Category: Redwood Trees

Trials and Tribulations

I have been through many trials and tribulations throughout my life and I am a huge fan of the trials. Focusing on the trying aspect of many ventures has helped me through any type of discomfort. If I am writing about art, since this is an art post, I would focus on the many attempts for each painting, drawing, sketch, etc. There is such a joy in the build up of what an art project will eventually turn into. Most of the time, I love to just start with a dot or a line and see where it will take me. There are many mess ups, mistakes, or as Bob Ross put it, “Happy Little Accidents.” Life boils down to how we look at things and what perspective we are seeing each moment with. The movie, “The Choice,” adapted from the book by Nicholas Sparks, explains this in a lovely way. Life comes down to choices. The mom in Bridgerton spoke to her daughter about love being a choice, which I find to be a wonderful description of life and love. We choose how we perceive everything that comes our way. How long to give it space in our thoughts, bodies, etc. A hard concept to wrap the mind around most of the time, but an amazing concept of confidence non the less. Sometimes working through things daily, hourly, minute by minute, can become a necessity. So…back to how this relates to art.

Karen Hilliard Art | Redwoods - Lighting the Way | Watercolor and Ink — **SOLD**

My mind can get caught up in details and lost in them at the same time. In the past, if something did not look just right, it weighed on my thought process. Now, I don’t really have the time for this circle or merry-go-round so to speak. With such a limited amount of time, I have to focus on what I want to accomplish minute by minute. The most important part of my day is now a tiny human and I do not have the luxury of getting lost in certain mindsets. I am grateful everyday for the new perspective of “slow down, enjoy it!” Each painting has now become more free and has a bit of air to them. Now, I let the paint tell me where it wants to go…even on a portrait which could be quite scary or nerve-wracking. A whole new thought process of choice. Choosing to let go and find comfort in the uncomfortable. I love my tight style of detail oriented pieces as well as my more recent loose ink and watercolor paintings I have been creating. They are still highly detailed as well, just a bit more play with water. Smaller works are more suitable for the time I have allotted presently. While I long to work on larger pieces, I am grateful for any moment at my art table. I had no idea where I was going with this post when I started to write. Trying to keep up with the consistency of my blog and social media is a whole different story for another time. As for now, I enjoy the trials of everyday life and look forward to lessons I can learn. Thank you for reading and have a wonderful Wednesday!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog, watercolor painting

“Redwoods – Spreading Light”

Painting a series on Redwood trees has humbled me in so many ways. I posed the question “How many have walked these paths beneath the trees?” in my previous blog “Redwoods-Stand United.” While thinking about how the trees in the forest have lived for hundreds to thousands of years and how humans, well, do not, I have an overwhelming feeling of reverence anytime I walk among them. Hopefully these Tiny Paintings will bring hope, light, and wonder when you look upon them. Sparking conversation is my goal as an artist. People often see things in my tiny details that I did not notice until they share their perspective with me. I would love to know what you see in my paintings in the comments below! Or, how my work makes you feel when you view it. Do you feel amazement when you walk through a forest and beneath the trees? Do you feel connected or at peace? What are your thoughts? I am curious. This series is meant to connect us and my hope for this painting is that it spreads light.

“Redwoods-Spreading Light,” incorporates my love of the Redwood forests and the beauty all around us. This forest scene was created by building up many layers. The light through the trees shines bright and makes me feel as if it is lighting the way for those who walk in the woods. Also, those who feel any darkness. This painting is meant to shed light on any gloomy or lonely situation in anyone’s life. The sun is a beacon of hope, guiding the way. Fun fact, I wanted to title it guiding light yet when researching I found that it was the title of a soap opera that aired for 57 years here in America. It ran from 1952 to 2009. Isn’t this interesting? Then, after a lovely conversation with my mother, she titled this piece. My wish for this painting is that it brings you peace and a little bit of love into your home. Thank you for reading and may your Tuesday be terrific!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog, watercolor painting

“Redwoods – Stand United”

Shapes appear in the shadows as I walk the cool paths through the forest. Small tree stumps are blanketed by moss and decomposing needles. Large tall trees tower over the stumps protecting them from wind and rain. Branches twist and turn sculpted by the elements throughout time. How many have walked these paths beneath the trees? What stories would these trees tell if given the chance? I was talking with a fellow artist friend from Roma, Italy about this very idea after she read one of my previous blogs on the Redwoods. Her name is Celia Blanco and here is the link to her website if you would like to view some amazing watercolors! She is also a lovely lady. This one friendly chat of inspirational thoughts solidifies we are all connected. Worlds away and the internet brought us together like two trees in a forest. This is what my painting series is all about. Togetherness. Here is the third painting in the series, “Redwoods-Stand United.”

