Retro-copy - Karen McCool | fine art

Karen McCool | fine art

Remember that time

The best stories are ones that start with “Remember that time … ?“

The kind of story that you and your friend can still laugh about after the millionth retelling?

I want my art to remind you of those stories. And the old TV shows everyone watched, back when the number of channels could be counted on one hand. We were all “there” watching at the same time, enjoying a shared experience.

Stories connect us and transport us to a time when … well … you just had to be there.

Vacationing is Hard

$2,000.00

24x36 Oil on cradled panel

This image reminded me of a trip to Scotland with my husband, to visit my family. To get there, we flew from Philly to New York, from New York to London, then from London to Glasgow.

We were saving money. :-/

I was exhausted when we finally got to our destination, but my Uncle thought it would be a good idea to take us to a pub for a pint and a wee dram.

It was not a good idea. Whiskey, amirite?

TIP: Never get in a cab with a Scotsman to a second location.

It's gonna be another pub. There's always another pub.

Also, if you ever find yourself hungover in Scotland and you've been served a traditional breakfast ... don't eat the black pudding. Don't look at the black pudding. Don't smell the black pudding. And for gawd's sake, don't ask what's IN the black pudding. All you need to know about black pudding is:

IT'S LYING ABOUT BEING PUDDING.

Many thanks to @anonymousphotoproject on Instagram for allowing me to paint their photo.

#oilpainting #shoplocal #buyart

Later in the Evening

$1,000.00

18x24 oil on cradled panel

Many thanks to @secretlifeofnell for allowing me to use their photo for reference.

Party Like it's 1959

$0.00

Sold out

20x16 Oil on Canvas. Black Floater Frame.

This painting is currently (Sept 18th - Oct 24th 2021) being shown at The Teresa Haag Studio & Gallery 2nd Anniversary Show in Phoenixville, PA. https://www.teresahaag.com/anniversaryshow Along with work from 6 other artists.

From original Instagram post:

Title: Party like it's 1959.

I'd party with her.

I love that people seek out and collect "lost" photos and slides in flea markets, antique stores, consignment shops, etc. These photos may be lost to their original owners, but they are loved again by many treasure seekers. My thanks to @secretlifeofnell for allowing me to use their "found photo" as a reference.

#oilpainting #art #vintagephoto #vernacularphotography

First Kiss

$2,000.00

24x36 oil on cradled panel

Many thanks to IG: @anonymousphotoproject for allowing me to use their photo as reference.

Before Spray Tans

$2,000.00

24x36 oil on cradled panel

I vaguely remember having lounge chairs like this when I was a kid, and this image reminded me of sitting in the back yard, as a teenager, with high hopes of getting a beautiful bronze tan.

The only problem was, instead of inheriting the olive skin of my dad's Italian ancestors, I inherited my skin color from my mom. She was from Scotland. The land of pale blue people ... so my skin only has two settings:

(a) Silas, the albino from "The Davinci Code"

-or-

(b) Hellboy

Many thanks to @secretlifeofnell on Instagram for allowing me to use her photo as reference.

#oilpainting #artshow #shoplocal

Sun, Sand & Cut-offs

$0.00

Sold out

24"x36" oil on cradled board.

This painting is currently (Sept 18th - Oct 24th 2021) being shown at The Teresa Haag Studio & Gallery 2nd Anniversary Show in Phoenixville, PA. https://www.teresahaag.com/anniversaryshow Along with work from 6 other artists.

From my original Instagram post...

Working title 1:

Summer, sand and cut-off jeans

Working title 2:

70's Boys, Down the Shore

Which title do you prefer? (And if you don't know what "down the shore" means, you must not be from around here. ;-)

I'm also open to title suggestions.

Cutoff jeans are quite possibly the only 70s fashion item that aged well. *She says confidently, while wearing her Levi's mom jeans.* :-/

That last shot is Fergus photobombing my shoot, wondering why I think Instagram wants to look at anything other than him. Excellent point, Fergus.

Many thanks to @houseofmirthphotos for letting me use their photo for reference.

#oilpainting #vernacularphotography #vernacularphoto #vintagephoto #70s #art #beach #downtheshore #summer

Plenty of Room on the Raft, Rose

$2,000.00

24x36 Oil on cradled panel

From my Instagram Post:

I think I'm going to call this one:

"Plenty of room on the raft, Rose."

