East Austin Studio Tour This Weekend!

Join me and Scott Gordon, a talented photographer, at 2023 E. Cesar Chavez during the East Austin Studio Tours.  We will exhibit work in the future home of our shared studio space.  10-5pm.  Rain Showers Over Flowers is a new painting on display. 40 x 30 x 1.5 | mixed media and acrylic

Austin City Hall - The People's Gallery - Call for Entries!

Howdy Everyone! This is a great way to get exposure beyond Georgetown and Round Rock!

Call for Artwork: People's Gallery 2012
Deadline: December 5, 2011, midnight
The City of Austin is now accepting applications for the 2012 Austin City Hall People's Gallery Exhibition. The Exhibition will run from February 2012 through January 2013. Applications must be made through the online application system ASAPP! by midnight on Dec. 5, 2011.

Download the complete Call

An Artist Information Meeting to explain the application process will be held November 22, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Austin City Hall, room 1029 (301 W. 2nd Street).

WCAG November Framer's Gallery Report

The art at the Framer's Gallery just keeps getting better and more and more people come to the gallery during Georgetown's First Friday Celebration.  This month WCAG artist, Pat Langley, won the People's Choice Award for her giclee, "Geisha."  Congratulations, Pat!  Pat says the original was created using hand painted and stamped papers.  Pat also carved the stamp she used in the background.  "Giesha" is approximately 15" x 29".  Pat has a blog which can be found at http://patlangley.blogspot.com.

Take a class with Jennifer Balkan

Howdy! The great Jennifer Balkan...our guest artist for last month, just announced that she's putting together a new class. If you are interested, please read below! Thanks!

New class!!
We'll spend the first two classes sketching the figure in charcoal with our goals being (1) to see the figure as an abstract composite of dark and light shapes (values) in order to create a a strong value statement; (2) to get a proportionally accurate figure; both of which will contribute to a (3) compelling composition and statement of light and shadow.
The third and fourth classes, we'll paint using white and umber oil paint and create rich monochromatic figure compositions.

This class is designed for people who have some painting and drawing experience but are new to the figure.

Class meets Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30 11/30-12/21.
Class size is limited to four.
Cost is $250 plus $45 model fee.
Class meets at my studio at 3109 Lafayette Avenue in East Austin.

Let me know if you're interested!

Cheers,
Jennifer




www.jenniferbalkan.net

How to MAKE COMMENTS on this blog

For those of you who might be new to blogging, we wanted to take some of the mystery out of how you can make comments about what you're reading here, so we thought some instructions might be a good idea. It's actually very easy, but there is one simple requirement; you need to be set up with any one of the six following types of accounts.

Google Gmail | LiveJournal | WordPress | TypePad | AIM | OpenID
If you already have one of these you're ready to start, just jump to the instructions below in "making your comment". If not, click on Google Gmail, LiveJournal, WordPress or OpenID above, (which are all free by the way), to either get an account or learn more about them. We suggest using Google Gmail because that's probably the easiest account to set up AND you won't have to enter another id and password when you want to make a comment. You don't have to use your Gmail account for your everyday email, you just need it to make comments on this (or any other) blog. (But it's always good to have a second email address anyway.) We also suggest that once you log into your new Google account, that you don't ever log out. It will automatically reopen whenever you start your computer and that way you will always be ready to comment here. And that's a good thing!

Making Your CommentOnce you have your account created, look for the word "comments" with a number in front of it near the bottom of the posting. The number is how many comments have already been made. If it's 0, that means you get to be first!

Just click on the "comments" link to open the box where you type your comment. When you've "had your say" look below for the place to choose your account type (the one of the six above that you created). If you're using a Google account it's probably already selected for you. Then click on "Post Comment" or "Preview"; either takes you to the next step.

If you want to change anything in your comment before you send it, click on "Edit" in the box, make your changes and "Preview" again.



