"Life of a Daily Painter"

Irises in Strasburg

kellywalkerstudios — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:02:54 +0000

We had a delightful class in Strasburg at Buggy B’s last night. As you can see we painted irises. Great job everyone.

Anyone interested in painting with us in Strasburg remember that we paint the last Tuesday at 5:30 at Buggy B’s on King. Come join us.

Time @ the Computer

kellywalkerstudios — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:57:57 +0000

One of the secrets that is seldom revealed by full-time artists is the amount of time you must spend doing computer and/or paperwork. If we could just paint and never worry about all the other “stuff” it would be so much easier. I spend several hours a day looking at this.

The Dog Walker

kellywalkerstudios — Mon, 28 May 2012 10:53:52 +0000

The Dog Walker, oil on canvas panel, 14″x11″.

A few weeks ago while down at the river painting I turned around to look behind me and there was this gentleman walking his buddy. I had to take a photo quick before they were gone down the trail. I just love they look.

Graduation

kellywalkerstudios — Sat, 26 May 2012 13:51:02 +0000

Congratulations to my niece, Morgan and her parents as she graduated high school last night. So proud of you!

A Quick Sketch in Plein Air

kellywalkerstudios — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:05:46 +0000

I got a chance to paint with the Plein Air Painters again today.

We painted at the Luray Avenue Boat Landing so I got to work on a painting I started there a few weeks ago. It’s almost finished and I’ll post in soon. But I wanted to show something a little different. I had only about 5 minutes to do a quick sketch before I had to pack up to leave so I sketched this scene to work on in the studio. Thought it might be interesting for you to see what the very beginnings looks like.

Olivia, Jacob and the Kitty Cat

kellywalkerstudios — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:42:36 +0000

Yesterday I had a delightful private lesson with Olivia and Jacob. They wanted to paint a cat….so we did.

They are 5 and 6 years old. Don’t you think they do wonderful work for such young artists? And we have fun to boot. What more can you ask?!

Furniture Sale

kellywalkerstudios — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:12:33 +0000

Furniture Sale at Delilah’s this weekend. These pieces are all half price. Just contact kwalker@kellywalkerstudios.com for more information or stop by Delilah’s Thursday-Saturday, 11-5 or Sunday Noon-4.

Figure – Fabric – Fantasy

kellywalkerstudios — Tue, 22 May 2012 09:55:14 +0000

YSL-Refined Sportive (designs by Yves Saint Laurent) by Kenneth Paul Block, American 1925-2009

Figure * Fabric * Fantasy is another of the extraordinary shows that I saw recently in Boston at the Museum of Fine Arts. It featured drawings of ready-to-wear that appeared in fashion magazines. Photography gradually pushed out the sketches. But check out the skill of the artists who depicted the drape and texture of the fabric. They are certainly works of art.

Geometric Patterns mid-1970″s (design by Hurbert de Givenchy) by Kenneth Paul Block

The sketches in the show dated from the 1940′s – 1980′s and were intended for print publications.

Formal Ball Gown, late 1950′s by Jack Potter for Ayres Department Store, Indianapolis, IN

Bathing Beauties, autumn 1965 by Larry Salk, American 1936-2004

Joan Crawford in tailored sheath with matching coat, 1955, for Paramount Studios, by Grace Sprague; and Model in red plaid by Teed, 1946

The wonderful thing about fashion art is that it does more than illustrate the garments…it also show the social life of the time.

You’ve gotta love these!

Patriot and Zip

kellywalkerstudios — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:25:37 +0000

This past week in art class and then again on Saturday at the Wine Festival downtown I worked on this painting. This is Patriot and Zip, two beautiful rescue horses adopted by my friend Suzanne McMinn and her daughter, Morgan. (Patriot and Zip, oil on canvas panel, 11″x14″, available by contacting kwalker@kellywalkerstudios.com)

I will be meeting these lovely guys in June when I go to Sassafras Farm, their home and home to Chickens in the Road, where I will be painting a mural for Suzanne. And while I am there Suzanne is having a fundraiser for Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue from where she rescued Zip and Patriot. Read about all of that here.

Next I’ll be making prints of this painting and anyone who donates at least $25 to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue before the fundraiser in June at Sassafras Farm will receive a print suitable for framing. Take a look at Heart of Phoenix here and see the good work they do.

Patti’s Kids – A Fun Surprise

kellywalkerstudios — Sun, 20 May 2012 10:17:12 +0000

Every once in a while I get to take part in a fun surprise. Yesterday was one of those times. Years ago I met Patti through Colonel Potter Cairn Rescue, a wonderful group of people who help these lovely dogs find homes. It’s where I got my sweet Rosie. (Click the links to read more.)

Patti and her husband Matt live down near D.C. along with their lovely dogs, Carmen and Cosmo. A few months ago Matt contacted me about painting a portrait of the “kids” for Patti’s upcoming birthday. And he wanted to surprise her with it.

And that’s what we did. He made all the plans and brought her and the pups out to Front Royal for the weekend. The festival was going on so that was a great cover story. They came to the shop where I was painting in the booth outside and I acted so surprised to see Patti after so many years. We went into the shop where we had her painting hanging on the wall just waiting for her. And yes, she was surprised! But my favorite part of the surprise was when they came back by as the festival was winding down and Cosmo, Carmen and their Mom posed with their portrait for this photo. Happy Birthday Patti!!!!