The title is a nod to that controversial scene in The Titanic, where Jack freezes to death in icy water after helping Rose onto a raft (floating door).

Shockingly ... ie not shocking at all ... the internet had some opinions.

This ongoing debate has split the internet in two:

1) Those who believe there was room on the door.

2) James Cameron.

Many thanks to @anonymousphotoproject for allowing me to use their photo for reference.

#vernacularphotography #vintage #vintagephoto #oilpainting #beachlife

Tea for Two

$2,000.00

Tea for Two 24x36 oil on panel.

My mom loved tea. She was from the UK, and if there's one thing British people love more than a pint ... it's a nice cup of ... well ... there's really nothing they love more than a pint. But if you took away ALL their beer ... there'd be nothing they love more than a ... well, probably a dram of whiskey. Okay, so take away all their alcohol, and their favorite drink would definitely be tea.

They especially enjoy their tea with biscuits. Oddly, their biscuits look and taste almost exactly like what we call cookies.

And you'd be forgiven for thinking the British secretly enjoy confusing Americans. It's like when they call diapers "nappies" when they have little, if anything to do with napping. Or when they call erasers "rubbers" when they ... oh wait. Okay, I see it now ...

They also have a thing called a scone. Scones are just like biscuits, if you prefer your biscuits to be hard and crumbly as opposed to soft and flakey. But once covered in enough jam and clotted cream, you can't even tell they taste like disappointment. (Britain has a well earned reputation for it's bland cuisine and their scones are definitely on brand.)

Many thanks to @anonymousphotoproject for allowing me to use their photo as a reference. "The Anonymous Project is dedicated to collecting and preserving mid-century colour slides from around the world. Started in 2017 by filmmaker Lee Shulman, the project brings to light Kodachrome memories of found amateur photographs, taken from the 1950s through to the 1980s."

#vintagephoto #vernacularphotography #oilpainting #originaloilpainting #tea #retro #foundphoto

Swim Caps

$2,000.00

24x36 Oil on cradled panel

Swim caps. For when you want to go swimming, but you just got your hair did.

Many thanks to @anonymousphotoproject on Instagram for allowing me to use their photo as a reference.

A Girl and Her Best Friend

$2,000.00

A Girl and Her Best Friend

24x36 oil on panel

From my Instagram Post:

This image couldn't possibly be more 70s ... From the colors in her bathing suit, to the manual crank window.

The 70s were a nihilistic time ... when ashtrays were in every arm rest and seatbelts were optional.

I love this image so much. Partly because, other than the straight hair, it reminded me of me. To say i love dogs would be the understatement of the century. It makes all the other understatements embarrassed about calling themselves understatements. It's like saying the surface of the sun is a bit balmy, or Antarctica is a little chilly.

I love dogs more than Sir Mix-a-lot likes big butts. Seriously, nobody loves dogs more than me, just as nobody loves acorns more than that squirrel in the movie Ice Age. It's just a fact.

My first dog's name was Pierre ... which, at the time, i thought was a very clever name for a white toy poodle, but it makes for an awful stripper name, (mine's Pierre Burmont). And if you don't already know what your stripper name is (hi Dad!) ... it's the name of your first pet and the street you grew up on. What's your stripper name?

Many thanks to @dear.fran for allowing me to use her photo as a reference. If you love vintage photos ... Go follow her account.

#oilpainting #vintagephoto #retrophoto #retro #vernacularphotography #foundphoto

***

Many thanks to @anonymousphotoproject for allowing me to use their photo as a reference. "The Anonymous Project is dedicated to collecting and preserving mid-century colour slides from around the world. Started in 2017 by filmmaker Lee Shulman, the project brings to light Kodachrome memories of found amateur photographs, taken from the 1950s through to the 1980s."

Sister Toss

$2,000.00

Sister Toss 24x36 oil on panel.

***

Many thanks to @anonymousphotoproject for allowing me to use their photo as a reference. "The Anonymous Project is dedicated to collecting and preserving mid-century colour slides from around the world. Started in 2017 by filmmaker Lee Shulman, the project brings to light Kodachrome memories of found amateur photographs, taken from the 1950s through to the 1980s."

