March | 2014 | The Studio

Archive for March, 2014

Come on Spring….

Posted in daily painter, tagged daily painter, impressionism, Landscape on March 11, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Completed painting of “Stacy’s Tree”

Still on our quest to jump-start Spring. Here is another spring related painting. Can’t wait to see my friend Stacy’s Weeping Cherry Tree in full bloom!

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Time for a Spring Bouquet!

Posted in daily painter on March 10, 2014| 1 Comment »

OK. Winter is my favorite season but even I am ready for Spring. Come on nice weather.

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Comfort for Critters

Posted in Crochet, tagged Comfort for Critters, Crochet, knit on March 9, 2014| 3 Comments »

A few weeks ago I picked up a crochet magazine and was flipping through it and ran across an article about this wonderful organization. “Comfort for Critters is a 100% volunteer program that creates handmade blankets to comfort homeless pets living in animal shelters. While these animals await adoption, the blankets provide a comfortable bed year-round. When they are adopted, their blanket goes with them, providing something familiar as they adjust to their “forever family.”

Photo from Comfort for Critters

Isn’t this a terrific idea? So I contacted Linda, the founder, and hooked her up with our shelter and now they are participating. Of course, I have gobs of yarn pieces that I have started making some blankets out of for them but I thought others might like to know about them because they accept all sorts of blankets, not just crochet. Be sure to click on the link and read more about this worthwhile organization. And if you crochet or knit or even if you like to make the fleece knotted blankets, keep them in mind.

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A Unique Traveling Artist

Posted in Serendipity, Travel, tagged Traveling Artist on March 8, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Barry Howard – The Traveling Artist

Gretchen, one of my Wednesday morning students, sent me a link to this artist’s information this week and I immediately envied Barry Howard his unusual arrangement!

Please click this link to see more wonderful photos of his “studio“. If only we didn’t have so many hills here to ride up and down. 🙂

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Jacob, Ethan and Logan with Paintings

Posted in Art Class, Books, tagged acrylic, Art Class, Blue Ridge Arts Council, book painting, Enterprise painting, impressionism, kite painting, Landscape on March 7, 2014| 2 Comments »

Ethan’s Kite

Jacob’s Book

Logan’s Enterprise

Three of my students finished their paintings this past week. And boy did they do a great job. Ethan made this terrific kite painting and Jacob did this wonderful open book painting in the Kids Class. Kids ages 7-12 paint each Thursday from 4:15-5:15. And we would love to have new painters join us.

Logan, who started in the Kids Class several years ago and now has moved to the adult class, completed this wonderful “Enterprise” painting. Great job Logan with nice vision. You are doing super in the Adult Class!

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New Paint Party Added

Posted in Paint Parties, tagged acrylic, art lessons, Blue Ridge Arts Council, Dr Who, impressionism, Paint Party, Tardis on March 6, 2014| Leave a Comment »

I have had a special request for a Paint Party. Just for all you “Dr Who” fans – we are painting a Tardis! Saturday, March 22nd at 3 pm at the Blue Ridge Arts Council in Front Royal. Space is limited so be sure to contact me right away to register is you are a “Who” fan.

This is a demo painting that I did quickly last night to give you an idea of what we might do. You can have the options of giving it a “Starry Night” background or you can paint an open space background for your Tardis.

Also, there are 2 spaces left in the “Paint Your Own Pet Portrait” Party on Saturday, March 15th. If you would like to join us sign up today.

Contact kwalker@doubledogdesigns.com to sign up for Paint Parties.

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Creative Retreat at Sassafras Farm Filling Fast

Posted in Art Class, Serendipity, Travel, tagged Creative Retreat, Sassafras Farm on March 5, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Retreat will take place at Sassafras Farm. This is part of the mural that I painted in the studio there in 2012. “Barnyard with Variety of Animals”

Last week I told you about the Creative Retreat that I am helping teach with my friend Suzanne McMinn of Chickens in the Road fame! The retreat is half filled so if you are interested in a fun weekend of cooking and painting be sure to sign up soon.

Here is the description that Suzanne sent out this morning with a link to go sign up:

Spring 2014 Creative Blast Retreat — Art and Cooking!
Saturday, April 26 – Sunday, April 27, 2014

This spring retreat will span two days, taking you from the kitchen to the art easel with workshops including “Julia and You”–gourmet cooking techniques from the great Julia Child, and “Let’s Paint”–an awesome art experience in which you’ll be led step-by-step to create two works of art. (No prior experience required!) My teaching partner for this retreat will be Kelly Walker, daily painter, experienced teacher, and writer of “Life of a Daily Painter“. Three meals per day are included along with all your supplies, materials, and take-home projects. All workshops and activities will take place at Sassafras Farm in Roane County, West Virginia.

Get all the details on this retreat, including how to sign up, here. And to see the other murals that are in the teaching studio at Sassafras Farm click here.

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The Kitty Cozy

Posted in Crochet, tagged cat cave, Crochet, crocheted cat bed, kitty cozy on March 4, 2014| Leave a Comment »

I crocheted all day yesterday as we were in the midst of a snow storm so there was no going out to work and I just couldn’t get in the mood to paint. When it’s so cold like it is now I just want to crochet and watch old movies.

I was looking at Pinterest yesterday morning and saw a similar “cat cave” and thought I would try to make one for Allen’s kitty. I will try to get a pattern written out soon for anyone who wants to try to make one for their cat. Since I don’t have a cat I used a dog carving in the photo to demonstrate what it would be like. 🙂

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Fan Stitch Baby Blanket

Posted in Crochet, tagged Crochet, crocheted baby blanket, free baby blanket pattern, free crochet pattern, Virginia Artist on March 3, 2014| 1 Comment »

I have still been crocheting even though I have finished with the “hat project”. Now it’s on to baby blankets. I have several friends expecting babies soon so I thought I better get busy making gifts. I have made a couple using this pattern – Fan Stitch Baby Blanket with Shell Border. I have again tried to write out the pattern in case you are interested. The pattern here is for the blanket on the right in the photo. The other two I just continued using the blanket pattern but changed the color of the yarn.