Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Millie

2012-02-08T09:33:00.002-06:00

9 x 12" - Graphite on Brsitol 300 series vellum

Amelia Campbell Arkin is a stage, television and feature film actress. She's also my niece.
Click these links to learn more about her.
Link to Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelia_Campbell
Link to Internet Movie Data Base (filmography) www.imdb.com/name/nm0132202/

Gary P. Nunn, singer and songwriter

2012-01-24T13:10:00.004-06:00

Here's my latest pencil portrait, just finished this morning.

Gary P. Nunn
8x8" - Graphite on Strathmore Bristol series 300 vellum
Gary is a popular country music singer that lives not too far from me here in central Texas.
I've been to his home and I gotta tell ya, for all his fame and celebrity, he ain't stuck up at all. ;)If you'd like to see the photo I took this from, visit his website at www.garypnunn.com. You can even enjoy some of his music whilst you're there. And if you're anywhere near central Texas be sure to check out his schedule of upcoming performances.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

If you'd like to have me do your portrait in this syle, email me at: khwitmer@juno.com
I won't promise that it'll help your singin', but it's sure to be a nice portrait.

Catching up on Last Week's Work - pencil portraits

2012-01-24T12:16:00.001-06:00

Whew! I'm a little outta breath! I spent most of last week focusing on my pencil techniques. These three portraits are of other artists that are members of another website that I belong to. The images are all done with just graphite pencils on Strathmore Bristol 300 series vellum.

6x9" - John Stuart Webbstock

9x6" - Peta Stacy WainwrightThe photo I took this from was very grainy and I did this one just because I wanted to see what it might take to recreate that grainy look.

Naty - 6x6"

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

If you're interested in having your portrait done, email me at: khwitmer@juno.com

From Italy

2012-01-08T11:33:00.004-06:00

A trip to Birmingham Alabama in the spring of 2010 found me at the Birmingham Art Museum where I took a picture of a very large landscape that was painted a long time ago. I've removed the figures that were bathing in the pool at the bottom. I'm just not ready to show the world my efforts at figure painting yet. Unfortunately I can't remember the title or the artist and I can't find it on the B-ham Museum's website. So I can't give you any names for the inspiration for what I've done here. If any of my artist friends might know ... HELP!!! :)

Oil on Canvas - 9 x 12"
Next time I paint something with this many details I'll choose a larger canvas!!!
I pulled out a lot of stops on this one to get better effects. Including the use of glazing to correct the values of the architecture to make them recede visually and to add in the mists rising from the waters. That was the fun part! :)

Click here to buy this painting
US$160.00 + 8.00 s&h

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Pencil Portraits - Part 3 - Matthew

2011-12-25T06:57:00.002-06:00

Because the portrait that I did of Walt Whitman turned out so well I was "under orders" to do portraits of our two sons and daughter-in-law for Christmas presents. It took awhile to get them done, and of course I couldn't post them here for fear of spoiling the surprise, so that's why you haven't heard from me recently. But now that the Christmas gifts have been opened I can finally share them with you. This is our oldest son Matthew, a professional violist.
If you're in the Los Angeles area and are looking for a string quartet or viola lessons,
click here to contact him through his website.

9x12" - graphite on paper
If you haven't seen the drawing of his brother Eric or Eric's wife Sunny,
either scroll down or click here.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

If you're interested in having a portrait of one of your family members done in this style
email me at: khwitmer@juno.com

Pencil Portraits - Part 2 - Eric

2011-12-25T06:41:00.002-06:00

Because the portrait that I did of Walt Whitman turned out so well I was "under orders" to do portraits of our two sons and daughter-in-law for Christmas presents. It took awhile to get them done, and of course I couldn't post them here for fear of spoiling the surprise, so that's why you haven't heard from me recently. But now that the Christmas gifts have been opened I can finally share them with you. This is our youngest son Eric. He said he wished that I'd have given him more hair in the drawing but I told him that "I draw what I see"

9x12" - graphite on paper
If you haven't seen the drawing of Eric's wife Sunny, either scroll down or click here.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Pencil Portraits - Part 1 - Sunny

2011-12-25T06:36:00.003-06:00

Because the portrait that I did of Walt Whitman turned out so well I was "under orders" to do portraits of our two sons and daughter-in-law for Christmas presents. It took awhile to get them done, and of course I couldn't post them here for fear of spoiling the surprise, so that's why you haven't heard from me recently. But now that the Christmas gifts have been opened I can finally share them with you. This is our daughter-in-law Sunny. She seems to like changing her name from time to time but I just call her Sunny.