This painting incorporates my love of the Redwood forests and the beauty all around us. The forest scene adds colors from real life as well as my imagination while beneath the canopy. It is titled to show how even though we are all shaped differently, we can stand united and grow into something beautiful. I was recently speaking with a friend about how as teachers, we protect children from everything, especially bullying. I write this because it is a good reminder as adults. How are our actions or words representing what we want to teach or show children growing up in this world? How can we “Stand United,” to show strength and love? As adults we have a huge responsibility like those tall trees in the forest to protect the life beneath them. Also keeping in mind the forest floor protects the tall trees as well. All of us together. We are all made different and this is such a beautiful thing. Even though trees look similar, they are all unique, yet they help one another survive. I hope these thoughts leave you with hope. Have a Terrific Tuesday and thank you for reading!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog, watercolor painting

“Redwoods-Stand Strong”

The trees of Old Grove stand strong in the misty morning on the coast of California. They breathe in the fresh morning air and emit lovely oxygen for almost all living things to survive. Fascinating! Trees also work together to survive and help each other out in times of need. They are known to communicate through their root systems. Intriguing! Keeping all of this in mind as I walked through the forest, any forest really, I am continuously amazed. I wanted to create a series of work showing the strength of these trees and the symbiotic positive relationships they create. There is also parasitic relationship and decomposition, however, this series focuses on the strong bonds within the forest.

“Redwoods-Stand Strong” shows the strength of the bark on a redwood tree. This specific tree is also surrounded by friends whose roots are connected or intertwined with its own root system. They feed each other nutrients to help one another to survive and this painting represents the communication between trees. Reminding each other to “Stand Strong” and that they are supported. To hold on and never give up hope. This series is about resilience and so much more! I will be writing about one of the other two pieces I released in the series in the next blog. Over the weekend I hope to write a review on our favorite tea place focusing on specific blends they carry. A warm cup of tea is a lovely treat while walking in a forest! Just make sure what is packed in is also packed out. Thank you all for reading and have a wonderful Wednesday!

-Karen Hilliard

Art Inspiration to Art Show

Walking among the redwoods in California last winter was one of the best experiences of my life. I often travel to this state and the redwoods are a must on any adventure in Northern California. Beneath the canopy, I felt the cool air brush my cheek and the midst fill my lungs. I began to close my eyes and breathe just taking it all in. Home. That is where I was. Home. The body of work inspired by this trip is so dear to me. In every brush stroke I can feel the pine needles and smell the forest. The way the decaying needles are becoming compost for the rising trees above and their seedlings below. Home. That is where these trees and ferns reside. Grove of Old Trees is a park protected by Sonoma County land conservancy near the town of Occidental. Protection. Idea. Spark! Pondering… walking with my sketchbook and pen further into the grove where I come across the stump. There it is, holding strong with old and new life intertwined. “Resolute Protector,” my painting.

Resolute Protector | Karen Hilliard Art | Original Watercolor | Redwoods | Watercolor Painting

I did not know at the time what the title would be, however, looking back at my thought process there it was, all along. From the start I wanted to name this painting “Aquatic” since it looked like it may have been forming into an octopus. Then, towards the end, I remembered the journey and the thoughts while walking in the forest. How the trees were protected by the people and also how they protected themselves. This word had to make its way into my title somehow and it did. I finished this painting in March and could have entered it in many shows yet I was very hesitant to share it publicly. Gathering up the courage, I decided to enter it into the Fall show for the Nevada Watercolor Society where I am a Signature Member. Still, this being said, I was nervous about my style. I went for it and “Resolute Protector” made its debut on September 5th of this year 2024 and will be up until November 23rd. Pleased would be a word used as an understatement of how I feel about this painting hanging in the show. Honored is more fitting.

