“Style Maker 2013″: Thank you Luxe Magazine for featuring Kathe Fraga art!

It was a thrill to be selected by Luxe Magazine, interiors +design (Pacific Northwest Edition) for their “Style Maker” section in the new Spring 2013 issue. I really want to give a huge TY to the Luxe team who were wonderful to work with: Jesse Bratter, Features Editor; Yelena Moroz, Writer; Olivia Lambert, Art Director; Amos Morgan, Photographer. The photo shoot was at Roby King Galleries and as always, Wes King and Andrea Roby King did everything to make the day.

Kathe Fraga Art on “The Office”

Exciting news! Two of my paintings “Remembering I and II” are on “The Office”–one of my favorite shows. Here’s the screen shot with Ed Helms “Andy” and Roseanne Barr. The originals are available through Kaller Fine Arts. And a BIG thank you to Grand Image, Seattle for the placement!

Spring at last! April New Work for Museo Gallery and Waterworks Gallery

After a loooong grey winter and non-stop rainy weather, it’s been such a joy to see the bright yellow of the daffys peeking out and the pink cherry blossoms showing off everywhere. Color is back!

I’ve been busy in the studio (our NW  weather is good for that!) working on new paintings for one of my favorite April group shows: The Garden Show at Museo Gallery in charming Langley on Whidbey Island. The studio is also busy with new paintings  for my debut at Waterworks Gallery in the San Juan Islands in late April.

Here come the pinks, the blues, the birds and botanicals in The French Wallpaper series-old and aged, layers of colors and textures: a visual story of the past.

Happy Spring!

My neighbor’s drive.

Hand-painted gift card to a dear collector.

Spring bouquet.

Detail: new work.

Detail: new work.

Inspirations: Beach china, snowdrops and the fresh scent of a Diptyque candle

The studio is quiet.

After six months of painting, with pattern and color whirling and twirling and dancing over my canvases,  the 16 new paintings for my February solo show at Roby King Gallery have left and are happily on display.

It is a mysterious path from studio to gallery.

In the studio, the paintings group together, some not quite completed, others just beginning, still others that are “all done” but then aren’t. And then, suddenly, after all that time spent together, out the door they all go–canvases filled with stories and thoughts, and memories and history.

The beach has beckoned since the opening. Neglected since the intense work in the studio, it welcomes me back with the treasures I love. Such inspiration, these little shards of old, tumbled Blue Willow china and yellow faded pottery.

And the bulbs are popping up–the snowdrops in drifts under the ancient and gnarled Japanese Maple (named Lulu) are so fresh and so lovely. I want to paint white flowers, Masses of them!

And, ever present in the studio, the scent of a Diptyque candle. The paintings for February’s new show were accompanied by the daily sweet scent of a new favorite “Mousses”, described thusly: “the “fresh green perfume of moss”.” Perfect for our beautiful rainy and foggy and misty and magical Northwest! Painting weather, for sure!

New work: Kathe Fraga solo show opens Feb. 1 at Roby King Gallery, Bainbridge Island

Happy New Year!

“Live the dream in 2013″!

I’ve been busy in the studio these last few months and Ij’m looking forward to sharing my new  paintings with you.

There’s “The French Wallpaper Series,” featuring the soft, timeworn and faded floral inspired wall coverings from grand, old  Parisian mansions.

And also, “The Lovebird Series,” influenced by the more vibrant and bold colors of vintage chinoiserie from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Thank you for taking a peek at my new work.

Below, a sampling.

Copyright (c) 2013
Kathe Fraga

Copyright (c) 2013
Kathe Fraga

Copyright (c) 2013
Kathe Fraga

Copyright (c) 2013
Kathe Fraga

Top: Lovebird Series, 40×16 inches

Second from top: Lovebird Series, 36 x 24 inches

Third from top and bottom: French Wallpaper Series, 36 x 24 inches

New chinoiserie inspired paintings for December: Small Works show at Roby King Gallery

Happy Holidays to you!

In between the glitter and snow globes and the Santa mug collection and decorating the tree (I love this time of year), the studio is still in full swing! I’ve been busy painting for my first solo show of 2013–it opens February 1 at Roby King Gallery here on Bainbridge Island. I’ll be introducing a new series called “The Lovebirds” on five 40 x 16″ panels–very colorful, and for the first time, peacocks make an appearance! I’ve based this motif on a vintage silver peacock brooch I found at my favorite antique shop. (If you’ve visited me on Pinterest, you know that one of my favorite boards is “Peacocks.”)

In the meantime, I have two smaller chinoiserie inspired pieces for Roby King’s annual Holiday Small Works Show. I always look forward to this show–the gallery is filled to the brim with over 100 small paintings of every color and style. I’d love to bring them all home! (Santa–are you listening?)

Here’s wishing you a fabulous December and a wonderful New Year!

Love Song I & II, 12 x 12 inches each

Happy news! Kathe Fraga paintings now represented by Waterworks Gallery (thank you Ruth Offen!)

It’s an honor to now have my work represented by Ruth Offen at her beautiful Waterworks Gallery in the San Juan Islands. Ruth, very kindly, traveled over to my island–Bainbridge–to visit my studio and have lunch together and I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate her interest. We had a wonderful afternoon and I’m looking forward to working with her. If you have a chance, please check out the Waterworks website which includes many of my favorite artists including Whidbey Island sculptor Georgia Gerber. Ruth also has a delightful blog and the gallery is on Twitter–please follow!