9x12" - graphite on paper

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Snowmelt

2011-11-27T14:05:00.002-06:00

6 x 8" - Oil on archival panel
Click here to buy this painting
US$15.00 + 4.00 s&h
I haven't painted much lately because I've been spending a lot of time on my hammered dulcimer, thinking that if I could polish up my Christmas repertoire I might try to hire out for Christmas parties the way I did a couple years ago. But I decided I didn't really want to do that again, so it's back into the painting.
This one came from just being desperate to get some paint on a canvas again and it came right out of my head, no photo and definitely not plein air.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Burger

2011-11-16T09:25:00.001-06:00

When I look at this, in my head I hear Sam Elliott's deep low growling voice in the memorable TV ads from so many years ago, saying "BEEF ... it's what's for dinner."
And before you ask "where's the cheese?" ... this is a hamburger, not a cheese burger. I was all out of cheese that day. :)

Click here to buy this painting
US$140 + 12.00 s&h

Another Promise - nature study by Kirk Witmer

2011-10-11T22:00:00.009-05:00

Oil on Masonite - 8x10"
Click here to buy this painting
$79 + $8 s&h
I've had a lot going on in my life lately that has kept me from getting much painting done, but I'll spare you the details. In the time that I've had to paint, there haven't been many survivors.
But the reaction to one 6x8 that I posted some time ago has been so positive that I decided to try it again on a larger scale. If this gets a good reaction I may go at it again even larger and with more of a winter theme. Let me know what you think.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

The Hazards of Texas Wildfire

2011-09-14T07:28:00.008-05:00

So many folks have asked me about the wildfires that continue to plague firefighters here in central Texas that I thought it might be good to provide a little info about it here. I happened to catch a Google satellite image of our area (about 30 miles northwest of Austin) at just the right time that really highlights our problem. Of course I have no idea when the images were taken but it's obvious that the part on the left, the green part, was taken some time ago and the part on the right is more recent. That would be the not-quite-so-green part.

We've set a new record for days without rainfall in central Texas, but here in our little community it's been even longer. Where we live it seems like we're always the last in our area to get rain. The grass here is so dry that it actually crunches under your feet if you walk on it. When I go out to play ball with my dog Rascal as he runs after the ball he leaves a cloud of dust and swirling beige grasses behind him. The burn ban has been heightened to the point where we're not even allowed to barbecue outside, which as you can imagine is a really big deal for Texans. With so many showing signs of being in "barbecue withdrawal" there's been talk of setting up clinics to help counsel them through these rough times. (Just kidding.)

Fires, as many of you know, have wiped out whole communities. Believe it or not, one has even been attributed to arson when four teenagers were seen leaving a woods just before a fire broke out. Well known artist Carol Marine lost her home and the new studio that her husband David worked for a year to build, escaping just in time with their camping trailer. They won't be rebuilding, but instead will move to Oregon. You can read more from Carol herself at her blog, http://carolmarine.blogspot.com and from David's point of view at http://dpwnews.blogspot.com

We're pretty much a tinder box here in Texas and there's flooding in the eastern states. That all makes me wonder: "If we can build pipelines that will move oil, why can't we build pipelines that will move water?" I guess it's because there's more profit in oil. At least until water becomes more precious.
The most likely saving grace for us here in central Texas would be rain from a hurricane that passes through, but that won't be very welcomed by the Texans who live along the Gulf of Mexico. OH! But there's no "global climate change", is there?

So ... are we in imminent danger? No, but we have created a prioritized "Bug Out" list.
Is the threat everpresent? You betcha.
One careless smoker, or even a hot shell casing from a rifle shot could set it off. And it's dove season right now. And deer season is coming. I'm just glad I don't smoke and I don't hunt, so I can't be blamed if it happens.

In closing, I just want to say.....
GOD BLESS THE FIREFIGHTERS.

