Making Beauty from Ashes

I lost my barn art studio in the Tubbs wildfire in October 2017. This is the story of it, and how it helped me make new art.

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A painting in process — Dusk in the Vineyards

Dusk in the Vineyards • private collection • 48" x 48" • © 2014 Karen Lynn Ingalls

Dusk in the Vineyards began with a photographing trip not far from Calistoga, where I live in Napa Valley.

It was late afternoon, and as the sun set, the light grew magical. It is that magic that I have tried to capture in this painting.

The painting itself is four feet square, on canvas. I photographed it on the easel as I painted it, with the studio light changing from morning to afternoon to evening.

My friend Lil loaned me her van to carry it to the photographer, because it was just a bit too large to fit comfortably into my Volvo wagon.

It continually amazes me to see how much a painting changes as it grows and evolves. They often lead me in places I didn't quite expect, and it is my job to follow them, and trust the process. I'm glad to be able to share a little bit of the process with you.