It Was One of Mine!

This week I woke up to see an email from my former student Kirsten who is now visiting Cortona, Italy with her family this week.  See the rest of what she wrote me:

Hi Claire,

Guess what is hanging in the WC at the villa we are renting!  I was coveting this painting and took a closer look, and now I know why :-). I am really missing my painting class now!  We just arrived in Cortona yesterday and will head into town today with the kids.  It's Jack's birthday and we'll load up with food for a feast and art supplies for everyone.  Also, could you please tell me what the music is on your Tuscany web page?   Want to get it!  Thanks much.  Xox Kirsten

I painted this little window painting after being in Cortona with the University of Georgia's Studies Abroad in Art.  These windows were on the old convent where part of our group stayed.  We hand washed our clothes that summer, and these were "intimates" of the gal's room hanging from the window to dry.  Made for a great painting that was later purchased by a lady in St. Paul who happens to own the villa where Kirsten is staying.  This email and pics MADE MY DAY!

This gave me energy and inspiration to get started painting for my upcoming show in October!  You may find more paintings and info on my site!

Thanks, Kirsten!

Check out my latest shoot with gorgeous Caroline!

Had the chance to work with my niece Caroline this weekend for images in this photoshoot! She will be living and working in Chicago this summer, and we are so excited! We wanted to do something that was "fashiony" and represented her, and I think we accomplished that. We weathered the wind coming off Lake Michigan for the beach shots at Glencoe Beach and thawed out later. It was worth it! Enjoy the images in this gorgeous Pass gallery by Showit!

 

New Website! Check it out!

I just renovated my site since we have relocated to Chicago my photography and painting business!  I added more photography and a cleaner, fresher look and made it even simpler to navigate.  Whatcha think????

Just click the image to take a look!

(Get ready to tap and snap.. ;)

This Letter Made Me Cry

As you can see, this letter was dated July of 2012.  This was a busy time for our family as we were moving to Chicago and had our house on the market for sale.  For showings, oftentimes the mail got shoved into a drawer to tidy up.  Soon, we moved, and that batch of mail got moved as well.  It wasn't until we moved into our new home that I came across this pile of mail from July (from the other house) that included perhaps the kindest, most touching letter from one of my long-time, beloved students Judy Johnson.  I opened it, and read it and was so incredibly touched to tears.  Also, I felt so bad not knowing about it until 3 months after she had written it and thinking that SHE must have thought that I had just blown it off!  So, I called her a day or so afterwards and thanked her for such a sweet letter so thoughtfully written from the heart.  It is truly one I will keep forever and refer to when I might not be feeling my best.  It's uplifting, to say the least, and I love and miss Judy who painted with me for 7 years in St. Paul and is a long-time teacher at the school my children attended, Saint Paul Academy.  

I love and miss you, Judy!  We will paint together again!

clairekayser.com

Laugh, even if it starts off as fake!

A great article in the Pioneer Press this morning lauded laughing as great medicine!  It lowers blood pressure, boosts immunity among other things.  It sited that laughing babies and funny animal videos are among the most popular on YOUTUBE.COM!  Well, I'm a firm believer!  I find it easy to be silly, and I'm glad to know that it's good for my health!

I just dug up this video shot by my 7-yr.-old daughter of her God mother, Diane, my twin sister Carole and me faking it up then guffawing for REAL!  See if it makes YOU laugh, and hey, maybe it will save you a trip to the Dr.!

Senior Shoots!

Here are just a few of the gorgeous seniors I've had the pleasure of shooting this fall!  If you have a senior who needs pics for yearbook or for just to commemorate his/her senior year in a beautiful way, then let me know!  Will shoot all year!  Rain, snow or shine!

http://www.clairekayser.com

Email: ckayser@mac.com

Kid's Summer Art Camp!

Kid's Art Camp!
Learn color theory, composition, critique in a fun, positive atmosphere!
All supplies provided!
(2 canvases, paints, brushes...)
Just show up and have a blast!
July 19 - 21
Ages 8-13
$200

Portrait Week!

Portrait day!  Fabulous!!!

Is it true?

anthropologie on grand ave.?

"Roadtrip" directed by Beau Grealy for Anthropologie

..just retro cool

Just felt good...

just felt good to be back in the studio...

My Love Affair with... LE-THAAA!!!! (Leather)

I have a thing for good le-thaaa! Ever since I was young my brother David would relish in good leather, too, and would say it that way and make Carole and me smell and EXPERIENCE it. Well, I have become much that same way with gorgeous, Italian leather shoes (that smell just SENDS me!), a good leather, studded belt, great leather purses, etc. I bought last year two leather, studded belts from Stowe Provisions. They sell thru Free People, but the guys are really great! Read their story here. One is from the twin cities, and I talked to him directly about my buckle when the belt came in with a different one than what was pictured. They just sent me another one - no problem.

Me, with my Italian leather strappy sandals from J Crew. You should've smelled them upon opening the box!!!


This belt says, "Here Comes the Sun" with a sun on the back center and hand-painted clouds on each side...

This one just says, "Peace" with hand-painted flowers.

