Karen Manci Art Studio in Nature
Art Gallery
There is something special about owning an original watercolor painting instead of a print. You feel the artist’s experience more when holding the original, and a bit of the artist’s soul seems to linger. So, I like to offer original watercolor paintings for sale to others.
I often sketch my small works in the field while on a hike. On good weather days, I add watercolor and complete the painting while sitting on the ground soaking up the sun and my surroundings. Larger works are created in my home studio from field sketches, photographs, and other reference materials.
I usually mat my paintings, and prefer mats that fit into standard-sized frames for the most economical framing option. Small works are matted to fit 8x10 standard frames. Larger works are matted to fit 11x14 to 12x16 standard frames.
Below are samples of my available original watercolor paintings. If interested in purchasing my original art, contact me to inquire about pricing and options.
Small Works
Wood Lily Morning. A rare find, the Wood Lily peeked above the meadow grasses on a dewy July morning in Rocky Mountain National Park. I took a few photos for later sketching, taking care not to disturb the ground surrounding the plant. The 2-foot tall Wood Lily is an extremely fragile plant so painting this beauty is best done elsewhere to protect its habitat.
Little But Fierce. As I hiked through a Midwest forest in late April, a baby Great Horned Owl let me know that I had better keep moving on down the trail. However, I did take a few photos of this fierce little owlet for later sketching, wanting to minimize any disturbance near his nest.
Marmot Hideaway. One of the joys of a high country hike is sharing part of your day with a marmot. My watercolor captures a curious marmot safely tucked near the entrance to his rock hideaway.
Larger Works
Life on the Edge. Sitting on the edge of a forest burnt by a wildfire in Rocky Mountain National Park, I started sketching an Indian Paintbrush. As if to reassure me that life has returned, a male Broad-tailed Hummingbird flashed onto the scene to inspect the plant for nectar.
Prairie Ridge Sunflowers. A distant field of wild sunflowers in Loveland, Colorado, caught my eye as I drove into the Prairie Ridge Natural Area parking lot. Expecting to sketch while on my hike, I instead found the perfect subject right at the trailhead.
Over the Fence. Board fences and trumpet vines seem to be made for each other. Everywhere in my Fort Collins neighborhood where this robust plant has climbed over a fence, it thrives, sporting brilliant orange blossoms in late summer.
Aspen Eye. A large aspen "eye" watches me each time I start my ascent up the Mill Creek Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Like a familiar friend, I smile and take in the cascade of fall colors surrounding the trunk in late September.