Ice Cream

$2,000.00

Ice Cream 36x24 oil on panel.

***

Many thanks to @anonymousphotoproject for allowing me to use their photo as a reference. "The Anonymous Project is dedicated to collecting and preserving mid-century colour slides from around the world. Started in 2017 by filmmaker Lee Shulman, the project brings to light Kodachrome memories of found amateur photographs, taken from the 1950s through to the 1980s."

Cheeky Granny

$720.00

20x16 Oil on cradled board.

***

Many thanks to @anonymousphotoproject for allowing me to use their photo as a reference. "The Anonymous Project is dedicated to collecting and preserving mid-century colour slides from around the world. Started in 2017 by filmmaker Lee Shulman, the project brings to light Kodachrome memories of found amateur photographs, taken from the 1950s through to the 1980s."

O.G. Soccer Mom

$0.00

Sold out

Bottle o' red. Lit cigar. No shoes. No carin'. And I do mean “no carin’” as she must have seen the person with the camera standing right in front of her, but she was undeterred. I respect that about her. Anyone could tell you that if I had been a mom, I would never have drunk wine in the stands of my children’s soccer game. Except for people who know me. They’d tell you this is EXACTLY the kind of mom I would be.

The original image is a “found photo” (I love vernacular photography). Many thanks to @womenofthe1900s on Instagram for allowing me to use their photo for reference.

Coney Island Cowboys

$2,000.00

36x24 oil on board. Black Floater Frame

This painting is currently (Sept 18th - Oct 24th 2021) being shown at The Teresa Haag Studio & Gallery 2nd Anniversary Show in Phoenixville,PA.

https://www.teresahaag.com/anniversaryshow

Along with work from 6 other artists.

Original Instagram post:

"Coney Island Cowboys"

While scouring the interwebz for early color photos, I came across this image, and HAD to paint it. The structure in the background is the Parachute ride on Coney Island. My grandfathee used to paint that thing!

Back in the late 40s to early 60s, Grandpa had a painting contracting business, and one of his clients was the Steeplechase Park, (amusement park on Coney Island, New York). After school, my dad often helped paint all the buildings and rides in the park.

And they DEFINITELY used all the latest government regulated safety equipment.

And since there WAS NO government regulated safety equipment, Grandpa saved a lot of money. Yanno ... On safety equipment. (And thank goodness, because those race horses and card games weren't going to bet on themselves).

The original reference photo was used with permission from the Ruth Orkin Photo Archive. Many thanks to @ruthorkinphoto The photo was taken on Coney Island during the making of the film “Little Fugitive” (1953) which Orkin made with her husband Morris Engel. Ms. Orkin was an inspiring woman and an award-winning photojournalist & filmmaker. She worked for all the major magazines in 1940s (impressive). According to Google, she'd be 100 years old this year. Check out the original photo (and others) on her site:

OrkinPhoto.com

#coneyisland #newyork #earlycolorphoto #vintagephoto #oilpainting

Betty White, Breakfast of Champions

$400.00

10x10 Oil on panel. Black Floater Frame.

This painting is currently (Sept 18th - Oct 24th 2021) being shown at The Teresa Haag Studio & Gallery 2nd Anniversary Show in Phoenixville, PA. https://www.teresahaag.com/anniversaryshow Along with work from 6 other artists.

From original Instagram post:

Title: Betty White, Breakfast of Champions

10x10 oil on panel, black floater frame

If ever there were a champion of comedy … Betty White would be that Champion. With a capital “C”. I honestly don’t even know how Betty White has not yet been featured on a box of Wheaties. This painting got me thinking, there are two kinds of women … those who see the glass as half empty, and those who eschew the glass and fill their cereal bowl with Whiskey. Betty White is clearly in the latter category, and that’s what makes her America’s favorite spicy grandma.

I think I first saw her in the Mary Tyler Moore show, or was it the Carol Burnett Show? She’s been hilarious in everything I’ve seen her in, and I wish she would adopt me. The screen shot I used for this painting is from the TV show Hot in Cleveland, which started in 2010 and ran for six seasons.

