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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Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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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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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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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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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
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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...

"The Mistress" by Kirk Witmer

20x30" (51x76 cm) - Oil on Masonite
I haven't posted in several weeks because ever since Feb 19th my attention has been focused on this, my first commission. It started out to be a surprise birthday present but that didn't quite work out, so I'm sure it's okay to reveal now.
This is a 1955 Ford V8 pickup truck, which appeared in the movie Machete starring Danny Trejo and Robert Deniro. The owner of this vehicle spent about 10 years getting it to this condition, which probably accounts for why his wife has nicknamed it "The Mistress".
Notice that it has no door handles. The push of a button on a remote control unlocks and opens the doors. This baby is tricked out!

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Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
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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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