Ravens in a Cafe with Plants, Digital Art

 

Well, I finally got sick of doing art based on what most people call weeds, at least for now. But then I couldn't think of anything else I wanted to do! I do have a thing for ravens and crows, however, so I have been playing around with ideas based on that. But I haven't wanted to follow through. Finally, last night I decided to composite several of my less exotic ideas together and I did like that. So here's an introduction to what might become a series of art pieces featuring more than just weeds! (Who knows?)

Prints and prints on canvas, metal, etc. are available on Fine Art America.

New Work: The Pendulum Swung Off the Clock

The Pendulum Swung Clear Off the Clock, © 2017 Sheryl Karas

The pendulum swung clear off the clock. . . and for a period of time nothing else seemed to matter. So I decided to paint about it. I'm putting a prayer on the back: "May everyone beneath their vine and fig tree be at peace and unafraid."

This is a mixed media painting, mostly acrylic, a little collage, a little pastel. It is 24" x 30" and has painted sides. Contact me if you're interested.

Buddha, Mixed Media Painting

Buddha, © 2012 Sheryl Karas

This was my first attempt at combining digital and conventional painting techniques. I was inspired by a rusting copper garden Buddha I saw in the back garden of an antique store and by fabric patterns I like to use in quilt-making. Digital elements are collaged into this painting, some act as an underpainting, but conventional painting is what makes it all work.

The original painting hangs in my living room. You MIGHT be able to get me to part with it (contact me using the form on the right side of this page). It is acrylic collage on canvas, 24" x 30". Prints on stretched canvas are available in my Etsy shop.

Portrait of Paul, Mixed Media Painting

Paul, © 2012 Sheryl Karas

I've been experimenting with combining digital photography and more conventional painting in one piece. In this painting I have worked with a photograph I took of my partner Paul in Photoshop and then cut out and collaged the print into a painting. The background and the shirt is painted. I also painted what I hoped might read as reflections of the color in the background onto his face, hair and beard. There are both positives and negatives for me in this approach as an artist. It freed me to be as wild as I wanted to be with the background and to experiment with a variety of techniques using my photograph as an underpainting. On the downside, cutting the face out and collaging it into the painting created technical dilemmas I did not anticipate. It required multiple attempts to get something I was ultimately satisfied with.

This piece is not for sale.

Talia, Mixed Media Painting

Talia, © 2012 Sheryl Karas

My partner Paul and I did a number of photo shoots with models in the Chico area and Talia was one of our favorites. She had a really creative way of combining old-fashioned charm with hip sensibilities. She showed up to this photo shoot with red streaked hair, tatoos and a nose ring wearing a lace shirt and a contemplative expression. I chose to paint her using a similar mix of old-fashioned and contemporary techniques: acrylic painting, digital photography, collage and potato printing. I also liked mixing Renaissance-like lighting, impressionist brushwork for the shirt, and modern urban flair in the background and color choices.

The original mixed media painting is ready to hang on reinforced canvas and is 24" by 30." It is currently still available.

Contained Chaos, Cut Paper Collage

Contained Chaos, © 1989 Sheryl Karas

SOLD

Long ago I made cut paper collages that I called "Paper Quilts." This was part of a favorite series of mine in which I was exploring the concept of chaos versus order. I could have just taken a photograph of my house, but let's not go there!

The original piece was made of Japanese chirogami paper and handmade art papers. Prints and a variety of products are available at Fine America and Pixels.com.