When you're ready, look in "Word verification" for a group of letters that you will need to type into the little window right below them. (If this step gives you trouble, don't worry, there are unlimited "do overs" here.)

Click the "Post Comment" button AND YOU'RE DONE! :)

Now that didn't hurt much, did it? :)

Elements Art Reception

Please join me and wonderful artists at Austin Details Art + Photo on Saturday, October 22nd.  Space, design, color, and light unite in this exhibit.  1-3pm.  106 E 8th Street. Featured artists include Rebecca Bennett, Sharon Keshishian, Carol Lyon, Cheryl Rae, Thomas Jack Hilton, and Jann Alexander.  My 3D work will be on display and I would love to share it with the WCAG.

WCAG October Framer's Gallery Report

Wow, another one of our brand new members won the People's Choice Award. Congratulations goes to Kay Dimitri for her oil painting, "The Door." This painting and the art of other WCAG members will be on display at The Framer's Gallery, located at 610 S. Main in Georgetown, TX until November 2nd, 2011. So be sure to go by and take a look at the great art there!

Art Hop 2011

Howdy! I just wanted to remind everyone that Art Hop starts tonight with a reception from 6pm to 8 pm at the Georgetown Public Library. Make sure that you check out the exhibit. Have a great weekend!

Origin Magazine Party and Art Exhibit tonight!

Good morning!  Tonight is Origin Magazine's Party and Art Exhibit at Quattro Gallery (Audi Dealership on Pond Springs).  It's open to the public.  I would love for some WCAG members to come!  There will be food, drinks and various artists.  The event will go until late.  DJ Spooky will be spinning and signing his book at 11pm.  I hope it's a big hit!  This is one of my paintings featured in the show.  Off the Hook | 36 x 24 x 1.5 | 2011 | acrylic on canvas

Chadwick and Spector at Jerry's Artarama

Okay... I just got an email from Jerry's Artarama that they are having Chadwick and Spector talking about their art this Saturday, October 1st from 12-2pm. This should be great and I am sure that a lot of people are going to be there. Unfortunately, I won't be able to be... but go and tell me all about it!

George Brainard Photography

Howdy! Last year, we had the honor to have George Brainard come and speak to the Art Guild about his Race Fans pictures taken in the dragway... He was a great speaker and had so many great stories to tell. While working on this year's banner project, I found this little video. So, if you did not make it to that meeting, this is a great way to recap... or see actual film footage of George hard at work.

e-Suggestion Box

The WCAG has a new Suggestion Box!
Click here to check it out.

David Ball - Banner Project Participant

Postcards from the Unconscious- David Ball from Colin M Day on Vimeo.

One of the things that I love about curating the Banner Project is all the art that I get to admire... all the things that I get to learn. It's an opportunity to make new connections and re-kindle some old ones. There's so much great art out there and not enough time to appreciate it. I met David Ball over 20 years ago back in my Boston Days. Our paths crossed again recently and when I saw his work, I had to invite him to participate in the banner project. In this video, he talks about "Postcards from the Unconscious", his latest body of work.

You can also check out his website

STINGER STUDIO "Studio Clean-Out" SALE

On Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th, Stinger Studio is sponsoring a  SALE for those of us who have too much art accumulating.    I'm bringing about 25 pieces so come one and come all if you would like a Sue Nosler Gray at 50 to 80% off.    I guess we should call if  "Help us make more space"  sale.   That would work!  Thanks Sonia!

Painting as sculpture

I thought that this was quite interesting... Margie Livingstone thinks out of the box, or shall we say out of the tube. I thought that it's very creative!

Meeting Reminder

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick reminder that the Williamson County Art Guild's monthly meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday, September 6th at the Windberg Art Center, 7100 N IH 35. Social time starts at 6:30 and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. We are excited to have Robbie Ortiz as our guest speaker to kick off our 2011-2012 season.

Hope to see you there!

