11/17/10 Ruidoso Chapel

Struggled through this commission for six weeks. Never knew how challenging it would truly be. They say that it is good to get out of your comfort zone ------- I definitely did just that! It made me grow and learn a lot about how the eye is fooled into perspective.

Thank you for taking the time to look at our blog.

Eighth Annual Cedars Open Studio Tour

Eigth Annual Studio Tour: Saturday, Nov. 20

Cedars Open Studios Nov. 20, 12 - 6 p.m. is your opportunity to learn about the neighborhood and the numerous professional artists and craftsmen residing in the Cedars. The artist studios are open year around by appointment, but once a year, they open on the same day, giving visitors a chance to really experience a creative, evolving neighborhood.

Come meet the artists, see where they work and what they create. Search and find the perfect piece to take home with you. If you’ve never been to the Cedars, now is a great chance to learn about the neighborhood.

Visit Studio Art & Soul at 1505 Beaumont Street.

Studio Art and Soul at The Wine Therapist - Opening Reception Sept 24, 6 pm

09/12/10 A Champion!!!

I am not totally pleased with the background but I will eventually figure it out!! I wanted this to be "Super Good" because Lindsay Coleman is such a really admirable person. She is a real motivator for all the children and teachers at Lakewood Elementary. Besides that she is a really nice person. This picture was taken after she had completed some sort of mud run! The background was "ho-hum" so I thought this phalo blue would be good. I got it all over myself and it just doesn't POP like I want. I had tried green and it looked like Christmas! Help!!!!!! I need suggestions.

Thank you for taking time to look at my blog. I'd really thank you if you gave me a super suggestion for my painting!

Portrait by Grant Schirpik

This is a portrait of my father I completed about a month ago. I was feeling down about my painting and just wasn't very inspired when I decided to do this one. I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed the experience of painting my father. I'm not sure how to explain it, but painting a portrait of someone you know is a unique experience and one I found quite challenging and rewarding. I am looking for an opportunity to paint other portraits, so please feel free to contact me if you are interested.

Studio Art and Soul at the Texas Discovery Garden

2010 Cedars Open Studio Tour

Mark your calendars to visit Dallas' Cedars neighborhood ... November 20, 2010. The Cedars in Dallas will be opening up the studios. Studio Art and Soul will be participating. Visit us at 1505 Beaumont.

06/19/10 Look-a-likes

Grant has been working on a portrait of his father for the past four times he has painted. In about twenty-five more years he will look EXACTLY like his dad! I don't know that he knows that as you age your nose and ears get longer!!

Grant only paints once or twice weekly and is capable of turning out this amazing work. I wonder how much more fantastic he would be if he painted almost every day????

Studio Art and Soul at The Wine Therapist

Please join us this evening at The Wine Therapist to kick off our exhibit. Plus, enjoy the music of Jazz Saxophonist David Carr, Jr. If you can't make it tonight, stop The Wine Therapist Tuesdays through Sundays until June 12.

04/24//10 A NEW SHOW

Welcome everyone. Studio Art and Soul will be showing some new, fresh paintings that might appeal to your senses. (three out of five is not bad) Come look at our art, enjoy a glass of wine and listen to the mellow sounds of David Carr Jr., a jazz sax player, at the Wine Therapist on May 1st from 5-8 P.M. We will be looking forward to seeing you there.

Grant Schirpik: Valparaíso, Chile

A nice spurt of activity after a lull in postings. Thought I'd add mine to the mix. This painting is a departure for me in subject matter and style. I usually shy away from this type of scene because I like to capture detail, and there's just so much in the scene overwhelming me. I had to take a few deep breaths and break it way down to the simplest forms. I struggled with capturing the correct values to show the shadows and light, especially since most of the buildings are in shadow. Definitely learned a great deal. This is a view of Valparaiso on a beautiful spring day.

Mooo ments

What a great day ... and time of day. Several of my favorite ART BUDDIES were invited to our good friend's family farm in Columbus, TX last year about this time. Three of us took a short road trip one morning. We found these darling cows... in the best lighting. (Notice the shadows and light.) The cows were very curious about us. Perfect models.

Love them!

Original painting by Karen Rike

Struttin' by Karen Rike

I'm working on a series of crows. Probably more than one series. It's been a lot of fun with this crows. The day I took the photos was a sunny day giving me the pleasure of great light and shadows.
Karen Rike

San Miguel de Allende - The End of the Day

The studio seems to be back into normal activity. The studio tour in November, the holidays in December, the weather the beginning of January. We are back and working.

This painting is one I have been working on for a long time. I have attempted it many times over the years. Finally I came up with a composition I am happy with.

This was painted from a photo that I shot while in San Miguel de Allende several years ago. The colors are the actual colors. This city is amazing. I wandered "Who is in charge of the pallet used to paint the buildings of this city." That day, that moment was one I lucked on. The light cast on the wall, the woman with her beautifully colored fabrics, the color of the buildings around her. I almost lost the opportunity to get this shot. The woman walked past me as I was stepping out of a shop. If I hadn't taken the shot when I did, she would have rounded the corner and I would have lost this scene. Although, I am sure, if I followed her, the scene around the corner would have been as colorful. Who knows? I'm glad I captured this one.

24 x 36 oil on canvas

Karen Rike

01/02/10 Suzy Moritz

I spent more time doing the background than I did the portrait! Suzy was an easy subject to paint but that background was tricky. I used my palette knife on most of it. My goal this year is to finish painting portraits of all the artists at Studio Art and Soul. I am 1/4 of the way through. Gail Kirkham's husband bought hers but promised to let me borrow it for the Open Studio Tour. The hardest part of the whole task --- is to get a picture to paint. That includes me!!!