Tropical Dreams on a Cold Winter Day . Tiki Time .

This Arctic Freeze makes me long for a warm Tropical Breeze.

It's so cold here right now, I don't know if my poor car will start.

In fact, I don't even want to leave the house, not even to get the mail!

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I can take the snow, which we have plenty of, however, it's -28C right now (or - 16F),

which puts me in mind of places far away.

Warm, sunny, tropical havens, with beaches lined with palm trees and soft sand that feel's oh so good between one's toes.

Perhaps a Marguerita, too or a Martini. A drink with an umbrella and some fresh fruit, enjoyed under the shade of a grass hut.

I can dream, can't I?!

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"Tiki Bar" - acrylic on canvas ~ 24" x 24" (available)

by Karen Sloan

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Thanks for visiting. Keep warm!

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Interior Art - Theatrical Spaces on canvas

This painting always reminded me a bit of a stage set.

Kind of like someone is about to, or perhaps already has, come out to give a speech or a performance of some sort.

It's a comfy spot to sit while listening to some good tunes, contemplate the day's events, or one's navel, and read the paper.

Slippers and a mid-century modern -"esque" easy chair provided.

"After The Party" - 30" x 36" - acrylic on canvas

Copyright © Karen Sloan

Thanks for visiting!

Reserved Seating . Jazz Club Interior . Pop Art @ Wall Flower Studio

The quiet corner of a Jazz Club. Reserved seating for a favourite patron. The best seat in the house.

"Table For One" - acrylic on canvas 24" x 36" - available

Copyright © Karen Sloan

Thanks for visiting.

Abstract Jazz Art . A Musical Duet on canvas

Musicians blowin' the horn and strummin' the strings.

A little bit of improvisation kicks it up a notch, and keeps the sound fresh.

"Duet" - acrylic on canvas - 8" x 10" - Sold

Copyright © Karen Sloan

Thanks for stopping by.

All the Comforts of Home . Whimsical Art Interior for a Snowy Day

As you can see, everyone is as snug as a bug in a rug, or something to that effect.
Now that I think of it, that may have been a good alternative name for this painting.

Well, this is Canada, "Eh"?! We're getting a pretty good snowfall right now, as I type.

Art imitates life!

All this snow will only serve to make my husband happy. He's eager to get out on the snowmobile trails, which are pretty much right outside our door.

I should take advantage of all the amazing winter activities that Haliburton County has to offer, but personally speaking, I tend to hibernate and come alive in Spring.

Just like the garden.

"Creature Comforts" - 24" x 24" acrylic on canvas - (Sold)

Copyright © Karen Sloan

Two Martinis - A 'not so' Still life Interior

Pictured in my mind while painting this canvas were images of Paris cafes, and the flamboyant salons that took place between the wars.

One can only imagine the meeting of great creative minds during that era.

Discussions between freethinking individuals, the many geniuses, who entertained and argued amongst themselves about all sorts of new and exciting ideas.

People who changed the direction of art, modern living, and philisophical ideas and who were reacting to tumultuous world events, past and present.

Perhaps they were partaking in some drink, dancing or other types of revelry, too.

A picture can tell a thousand stories, depending on your point of view.

"Two Martinis" - acrylic on canvas - 36" x 48" - (available)

Copyright © Karen Sloan

Bringing back the Jazz Age ...

.... one canvas at a time.

The Jazz age was such an exciting time. Flappers, philosophers, writers, artists, expats in Paris, and of course, the music.
Jazz Age - 12" x 16" - Acrylic on canvas by Karen Sloan
Have a musical day!

All images on this site are copyrighted to Karen Sloan. Thank you.

Mural at the Animal Hospital . Day 3 . Almost done!

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Close up of the middle section.

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Almost finished!

What a fabulous experience. I'd like to do another sometime for sure. Perhaps a big Jazzy one, more within the context of what my painting style is like now.

