November | 2009 | The Studio

Archive for November, 2009

Great Gift Ideas

Posted in daily painter, tagged acrylic, affordable art, daily painter, daily painting, gifts, impressionism, Landscape, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, Virginia Artist on November 30, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Thanks to everyone who came by the shop to see the miniature paintings and pick up a few for Christmas gifts. And yes, I agree, they are cool. It’s the perfect, affordable way to give original art for Christmas to anyone. At only $20 they are a great find!

Please come by Delilah’s to see the miniatures that are available. There is a great selection from still life to landscape to abstract. And remember that Delilah’s is open Thursday through Sunday each week or by appointment. Just contact me for an appointment at kwalker@doubledogdesigns.com

Here is another couple of examples of the miniatures.

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Affordable Art

Posted in daily painter, tagged acrylic, affordable art, daily painter, daily painting, fruit, impressionism, Landscape, minature art, Virginia Artist on November 27, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Art can be very affordable. I recently painted about 20 miniatures – small acrylic paintings on canvas paper that measure about 3″x4″ and they are matted in 8″x10 mats ready to frame. They are available by contacting me directly or you can see them all at Delilah’s at 105 E. Main Street in Front Royal. They are only $20 each and would make excellent gifts for anyone who loves art.

Here are several examples of the miniature paintings. The photos show only part of the matting. You really should see them as they turned out really great!

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Favorite Books – The Four Agreements

Posted in Books, daily painter, tagged Books, daily painter, The Four Agreements on November 25, 2009| 1 Comment »

The four agreements: a practical guide to personal freedom Some time back I mentioned that I love to read. I read several books a week and when I really love one I keep it handy and reread it. This is one of those books.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is one of my all time favorite books. It is a small, simple book with a really big message. It is basically a code of conduct for anyone who wants to experience freedom from the crazy stress of day-to-day life and who wants to live with happiness and love in their life. I LOVE this book. And I have given it to many relatives and friends. I hope you will take a look.

To quote Ruiz, The Four Agreements are 1) Be impeccable with your word; 2) Don’t take anything personally; 3) Don’t make assumptions; and 4) Always do your best. Sounds simple, huh? But when you really explore the depth of these agreements you find it is not that easy to do but if you work at it, you’ll live a better life and be a better person.

Check out The Four Agreements. I think you’ll love it too!

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Crimson Abstract

Posted in daily painter, tagged Abstract, abstract art, acrylic, daily painter, daily painting, Virginia Artist on November 24, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Crimson Abstract I is an acrylic on 12″x12″ gallery wrap canvas. It is part of a series of three. Each is available separately for $195 or the entire group for $495.

Crimson Abstract II

Crimson Abstract III

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Singing in the Rain

Posted in daily painter, tagged daily painter, daily painting, impressionism, Landscape, painting, Virginia Artist, watercolor on November 23, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Singing in the Rain I is a watercolor on paper. It is matted and available for $65.

Singing in the Rain II is a watercolor on paper and is matted and available for $65.

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Bulldog

Posted in daily painter, Dogs, tagged Bulldog, daily painter, daily painting, Dogs, impressionism, Virginia Artist, watercolor on November 20, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Everybody loves a bulldog! Just look at that face. This Bulldog is a watercolor on paper and is matted and framed and is available for $195.

I am taking orders for pet portraits for Christmas so if you would like to give pet lover the perfect gift just give me a call or email and I’ll get busy on it.

Thanks-

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I’m so proud!

Posted in Art Class, tagged acrylic, Art Class, art lessons, daily painter, impressionism on November 19, 2009| Leave a Comment »

My two young students, Isabella and Charlee, have been doing great with their painting. We meet on Thursdays and there is room in class for other 8-10 year olds. We work with watercolor and acrylics. Just contact me at kwalker@doubledogdesigns.com if you have a budding artist who would like to develop more skills.

