Iris on the Trail, Oil Pastel Painting

Iris on the Trail, © 2021 by Sheryl Karas

I have thought this many times before but I suspect this might be the last in my oil pastel plant-life series. Or at least for awhile. This piece has multiple levels of meaning. On the most mundane level it depicts an experience I had walking through a dark wooded trail after a rain. I was aware of tiny flowers and small leaves that had opened up because of the rain. And then I turned a corner and in a shaft of light was the most amazing and large wild Iris I had ever seen, growing right on the very edge of the trail. But I'm also a flower essence practitioner and I know that the Iris is used by people, especially artists, who want to inspire their creativity and artistic expression. Ever since I did this piece I've been feeling pulled to do something else next, perhaps a brand new series in a different medium. (I actually got started on that this week—I'll post those next.)

The original of this piece is 12" x 12" on cradled panel with sides painted black. I don't plan to mount this one right now. I think it might look best with a lighter treatment. Contact me if you're interested. Prints and prints on canvas, metal, acrylic or wood are available on Fine Art America.

Lover's Nest, Acrylic Painting by Sheryl Karas

Lovers Nest, © 2017 by Sheryl Karas

I'm getting ready to varnish this painting, something fun to take my mind off of politics and other distressing things. It's 40" x 30", acrylic on canvas. A return (or at least a revisiting) of an earlier more illustrative style of mine. My last three paintings have been in this style. I'm jockeying between 2-3 different styles of work right now, against all advice from the art gallery and art school critics in my head. Gotta do what I want to do these days. Bright and colorful, happy subject matter, an antidote to the troubles of the world.

This is one I'm keeping for my private collection, but prints and prints on canvas are available on Fine Art America.

African Violet Dreams, Silk Painting

African Violet Dreams of Life in the Serengetti, © 2001 Sheryl Karas

Yes, Serengetti, not Serengeti! Because it's a dream -- that's not what African masks actually look like there. It's all a fantasy and that's the point. When I did this painting on silk I played in an African marimba ensemble, took African dance classes, and felt like a potted plant in my life. I had lots of fantasies about what was great about tribal cultures (in lots of places in the world) and no actual experience of the reality of those lifestyles. But I sure liked the positive parts I had learned about (and still do). Nothing wrong with being inspired by other cultures. And nothing wrong with having fun which is really what this piece is all about.

The original is not for sale but framed and unframed prints and other products are available.