in the night sky in winter. You can see the dots within the sketch which are the stars of both constellations.

Glamourous Harbor by Artist Carol Labashosky

LIVE - TRAVEL – ADVENTURE inspired by “Miami CSI”
by Artist Carol Labashosky

LIVE - TRAVEL - ADVENTURE

Let this stunning fine art creation carry you to a surreal and glamorous harbor...

The combination of acrylic paints, beads, masonry and circular magazine clippings in this fine art piece have yielded a colorful starburst. The blue waters contain may types of hues and textures. Here, you see a magical and modern interpretation of a harbor side, city seascape. It could be Miami, or  Asia, the orient -- let your imagination take hold and lead you to a destination of your choice. The shoreline and architecture is reminiscent of many oceanside promenades.

Gold leaf paint, UV protected sealants and a special tipping technique created special canvas-drip highlights. All the detailed techniques make this fine art piece remarkable and beautiful and in the fine art tradition of scraboarding.

The canvas is a substantial 3 feet by 3 feet and would make a bold and bright statement on any wall.

Ready to hang, this fascinating and finely crafted painting will provide years of viewing enjoyment -- travel on a jet-setting journey to a far-away ocean-inspired adventure

Available now!

Vintage handmade fine art Christmas cards bring festive greetings

Louisville's South Fourth Street "Miracle on 4th Street" event, open to the public, will be held on Friday, Dec. 13 from 5-9 p.m. at Block Party Handmade Boutique. I will be featuring fine art and holiday greeting cards on sale with a 15 percent discount. Also,  Artist Lisel Long will hold a reception with her paintings. Block Party Handmade Boutique will host a fashion show and an unveiling of a creative window display to round out the evening. Hope to see you at 560 South Fourth Street in Louisville on Friday. Participating shops on South Fourth Street will be open for Christmas celebrations, too.



Thoroughbred racehorses are featured in vintage festive Kentucky greeting cards by Artist Carol Labashosky will be on sale at Block Party Handmade Boutique.

Vintage fine art "Blessed Christmas" greeting cards kick off holiday season

The 2013 Christmas season has inspired me to create new greeting card designs, canvas with "silver and gold" decorations - as Burl Ives would say - and glitter cardstock 3-D tabletop festive Christmas trees. They have been a joy to create as I hunkered down with gold and silver, trinkets and ribbon in my studio and craft room.

These photos are the initial makings of the "Blessed Christmas" vintage holiday greeting card design. Greeting cards and festive canvas scrapboards make wonderful keepsakes for friends, family and associates.

The fine art greeting cards are available in customized script or embellishment at

https://www.etsy.com/listing/171419379/cyber-monday-sale-vintage-blessing?ref=shop_home_active

The story behind the fine art painting, White Chapel's Revenge

By nature, the story of Jack the Ripper evokes chilling thoughts and a shudder. We imagine him, as a stealthy serial killer stalking women up and down the dark streets of Whitechapel. While creating this painting, I imagined how it would be for those troubled souls who fell victim to this fiend, to have had a chance to change their fate and the past, and escape The Ripper.

The colors and eerie movements of the four people - three women and Jack the Ripper - represents an unearthly "switching backthe clock" so the characters could somehow create a different ending, eluding the criminal.

This acrylic artwork I painted is titled White Chapel's Revenge, and it is on display at Block Party Handmade Boutiqu, 560 S. 4th St., Louisville, for the season. The colors are just as they appear here, somewhat of a hellish orange inferno with a dark black and gray contrast.

 The women have alluded The Ripper this time as they go back to rectify the past. From left to right are the three women who will reclaim their lives from Jack the Ripper, who is left behind beneath the street light.

Disguises: Louisville Photo Biennial Reception

Friday, Oct.  18^th

5pm-8pm

Block Party Handmade Boutique (560 South 4^th Street)

Celebrate the changes of fall in photography in the theme of “disguises” from featured local artists Carol Labashosky, Mary Beth Brown, Mickie Winters, Amber Estes Thieneman, and Kristen Warning

Call: Carol Labashosky  502.649.6226
Email: carollabashosky@gmail.com
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