Sunday, August 23, 2009

A Talent you won't believe.........Karen Appleton

"Five" by Karen Appleton



Last week I had one of those days where I berated myself for my late-life passion for gift wrapping. Everyone is sick to death of listening to me talk about this website, this new gift wrap concept that may or may not work, may or may not put me totally over the edge and I found myself feeling quite alone and asking myself " who else on earth cares this much about how to wrap a gift?" I really did question myself as I wrapped up one more gift wrapping ensemble for one more photo for one more website addition. That evening I received an email from fellow blogger and artist Lara Harris from the blog Painting a Pup a day blog who passed on a blog link that she thought might interest me and she wrote " I was looking through some blogs today and discovered this new artist who is doing a whole series on beautifully wrapped packages and of course I thought of you". What a serendipitous find on that particular day.

Crush by Karen Appleton

Shame on me for thinking I was alone in my gift obsession, there had to be one more at least! And shame on me for not knowing that fellow bloggers with their remarkable ways always seem to know just when you need to hear or see something to put you back on track ( thanks Lara). But really, who would ever guess that someone could not only be ribbon obsessed, but do it so exquisitely and in such a talented fashion that it took my breath away? And it does...... the subject matter, the technique, the colours, the pure beauty of her talent literally has me holding my breath. I know this ribbon. It falls and ties exactly like this painting shows. Artist Karen Appleton has rendered this ribbon so realistically that I would bet my life that it is particular hand-dyed silk, that one I bring out for special gifts. Look at her technique.........

"Crush" in it's beginning stages and it's painting-in-progress.



Dark Comedy by Karen Appleton
Anyone who reads this blog will know there is few things I find more meaningful than a beautifully wrapped gift. Obviously Karen Appleton shares the same passion, the Chicago-based artist has been painting her series of beautiful gift packages for the past four years. The more I browsed through her website, the more I was intrigued. Why would an artist chose to paint gifts? What is it about this subject matter that has captured her focus? I think you will agree that her reply is as thoughtful and beautiful as her work.


Flame by Karen Appleton

"For me the presents have literal and symbolic meaning. We all immediately identify with feelings associated with a gift - gratitude, love, hope, appreciation, expectation, excitement, and the list goes on. But the symbolic meaning is what keeps me attached to the presents year after year, and this is harder for me to put into words. A present is of course more than just surface, we know there is something beyond what we see and this idea is intriguing to me. This makes the image of the present more of a question instead of a statement. I'm not just showing the viewer a beautiful surface, although I definitely hope to achieve that, but the question of what's inside - inside the box, inside our lives, inside ourselves, is the bigger question I hope to explore." ~ Karen Appleton

Morning Glory by Karen Appleton

You will find Karen's inspiration for these paintings as interesting as her subject matter. The colours of seasonal nature find their way into her paintings as you will read on her blog (click here). Wrapped in a gorgeous velvet plum ribbon "Morning Glory was inspired by the rich color combination found in a Morning Glory flower. Many artists would just paint the flower wouldn't they? It's fascinating to me that Karen Appleton has mentally leaped over the standard and artistically interpreted it into these unique visions. Her paintings are quite simply the gift. She is absolutely right when she says a gift extends feelings of "gratitude, love, hope, appreciation, expectation, and excitement", gifting in any form isn't such a trivial gesture. What I understood that serendipitous day was this.......when you give a beautifully wrapped gift you are saying many things but you are also saying " I want to give you beauty". That is good enough for me.

All photos from Karen Appleton ~ Artist.

36 comments:

  1. Wow ~ those first two pictures really grab my attention! How beautiful.

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  2. These images, and her glowing interpretation of them, are so pleasing to me. They are like the final resolving note at the end of a longing refrain ... that AHHHHhh one feels. As a former painter myself, I'm only occasionally greatly impressed. These I would actually BUY. Unheard of. They are lovely, and I'm going right over to her blog. Thanks, Sande, and Lara, for sharing!
    jbEbert
    http://jbEbert.blogspot.com

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  3. Dear Sande~
    I believe that Karen Appleton must be a soulmate of yours... You could have wrapped every one of her paintings...You could have written her beautiful words of what a gift means. This is exactly what I know about you after exploring your blog and website. This my friend is exactly why you have been so far my one and only unveiling very amazing woman. It is hard to put into words what we see, make or wrap. Our visions are clear but sometimes the question arrises... Why? Because I believe there is this universal web of connection for beauty to continue. What you do Sande is very very important and don't ever believe no one else cares. You are a gift to all of us. And I must say THANK YOU Lara Harris for seeing and opening up a door and showing you. This is why I LOVE BLOGGING!! It is magical.
    XOXOXO's
    Janet

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  4. I think these pictures a fabulous.. The "Morning Glory" is definitely my favourite, so simple and just enough!
    Thank You
    Gintre

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  5. these are wonderful! quite taken with the second especially

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  6. What a wonderful post! Karen's work is just breathtaking and perfectly showcased here!:)

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  7. Wow, I love Karens work. I cant wait to visit her website. Thank you for sharing her. I love to visit your blog. Its so much inspiration and beauty and put a smile on my face. Thank you,
    Have a pretty day, Gail

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  8. it looks as if the artist has been using your gifts for still-life fodder! i am so excited to see this work; my bff has a little bit of a wrapped present fetish, and i would love to get her one of these paintings. i hope you will never doubt the appreciation for your talent. you bring beauty into an otherwise dour world. peace, kitty.

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  9. Sande,

    Never in a passing moment should you feel your beautiful offerings of exquisite packages and presents are not loved and adored! You talent and stunning gift wrapped ensembles always leave me speechless! I've always had a love for perfectly wrapped gifts, and your blog, website and talents are always fueling my gift-giving fire!