Cindy Tauer-Eckart

Publicity Chair

WCAG First Friday Report

September’s First Friday was a huge success despite the summer’s unrelenting heat. Several long standing members and several new members are displaying their art at the Framer’s Gallery located at 610 S. Main in Georgetown, TX. During the First Friday event, viewers cast votes for their favorite art piece. New member, Janelle Cox, won the People’s Choice Award with her oil painting, “This is the Life.” Congratulations, Janelle!

Participating member’s art will be on display at the Framer’s Gallery until October 5th, 2011.

Members who would like more information about showing their art at the Framer’s Gallery should click here to visit the Guild's website and then click on the “Info for Members” tab.

Membership Meeting - Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Greetings Fellow Artists and Art Aficionados:

Thankfully the end of the long, hot, memorable summer of 2011 is drawing to a close, and that means that the Williamson County Art Guild's monthly membership meetings will commence starting in September!

Nick, our Program Chair has put together a fabulous line up of guest speakers for the 2011/2012 season, so please mark your calendars for next Tuesday, September 6th when our guest speaker will be Robbie Ortiz. Robbie Ortiz is a cubist artist based in Austin, TX. Robbie participated in the 2009 edition of the banner project. For a preview you can check out his website.

The WCAG Board is very excited about the coming year in art, and we hope to see you at 6:30 p.m. on September 6th for social mingling and chit chat, and then the program and short business meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. The challenge for this meeting is "Tools."

Hope to see you there!

Cindy Tauer-Eckart

WCAG Publicity Chair

Personal Choices - A WCAG Members Exhibit

We are just about a week away from the start of the new year... Even before we start our monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 6th. the annual WCAG members exhibit at the Library opens next Friday, September 1st. We would like to remind everyone, that the drop off date is this upcoming Wednesday, August 31st. It should be a great show. Thanks Marianne for all of your hard work. I am attaching the poster art for the upcoming exhibit.

Finally!

Ok, I am finally posting! With all my health issues and busy schedule I just haven't had time or felt like getting on the computer. I finally figured out how to post so here it goes. These are two paintings that I put in the Central Texas Pastel Society's Annual Competition and Exhibit. I won the Merit Award for Still life's for "The Little Mexican Hats"

I also won People Choice Award for "Ponderin' CowPoke". They are both pastel. The cowboy was from a photo I took at Up the Chisholm Trail Drive. They had a chuck wagon cook off and this cowboy won about 8 awards. I took many pictures of him as he waited to see who would win the next award. I thought his face was very fascinating. Each time his name was called his grin got bigger and bigger. Each time in between awards he waited with anticipation.

Walt Whitman, pencil drawing by Kirk Witmer

Pencil portrait - 9x12" on 100lb Bristol
American poet Walt Whitman (1819–92) Author of "Leaves of Grass"
I posted last month that I'd taken up pencil drawing. I've done five portraits so far, with this being my fourth. If you'd like to see the others they're posted on my blog.
The source photo for this is known to be one of several taken of Whitman at the time, but he chose this pose as his favorite.

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Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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Click here to see more comments about this work from artists world-wide.

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If you'd like to get advance notice of my upcoming works before
they're even listed at auction, click here to submit your email.

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May 2012 - Guest Speaker

Okay! So, we only have a couple of weeks before our 2011-2012 year stars. I am happy to announce that artist and printmaker Amy Guadagnoli will be our guest artist for our meeting for the month of may next year. Amy is an Austin based artist and currently serves on the board for Georgetown Art Works. May might seem like a long time from now, but this year we are making a bigger effort to be organized, so that our members can plan in advance for our meetings and invite others to attend. We want to make the guild more exciting and make it grow in 2011-2012. To check out Amy's work, you can visit her website.

