Merry Christmas 2016

'He's on his way!' oil, 6x6

 MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!

Fabulous Firsties

'First Grade Friday' 

The last full week of school before the holiday vacation. Firsties have had fun with comparative adjectives and learning about holiday traditions in other countries of the world.  

Forgotten Bell

still life, oil, 6"x 6" $50 click here to purchase

I was asked to be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army yesterday. Now I hear bells and bell ringers with greater appreciation this season. This painting is called the 'Forgotten Bell'.

Fabulous Firsties

"First Grade Friday". Adventures in a first grade classroom. 

So much excitement to perform the school Christmas program this past week.

Sanpete Vibrations

mixed media, 12 x 15, 'Sanpete Vibes'

This is my entry for the Sanpete Contours Art Show at the Hub City Gallery in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Reception January 13, 2017 6-9 pm. 40 Sanpete County artists have all come together through the expression of line and form. Reception January 13, 2017 6-9 pm.  

All proceeds will go to the North Sanpete Art Council (NSAC). 

Snake River Freeze

studio, oil, 6x6, 'Snake River Freeze'

This is a small glimpse of the Snake River as it passes through southeastern Idaho on a very chilly evening. The reflective sun was just setting with warm amber and rose colored clouds.

Click here to purchase.

Fabulous Firsties

'Firsties' say and do funny things everyday. 

Here are a few from last week's adventures in fabulous first grade.

Remember Hot?

plein air, oil, 6x8, 'Growth Spurt'

This painting was completed for the 2016 Wasatch Plein Air Paradise in Midway, Utah. I found this scenic view of the Heber Valley at the Midway Cemetery seeking shade and a place to have lunch. The temperatures were in the high 90's just 6 days before the 4th of July. I was so shocked to see the growth of Midway from a sleepy quiet rural hideaway just a few years ago.

It's Almost December, Let's BIKE!

Late afternoon bike ride on the Blackfoot Greenbelt along the Snake River in Idaho. 

I found a 1950's Schwinn bicycle hiding under a grapevine awhile back. I visualized myself biking but it wasn't until a long, lost friend encouraged me to just get on and ride that I actually did. Isn't that how life is for us at certain points in our journey through life? Fear vs Fearless? Let us decide and not be afraid come what may! Then help others on their way.

Feast of 2016

studio, oil, 6x6, 'Turkey Talk'

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so blessed to live in Sanpete County, Utah. Beautiful landscapes, fresh air, and lots of turkeys! Here are some turkey facts:

• There are 45 family farms in central Utah that raise 5 million turkeys harvested each year.
• In total turkey consumption, Norbest (the brand), would provide enough turkey for the total population of Utah, Idaho and Nevada.
• If all of the turkeys were converted into turkey sandwiches, there would be half a billion sandwiches.
• The Utah turkey industry generates more than $75 million a year for the Utah economy.

Moab Plein Air 2016

plein air, oil, 8x10, 'Flow'

Last month I participated in the Moab Plein Air. The weather was absolutely perfect. I painted along the Colorado River as it winds through the canyon. I seem to gravitate to this spot every year and I paint the same scene. It reminds me of the quote from Heraclitus, 'No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.' Can I change it up a bit? 'No woman ever paints the same river twice, for it's not the same river and she's not the same woman.'

Horse Fat Camp

Meet my palomino paint mare named Lacey. When I picked her up from the spring pasture in June she was surprisingly over weight by over 300 lbs. Her front feet were sore from all the weight she had gained. She had a difficult time walking. The local vet said she had foundered and if she didn't loose weight she would become lame (unable to walk) and useless. She immediately went on a strict diet of eating only grass hay, no alfalfa hay, no grain of any kind, and no fresh feed. She was sparingly fed morning and evening throughout the summer and amazingly she has lost all of her excess weight. Now that it is fall, we have been building up stamina by riding short distances each day. I can see a big difference in her and how she feels. I am looking forward to keeping her healthy and myself!  

6-22-16

6-29-16

7-6-16

8-20-16

11-15-16

How do you like me now?

Super Moon

plein air, oil, 8x10, 'Moonstruck'

My favorite time of the month is to watch the moonrise sitting around 

a campfire with friends and family. Tonight I'm getting a moonburn! 

Escalante Petroglyphs

plein air, oil, 9x12, 'Petroglyphs'

I drove on Smokey Mountain Road in Escalante, Utah last month and discovered a cool rock formation. I didn't realize I was within a GPS coordinate for petroglyphs until a couple drove up riding an ATV looking for them. They were visiting from Illinois and thought Utah was out of this world with spectacular landscapes.  I agree, do you? 

30 Sunsets 2016

During the month of September, I painted 30 sunsets and posted them on www.caroljohansen.com and my social media sites. All of the paintings were done alla prima/plein air from locations in Utah and Idaho. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the quicker my brush instinctively captured the colors. It was the FLOW!

Sunset 30

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 30'

Sunset 29

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 29'

Sunset 28

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 28'

Sunset 27

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 27'

Sunset 26

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 26'

Sunset 25

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 25'

2016 Escalante Canyons Art Festival

This is my mixed media entry for the Escalante Canyons Art Festival. Sold!

plein air, pastel, 9x12, 'Wild Flowers'

Sunset 24

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 24'

Sunset 23

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 23'

Sunset 22

plein air, oil, 6x8, 'Sunset 22'

Sunset 21

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 21'

Sunset 20

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 20'

Sunset 19

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 19'

Sunset 18

                                                        plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 18'

Sunset 17

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 17'

Sunset 16

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 16'

Sunset 15

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 15'

Sunset 14

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 14'

Sunset 13

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 13'

Sunset 12

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 12'

Sunset 11

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 11'

Sunset 10

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 10'

Sunset 9

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 9'

Sunset 8

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 8'

Spring City Plein Air 2016

plein air, oil, 9x12, 'Stand by Me'

This painting was completed for the Spring City Plein Air last weekend in Utah. I have been fortunate to live 5 miles away from Spring City and have participated every year since 2008. This view is from my farm looking at the west hills. The two trees seem to embrace each other for added strength against the elements.

Sunset 7

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 7'

Sunset 6

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 6'

Sunset 5

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 5'

Sunset 4

plein air, oil, 6x6, 'Sunset 4'