Category: Karen Hilliard Art Blog

“Connected by Love”

The Second Painting I created to show the heart shape of the canopy was also painted to express connection. I show this with the special feature of puzzle pieces located in the bottom left corner. My brother and his wife had their first date while putting a puzzle together. They laughed and talked over building something new for both of them. In those tiny moments…the subtle glances of looking up at one another…the sweet smiles of something young and fresh…they began. While working on this painting, I thought about their deep love for one another and their family. My mind drifted to memories of walking through the Redwood Forests with them and their children. They have taken us to the Redwoods everytime we visit. We have frequently seen Armstrong Woods and Grove of the Old Tress. This painting is a celebration of love and I wanted it to be personalized for anyone who would like their names written in the pieces. A forever reminder that we are all one piece of someone’s puzzle of life and love! I used their names as an example and to honor them both on my website. They are lovely people who inspire me. Here is the poem I wrote about the painting:

CLICK HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL PAINTING!

Our hearts beat as one and it whispers to the wind. What tales it could tell yet seems to hide in the shadows of day. Light sneaks through the cracks and holes surrounding it. Our heart pumps blood softly and beats slowly as if not to stir. The wholeness of this heart, in this place, in this time, with all these emotions swimming with memories…seeping through the dark places to find light. The heart of the forest shall not be bound, yet be free to blow in the wind spreading love and light. So everyone in their darkest of places may be able to see, feel, dream, and be exactly who they are in the moment. Sitting beneath this heart of ours on the forest floor, looking up at the canopy we created, feeling connected, and forever protected.

I hope you feel loved and cherished. Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for reading!

-Karen Hilliard

CLICK HERE FOR A PERSONALIZED PRINT

Also, if you would like another way to show support, I have a few options. “Buy me a coffee” which is a way for anyone to contribute to the creative process behind the paintings. Fuel the artist so to speak. Here is the link if you are interested. The funds go to supplies and gas to get out to the trails. I truly appreciate the support and the fact that you are liking these blogs, as well as my art posts. I am working hard to bring you all fresh content! Here is the link to my Instagram where I try to post daily. You can also find me on Facebook at my art page Karen Hilliard Art.

If you would like to, please leave your Social Media handle on the “Buy me a Coffee” page so I can thank you in my Instagram/Facebook Stories! 🙂

Thank you again for all of your support!

Tags New Blog, watercolor painting

“Heart of the Forest”

Residing in Occidental, California there is a grove of old trees. They stand proud and tall, protecting one another from the elements. All the while, they are being protected by stewards of this Earth, humans. Thank you to the people who care for this special place and allow the public access to it. My family and I travel there annually in the month of December when the cool breeze blows. The coastal air is usually cool in this grove, however, the winter months make it extra special. We were fortunate enough to have a bit of sprinkles and splash in puddles. Constantly we kept watch on the tree limbs as rain did loosen some, so be careful. We also watched out for poison oak because there are some growing along the trail edges. This is mentioned at the start of the loop in case you need more information. All of the safety measures aside, we walk around with pure wonder every time we are fortunate enough to venture there. Below is my new painting, “Heart of the Forest,” and yes, you can stand under the actual tree canopy where the heart is formed. This is a truly remarkable experience.

The original painting is in Watercolor on Cold Pressed Paper. It is painted edge to edge on a sheet measuring 15” x 20” and is one of my brightest yet. I absolutely love this piece and decided to make prints as well. Here is the description for the moment in time when this painting was created in my mind…

My sister in law took us to a place. This place stood in a moment in time. Tall, full, and welcoming. The winds were cool and the skies opened up with rain. The midst rolled in around us like a blanket of dewdrops caressing our fingertips. We splashed in puddles and ran around through undergrowth. Then, in a magical moment, we looked up and saw the heart of the forest.

If any of you are interested in the Original, here is the LINK. If you would like a print, here is the LINK. Thank you all for reading and if you have the chance, I hope you can go see this remarkable heart shape while looking up to the sky above. Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

-Karen Hilliard

If you would like to, please leave your Social Media handle on the “Buy me a Coffee” page so I can thank you in my Instagram/Facebook Stories! 🙂

Thank you again for all of your support!

Tags New Blog, redwood trees, tree canopy, watercolor painting

Signature Show 2025

The Nevada Watercolor Society Signature Show of 2025 was beautifully put together. There are so many gorgeous paintings hanging at the Wetlands Gallery in Las Vegas, Nevada. I feel so grateful to be part of such an uplifting society. The women and men who are members have welcomed me with open arms, interest, and compassion. Tonight, I went to the show to view beautiful paintings by people who are becoming friends and others who I am still meeting. Every time I enter and get accepted into one of their events, I feel amazed at the receptions. The atmosphere is always filled with light, love, and encouragement. A true art community. As I walked around with my daughter and husband, our little one skipped up to my painting and pointed, “mama, painting!” She turned with the biggest smile on her face because she recognized it from the hallway where it hung in our home. She also helped hand deliver it to be hung in the show. She was welcomed with smiles from all the adults around and everyone enjoyed her warm spirit.