Nan Brown and Sue Gray @ North Hills Gallery

Mix'N'Mash

Mix ‘N’ Mash 2011 Exhibition
December 2, 2011 - January 3, 2012
Contact: Claudia Zapata, Mexic-Arte Museum
Tel: (512) 480-9373 x83, exhibitions@mexic-artemuseum.org
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, August 31, 2011


Dear Artist,

Mexic-Arte Museum is pleased to invite you to participate in our Mix ‘n’ Mash Exhibit and Art Sale, which will open on Friday, December 2, 2011. This festive fundraising event fosters Mexic-Arte Museum’s goals to increase awareness of art collecting in the community, in addition to raising much needed funds for the Museum’s 2011-2012 Season of exhibitions and education programs.

We are inviting over 200 local and regional artists to create and donate works of art on 12” x 12” eco-friendly and archival quality Gessoboards generously donated by Ampersand of Austin, Texas

You may create a work in any style (figurative, conceptual, abstract, surreal, folkloric, etc.) and media (sculptural/relief, painting, printmaking, photography, and more) on one Gessoboard. The Gessoboards can be picked at the Mexic-Arte Museum Store during regular business hours (Monday – Thursday 10 AM-6 PM, Friday and Saturday 10 AM-5 PM, and Sunday noon-5 PM) as early as August 22, 2011. We ask that all completed submissions be delivered or mailed to the Museum by Saturday, October 15, 2011.

As a participating artist, you will receive a one-year membership to Mexic-Arte Museum. Membership benefits include free admission to all exhibitions and select events, invitations to Member Preview opening receptions, subscription to the Museum E-Newsletter, and 10% off Museum Store purchases. You will also receive 2 complimentary tickets to the opening night festivity on Friday, December 2, from 6:00 – 10:00 PM (there will be a $25 admission fee for the public). Art works will continue to be sold through January 2, 2012.

We hope that you will agree to participate! The Mix ‘n’ Mash Exhibit and Art Sale project is an exciting event that will make art accessible to the community, promote the artists, encourage art collecting, raise funds for Mexic-Arte Museum, and create a special evening of holiday festivities!

Thank you for considering this unique collaborative opportunity, and please fill out the registration sheet with your contact information and send to exhibitions@mexic-artemuseum if you are interested in participating (please let us know by August 31, 2011). Feel free to contact with any further questions at (512) 480-9373 x83. If you live out of town (no international mailings) and are interested in participating, we may mail you a Gessoboard.

Sincerely,



Claudia Zapata Sylvia Orozco

Director of Programs Executive Director

Georgetown Friends of the Arts - City Council Presentation

Last night, at the City Council meeting, the Georgetown Friends of the Arts, made a presentation last night at the City Council Meeting. Georgetown Friends of the arts is a grass root, community group that is working on getting the City of Georgetown to agree to turn the current Police Station into a Cultural Art Center. We need all of the artists to participate, to write their City Council Repsl and so on. Please check out this video of the presentation. Thanks!

February 2012 - Guest Artist

Peggy Weiss calls herself a digital collage artist... You just might have to take a double look at her work, in order to really figure out everything that is going on in her artwork. Photography, mixed media and a lot of technology at work. All very creative and quite wonderful! Please check out her website for more information.

April 2012 - Guest Artist

I found Barbara Lugge's hand-stitched portraits and landscapes quite innovative, but yet very traditional. It's all very fascinating, how she manipulates thread to create such beautiful art. She'll be presenting her work at our Tuesday, April 3rd meeting. You can check her website to learn more about her.

November 2011 - Guest Artist

The programs for the upcoming year is lining up quite nicely! Denise Fulton, an Austin Artist and member of the Austin Art Garage Collective, will be joining us for the November meeting. Where she'll talk about her work and inspirations. To take a sneak peak, or to learn more about her, you can visit her website.

March 2012 - Guest Speaker

I hope that I am not overwhelming our members, but I am working very hard on lining up all of our guest artists for our 2011-2012 year. I think that it will be a great one. I am happy to announce that Sarah Wilson has just confirmed that she'll be coming to our March 2012 meeting. I know that it sounds far away, but it will be hear before we know it.

