2009 Summer Show Schedule

June 27 and 28 Festivall, Capitol St., Charleston
July 2-4 Mountain State Arts and Craft Show, Cedar Lakes, Ripley
Sept 4-6 Jubilee at Stonewall Jackson, Weston

Memorial Weekend at Tamarack the Best of West Virginia

I spent 3 days painting and visiting with folks as they shopped at Tamarack. I want to thank each one that stopped to say hello and signed up for the drawing for a pet portrait. A young lady from South Dakota won the drawing.

I will be back at Tamarack in November. Hope to see you then.

Seth

Along with Haley comes Seth. Each of the McKinney grandchildren were painted from photos when the child was 2 years of age.

Pastel on sanded paper

Haley

This one of the last two commissions for Dr. and Sue McKinney of Bridgeport. Sue had commissioned me to do all of her grandchildren to hang in their summer home in Lewisburg. Meet Haley.

Pastel on sanded paper

The Shaggy Observer

The Shaggy Observer was a photo given to me by a friend. Not sure who the owner was but I bet they were happy parents with this beauty.

The Shaggy Observer, 16 x 20 pastel on sanded paper, $225

The Kentucky Crafted was Awesome

Well the Kentucky Crafted has come and gone. All in all the weekend was one to put in the memory book. My friend Pamela Gatens and I worked very hard for the weekend, but it was worth it. We both learned a lot about a show that size and meet some really wonderful people. My friend Marianne and her daughter Meridyth were also there for the weekend so we had dinner together each night and shared the daily experiences. I worked at demoing again this weekend which always brings lots of comments from the crowds. Thanks to all that stopped by to say "hi".

Hershey Kisses, 16 x 20 pastel on sanded paper, $275

"Quiet Guard"

Allie is a Great Pyreness. People choose these dogs to guard their property. They are beautiful dogs.

"Quiet Guard" 16 x 20 watercolor on #140 lb CP Arches, $275

"Are You Missing Something?"

Meet Rosie. She was a friends beloved dog that loved her masters slippers. It was a big game for her to grab the slipper and run. Owners Jeanne and Bruce Brenneman.

"Are You Missing Something?" 16 x 20 watercolor on arches 140#CP, $275

Doesn't this make you want Spring to appear?

A photo of Jo Lyng was given to me by a fellow artist. I had several requests to do a Chow for my note cards but did not have a good reference photo. Then appears this sweetheart. I loved the glow of the sun on her coat. With the weather resting around freezing, it certainly warmed my soul.

"Jo Lyng" 16 x 20 watercolor on 140# CP arches, $200 SOLD

Getting Ready for Kentucky

It has been a busy month. I have decided to do a 2010 dog calendar and wanted it to be strictly watercolor images. I was also looking for really unusual dog poses, well that was not so easy. Dogs a generally sleeping or if a camera is in place they look at you with a goofy expression. The three new images will be available on the 2010 calendar, as notecards and also available in prints. As always the originals are also available for sale.

"Fluff Stuff" 11 x 14 watercolor on 140# CP arches, $150
"Napping Buddies" 16 x 20 watercolor on 140# CP arches, $175
"Going Shopping" 16 x 20 watercolor on 140# CP arches, $175
"Can we Share" 16 x 20 watercolor on140# CP arches, $200

Mette

This is the grand-daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Doug McKinney from Bridgeport, WV

16 x 20 pastel on sanded paper.

Kentucky Crafted

I will be representing Tamarack as one of the exhibitors at the Kentucky Crafted 2009, Trade Dates Feb 19-20, Public Dates Feb 21-22. If you are in the area or know someone that lives in the area, please invite them out to see us.

Little Pumpkins

A previous client of mine contacted me about a new commission. It seems that she had drawn her fathers name for Christmas and did not have a clue what to give a man that has everything he wants. Her solution, a painting of her daughter and nephew together for Grandpa.

"Little Pumpkins" 16 x 20 pastel on sanded paper, commission

Harley

I received a call from Mr. Pettis a week a before Christmas asking about a commission for his wife. Meet Harley. It's hard to express the feeling that comes over me when I am asked to paint someones pet that has passed away. I do the best to capture the spirit that the owner must have seen in their pet during it's life. I know that Harley was precious and loved. That is the best we can do for our little four legged friends is love them while we have them.

"Harley" 11 x 14 pastel on sanded paper, commission

Rita

Please meet Rita of Charleston. This was a Christmas commission for Mr. and Mrs. Halverson.

"Rita" 11 x 14 pastel on sanded paper. commission

Harley

Harley was a commission that I received during the weekend of demoing at Tamarack. This cat had the most beautiful color greenish blue eyes.

"Harley" 11 x 14 pastel on sanded paper, commission

It Was An Accident

This was another demo completed during the Tamarack weekend. I had lots of folks come by and tell me that was their puppy. Haven't we all had one of those accidents. You just can't help but laugh to yourself when you see the pitiful look of "I'm Sorry".

"It Was An Accident" 16 x 20 pastel on sanded paper. $200

Maggie

Meet Maggie! Maggie is owned by Karen and Jay Lilly. A beautiful Jack Russell, Jay tells me she is a sweet girl.

Karen is the director of the fine art gallery at Tamarack.

"Maggie" 11 x 14 pastel on sanded paper, commission

A Bad Hair Day

It has been a very busy season kicked off with a 3 day demonstration at Tamarack in Beckley. The painting "A Bad Hair Day" was a fun painting. This dog has a lot of character and looks a lot like my Phoebe. I bet there are more of the same out there. Enjoy your pets cause they love you

"A Bad Hair Day" 11 x 14 pastel on sanded paper, $135

Phoebe in Watercolor

I decided, after watching my friend Pamela paint some beauties in watercolor, that it was time for me to give it a try again. I have been painting in pastels for quite some time now and needed the encouragement. Pamela was the vehicle, visit her blog at pamelagatens.blogspot.com

Phoebe, watercolor, 16 x 20