I was grateful that this art event was held at a venue where our daughter could run around and explore while the show was happening. The Wetlands have a wonderful center for kids with many activities they can focus on involving the animals that reside there. So much information was at her fingertips and she especially loved the sculptures of certain birds, frogs, snakes, and insects. My husband and dear friend were able to entertain her while I talked with some lovely people. I was also able to run around with our daughter during the event which I will always remember. Crawling around in tunnels with her was my favorite. Thankful again to our sweet friend for wonderful candid photographs playing with our daughter!! They will be forever cherished.

Karen Hilliard Art | Blog | Signature Show 2025

The Nevada Watercolor Society and The Wetlands Staff put on a lovely show as well as snacks during the event. It was just a wonderful experience all around. At two o’clock they announced the prize winners and I was honored to have my painting, “The Joy of Autumn” chosen for the award of Honorable Mention. There are so many colorful and interesting paintings in the show. I was truly blown away to receive an award. I am very thankful to the judge and the NVWS for this honor. If anyone would like to see the show, it is up until April 24th. Please go and see it! A very kid friendly place as well! I hope you have a Marvelous Monday and get a chance to see the show! Also, if anyone is interested in “Resolute Protector,” or “The Joy of Autumn,” they will both be available April 25th for purchase. Please Contact Me Here if you are interested!

Thank you all for reading and for your support.

-Karen Hilliard

If you would like to, please leave your Social Media handle on the “Buy me a Coffee” page so I can thank you in my Instagram/Facebook Stories! 🙂

Thank you again for all of your support!

Tags art show, New Blog, watercolor painting

Horses

Our dream came true for our new human as she interacted with such a large quadruped for the first time. A male draft horse with long brown hair (coat) and a black midnight mane was enthralled with our daughter. I wondered what memories and new thoughts he was experiencing? Apparently, he had been around children many times for his first year of life and loved being near them. Our tiny human clung to my hip as she assessed her new surroundings and slowly warmed up to the amazing creature standing before us. This was such a wonderful experience all around and I am so pleased we were all there. My husband and I had been wanting to introduce our daughter to horses ever since she was born but were waiting for the right opportunity. I wanted her to have the chance to feel how I did as a child respecting the pure magnificence of what a horse truly is. I wanted her to see how they dance and move with the wind while also enjoying a human’s gentle voice or hand. A loving connection!

Our wonderful auntie shared her love of horses with us last Sunday. She was the perfect person to experience horses with for the first time. Not only was this trip enjoyable, and memorable, but it was also informative. Our daughter has been walking around the house saying “horse,” “pee,” “poop” etc. This is fascinating to watch and listen to as she tells her little stories of what she found interesting from our outing. Or, why she is committing it to memory because it was such a new and different experience. She had the pleasure of petting, and brushing the horse and his mane. She touched a lot of dirt and watched it run through her fingertips. We saw hay in small square and rectangle bite size servings. This one she was a little unimpressed with as the “hay” she has seen is on her farm video, and the feed did not look the same. She looked and shrugged, then continued to walk and found a burro. All the animals were friendly and loved being spoken to with kindness.

After our little walk around, she got to see a couple more horses up close and watch them go to the bathroom. This may be why “pee, horse” is what she is intrigued by. There is something about going outside and just being able to see a horse. To actually get to be near one and touch them, brush them, and be in their presence is such a gift. All the questions and hustle or bustle of the mind just seem to fade into their eyes. Then, a calmness sets in. Horses are just wonderful creatures all around, even the “untamed,” or “wild” ones. They happen to be a favorite of mine. They just are themselves in their most beautiful form. The one she got to experience was one of the most gentle and curious horses that I have met. We had an amazing time adventuring up to the canyon last weekend. The new word in our daily focus is now “horse!” Thank you again to our wonderful auntie and thank you all for reading. May your weekend be enjoyable!

-Karen Hilliard

If you would like to, please leave your Social Media handle on the “Buy me a Coffee” page so I can thank you in my Instagram/Facebook Stories! 🙂

Thank you again for all of your support!

