Karen Tessandore

  • St. Patty’s in Charm City

    We went out and explored the surrounding neighborhoods on foot this evening.  So fun!  I loved all the little rows of brick houses & we found this festive display {above} in someone's window.  If I knew how to upload a video, I'd show you the bagpipe serenade we were treated to during dinner at the

    read more

  • Baltimore Fungi

    Who knows why, in Baltimore – a big, brick, city {compared to home anyway…} I would be inspired to paint a mushroom!  But there it is.  I had great, messy fun with this one.  Here's what it looked like after all the paper was down, but pre-paint: I'm really glad I decided to tote my

    read more

  • Done! {mostly}

    This is the girl I was working on last night.  There are a few more finishing details I'd like to add, but it's getting late & time to pack up my paint!  So I'll call her finished for now & look at her with a fresh eye when I get home from Baltimore. I'm really

    read more

  • Dipping a toe in…

    As a first step toward many wonderful goals that were planted in me at Art Nest, I just listed 6 original paintings for sale in my Etsy shop!  I feel nervous and excited about trying this.  But I'm so thankful for the encouragement from my new art friends.  My daughter has been super supportive to0,

    read more

  • La-La-Loving the Process

    It's been an exhausting, wonderful, concentrated evening of painting.  I wanted to get last night's idea completed to show you tonight, but there's just too much left to do!  {Above is a peek at one corner of the canvas.}  My intention is to work on finishing it for much of tomorrow, but I also have

    read more

  • Spring Dress

    This girl's just for me!  Actually, what happened is that she came out a little too closely inspired by Kelly Rae's lovely girls for me to feel comfortable trying to sell her.  Not that I'm comparing my work at all to hers…but you know what I mean, right?  I'm SO grateful for artists that are

    read more

  • Airport

    Art Nest wrapped up on a Sunday morning and people had flights to catch right away, or were hitting the road to drive home.  My flight didn't leave Utah until 9 p.m., which gave me a whole day to hang out at the airport.  I could have rented a car, seen the sights…but honestly, the

    read more

  • Post-Nest Work

    "Winter Stroll" ~ just finished her tonight!   She's painted on an 8×8" canvas and I was so happy that she came out just as I imagined.  Some paintings come easy, but this one was a bit of a struggle.  I wonder why it's like that sometimes? Here's the original sketch {inset} and the canvas with

    read more

  • Treats, friends & a bossy bird.

    I didn't think anything could top my long weekend at Art Nest, but I came home to some wonderful birthday treats!  My friend Meg made these gorgeous cupcakes.  They were all dense & fudgey ~ my favorite.  I love the color combo of the dark chocolate & pretty dried flowers + I think the frosting

    read more

  • C is for Cookie

    Did I mention the wonderful Art Nest food?  Well, in addition to all the yummy goodies Candice & Julie prepared, Lorraine also brought these scrumptious cookies.  There are no words to describe how much we all loved them!  She was kind enough to share the recipe and gave me permission to post it here too. 

    read more