MKarlen_Art: The Archives

11/04/2016

Vote Red or Blue. What to do?

It's Red vs. Blue. Or, is it?

10/07/2014

I am honored to be juried into the show Surface & Depth at The Golden Thread Gallery in West Hartford, CT. From the archives, they chose this painting. It's called The Underground Series: May10. Show is up until November 1, 2014. It would be a good time to begin an album of The Underground Series...

04/14/2014

In the mid-50s, my parents befriended Al & Bertha Larson in Wellfleet, Cape Cod.
Al built, by hand, two seasonal cottages: The Fore & Aft. He built the shells in the summer and when the weather turned, he went inside and did the electric, plumbing, woodworking and floors.
Al and Bertha sold the cottages to my parents in the '70s. For years, they were just summer rentals, until I realized that I could go up, off season, and paint there.
I believe some of my most interesting work was created in the Fore Cottage, staring out at Great Island and the bay and beyond. I worked for an oyster/clam man, I had wonderful quirky loner-type friends and I loved it.
During one of the cyclical recessions, my parents got nervous, someone offered them good money, and in the time it takes to sign your name, the cottages were gone.
These paintings came out of the mourning I felt, for years. I truly lost a visceral part of me.
They are disturbing in a way. And, fascinating, too.

In the mid-50s, my parents befriended Al & Bertha Larson in Wellfleet, Cape Cod.
Al built, by hand, two seasonal cottages: The Fore & Aft. He built the shells in the summer and when the weather turned, he went inside and did the electric, plumbing, woodworking and floors.
Al and Bertha sold the cottages to my parents in the '70s. For years, they were just summer rentals, until I realized that I could go up, off season, and paint there.
I believe some of my most interesting work was created in the Fore Cottage, staring out at Great Island and the bay and beyond. I worked for an oyster/clam man, I had wonderful quirky loner-type friends and I loved it.
During one of the cyclical recessions, my parents got nervous, someone offered them good money, and in the time it takes to sign your name, the cottages were gone.
These paintings came out of the mourning I felt, for years. I truly lost a visceral part of me.
They are disturbing in a way. And, fascinating, too.

04/09/2014

In the mid-50s, my parents befriended Al & Bertha Larson in Wellfleet, Cape Cod.
Al built, by hand, two seasonal cottages: The Fore & Aft. He built the shells in the summer and when the weather turned, he went inside and did the electric, plumbing, woodworking and floors.
Al and Bertha sold the cottages to my parents in the '70s. For years, they were just summer rentals, until I realized that I could go up, off season, and paint there.
I believe some of my most interesting work was created in the Fore Cottage, staring out at Great Island and the bay and beyond. I worked for an oyster/clam man, I had wonderful quirky loner-type friends and I loved it.
During one of the cyclical recessions, my parents got nervous, someone offered them good money, and in the time it takes to sign your name, the cottages were gone.
These paintings came out of the mourning I felt, for years. I truly lost a visceral part of me.
They are disturbing in a way. And, fascinating, too.

In the mid-50s, my parents befriended Al & Bertha Larson in Wellfleet, Cape Cod.
Al built, by hand, two seasonal cottages: The Fore & Aft. He built the shells in the summer and when the weather turned, he went inside and did the electric, plumbing, woodworking and floors.
Al and Bertha sold the cottages to my parents in the '70s. For years, they were just summer rentals, until I realized that I could go up, off season, and paint there.
I believe some of my most interesting work was created in the Fore Cottage, staring out at Great Island and the bay and beyond. I worked for an oyster/clam man, I had wonderful quirky loner-type friends and I loved it.
During one of the cyclical recessions, my parents got nervous, someone offered them good money, and in the time it takes to sign your name, the cottages were gone.
These paintings came out of the mourning I felt, for years. I truly lost a visceral part of me.
They are disturbing in a way. And, fascinating, too.

04/08/2014

Apologies for the pause in Archive Action. Winner #5 to be announced this week. Stay tuned.....

02/12/2014

I spent a lot of time on Cape Cod growing up. In fact, there are photos of us kids really young, in the bay, directly in front of the 2 cottages my parents were going to buy from an age-old friend (Al Larsen, and he built them with his own 2 hands). They were called the Fore & Aft.

I was very attached to those cottages. The first time I quit my full time job to become a painter, I went straight to the Cape and painted The Peasant Series. After that, I made an annual trek of-season to be alone and work.

My parents sold the cottages without telling me. Sounds horrible, I know, and it really affected me but I'm over it now. We kids still try to get to the Cape every summer.

This is one surviving painting of the emotion that I felt after I found out the cottages were gone.

I spent a lot of time on Cape Cod growing up. In fact, there are photos of us kids really young, in the bay, directly in front of the 2 cottages my parents were going to buy from an age-old friend (Al Larsen, and he built them with his own 2 hands). They were called the Fore & Aft.

I was very attached to those cottages. The first time I quit my full time job to become a painter, I went straight to the Cape and painted The Peasant Series. After that, I made an annual trek of-season to be alone and work.

My parents sold the cottages without telling me. Sounds horrible, I know, and it really affected me but I'm over it now. We kids still try to get to the Cape every summer.

This is one surviving painting of the emotion that I felt after I found out the cottages were gone.

01/30/2014

These intimate, creepy-figured, dark, luscious imaginary landscapes were painted around 1998-99. All small and shadowed. Looking back on them now, do they seem to reflect a tortured artist's mind?
As I recall, I remember painting what I saw in my head and these images were pouring out of me. I was not depressed and I was not a nihilist. I was actually really happy.