Morning Fog - landscape by Kirk Witmer

2011-09-12T13:59:00.002-05:00

Daily painting for 9/12/11 - 6 x 8" - Oil on canvas panel -
I titled this "Morning Fog" but as you can see it doesn't have anything to do with needing a second cup of coffee. The effort here was to convey a mood without the use of color, but instead only using values. The first step in this procedure was to create what I call "eco-gray". I do that by taking all the leftover paint on my palette from the last painting I did and mixing it until it's a uniform shade all the way through. Depending on what the last painting was, the gray may be tinted differently in each batch, so if it's too far from neutral, I'll add a touch of whatever's on the opposite side of the color wheel to pull it back toward neutral, then mix until well blended.
From there, I pulled out some white and black and started mixing a series of values. For this one I found I needed almost no black.

Click here to bid on this painting

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

The Barley Harvest, landscape w/ figures by Kirk Witmer

2011-09-05T11:28:00.001-05:00

18 x 24" - oil on stretched canvas
This is the third in my Dorchester series. Like the first two, I've relied on lighting to set the mood and figures to tell a story. This one is obviously in bright sunlight across the landscape, which explains why, before the days of sunblocking lotions, the ladies are wearing clothes that will protect them from the sun as they work.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Steampunk Jeff, pencil portrait by Kirk Witmer

2011-08-19T20:12:00.001-05:00

Pencil portrait - 9 x 12"
I did this portrait in response to a challenge for artists on one of the many websites in which I participate. It was an interesting effort for me. Not because of this particular subject, but because of the "challenges" it presented. Most importantly the reflections on all the hardware. I hadn't had a subject that has presented that challenge so far, so I couldn't resist the temptation to jump in on this one.
For the purists who want to see just how close I got the the original, the challenge photo is inset into the upper right corner here.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Walt Whitman, pencil drawing by Kirk Witmer

2011-08-15T17:10:00.006-05:00

Pencil portrait - 9x12" on 100lb Bristol

American poet Walt Whitman (1819–92) Author of "Leaves of Grass"
This is my fourth pencil portrait. The source photo is known to be one of several taken of Whitman at the time, but he chose this pose as his favorite.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

If you're interested in having a portrait done in this style, email me at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Country Lane, landscape by Kirk Witmer

2011-08-13T09:25:00.002-05:00

18x24" - oil on stretched canvas
This is the second in my Dorchester series. I actually finished this 12 days ago, but I posted it on a website where other artists could critique it. Having received no comments I'm going to assume that it's perfect. What do you think?
Here's the screen capture that became my source photo for this painting. It's easy to see I've made a lot of changes, starting with the widesecreen format! But overall I think they improved the composition and provided for more excitement in the finished work.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Harrison Ford as Woodrow Dolarhyde

2011-07-30T14:15:00.001-05:00

Pencil drawing - 9x12"
This piece is not for sale (I'm sure my source photo is copyrighted!) I just did this for practice. Unless of course Mr Ford happens to stop by my blog (not bloody likely!) and decides he'd like to buy it. But he'll have to figure out how we can get around the copyright restriction.
This Harrison Ford, as he appears in the movie "Cowboys and Aliens" that was just released to theatres yesterday, looks a bit different than most of us might remember him. I only hope I'll look this good when I'm 69.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

If you'd like to have your portrait done in pencil,
email me at: khwitmer@juno.com
Prices start at $80.

Weaterbeaten, pencil portrait by Kirk Witmer

2011-07-16T12:46:00.001-05:00

Pencil portrait, 9x12

Well, it's been a rough week at the easel. Four days worth of painting did not produce a single "survivor"; meaning I didn't think there was even one that was worthy of posting here without being an embarassment. Maybe my standards for my work are getting higher. Or maybe I'm just burned out on landscapes and I should go back to still lifes again for a time.
Anyway, I took a day and did another pencil portrait from a photo. Probably about eight hours in this one. I'm rather pleased with how it turned out, but it's "only close" to the cowhand in the original photo, so in that way it's a bit of a disappointment to me, because it tells me I'm not quite ready to be hiring out for portrait work yet. ....yet. But as this developed, I began to think "Hmmm, this is kinda lookin' like [insert name of famous person here], only older." I won't say for awhile yet who I was thinking of, just to see if any of you might see a resemblance too.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

If you're interested in having a portrait doen in this style, email me at: khwitmer@juno.com

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 portrait

A Day at the Beach, landscape by Kirk Witmer

2011-07-11T15:19:00.001-05:00

Daily painting for July 11 - 6x8" - oil on archival panel
I thought a summertime theme would be a good thing to paint in the summer. What says "summer" more than a day at the beach?