Here's her brief bio that appears on her website:

Photographer Sarah Wilson explores issues of community and culture through environmental portraiture. After nine years of studying and working in New York City, Wilson has returned to her hometown of Austin, Texas. Using Austin as home base, she works regionally as an editorial photographer for magazines such as The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Time, The Atlantic Monthly, Marie Claire, Texas Monthly, Mother Jones, and others. Work from Wilson’s personal projects has been acquired by the permanent collections at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas, and the Lishui Photography Museum of China

So mark your calendars everyone and tell your photographer friends that they should not miss her talk.

To learn more about this great photographer, please visit her website.

Jennifer Balkan Video

I thought that it would be great to share this little video about Jennifer Balkan. It was filmed during the E.A.S.T tours in Austin.
I am sure that it will be a very exciting presentation!

October Guest Speaker

I am very excited to announce that Jennifer Balkan, one of my favorite Austin Artists has agreed to come out and speak to the Guild for our October 4th meeting. Personally, I am very intrigued by the characters and the stories behind her artwork. She's represented by the Wally Workman Gallery in Austin. To learn more about Jennifer Balkan, you can check out her website.

ART HOP 2011 - Deadline Extended

Hello Everyone!
I just want to let you know that the deadline to submit artwork for the Art Hop 2011 has been extended to August 15th, 2011.
For more information, please visit the Georgetown Art Works website.

Art Exhibition

Everyone is invited to come and see the latest "Spiritual Series Paintings" by Micheal Hammons of Round Rock. His artwork is hanging at The Daily Grind Coffee Shop - 16238 Ranch Road 620 - in Round Rock (Brushy Creek area) for the month of August. Please come on in and enjoy!! The painting "Twelve Disciples" is one of the paintings.

Red Poppy Festival - Call for artists

The Red Poppy Festival planning committee is seeking submissions of artwork for consideration for the 2012 Red Poppy Festival poster. Artwork must be original and depict some facet of the Red Poppy Festival. The entry deadline is October 28, 2011. Contact Cari Miller with the Convention and Visitors Bureau at (512) 930-3585, or write her at cari.miller@georgetown.org.

The 2011 Poster artist was Patricia Lyle. To learn more about this member of our guild, or to see more samples of her work, please visit her website.

September Guest Speaker

Robbie Ortiz is a cubist artist based in Austin, TX. Robbie participated in the 2009 edition of the banner project and will be our first guest artist at our September 6th meeting. To see his work, you can check out his website.

To learn more about Robbie Ortiz, check out his brief interview with KLRU interview

We'll see you in September!

Mexic-Art Museum Call for Artists

Dia de los muertos Altars

In conjunction with the 28th annual celebration of El Día de los Muertos the Mexic-Arte Museum is seeking artists, community groups, and individuals to create unique commemorative altars for display in the Mexic-Arte Museum galleries. Altars will be presented in conjunction with our Día de los Muertos exhibition Death to Dollars and will be on view from October 7-November 13, 2011 and during the Museum's annual Viva la Vida festival on October 22, 2011.


For more information, Please visit the Mexic-Arte Museum's Website

Art Hop 2011 _ Call for Entries

http://arthop.georgetownartworks.org/

I just want to remind everyone that Georgetown Art Works is currently having a call for entries for the 2011 Art Hop. This will be the 4th edition of the competition with several thousand dollars in prizes. Deadline for submissions is August 1, 2011. Check out the link above to find more about submitting your work.

The Banner Project 2011 - Current

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"Boots" by Jean Townsend

I am happy to announce that I am currently working on the 2011 edition of the banner project.
This year's banner project working title is "Current" and I am glad to announce in that I have received a grant to make the project a reality.

Happy Trails, the original banner project was considered a huge success and today, the banners hang at the East View High School ( formally the 9th grade enter).

Originally, I had turned down the project (several tines) , but in light of the Police Station bond having passed in the spring, I think that it's very important to keep the arts in the forefront. Specially, since there's a grass root effort happening to bring the Arts Center into the current Police Station.