But I'm not complaining. This has been an excercise in fun.

You may (or may not), notice there's no Day 2 post. Well, that's because I forgot my camera yesterday. Silly me!

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But, there's just the animals left to complete, they're coming along,

as well as some more shading on the rocks.

Also the cat jumping from the window. One more day and I'm thinking that will be this coming Monday.

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Thanks for dropping in! Enjoy your weekend...

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The Blues . On canvas . Moody Jazz Art Inspirations and a Rant, too!

Well, admittedly, this painting was inspired by the Steely Dan song, "Deacon Blues", which is one of my all time favourites., and although I think the song is actually about football, I get something else from it, as you can tell.

Yes, I know, I do go on about the dynamic duo of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, but the music they've created is timeless perfection, and for me, totally inspirational.

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In other news today, I read that the CRTC, (Canada's version of the FCC), banned a 26 year old song from being played on radio stations across Canada.

The title of that song is "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits, (a great band with many classic hits, and incidently, Sting lent his voice to that particular tune)

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I have to say, I'm more than a little disgusted, and yes, even embarrassed by this move, and of course, speaking as a free thinking person, I'm not a fan of censorship.

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But there you have it...

Censorship is alive and well in Canada.

Who'd have thunk it?

Shameful to say the least.

My so called, democratic country is de-evolving from the freedom loving aura it used to have.

I hope there won't be book burnings next..

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Don't these people understand that by banning something, it makes the thing they censor all that more attractive to people, and it's just great publicity for what they want to ban..?

The irony is lost on them, I'm sure.

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Stupid move by the CRTC.

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So, in closing, they'd better not ever try to ban any Dan songs, or this gal will be up on Parliament Hill with placard in one hand, and a burning flag in the other.

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That's my post, and, rant for the day.

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P.S.

If you're disgusted too, here's the

CRTC's contact info

Write them and tell them how you feel, after all, as far as I know, it's still a free country.

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Mural at the Minden Animal Hospital . Day One . Progressing well.

A blank slate.

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Rough paint sketch and outline.
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Adding colour.

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Well that's my progress so far. I got a lot more done in one day than I thought I would, but was feeling very inclined to paint. I've been looking forward to this job for a while now.

I can't tell you how much fun it is to paint on walls, and not only not get into trouble, but actually get rewarded for it.

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This mural is for the Minden Animal Hospital, in beautiful downtown Minden, Ontario, which happens to be the Vet where I take my cats.

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Well, the last time I was there, the owner decided a mural would be a great idea in the doggy playroom/kennel in the basement.

We decided upon a Haliburton - Muskoka type landscape, and there's a few cats and dogs in there, too. I just haven't worked on them yet.

Will also be painting a cat jumping from the windowsill. (See picture 1) Haven't started that yet.

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Anyhow, it's a bit like being back in kindergarten. I am enjoying this immensly! Am about 1/3 of the way done.

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Check back for more progress here tommorow, if you like!

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Thanks for stopping by.

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Bebop - Mid-Century Modern Inspirations . The Art of Jazz.

Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, Charles Mingus, and Ella Fitzgerald, too. That woman could sing anything.

A few defintive favourites.

All giants of Jazz, and big inspirations for what I'm doing here on canvas...

"Bebop" ~ 8" x 10" acrylic /canvas - Available.

Copyright © Karen Sloan

Thanks for visiting

Bossa nova Pop. Musical Art for Latin Lovers .

More than likely, I was listening to Stan Getz, Antonio Carlos Jobim, or perhaps Quincy Jones while creating this canvas.

I just love the flavour and tempo of Bossa nova, which, interestingly enough, when translated from Spanish, actually means "New trend".

The rythym has it's roots in Samba, and one can only think of "The Girl From Ipanema" which literally sums up what this musical movement was all about. That song sounds good no matter what language it's sung in!

Bossa Nova's popularity only lasted about 10 years at most, but I think it's style has endured and has had a far reaching effect on many Jazz musicians.