I also love Ms. White for her dedication to pet and animal welfare organizations. The woman is a goddamned National Treasure. (When I was typing this, Microsoft Word warned me that, “This language may be offensive to your reader”. And I told Microsoft Word if they’re offended by that … they won’t be “my reader” for long, and it’s best to agree we can never be friends, sooner, rather than later.)

This one will be available at Teresa Haag"s gallery in September. Sign up for my email list to get a reminder and for more information. (Link in bio)

#bettywhite #goldengirls #marytylermooreshow #retro #retrotv #televisionshows #oilpainting #hotincleveland #spicygrandma

24 Years B.C. (Before Cellphones)

$720.00

20x16 Oil on Canvas. Black Floater Frame.

This painting is currently (Sept 18th - Oct 24th 2021) being shown at The Teresa Haag Studio & Gallery 2nd Anniversary Show in Phoenixville, PA. https://www.teresahaag.com/anniversaryshow Along with work from 6 other artists.

From original Instagram post:

Title: 24 Years B.C. (Before Cellphones)

16x20 oil on canvas

That's right kids, before phones could send texts, take pictures, and play YouTube videos, we used them to talk to other people. And in my mom’s case, for hours at a time … can you even imagine? We had a phone on the wall in the kitchen with a super long chord so she could reach the sink and stove while still talking to her friend. I’m surprised her head wasn’t permanently stuck in a crooked position, for all the time she spent holding the phone to her ear.

When I was growing up, we didn’t even have an “answering machine”. So, if you couldn’t get a hold of someone, you’d have to call them *again*. I know. It was horrifying. Possibly the worst thing about this time was having only ONE phone number for our ENTIRE family. Truly, no idea how we all survived.

The original image is a “found photo” in the collection of @houseofmirthphoto on Instagram. Many thanks to them for allowing me to paint their photo.

#oilpainting #painting #womenartists #vintagephoto #vernacularphotography

Fragile Like a Bomb

$720.00

20x16 Oil on Canvas. Black Floater Frame.

This painting is currently (Sept 18th - Oct 24th 2021) being shown at The Teresa Haag Studio & Gallery 2nd Anniversary Show in Phoenixville, PA. https://www.teresahaag.com/anniversaryshow Along with work from 6 other artists.

From original Instagram post:

I almost called this one “No, She Will NOT Make You a Sandwich”, but my husband didn’t know what I was talking about. Which I guess is a good thing, since the phrase, “shut up and make me a sandwich” is something misogynist trolls say on the Internet, when a woman has an opinion. ⁠

⁠

The title “Fragile Like a Bomb” comes from the phrase: “Not fragile like a flower, fragile like a bomb.” By Frida Kahlo. At least, I think this was a Kahlo quote. I asked, but Google wasn't quite sure. It might have been RBG. I was unable to confirm because Google sent me down a rabbit hole of "strong women" memes, which I have lots of opinions about. Now, I can’t finish writing my thoughts about this painting, because I have to go pick a fight with a misogynist troll on twitter. Thanks a lot, Google.⁠

⁠

The original image is a “found photo” in the collection of @houseofmirthphoto on Instagram. Many thanks to them for allowing me to paint their photo. The original was in black and white (which I love), but I decided to give this colorful lady some color.⁠⁠

⁠

Group Therapy

$2,000.00

24x36 Oil on panel. Black Floater Frame.

This painting is currently (Sept 18th - Oct 24th 2021) being shown at The Teresa Haag Studio & Gallery 2nd Anniversary Show in Phoenixville, PA. https://www.teresahaag.com/anniversaryshow Along with work from 6 other artists.

From original Instagram post:

I've never met 'em ... but I KNOW these ladies.

What I love about painting these vintage photos is that they show us we are all connected through the thread of the past. And we're part of something continuous. They remind us that life is fleeting, but we can seize moments and feelings to keep what's vital from being lost.

(The content of the above paragraph has been bastardized/paraphrased/stolen and repurposed from the movie ~ "The Dig")

Many thanks to @Houseofmirthphotos for allowing me to use her photo as a reference.

#vintagephoto #vintage #vintagesyle #vintagefashion #oldphotos #foundphotos

#oilpainting #originalartforsale #art #womenartists

Ride or Die

$2,000.00

24x36 Oil on panel. Black Floater Frame.

This painting is currently (Sept 18th - Oct 24th 2021) being shown at The Teresa Haag Studio & Gallery 2nd Anniversary Show in Phoenixville, PA. https://www.teresahaag.com/anniversaryshow Along with work from 6 other artists.

From original Instagram post:

"Life is very fleeting, but has moments you should seize"

~ From the movie "The Dig"

When I told my husband I was going to title this painting "Ride or Die" he didn't know what that meant. I couldn't believe it! I told him EVERYONE has heard this phrase, except maybe people over 80, and to prove it I called a friend. I was getting ready to kvetch with her about how totally un-hip my husband clearly was, since he'd never heard "Ride or Die" in reference to friends, and can you even believe I married this old geezer? and she was like... a ride or die what are you talking about?

So after I got off the phone with my former friend, (who apparently doesn't know whose side she's supposed to be on) ... I wondered if any of you had heard this phrase? Tell me it's not just me!

[Just in case, here's the Urban dictionary definition: Ride or Die was originally a biker term meaning if you couldn't ride you'd rather die. It has now changed to mean anyone (wife, boyfriend, best friend), that you will "ride" ANY problems out with them or "die" trying.]

So now you've heard this phrase right? Be sure to say that specifically in the comments below so I can screen shot them and text it to my husband. Thanks in advance.

Many thanks to Rauol, from Germany, who has the flickr account: Vintage Cars and People

for letting me use his reference photo.

#womenmotorcycle #motorcycle #vintagephoto #oldphotos

#foundphotos #oilpainting #originalartforsale #art

Lucy & the Chocolate Factory

$400.00

10x10 Oil on board. Black floater frame.

This painting is currently (Sept 18th - Oct 24th 2021) being shown at The Teresa Haag Studio & Gallery 2nd Anniversary Show in Phoenixville, PA. https://www.teresahaag.com/anniversaryshow Along with work from 6 other artists.

From original Instagram Post:

Lucy. Day 1 on the Job. Killing it.

(Reminds me of how I have to stop chewing and pretend I'm not eating anything when my dog walks in the kitchen.)

Letter to Santa

$400.00

10x10 oil on panel, black floater frame

This little girl isn’t leaving anything to chance as she hands her letter to Santa directly to the Postman. She’s going to get that damned bike, if she has to walk to the North Pole to get it. I like her chutzpah.

I found the original photo for this painting on the Library of Congress website but I decided to add a little color to it.

Day 17 of 25 paintings in December 2021

#SantaClaus #Santa #LettertoSanta

#happyholidays #oilpainting #25daysofminis #25daysofminis2021 #oilpainting

Women, Getting Shit Done

$0.00

Sold out

12x9 Oil on panel. Black floater frame.

This painting is currently (Sept 18th - Oct 24th 2021) being shown at The Teresa Haag Studio & Gallery 2nd Anniversary Show in Phoenixville, PA. https://www.teresahaag.com/anniversaryshow Along with work from 6 other artists.

From original Instagram post:

Women getting sh*t done.

(She charges double if you try to mansplain how to fix it)

Original reference photo from a Library of Congress photo taken in Philadelphia, PA in June 1943, by Jack Delano for the Office of War Information.

#oilpainting #womenartists #vintagephoto #vintagephotography

Uncle Mervin's Kitchen

$260.00

8x8 Oil on Panel. Uncle Mervin's Kitchen.

UNFRAMED.

My friend's uncle was a life-long bachelor. He lived to be over 90. This was his kitchen.

Sunbathers

$3,000.00

36x36 Oil on Canvas, black frame. Sunbathers.

A Good Outlook

$720.00

20x16 Oil on cradled board.

***

Many thanks to @sightsofthe50s60s70s for allowing me to use their photo as a reference. This Instagram account collects "Old colour photos of British life in the 1950s, 60s and 70s"

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

$400.00

10x10 oil on panel, black floater frame

I couldn’t help but notice the body language of the boy in this painting. I want to tell that little girl that "he's just not that into you," but experience tells me, she won't listen.

Like so many, I was involved in an unrequited love situation in my teens. We've all been there. The obsessing and daydreaming ... I can only hope Remington Steele was able to move on. (I never meant to hurt him).

Many thanks to @secretlifeofnell on IG for allowing me to use their photo as a reference.

Day 18 of 25 paintings in December 2021

#oilpainting #25daysofminis #25daysofminis2021 #happyholidays #vintagePhoto #foundPhoto #vernacularPhotography

#happyholidays #oilpainting #25daysofminis #25daysofminis2021 #oilpainting

Yellow Bikini

$0.00

Sold out

10x10 oil on panel, black floater frame

I was a bit torn about painting this photo. While I love the image, I can't help but think it was unauthorized. I’m still trying to decide where, on a scale of one to super creepy, the photographer might land. Possibly an 11. We’ll never know.

This looks like it was taken in the late 50s? Back when wearing grannie panties counted as bikini bottoms and you didn't have to suffer from a thong wedgie to look good on the boardwalk. I guess the 1950s weren't all bad.

The subject of this photo looks like she never eats funfetti cake. I, on the other hand, look like I don’t own a mirror. Thankfully now, in my mid-fifties, I have the body of a beer-drinker half that age. #winning :-)

Day 20 of 25 paintings in December 2021

Flat shipping rate $15 per painting. Shipping to United States only, via USPS.

Many thanks to @mybelair62 on Tumblr for allowing me to use their photo as a reference.

#oilpainting #25daysofminis #25daysofminis2021 #happyholidays #vintagePhoto #foundPhoto #vernacularPhotography #retro

Take the Plunge

$720.00

20x16 Oil on Cradled Panel

The original image is a “found photo” in the collection of @anonymousphotoproject on Instagram. Many thanks to them for allowing me to paint their photo.

⁠

Quarantine Day 2, Hour 6

$400.00

10x10 oil on panel, black floater frame

Many thanks to @rescuedfilm on Instagram, for letting me use their photo as reference. (You should go check them out).

#oilpainting #vintagephoto #foundphotos

Rosa Parks

$0.00

Sold out

10x10 Oil on panel

This painting has been SOLD, but if you are interested in commissioning a custom oil painting, please go to my contact page: https://www.karenmccool.com/contact.html

Bicycle Thief

$0.00

Sold out

6x6 oil on panel, black floater frame

This scene looks to me like a little girl has stolen her big sister’s bike, and is pedaling for life. It immediately reminded me of my childhood best friend, and her evil older sister. The older sister who would have killed us if she knew how many times we went into her room and touched her things. That’s right. Put our dirty paws … on her things. She warned us to keep out. But we didn’t. (The seventies were a lawless time).

I’m rooting for this tiny bike thief.

Day 21 of 25 paintings in December 2021

Many thanks to @mybelair62 on Tumblr for allowing me to use their photo as a reference.

Flat shipping rate $15 per painting. Shipping to United States only, via USPS.

#oilpainting #25daysofminis #25daysofminis2021 #happyholidays #vintagePhoto #foundPhoto #vernacularPhotography #retro

Get Out of My Room

$225.00

6x6 oil on panel, black floater frame

I imagine the person who snapped this photo, was later the victim of a homicide. The photo was clearly unauthorized! They had to die.

When I was a kid there was a show called Candid Camera, which involved pranking people and video-taping their reactions. I hated that show. It made me paranoid about hidden cameras all over the place that could catch me doing something embarrassing, which would then be shown on TV for all the world to laugh at. So, thanks a lot TV. Way to make a little girl feel even more self-conscious.

Day 22 of 25 paintings in December 2021

Many thanks to @secretlifeofnell on Instagram for allowing me to use their photo as a reference.

#oilpainting #25daysofminis #25daysofminis2021 #happyholidays #vintagePhoto #foundPhoto #vernacularPhotography #retro

Making Christmas Cookies

$0.00

Sold out

6x6 oil on panel, black floater frame

This adult appears to be making cookies with a child. What? And also … follow up question … Why?

Gawbless all the parents who let their small children “help” in the kitchen. Seriously, they deserve all the medals.

Life hack: Never let a child help you bake a cake, unless you have no desire to eat any cake.

Day 24 of 25 paintings in December 2021

Many thanks to @secretlifeofnell on Instagram for allowing me to use their photo as a reference.

Flat shipping rate $15 per painting. Shipping to United States only, via USPS.

#oilpainting #25daysofminis #25daysofminis2021 #happyholidays #vintagePhoto #foundPhoto #vernacularPhotography #retro

Converse All Star

$0.00

Sold out

6x6 oil on panel, black floater frame

The Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers ... providing the exact amount of cushioning you need, as long as you don’t need any cushioning, since 1922.

But Converse wearers don’t care ... because sometimes, the world needs a little retro fashion. (But not you, legwarmers and padded shoulders from the 1980s. Not you).

Day 19 of 25 paintings in December 2021

Flat shipping rate $15 per painting. Shipping to United States only, via USPS.

#converse #retroFashion #retro

#happyholidays #oilpainting #25daysofminis #25daysofminis2021 #oilpainting

Matthew

$675.00

Sold out

12x16 oil on panel, Natural wood frame. (Lots of thick impasto work on this one).

This painting is currently (Sept 18th - Oct 24th 2021) being shown at The Teresa Haag Studio & Gallery 2nd Anniversary Show in Phoenixville, PA. https://www.teresahaag.com/anniversaryshow Along with work from 6 other artists.

The title of this painting comes from the song "Matthew" by John Denver (my mom was a fan). As soon as I saw this photo, I thought of that song, and my mom. In her last few years her memory was rapidly deteriorating, but she always perked up when she heard a song she knew, (she couldn't remember what day it was, but she always remembered old songs she loved). Music brought her great joy. That's the purpose of art, if you ask me :-)

The song begins:

"I had an uncle, name of Matthew, he was his father's only boy.

Born just south of Colby, Kansas, he was his mother's pride and joy.

Yes, and joy was just a thing that he was raised on,

love was just a way to live and die.

Gold was just a windy Kansas wheat field,

blue was just the Kansas summer sky."

I hope this painting reminds you of a family member, who lived long ago. Maybe a grandparent who you knew well, or an uncle you never met, but who lived a life as textured and rich as our own. This painting is a reminder to celebrate their life.

The original image was from a scanned 35mm Kodachrome slide from 1947. I absolutely LOVE old Kodachrome photos. I want to paint ALL of them! Many thanks to Ryan Conroy Instagram: @conroyphotocollection for allowing me to paint his reference photo.

Mom, 1962

$0.00

Sold out

8x8 Oil on panel

This painting has been SOLD, but if you are interested in commissioning a custom oil painting, please go to my contact page: https://www.karenmccool.com/contact.html

Italy Vacation

$0.00

Sold out

8x8 Oil on panel

This painting has been SOLD, but if you are interested in commissioning a custom oil painting, please go to my contact page: https://www.karenmccool.com/contact.html

Down on the Corner

$3,000.00

36x36 Oil on Canvas. Down on the Corner.

VW Bug

$0.00

Sold out

6x6 oil on panel, black floater frame

I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of the game “punch buggy,” … It’s where you get to hit someone’s arm, while yelling, “Punch Buggy” if you see a VW bug before they do. I first heard about it from my husband, when we were dating, and now I want my punch-buggy-less childhood back, so I get to avail myself of this legal justification for hitting my brothers. How did no one tell me about this!

My brother older got a used VW Bug when he turned 16. My younger brother got a sporty Z24 Cavalier ... and I got a two-toned Chevette hooptie coupe. No one can convince me my parents didn't love my brothers more.

What was your first car?

Day 23 of 25 paintings in December 2021

Flat shipping rate $15 per painting. Shipping to United States only, via USPS.

Many thanks to @mihail_macri for allowing me to use their photo for reference.

#retro #VWBug #VW

#happyholidays #oilpainting #25daysofminis #25daysofminis2021 #oilpainting

Laundry Day

$4,000.00

36x48 Oil on cradled panel

Laundry Day.

Many thanks to @anonymousphotoproject on Instagram for allowing me to use their photo as a reference.

First Driving Lesson

$400.00

10x10 oil on panel, black floater frame

Many thanks to @negative_recovery_project on Instagram for allowing me to use their photo as a reference.

Game Night

$225.00

6x6 oil on panel, black floater frame

Many thanks to @secretlifeofnell on Instagram for allowing me to use their photo as a reference.