Their belts are like the ones that Railroad Bazaar sold in my hometown of Athens, AL. I LOVED that store when I was young. It was so 70s with everything leather to be made and sold - like belts, leather bracelets with your name on it. Carole and I got one that we both LOVED until mine came off my wrist and sunk into the Tennessee River. I WAS SAD! We got another one made, but it just wasn't quite the same. Lastly, I just bought a beautiful leather purse from the Ruehl store at 40% off. Sadly, all the Ruehl stores are closing January 30, 2010, but I'm glad I was able to nab one of their finest.


What can I say? I just LOVE Le-thaaaa!!!

HAPPY 75TH, DAD!

Happy 75th, Dad!

Wow, my Dad turns 75 TODAY! I cannot tell you what an inspiration he has been to me all my life and has been such a great father to me and my siblings. He really encouraged Carole and me to pursue art as he saw so many great artists in his own family and thought artistic talent had trickled down to us, too. I'm so glad for his encouragement! He has been a great business man all his life and my brothers followed in his footsteps having him as their mentor and inspiration. I miss being able to be around him on a daily basis as I've lived away from him and Mom for almost 15 years now, but we stay connected and I always feel his love for me from
1000 miles away. I send you a virtual hug and kiss!

Happy birthday, Dad, and I wish you many more!
Love,
Claire

Fishy

Oh, I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted work! I cannot begin to tell you how busy life has been with 3 young kids and the dog, so I get done what I can. I have done several encaustic paintings lately that I am going to be posting that are small in size.

Encaustic requires the artist to be flexible and make decisions quickly in the process. Seldom do my original ideas come to fruition the exact way I intend with this medium, but I do love it nonetheless once I get over this fact. You kind of have to go with the flow of the paint and torch and watch colors melt and blend in such beautiful ways. I had toned this one in reds and burgundys with the intention of almost completely covering the background in blues. My students loved the burgundy tones as I did as the process went, so I decided to keep some that toning showing thru. This is "Fishy!'

Encaustic on cradled board, 6 x 12", $150 s/h $12

When Harry Met.... US!!!

I finally met Harry! Harry Wallace! He's the 4 month old baby (GORGEOUS baby) of my friend Hillary who I met last year. She painted with me last fall, and then she delivered Harry in March. We have not gotten together until today, and what a fun time we had catching up on things, talking photography, and watching Harry make us laugh! He is so quick to smile which I love in a baby, and he has an amazing disposition and the most beautiful blue eyes (can't tell in these B&Ws). Not surprising knowing Hillary and her husband. I so enjoyed out time on the porch in this rainy Friday just sitting and visiting. The girls loved holding Harry, too, and making him smile. Thanks for such a fun time,
Hillary and Harry!

... a sufficiently worn out Harry! Sweet dreams!

When Things Just CLICK!

Things just clicked today! Wow, I got this thing painted in just over an hour! I painted this for my Dad who worked for Volkswagen while he was in college, and he owned a Karmen Ghia that he just adored. I was driving down Ford Pkwy. the other evening a few cars behind this one, and I thought, "OH, that is a great looking Karmen Ghia! I'm going to try to follow it to shoot pics for Dad!" Well, the guy pulled over and parked, and I parked right behind him and asked if he minded my shooting a couple of pictures of his car (telling him about my Dad...) he was happy for me to, so I did. Got them and chose this angle. I toned it thickly with a palette knife with raw umber and painted with oil on top. I was in my groove today!
I'm giving this to my Dad... ;)

Plein Air Painting at Dodge Nature Center!

What a great time and a most gorgeous day we had with plein air painting today at the Dodge Nature Center! We could not have asked for more perfect weather - sunny with those big, puffy clouds and about 75 non-humid degrees! This painting is from across a pasture toward the garden with beautiful trees behind it. The view offered so many greens with spruce trees in the background offering a touch of blue green to the more earthy greens of the trees in front of them. I LOVE a sky with these puffy clouds (cumulonimbus? clouds). I wanted keep this as loose as possible by using only one 1/2" brush for this 6x12 painting. I love the feeling of it!

6 x 12", oil on board, $99, $12 s/h SOLD

Happy Birthday to Us!

Yes, Carole and I have a birthday today - 42! This pic is from our 40th b'day celebration we had in our hometown of Athens, AL where we blocked off part of the square in downtown Athens in front of Carole's studio for our party! We had a blast with a great, rockin' band, dancing and mingling with so many great friends. What a great memory! My friend Eileen from St. Paul came home with me to celebrate! FUN!!!

Happy Birthday, Sis!

1st Student Art Show!

Claire Kayser Fine Art put on it's first student art show last night, and it was WONDERFUL!!! We kept it to our spouses and a few friends, had it catered by Lauri at the Golden Fig, and hosted by Jack and Kirsten Driscoll at Jack's historical, charming building. The evening was splendid in every way with gorgeous weather that allowed us to spill outside on the upper level deck, great h'ore deuvres. We raved over the students' work and talked about art, mingled with one another and enjoyed ourselves tremendously. Thanks to my great students for allowing me to work with you and help you through your painting journeys!