Tags New Blog

Swirls All Around

Swirls in rocks carved by time run around through my mind. Vastly changing with rays of light and clouds above cooling the day. The colors are remarkable out in the desert. The Brick red, Alizarin crimson, Rose, Burnt Umber, and Burnt Sienna flow together creating a glorious palette with various hues. They connect ideas and shift my thoughts into an overload of pure bliss. There is so much to paint out here and my ideas spark a newness for my painting “Breakthrough” I have been working on for so long. As I look at the blue mixing with orange, and yellows with purple, I dream about the day when my new rock piece will be finished. All of this is swirling around in my brain, and at the same time, all I can focus on is her. The reason my painting is still under creation is because the most beautiful piece of art is right in front of me saying “mama, rock!” All while holding her hands outstretched with sandstone in each tiny fist. Home. My heart is home.

Karen Hilliard Art | Blog | Swirls All Around

Swirls of feelings surpass everything and I am bound forever in this journey. What will she see today? How does she interpret the swirls I see? We play with sand, dirt, and climb again. We find “holes” that are as big as my tiny human and look inside them with pure delight. We hike, we talk, we walk around. Enjoyment in the movement of this place we have found…together. We drive home and discuss more of what we saw and I have an idea of turning felt into mountains. I cut shapes in different colors and lay them on a table. I ask her to make what she saw out in nature. She plays and stacks the felt upon each other. So many smiles and different facial expressions are being created. This…a new creation. The painting can wait. This moment, these swirls of time, holding them close forever, all around us.

I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday and this brought a smile to your beautiful face. Thank you for reading!

-Karen Hilliard

Sandstone of Red Rock Number 3 — AVAILABLE CLICK HERE

Sandstone of Red Rock Number 5 — AVAILABLE CLICK HERE

If you would like to, please leave your Social Media handle on the “Buy me a Coffee” page so I can thank you in my Instagram/Facebook Stories! 🙂

Thank you again for all of your support!

Tags New Blog, red rock canyon, watercolor painting

Climb On

Sandstone of Red Rock Canyon Number 1 — SOLD

Backpacking the tiny human into a wonderland of rocks was amazing! Sandstone, limestone, and the variations of each were breathtaking! She loved looking out at her new height of six feet tall and being able to touch plants that are usually too far out of her reach. We went back to the Red Springs Area. I love how every time I am out in the desert it feels like a new experience. I can walk the same trail for example, or even run it, and each time it feels as if I could get lost. The desert changes so magically even in the different times of day, and it moves or flows with an amazing color spectrum. I feel pure joy sharing these moments and this time with our daughter. An entirely new way to gaze upon this world.

She finds holes in the distance and we must walk to them. I set the backpack down and her smile shines so brightly as she knows walking on the ground is about to happen. Her little hands are going to get to touch the “dirt” she kept telling me about in the car ride over. She loves the sand going through her fingers as well. We find sticks to write and doodle in the sediments around our feet. We find bushes and learn which ones are safe to touch compared to ones that are protecting themselves with thorns or needles. Then, in one magnificent moment…we start to climb for the first time outside. Learning how important foot placement is and how to trust our bodies. Growing and changing how we move while our brain is evolving with new information. “Climb” is becoming our new favorite word and is used simultaneously now with “dirt.” Oh the joy and wonder of a child are endless. “Climb on” little one!

Thank you all for reading and I hope you have a Marvelous Monday!

-Karen Hilliard

If you would like to, please leave your Social Media handle on the “Buy me a Coffee” page so I can thank you in my Instagram/Facebook Stories! 🙂

Thank you again for all of your support!

Tags New Blog, red rock canyon

These Trees Are Tall!

So many smells surround me and the sounds of this forest are unique. It is wet and damp here in certain places. The ground beneath my paws is soft and mud is bouncing back up on my stomach. My muscles feel rejuvenated and strong. The air in my lungs is crisp and fresh, unlike the dust of the desert I call home. The trees…the glorious trees…where do I begin to leave my mark? Everyone needs to know I was here. My humans are keeping me close on this infernal leash, yet I know it is for my safety, as well as there’s. Apparently there is a plant here called poison oak and even if I get the oil in my fur, they can catch it by petting me. It is okay, the hold on me is loose so I still feel grateful to explore. There are so many puddles to drink water from and the rain feels nice on my fur.

Karen Hilliard Art | Blog | Redwoods | These Trees Are Tall

My eyes are always watching this baby by my side and my ears are perked up to hear for miles in order to keep her safe. She sure does love to splash in puddles. The tiny human gives me treats, throws my ball…not far…but she throws it and gets excited, so I must keep her near me at all times. The joy of this creature is interesting and I find that my heart feels warm when she is around. The forest is welcoming and the whole family seems to really enjoy it. I wonder if they are going to leave their mark? My mom is taking pictures, so many pictures. She is an artist and wants to paint…EVERYTHING! I am writing this blog to tell you all that she painted some of these trees and we are all super excited. She is releasing them tomorrow with prints as well. She is offering a 10% OFF COUPON in her Newsletter, so make sure to sign up for that. I think she did a great job with the mood, since that is what I can see clearly in her work. I hope you all get a chance to get outside with people you love this weekend. I am looking forward to my humans taking me somewhere awesome! Thank you for reading!!