If you would like more information about the show, please contact me. Until then, thank you for reading and have a terrific Tuesday!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags New Blog, watercolor painting

Fall Watercolor Show

I have posted a blog about this painting before and now it has been accepted into the Nevada Watercolor Society Fall Show! I feel truly blessed to have had this painting be chosen to hang alongside wonderful works of art by various artists nationwide. The show will run for two months and ”Resolute Protector” will be on display for the duration. Below is my previous blog explaining the creation of this painting and how much it means to me.

Somewhere in the midst off the California coast, a beautiful tree stump sits covered in moss. I became fascinated with this subject while walking around the woods with my family. After many photographs were taken, I came home and started to see different images in the textures of the tree. This title, along with others, popped into my mind as I painted this watercolor. The vision of a forest protector came to me. One in which is resolute in their purpose to protect the trees. Sitting socially among their friends, quiet, unseen almost, and ready to rumble at the first sign of trouble. This painting is a reminder that we are all connected. It is so lovely when I see photographs of human fingerprints and tree rings side by side. Also, branches and our bronchial patterns inside our lungs. Every time I venture into the forest I feel as if I am entering a different world, yet am reminded we are all of this Earth.

“Resolute Protector” holds many emotions for me and I tried to express them in every detail of this piece. I love the subject and how tree sheddings were collected, then protected by the mighty stump. The beautiful moss surrounding the pine needles gave the dried out old needles a feeling of rebirth into something new. Decomposition at its finest! I also found a lovely little nut or seed, and it turned into an eye of the protector. What do you see when you stare into this painting? Could you look at it forever and still be amazed?

Thank you for reading and have a wonderful weekend!

-Karen Hilliard

Blotting

Always Carry a Paper Towel

One of the lines from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy that my husband and I love is “Always Carry a Towel.” We discuss this at length to the point where he actually packs a towel for any of our adventures because we never know when we will need one. It actually comes in handy with the dog and any water source quite often! Speaking of water and needing a quick way to clean things up; I usually use a paper towel when blotting watercolor paint. I use a regular reusable rag when working with acrylics. The fine details and intricate lines I create with watercolor require a gentle hand with the aid of a small surface area especially with my 4″ x 6″ Originals. Paper towels are easy to fold into tiny spaces in order to collect excess water or fix runaway paint.

Canopies of California Number 1 | Karen Hilliard Art | Tiny Paintings — Click here for Tiny Paintings

Canopies of California Number 2 | Karen Hilliard Art | Tiny Paintings — Click here for Tiny Paintings

The joy of watercolor is to let the paint flow and interact with each color differently. In my large pieces I do need some control to keep my fine lines from trickling into nothingness. So I suggest always carrying a paper towel and yes, I reuse them. One paper towel will last me about 2 to 3 months if my dog does not get a hold of it and chew it up. I have to hide these beauties as if they were buried treasure he cannot sniff out. Keeping these paper towels safe for multiple months can be a challenge but I love reusing them so it is necessary. Blotting is super important in my technique so the paper does not buckle. I work in a wet on dry technique and control the minute wet on wet interactions specifically. Some of my recent work was wet on wet with a wet on dry technique to complete it and it was very enjoyable. The Daisy Way series was fascinating and fun to create. I used a paper towel with both styles and prefer the wet on dry for my larger works.

Daisy Way Spring | Karen Hilliard Art | Watercolor — Click Here For: Original Daisy Paintings Link or Dolphin Smiles Print Link

Dolphin Smiles | Original | Karen Hilliard Art | Watercolor — Click Here For: Original Daisy Paintings Link or Dolphin Smiles Print Link

The wet on dry allows me to work for several hours, days, months on a piece. I can let it sit, focus on the lines, and challenge myself with determination to finish these. Each large painting takes many layers and many hours of work. Dolphin Smiles was painted using a wet on dry technique. My gallery focuses on the natural world and includes portraits interacting with nature. Recently I have been working in my sketchbook and posting videos on social media platforms. Each video, if you focus, you can see me use a paper towel to blot a section of the painting. These timelapse videos move quicker than I could ever paint in real life so you have to watch very closely to see a paper towel on one of these “reels.” Please drop a comment on what you use to blot your surface area, excess water problems, etc. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I will respond in 24-48 hours Monday-Friday. You can also send me a private message at khilliardart.com/contact

Thank you for reading and have a wonderful Wednesday!

-Karen Hilliard

Tags California Redwoods, daisies painting, Daisy