This year's banner project will be a little different. The project is not limited to local artists, but of course, everyone is welcome to submit their work. The banners will be used around Georgetown downtown and public library ( for several years) during the month of October, in order to celebrate the month of the arts. Eventually, they might find a home in our future Art Center. The images can really be anything, but we are hoping to feature theater and other performing arts as well. Artists can feel free to forward this information to other fellow artists.

—Synonyms for Current:
2. common, widespread, popular, rife. Current, present, prevailing,prevalent refer to something generally or commonly in use. Thatwhich is current is in general circulation or a matter of commonknowledge or acceptance: current usage in English. Present refersto that which is in use now; it always has the sense of time:present customs. That which is prevailing is that which hassuperseded others: prevailing fashion. That which is prevalent exists or is spread widely: a prevalent idea. 3. stylish,fashionable, modish. 10. See stream.


Requirements:

- Artists can submit 1 or 2 of their favorite images. Please email low resolution to nick@graphismo.con subject matter: Banner Project 2011
- The banners are 2 feet wide x 4 feet tall, therefore the artwork needs to have similar proportions. It does not have to be the exact size, but the images might have to be cropped slightly. Images that do not work on this format will be automatically disqualified.
- If selected, Artists will need to provide a high resolution reproduction of their image. This can be provided via email or a disk. Images must be 6" wide x 12" tall, 300 DPI, RGB. They will also need to provide a photograph of themselves and a short biography. Windberg Enterprises in Georgetown can scan or photograph your work at a affordable price.
- Selected artists will be featured in both an exhibit program/book, as well as a banner project directory) that will be available to the general public. Every participating artist will receive a copy of the exhibit program/book. Additional programs will be sold to help raise funds for the project. There might also be a deck of cards featuring the images, that will also will be sold, in order to raise some additional funds for the project.
- Selected artists will have to sign a waiver agreeing to have their images reproduced in the event's website, program/book, deck of cards and any advertisement related to the event. We will not use, sell or reproduce an artist image without their approval.
- Deadline for submission: July 31, 2011. There's no cost to enter, but there's a limit of 2 images. Participants will be notified by Friday, August 5th if they have been accepted or not.

If you have any questions, please email: nick@graphismo.com

I look forward to seeing great art from everyone.

The Architect, pencil portrait by Kirk Witmer

9x12" - Pencils on 50lb paper

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Six months ago I bought a box of pencils thinking I'd try my hand at drawing with just pencils. Yesterday I finally got around to opening the box, so here's my first serious attempt at a portrait done with pencils. Did this all on one day, in about 8 hours. Since this is something new for me, your critique is welcome.
Who is he? I hear you ask..... Frederick Law Olmstead toured through Texas in 1853 with his brother, a horse, a pack mule and a Colt Navy revolver. He ended up writing a book entitled "A Journey through Texas", but some years later he went on to become the landscape architect that designed New York City's Central Park. Imagine that!

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Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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Click here to see more comments about this work from artists world-wide.

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If you'd like to get advance notice of my upcoming works before
they're even listed at auction, click here to submit your email.

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WCAG July First Friday Gallery Report

The July heat has not stopped our WCAG artists from displaying art at the Framer's Gallery, just off the square in Georgetown, TX. There were also lots of people out enjoying the First Friday festivities which included great art, food, beverages and the sound of bluegrass music coming from the square. The vote for People's Choice Winner was close and the happy winner is Chuck Fletcher for his photograph, "Red Mistress." Congratulations Chuck! Chuck gets to hang one piece of art for free during August.

If you would like more information about participating in the First Friday events, just check out the latest monthly newsletter. Or, contact me (Connie Hartsfield)... your WCAG Gallery Chairperson at charts303@yahoo.com.

A Perfect Day!

FLIGHT
8 x 10 acrylic

Well, I haven't been painting lately. Apparently work kills every ounce of creativity in me, but I just got back from vacation and I feeeel good! Today was a perfect day, I had the house to myself, the world's best dog at my feet, great music blasting, a fresh canvas and my paints! Unfortunately, next week its back to reality, and back to work, but I hope I can stay in the vacation state of mind throughout the long hot summer!

Art Scams

Have you received an email about buying your art? Beware! Art scams are on the rise. More information is available on the "Links for Artists" page on the Guild's web site.
If it's the first time you've visited that page, you may want to spend more time there than just reading the first item about scams. There's quite a list of various things of interest to artists.

WCAG June Gallery Report

Although the Texas heat is beginning to roll in, it did not stifle the First Friday fun at the Framer's Gallery. WCAG members Kerry Whitfill, Gretchen Hecht, Wes Odell, Jean Kennedy, Betty Sigler and new member Chuck Fletcher have great art hanging in the gallery. Voting for the People's Choice Award was hot and heavy and there was a three way tie for second place. But, first place is the only one we announce and it goes to Jean Kennedy for her oil, "Tossed by the Seas." Congratulations! Jean now gets to hang one piece of art during July for free.

Although WCAG does not have meetings in July and August, we do still participate in the First Friday events at the Framer's Gallery. There are still a few spaces open for July and August so please email me to make a reservation (charts303@yahoo.com). Art that is to be hung in July needs to be brought to the Framer's Gallery on Wednesday, June 29th, between 9 am and 12 noon. July 1st is First Friday!

Thank you,
Your WCAG Gallery Chair,
Connie Hartsfield

A little lesson study I painted a couple weeks ago.

In A Blink

My son just graduated from high school and I did this portrait of him when he was about 4 years old. Oh yes, I am a proud mama!

Connie Hartsfield

Commissions accepted

http://www.CHartsfieldArt.com

CHartsfield@CHartsfieldArt.com

View from Middle Earth, landscape painting by Kirk Witmer

Daily painting for May 12 - 6x8" - oil on archival panel
Obviously it can't really be from Middle Earth, but now that I have your attention, where do you think? New Zealand? Nah, can't be that, there are no kiwis in here. It's actually from Nebraska. Go figure.
I chose this subject because painting rocks has been giving me trouble lately and I really just wanted to try to turn out some convincing rocks. What do you think about these?

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Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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If you'd like to get advance notice of my upcoming works before they're even listed at auction, click here to submit your email.

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"Franklin Mountains"

This is my second painting of "Franklin Mountains"  In this painting I use more of a looser brush strokes and more bolder colors.  This first one was too realistic and although I had great comments on it, I just had to do another one that is more of what I was looking for and I am happy with the results.  This painting measured 30" X 30" oil on canvas.  This will be for sale in the gallery soon!

Size is a Relative Thing, seascape painting, Kirk Witmer

Daily Painting for May 9th - 6x8" - oil on archival panel
The title pretty much says it all. Oh! and ... SAVE THE WHALES!

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Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Click here to see more comments about this work from artists world-wide.

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If you'd like to get advance notice of my upcoming works before they're even listed at auction, click here to submit your email.

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The Path

12x12 - oil on canvas

I was asked to provide a backdrop to a poster for the next exhibit at our church.  It needed to reflect the theme "The Way".  This is a painting I did from a photo I took a few weeks ago of the path that runs along the greenbelt in my back yard.  The trees still had some of the vibrant Spring green and the ground was covered with last years leaves.  The sun was bright shining through the trees which made the shadows on the path intense during my walk this particular morning.

"Twelve Disciples"

This painting is one of two that I just recently entered in a competition in California. It is measured 24" X 36" oil on canvas. This is one of my many Spiritual series I have done.