-Spector

Karen Hilliard Art | Redwoods | California | Shining Light | Watercolor and Ink — SOLD

Redwoods Spreading Light | Karen Hilliard Art — SOLD

Tags california coast, New Blog, Redwoods

Desert Life

Jackrabbits, Chollas, Beaver Tail and more! So many things that became in store. The clouds above were full and grey with cotton like wondrous white speckled in. We still talk of “hop” and how it ran off…hip hopping away in the distance. As we looked up, we saw a lovely light illuminating the mountains beyond. They called to us and we decided to walk over in their direction. I went where she pointed and enjoyed what she found. The leaves on the bushes that dried where they hung, the pebbles in the wash moved throughout time, and the textured sandstone of the boulders that stood. Out of everything…we talk about the “hop” still and it was requested to be drawn in our book.

This is the first creature she saw out in its element. In its ecosystem. We saw some jackrabbits prior at Sunset park along with little bunnies, yet this one was gigantic compared to those. I can see why she is fascinated by it and talks of it days later. Have any of you seen wildlife while out hiking or walking? What types of animals have you encountered or are there any stories you would like to share? Please leave them in the comments below. We would love to hear about them. I am very excited for what we may see next, on another trail, on another day. Until then…have a Wonderful Wednesday and thank you for reading!

-Karen Hilliard

If you would like to, please leave your Social Media handle on the “Buy me a Coffee” page so I can thank you in my Instagram/Facebook Stories! 🙂

Thank you again for all of your support!

Tags Backpacking, New Blog

Flow

Rivers flow and carve beautiful canyons with time or by powerful force. Thinking about life, I have always found it moves like water. Sometimes there needs to be a change or a bend to flow around, over, or through something. Sometimes force needs to be applied while other times subtle soft flowing needs to happen. We headed out to our usual trail and found some activity there so decided to keep driving. When there are questionable people I like to move to a less populated area, especially now that I have a little one. Deciding to flow like a river and see where it would take us, we happened upon a lovely new trail and saw so many wonderful things. Also, we had to watch the sky and the rain coming in the distance to know when to pack up and head back to the car. The desert can have flash floods which can come quickly with little warning.

This being in the forefront of our minds, we did stay near the vehicle while playing in the wash. The first creature she got to see was a Black-tailed jackrabbit almost the size of her! We followed slowly in the direction of the rabbit but would not have caught up with them. Giving the animals space in nature is very crucial to their survival. This little path took us to some gorgeous sandstone boulders with mountains in the distance. Our daughter touched plants, played in the sand, stacked rocks, and talked about everything she saw. We had discussions about getting to high ground if it started to rain and respecting wildlife. There were so many teachable moments but the fun was by far the best part of the hike. Seeing her face light up in wonder is purely magical! Thank you all for reading and I will write more on Wednesday with added drawings. Have a Marvelous Monday!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog

Change

There are subtle and drastic changes in the topography of the desert landscape. Weather can carve new paths and crevices in the rock faces, washes, and leave flora twisted upon itself. The past few times I went hiking was on the same trail yet it was different in so many ways. Lighting on one particular day was glorious and magical. A cloud covered a section of the mountain while the sun peaked through and shone so brightly on another. To be there in that moment and witness the light was breathtaking. This space of time literally had me pause my breath for seconds, it was truly amazing. The picture below does it some justice, but as we all know a photograph from a phone does not get the light exactly as it was during the moment. Looking back at my photos from the hike prior to that day, the mountain looked drastically different as did the wash. I long for the day to paint these photographs even if just in a sketchbook to immortalize the memories of each beautiful day.

After being completely mesmerized by the light and sharing the moment with our daughter, she brought my attention to something else entirely. I love how toddlers can do this. All children have different attention spans and I love how their imagination can take over in an instant. We started to gather rocks and began stacking them up in towers, or carins for my outdoor friends. We found that releasing pebbles and sand from our grasp at different heights onto the stones made different sounds. Some were high pitched noises whereas others were subtle and soft. We started to hum and sing little tunes while making music out of natural objects. It was a lovely day outside. I hope you all have a Fabulous Friday and get a chance to go outside this weekend. Thank you for reading!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog