Retro Old - 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.

Morticia Addams

$500.00

20x11 oil on cradled coffin-shaped panel.

From original Instagram post:

These coffin shaped panels from @trekell_art_supplies are fun! And what a great way to kick off my first ever, annual Halloween themed series of paintings, with none other than the OG Morticia Addams herself, Carolyn Jones.

I asked my husband to start calling me "cara mia", but he thought I said Karmann Ghia.

Should I be mad that he didn't even ASK WHY I wanted him to start calling me Karmann Ghia?

Or! Should I be mad that he AGREED to call me a German car, because it means he was afraid to start an argument with a crazy person, who wants to be known as an odd car name?

I mean, sure ... it'd be weird if I said, from now on, I"d like to be known as Mercedes, but not nearly as weird as asking to be called Karmann Ghia, right?

I can't believe my husband thinks I'm a crazy person who wants to be called a German sports car from the 1960s!

He's in big trouble now.

#halloween #theaddamsfamily #carolynjones #oilpainting #trekell #oilpainting #womenartists

Gomez Addams

$500.00

20x11 Oil on cradled coffin-shaped panel.

From original Instagram post:

Another coffin shaped panel from @trekell_art_supplies

Continuing on with my first ever, annual Halloween themed series of paintings, we have the OG Gomez Addams, played by John Astin. #JohnAstin

Find yourself a partner who loves you like Gomez loves Morticia.

I keep telling my husband he can treat me like Gomez treats his wife .. I'd be totally fine with that ... and since "it's better to give than to receive" ... It's like I'm doing him a favor. Can you believe how friggin' selfless I am?! 😇

(You're welcome, hon).

#halloween #theaddamsfamily #gomezaddams #oilpainting #trekell

#oilpainting #womenartists

Matthew

$475.00

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.

Party Like it's 1959

$675.00

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

Sun, Sand & Cut-offs

$1,750.00

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

O.G. Soccer Mom

$350.00

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.

24 Years B.C. (Before Cellphones)

$675.00

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

Group Therapy

$1,750.00

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

$1,750.00

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

Fragile Like a Bomb

$675.00

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.⁠⁠

⁠

Women, Getting Shit Done

$350.00

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

Coney Island Cowboys

$1,750.00

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

$350.00

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

Lily Tomlin, as Frankie

$600.00

20x16 Oil on panel. Black frame. Lily Tomlin as Frankie.

From the Netflix Series: Grace & Frankie.

Do you have a favorite character from a TV show you'd like painted? Contact me here: Contact

Lucy & the Chocolate Factory

$350.00

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.)

I Love Lucy

$350.00

10x10 Oil on Panel. Black floater frame. I Love Lucy

We're Gonna Make It After All

$195.00

Sold out

6x6 Encaustic on panel, black floater frame.

Mary Tyler Moore was a symbol for women’s liberation. I grew up the only girl, with two brothers. I was maybe eight when I first started watching this show, and I remember thinking, “Oh, there’s gonna be some changes around here.” (Mary may be the reason why I refused to help my mom with the dishes unless my brothers helped first).

This painting is from the opening scene of the show, while the theme song played. I feel like “We’re gonna make it after all” is the perfect sentiment to start the New Year.

This was painted using the four colors of the modern Zorn palette (cad red, yellow ochre, ivory black and titanium white). I'll be doing some more paintings with this limited palette in the future. Stay tuned.

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.

Down on the Corner

$1,900.00

36x36 Oil on Canvas. Down on the Corner.

UNFRAMED

Sunbathers

$2,000.00

36x36 Oil on Canvas, black frame. Sunbathers.

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

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

West Chester Courthouse

$0.00

Sold out

8x8 Oil on panel, black floater frame. Water-mixable oil paint.

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

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