It certainly has with me.

Probably because it's just got that late 50's / early 60's mid-century, swanky coolness about it.

"Cuban Jazz" - 24" x 36" acrylic on canvas - (sold)

Copyright © Karen Sloan

Thanks for stopping by. : )

Edible Art Cookies . A Tasty #Jazz and #Flower Collection

A sampling of my Jazz / Interior paintings on cookies.

They were featured at the Montclair Art Museum Gala in 2010

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My flower paintings on cookies

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When the owner and founder of "a cake dream", Sabrina Kuratana, of New Jersey first contacted me about my art, admittedly, I was intrigued.
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Since then, I've discovered that Sabrina is a passionate cake designer who strives for perfection on everything she undertakes.

Having studied at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, Sabrina has mastered the art of baking and presenting an original and truly edible work of art.
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Sabrina was interested in using my jazz and floral painting images on her cookies.

Well, I thought that was just the best idea ever.

Who had heard of anyone else doing this?? Certainly not moi!

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Still, I think it's just marvellous that it could actually be done, these edible art creations!
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The launching of her Signature Line of Art Gallery Cookies features my work.

To quote Sabrina, (this) "has provided the unique opportunity for the sugar and art world to merge",

...thus promoting me, as well as other artists in a whole new delicious world.
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As an artist, and a big fan of cookies, I'm just thrilled to be a part of
"a cake dream"!

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For more information, please contact Sabrina at:
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~ a cake dream ~
Randolph, New Jersey, USA
973.476.0923
http://www.shop.acakedream.com/

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Elements of Jazz - Musical Art @ Wall Flower Studio

I don't know how to describe Jazz in words, but do feel compelled to create pictures and visuals that I hope compliment what I'm listening to.
What I really like about Jazz is how it differs from other music genres because of it's individualistic quality.

Most pop music created today sounds all the same to me. Manufactured boy and girl band music is not music at all, but some executive trying to make a quick buck off a group of teens who'll be nobody's in 5 years...

Been there, done that. I know this is totally generalizing, but that's how I really feel.
So, the body of work I'm currently creating is due to the images that flood my head when listening to Jazz.

I try to listen to all the different levels, each single instrument, along with all of the elements that I feel create the style, structure, and abstract qualities, which are so appealing to my sensibilities. The rhythm, melody, timbre, articulation and expression, which when held together, like a finely woven cloth, by competent and talented musicians, make for sounds and songs that will stand the test of time.
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Perhaps my musical taste is attracted to Jazz because it encourages individual self-expression and improvisation, something that is not always held dear in our society. It just seems to me that musicians who lean towards Jazz are not in it for the money. It's just for the love of what they're creating.

"Elements Of Jazz" - acrylic on canvas - 11" x 14"

Copyright © Karen Sloan

Bad Pick-up lines equal Inspiration for Paintings . Astrological Pop Art at Wall Flower Studio

What's Your Sign?

Probably the smarmiest (if that's a word), line I ever heard, and yes, it was asked of me once at a local bar, before I was (happily),married, while out for an evening with friends.

One may expect something like that at a discoteque, say at Club 54 in NYC, back in the mid-seventies when everyone was doing other kinds of lines, but not at a pub in uptown Toronto, in the early 90's, while one is playing darts with friends.
You can be sure that, altho' I wasn't half in my cups, I remember being so bold as to laugh in the poor fellow's face, and I think I may have even said something sarcastic like, "Stop sign".

Not very nice of me, and it was a knee jerk reaction to a very unoriginal line. You might say cliche. Besides, I always thought it was kind of cheesy to allow oneself to be picked up in a bar. But hey, that's just me. Anyhow, I should be thankful in one respect because it was great fodder for a painting.

"What's Your Sign?" - acrylic on canvas - 18" x 22" - (Sold)

Copyright © Karen Sloan