The twelve poplar trees in this piece represent the twelve disciples in the Bible whose role is to carry a message of hope to people around the world.  The foliage of diverse sizes and levels in the painting represents people of all faiths; the different races and opinions; the diversity that makes the world interesting and unique. The main structure represents the church or the sanctuary where everyone is invited to gather and learn from each other; a place that offers rest for the weary, help for the lost, food for the hungry, help for all. The blue door on the building represents calm and relaxation. The moon, which is larger than normal, provides a bright light to show the way. The artist uses many colors in this painting, but is careful to make sure that they all relate to each other and co-exist well in the painting together.  

When We Grow Up ... ?

6x8" oil on archival panel
This little brother and sister seem to be standing here wondering ....
"When We Grow Up .... "
...will the beaches still be this clean? Will the water still be this clear? Will the sky still be this beautiful? Can you promise us that?

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Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Click here to see more comments about this work from artists world-wide.

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If you'd like to get advance notice of my upcoming works before they're even listed at auction, click here to submit your email.

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"Toy Stories" series

I'm posting a couple of the other paintings I've been working on in the""Toy Stories"" series.  I'm especially intrigued by old toys that were hand made in America with pride pre World War II.

 This is my first "Toy Stories" painting - the one that started it all...

"Toy Stories - Haulin' Pins"  Second in the series.  The bowling pins are dated 1940's.    These antique toys generate a lot of thoughts.    Couldn't plug 'um in and didn't need anything but your imagination to bring them to life.  

Haulin "A"

I'm working on a series of antique items.  This is from a series of toys.   The Wyandotte truck is one borrowed from a friend and has character that talks to me ... :)    The frame in the background is from a old ruin (the window frame in the wall we usually don't see. )  It has tones of blue green and tan which I thought complimented the antique blocks nicely.   If you'd like to see the progress of this painting, I invite you to view  it on my blog (gipson-artist.blogspot.com).

The truck demands attention and usually gets it... :)  Here he is - Haulin; "A"

A Promise of Spring

Daily painting for April 7th - 6 x 8" - Oil on archival canvas panel
The last of winter melts away to reveal the onset of spring. This was especially difficult to paint because the drop of water kept falling off and I had to wait for it to drip again since I painted this "en plein air". If you buy that, then maybe you're interested in buying the flea circus I have up for sale. :))

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Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Click here to see more comments about this work from artists world-wide.

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If you'd like to get advance notice of my upcoming works before
they're even listed at auction, click here to submit your email.
Click here to bid on this painting

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After the Storm by Kirk Witmer

Daily Painting for Tuesday, April 5th - 6 x 8" - Oil on canvas panel

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Here I'm trying to invoke that feeling of the fresh, "clean air" smell just after the thunderstorm passes. Does it take you there?

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Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Click here to see more comments about this work from artists world-wide.

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If you'd like to get advance notice of my upcoming works before they're even listed at auction, click here to submit your email.

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Johnson City 3 by Kirk Witmer

Oil on archival canvas panel - 6x8"

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I'm doing a series of paintings from my visit to Johnson City. The pathways in Johnson City's preserved original settlement just seem to wind on and on. October was a good time of year for a nice long walk. I think this painting has pretty good "aerial perspective" and really shows the distance and the length of this path. (Location: 30.2745,-98.414795)
Click here to see my whole series on Johnson City.

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Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Doodle

This is one of my favorite activities. Doodles on an old music sheet creates interesting patterns.
You can do it anywhere (easily portable) and there is no "right way" or "wrong way" to it.
I was gifted with a lot of old music books, so I use them  for many projects.
I thought the name Rhythm Study was apropos for this piece.

Rio Motel

I had never done a 6" X 6" painting. I had always done a bigger one such as 8" X 10" or more.   I did this one for a competition that I was going to enter but changed my mind after another compeition came up and enter into that one instead.  This painting is measured 6" X 6" acrylic on panel.

Fuchsia - 6x6

I love Fuchsia's but last summer I discovered... they don't like the Texas heat!  I was able to snap a few shots during her brighter days before we bid our goodbyes.

Here's my tribute to her...