These intimate, creepy-figured, dark, luscious imaginary landscapes were painted around 1998-99. All small and shadowed. Looking back on them now, do they seem to reflect a tortured artist's mind?
As I recall, I remember painting what I saw in my head and these images were pouring out of me. I was not depressed and I was not a nihilist. I was actually really happy.

01/29/2014

This is what's going on over at the Archives…and if you haven't signed up, you may want to because I've got an art lottery running…Winner #4 was just announced.

These intimate, creepy-figured, dark, luscious imaginary landscapes were painted around 1998-99. All small and shadowed. Looking back on them now, do they seem to reflect a tortured artist's mind?
As I recall, I remember painting what I saw in my head and these images were pouring out of me. I was not depressed and I was not a nihilist. I was actually really happy.

01/28/2014

Original Oil Painting, "Sun White Sun", 8x8inches, Signed

A New Year deserves a New Auction.
2 Days Left.

US $99.00 in Art, Direct from the Artist, Paintings

01/27/2014

These intimate, creepy-figured, dark, luscious imaginary landscapes were painted around 1998-99. All small and shadowed. Looking back on them now, do they seem to reflect a tortured artist's mind?
As I recall, I remember painting what I saw in my head and these images were pouring out of me. I was not depressed and I was not a nihilist. I was actually really happy.

These intimate, creepy-figured, dark, luscious imaginary landscapes were painted around 1998-99. All small and shadowed. Looking back on them now, do they seem to reflect a tortured artist's mind?
As I recall, I remember painting what I saw in my head and these images were pouring out of me. I was not depressed and I was not a nihilist. I was actually really happy.

01/25/2014

Winner #4 Just Picked! ... Drum roll please….BOB HOLODAK…you WON! Congratulations!

01/15/2014

Happy New Year. The Archives are back from a lovely holiday season. I've just posted a painting from a series I worked on in the late '90s (see below). More images from this series will be posted soon.
AND, a new winner to be announced in the next week!

01/15/2014

A gathering of animals, many ram-like, a cloaked figure, a leaf-less tree. All walking along a path to gather under a leafless tree.

12/15/2013

In case you missed it: We have a Winner #3!
Laura Augsbach is the winner of The Archives: Look Closer Art Lottery. I pulled her name out of the mason jar that houses all the slips of paper. Yes, old school I know but it's infinitely better than the my method for picking Winner #2 James Donaldson's name…I had our cat, Belle, do it. She rolled around on the names for quite a while before she finally picked a name!

12/12/2013

The Archives are Opening

We have a new WINNER! #3 in the Archives Lottery is Laura Augsbach. More on Laura, why she entered, what she likes about art and more on its way. CONGRATULATIONS LAURA! : ))))
If you know anyone who you want to share this opportunity to win an original work of art, please send him or her (or them!) this link. And as always, thank you for your support and words. Happy Holidays Everyone!
https://a.pgtb.me/V4tHbS

12/08/2013

Auction is Live.
This oil, from The Archives, is at auction until Tuesday Dec 11th. Art is a great holiday gift : )

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221330576107?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

11/25/2013

This landscape, fresh out of the Archives, is currently up at auction. Reminder: bidding ends this Tues: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221320321716&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

11/22/2013

Why were these paintings hidden? As I reveal archived works, I explain why I hid them. These are about being afraid I'll disappoint you...

Why many of the smaller works were hidden...

11/22/2013

From The Archives: Small Works

11/20/2013

Auction started today for this painting. Straight out of the archives.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221320321716&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

11/15/2013

MKarlen_Art: The Archives's cover photo

11/13/2013

Just fyi: bidding ends today at 3pm.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221311923758?ssPageName=STRK:MESCX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1554.l2649

11/13/2013

Winner #2: James Donaldson from Upland, CA.
James is the second winner in this Archives are Open Art Lottery! Congratulations James! … 8 more to go ...

Share the Fun!
I'm trying to get as many people as I can to sign up for the Art Lottery because I want to see how far and wide these paintings that I'm giving away travel. So if you have friends you think would love to be involved with this, please send / share this link. It's a quick sign-up and then they are eligible to win. Thanks!
https://a.pgtb.me/V4tHbS

11/06/2013

I'm Opening the Archives is to reveal and explain why certain artworks never made it into the public eye. After each unveiling, the artwork is auctioned off.

Why auction them? Because I want to reach a broader audience.

Why are the minimum bids so low? It's the hippy in me; I want you to be able to afford great art.

To view the auction, click this link http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221311923758

I'm Opening the Archives is to reveal and explain why certain artworks never made it into the public eye. After each unveiling, the artwork is auctioned off.

Why auction them? Because I want to reach a broader audience.

Why are the minimum bids so low? It's the hippy in me; I want you to be able to afford great art.

To view the auction, click this link http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221311923758

10/28/2013

Winner #1! Joe Pape and daughter Valentina stopped by TheRoadsEdge Open Studios last weekend to collect the first of 10 free pieces of art. Congratulations Joe and Valentina ! Winner #2 coming soon ….

09/18/2013

Join this unique artistic journey as TheRoadsEdge archives open and works rarely seen are exposed to the light of day. Sign up now and be eligible for a chance to win Free Art. http://a.pgtb.me/V4tHbS

09/17/2013

Join this unique artistic journey as TheRoadsEdge archives open and works rarely seen are exposed to the light of day. Sign up now and be eligible for a chance to win Free Art. http://a.pgtb.me/V4tHbS

09/16/2013

Words on these paintings, coming soon.
In the meantime, feel free to let your own thoughts flow here...

09/16/2013

TheRoadsEdge Archives are Opening

Join this unique artistic journey and view paintings and works that artist MKarlen has kept under wraps, some for many years.
People who enter with their emails are eligible to win 1 of 10 free pieces are art.
September 15 - March 15, 2014.