This painting of the yellow tulips is acrylic on hard board. They come up with great ideas of things to paint and are also open to suggestions that I have for them. We try to explore something different each week from composition, to blending, to perspective, to color mixing. Don’t you think they are doing great?

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Other Commission Work

Posted in daily painter, tagged daily painter, daily painting, impressionism, Small Town Life, Virginia Artist, watercolor on November 18, 2009| Leave a Comment »

From time to time I get asked to do paintings of other things besides pets…like businesses. This watercolor is of Jean’s Jewelers in downtown Front Royal. It is a fabulous jewelry and gift shop and Jean is the best! Stop in and see her.

This is the reference photo that I used of Jean’s Jewelers. You can see that I had to take a few liberties moving poles and trash containers to get a good composition.

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Pet Portraits – Meet Hawthorne

Posted in daily painter, Dogs, Pet Portaits, tagged acrylic, daily painter, daily painting, impressionism, Pet Portaits, Rescue dogs, Virginia Artist on November 17, 2009| 1 Comment »

Meet Hawthorne. He was a lovely little guy from Memphis. His parents asked me to do his portrait for Christmas this year. This painting of Hawthorne is an acrylic on canvas measuring 18″x18″.

I love doing pet portraits. They are probably my favorite paintings to do because I love dogs so much. The best part for me is seeing the photos that the “parents” send of their little fur children and reading their story. Hawthorne’s folks have given me permission to share their story of Hawthorne.

I received an email from Hawthorne’s mom requesting the painting followed by a mailed packet with photos and a letter. Here is how she described him…

“We found him – and then loved him. He was all boy. If there was a fence board loose he would find it; if something was left in a waste basket he’d eat it; early on he ate the arm of my leather chair! But he was quite intelligent and soon figured out that behavior would find him looking for a new home!”

“If I had to guess I say he is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Beagle. If there was a party, he wanted to be in the center of it; If Sam was camped out on the sofa Hawthorne was there too. Sam called him the “Little Buddy” – and he really was.”

“He was one good-looking guy and carried himself well pretty much into old age. ”

These are the kinds of descriptions that I love. I can really get an idea of what Hawthorne meant to his family because of her letter.

I love to meet the pet when I can but when that is impossible, a description like the one of Hawthorne works really well.

Several years ago I was asked to paint a portrait of Maggie, Hawthorne’s sister. So when I got the photos of Hawthorne his parents shared some photos of Hawthorne and Maggie together. I had to include them because they also help you to get a feel for Hawthorne’s personality.

So that’s how I get to know my subject if I can’t meet him. I thought you might enjoy seeing how my process works in this way.

And I love Hawthorne’s story and photos. I hope his folks will like his painting. It’s on its way home to Memphis to join his sister’s painting hanging in their home. Nice to meet you Hawthorne!

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Art Receptions

Posted in daily painter, Small Town Life, tagged daily painter, daily painting, impressionism, Landscape, oil painting, Opening reception, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, Virginia Artist, Virginia wineries on November 16, 2009| Leave a Comment »

One thing that I hope to do with this blog, “Life of a Daily Painter”, is to honestly describe what it is like to be a full-time painter. Today’s post will describe preparing for a show and reception.

Yesterday was the opening reception for my daily art show that is currently underway at Philip Carter Winery. First, I must say many thanks to Donna Johnson who called me some months ago and invited me to show at the winery. It is such an incredible feeling when that happens….someone actually thinks you should display your art for people to see!

Next begins the panic; can I have enough paintings that I like ready for the opening. So you work to pull together what you hope will be an interesting collection.

Art Reception at PCW Then the preparation for the opening; the announcement; the invitation. And then the day arrives. It’s time to go and you are so scared that no one will come to see your work. Always the self-doubt. But people start arriving and they like the art. Yeah! Success. It is always so rewarding when people enjoy what you enjoy doing so much. It’s hard to describe but certainly other painters will understand. Many thanks to everyone who came out to the reception. It was a beautiful day and a nice afternoon.