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.
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!
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.
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.
The show at Philip Carter Winery will be on display until January. Please make the beautiful drive out to Hume and take a look. Thanks.
Posted in daily painter, tagged Abstract, acrylic, daily painter, daily painting, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Artist, Virginia wineries on November 13, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Vineyard V is an acrylic abstract on gallery wrap canvas measuring 30″x40″. The colors of this painting invoke colors of vines and grapes and bottles and wine. And I really like wine.
Don’t forget that we will be having wine at the Opening Reception at Philip Carter Winery of Virgina on Sunday at 3 p.m. Please come out and join us for refreshments and to see this painting along with about 40 others. I’d love to see you Sunday. Directions are available on the winery’s website at www.pcwinery.com .
Posted in daily painter, tagged Abstract, acrylic, daily painter, daily painting, Virginia Artist on November 12, 2009| Leave a Comment »
October Fire is an acrylic abstract painting on 1 1/2″ gallery wrap canvas measuring 24″x36″. It is another in the series of abstract paintings that I have been working on this past week. Non-representational abstracts allow each viewer to see something different in the art. This painting is available for $395.
Posted in daily painter, tagged Abstract, acrylic, daily painter, daily painting, Virginia Artist on November 11, 2009| Leave a Comment »
I have been working on a couple of abstract series lately. I have a new student who is studying abstract acrylic painting and it has gotten me motivated to paint in that way.
Non-representational abstract is much harder than one would think. It takes some planning of composition and color in order to develop a successful abstract painting.
I like this one. It is called Transition. It is an acrylic on gallery wrap canvas measuring 12″x12″ and is available for $195.
Posted in daily painter, tagged daily painter, daily painting, impressionism, Landscape, oil painting, Virginia Artist, Virginia wineries on November 10, 2009| 1 Comment »
Posted in daily painter, Dogs, tagged daily painter, daily painting, Dogs, impressionism, Opening reception, Virginia Artist, Virginia wineries, watercolor on November 5, 2009| Leave a Comment »
The Weimaraner is a beautiful grey dog, often called the Grey Ghost. This watercolor painting of the handsome pup is currently on display at Philip Carter Winery in Hume.
The Opening Reception for that show will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 15th. Please mark your calendar and join me for wine and cheese. And enjoy the beautiful countryside at the winery.
Posted in daily painter, tagged daily painter, daily painting, Fall, impressionism, Landscape, oil painting, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia wineries on October 30, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Fall Splendor I is an oil on canvas panel measuring 8×10. You can see it at Delilah’s on Main Street in Front Royal, Virginia. It is available for $225 framed.
Today I am taking about 30 paintings over to Philip Carter Winery in Hume to hang for a show for which they have invited me. I am excited because it is a beautiful facility. You may recall that I painted out there a couple of days this summer.
As soon as the show is up and we decide what day to hold the opening reception you will all be invited to come.
Posted in Art Class, daily painter, Small Town Life, tagged abstract art, Art Class, art lessons, daily painter, daily painting, fruit, impressionism, lemon, oil painting, Shenandoah Valley, Small Town Life, Virginia Artist on October 15, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Last Wednesday night at Art Class we worked on an acrylic underpainting of a lemon. Instead of oil paint we used acrylic paint and only using black and white we painted the shading that we saw of the lemon.
Last night at Art Class, with the underpainting of dry from last week, we glazed over the acrylic paint with an oil paint and a blending medium to add color to our lemon. This is a technique that many painters use to get shading into their works. It sometimes makes it easier for students to see the subtle differences in shades and tones.
The Lemon measures 5″x7″ on canvas panel and is available for $45 by contacting me at kwalker@doubledogdesigns.com .
The final 3rd Thursday Art Walk of the season is tonight from 5 – 8 p.m. in downtown Front Royal. Be sure to come out and enjoy some refreshments and see the artist demonstrating. Delilah’s will have a tent sale as well as demonstrations. And I believe there will be pumpkin carving demonstrations at the Blue Ridge Arts Council. Just in time for the season! Come join us. We’ll look forward to seeing you.
(That’s me painting during a 3rd Thursday Art Walk. I was working on an abstract and I think I may have been channeling Jackson Pollack at the time! 🙂 )
Peaceful Valley View is an 8″x10″ oil painting. It is a restful scene.
The Studio 