    Karen Appleton is a true artist capturing such beauty with her brush. Both of your minds are forces to be reckoned with when it comes to showering this world with extraordinary packages of perfection.

    Here's to gift wrapping our lives with happy color and cheerful ribbons!

    ~Melissa

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  10. Hi, Sande - thank you for your beautiful blog. In response to your questioning of yourself and your love of gift-wrapping, I wanted to share this. Unfortunately I cannot remember who said it, but the quote says, "When you find yourself at a place in life where you care so much more than anyone else around you, that's when you know you're in the right spot." I loved that; I hope it encourages you, too. Tammy G.

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  11. Are you sure that you are not twins, separated at birth....
    such gifts you both are to us, forcing us to focus on the present.
    Karen surely has a got the wrap down.
    pve

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  12. Don't you love it when you find a kindred spirit, when you most need one!? You should never doubt how much your art and attention to detail matters. I DO know how you feel, though...as I have felt that way many times.
    I agree with Janet, you are a gift. ...and I am speechless over these paintings. Thanks for introducing us to yet another wonderful artist!

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  13. These paintings are gorgeous! What a find and thank you for sharing....and thanks to Lara for finding her!

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  14. Enchanting! I hope you will buy one of her beautiful paintings. They are meant for someone like you.

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  15. Add me to the list of people who love these paintings. And don't knock your passion, Sande...you share beautiful things with people who appreciate them!

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  16. My favorite is the painting with the gifts wrapped in comics. What lovely artwork -- thanks for sharing!

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  17. Sande-You might need to get one for your work space for inspiration.

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  18. I love a beautifully wrapped gift and yours are so gorgeous. And what a treat to find such a talented painter with a love for presentations as well. You are definitely not alone. Check out Carolyne Roehm's wonderful book, "Presentations", and you will see. You have a great talent for design and color combinations that are as magical as a well designed room.

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  19. I can see why you were excited to discover her. They are just beautiful paintings and her thoughts so interesting. I have to say Morning Glory is just the best, I love everything about it.
    xoxo

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  20. So glad Lara found that for you Sandra & lifted your spirit's, I can just see Karen painting one of your creations one day soon now she knows about you, will look forward in seeing her paintings, which are so exquiste :)

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  21. I loved this post for a multitude of reasons, Sande! Your text was so thoughtfully and beautifully written, Karen's work is so beautiful and the thoughtfulness of another blogger (love Lara!!). I, for one, find inspiration in your obsession with beautiful packaging and think there's no one as gifted with it!! Keep up the great work and thanks for your sweet comment on Anna's chair. XO

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  22. A beautiful post, Sande. Love the paintings...especially 'Morning Glory'. You must have been thrilled to recognize a ribbon you are so familiar with. Fabulous!
    Catherine

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  23. Oh my, I am speechless, thank you so much Sande for this amazing feature, for your incredible words, and for your generous spirit. Truly your passion for beauty, sharing, and giving are an inspiration!

    Many many thanks to Lara for being so thoughtful and kind to pass along my name!!

    And so many thanks for all the incredible compliments here, I am so very grateful and overwhelmed!
    Thank you,
    Karen

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  24. Lovely inspiring post..thank you so much for making my day!

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  25. I'm so excited that you discovered Karen! I'm a huge Karen Appleton fan. It was fate that you two gift wrap aficionados should find each other. I think there could be a wonderful artistic/business synergy here. Love your blog!

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  26. I experimented one Christmas back in 1985 by meticulously wrapping each gift in silver foiled paper & adorning with cut mirrored, linear "bows" (which were actually X-mas ornaments).
    The people were in awe. They thanked me profusely for their silver, name-engraved pens.
    Are you ready?
    The pens came from Wal-Mart. Engraving free.
    It was all I truly could afford, but the wrapping made the gift much more valuable. My gifts were the coveted ones at the gathering.

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  27. She is an incredible artist and I imagine you got goosebumps when you saw her work. You are a perfect match!
    Thank you for sharing,
    xo

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  28. Hi me again, there is an award for you at "The Attic".
    xoxo

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  29. Dearest soulmate,fellow "exquitely beribboned" and artistically giftwrapped enthusiast, how I both adored, and yes I believe, also needed to read your lovely blog posting today about that incredible artist!..,You see due to ill health I am about to have a procedure that quite frankly frightens me.., I also am an artist, who adores gift wrapping as a fine art, yet I also had an art line which I sold wholesale for man,y years as framed fine art reoductions of my originals..,I'll perhaps debut these on my blog site Quite a bit later on, and this art of mine features many beribboned still life object;s, (though not gift wrapped).., I was aware of the artists work and I also adore your blog by the way, I've had it on my fovorites list for some time and I've "gushed" over it to many a friend!.., I too know what it's like with my unique artwork and blog to wonder what on earth Im doing.., you keep up the ggod work , you are fabulous and we love you!.., Cheers from Silken Purse

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  30. Oh you make me laugh honey. Take what you like darling.

    Clive is having some personal time off, and will be back when I've finished with him ... he he :)
    xxxx

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  31. These really are beautiful! You need to commission a work with your favorite masterpiece :)

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  32. they are so cutee =]
    loved your blog :)

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  33. Thank you so much for your lovely congrats. You yellow, me pink for sure!

    Hang on gotta go Clive is calling me ......

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  34. Karen is brilliant!
    Love your site! Wow. A feast for the eyes and heart.
    Liz

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  35. The painting looks very realistic1 i was stunned by the beauty of it.

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  36. I have to say, i' m impress with her work. it's stunning, it's gorgeous, it looks so real. and i love it.

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Your comments are such a lovely addition to my day. Thank you.

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