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Study for Space Art #1

2011-07-10T11:04:00.002-05:00

Daily painting for July 7th - 6x8" - oil on archival panel
This one was elusive. Not the painting, but photographing it! I took more than twenty photos trying to capture the glow on this celestial body and this seems to be the best of the lot. I'm still not sure this does it justice. If you like this image, you should see it in person.
But again, this is another study in preparation for a larger painting.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

The Architect, pencil portrait by Kirk Witmer

2011-07-04T10:15:00.002-05:00

9x12" - Pencils on 50lb paper

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!

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

If you're intersted in having a portrait done in this syle, email me at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Sunset on the Old Mill, landscape by Kirk Witmer

2011-07-03T06:07:00.002-05:00

Daily painting for June 29 - 6x8" - oil on archival panel
This was done in response to one of the weekly challenges on Daily Paint Works. I decided to make my version that magic hour of evening sunset lighting.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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 buy this painting
$49 + shipping

Lighthouse at Harry's Cove, landscape, seascape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-06-28T11:23:00.002-05:00

Daily Painting for June 27 - 6x8" - oil on archival panel
Click on the image to bid on this painting
Many years ago an artist uncle of mine gave me a miniature (about 3x4") painting that he'd done and I've treasured it ever since. We've lost touch in recent years, but I thought of him when I had no idea this morning what I would paint for my daily and decided to let him inspire me. This painting is quite different than his but it's a spin off from his lighthouse on the bluff scene. I wonder if he's still alive. I'll have to try to reconnect. Thanks for your help, Harry.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Solitude, landscape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-06-22T13:10:00.002-05:00

Click on the image to bid on this painting
Daily painting for June 22 - 6x8" - oil on archival panel
Inspired by a photo taken in the Grand Tetons National Park

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Madonna and Child, figures painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-06-21T01:00:00.031-05:00

Click on the image to bid on this painting
Daily painting for June 20 - 6x8 - oil on archival panelThis was almost a daily painting. I was interrupted by a visitor so had to stop before it was finished and so it spilled over into the next day. The main reason I painted this work is because it's definitely outside my comfort zone. Faces! Skin tones! Whew! But if we don't do that when we can, we never grow as artists.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Sycamore Ranch, Sunset - landscape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-06-20T06:53:00.005-05:00

6x8 - oil on archival panelAs I've said before, painting small works on a daily basis gives me more opportunities to experiment and here are three that are all part of one experiment. I wanted to see how much interest I could bring to the same scene at three different times of day, so these three are part of a trilogy. This is the sunset version.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Sycamore Ranch, Midday - landscape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-06-20T06:50:00.005-05:00

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Sycamore Ranch, Sunrise - landscape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-06-20T06:45:00.008-05:00

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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 buy this painting

The Dorchester Series

2011-06-12T16:02:00.000-05:00

After posting "The Turnip Harvesters", (below at 6-7-11) the first in this series, I've had some inquiries about what can be expected for the rest of them. Here's some little screen captures to give everyone an idea of what's coming. Just to sort of whet your appetites.

Click the image for a larger view.
Imagine the countryside around Dorchester, England during what came to be known as “The Long Depression” of the late 1800's. This series of nine paintings are inspired by a movie set in that time and place. The scenery in the movie was quite eye catching and I found many scenes that I would want to paint. As in the first one I'll be making changes from the movie view to improve the composition, strengthen the focal points and make them uniquely "mine".
After a couple of years of painting landscapes, I’m coming to realize that they will more easily tell a story, which is important to me, if the landscapes have some figures in them, doing something …
(Duh! It took me awhile to figure that out. I was behind the door when they passed out the Brilliant Pills. )
... everyday life kind of things most likely, but something. Maybe with a bit of historical significance. That could make them even more interesting.
All this, and of course trying to keep up with my daily paintings at the same time. So cut me some slack if I fall down ... I'm going to be a busy fellow for awhile!

Study for Country Lane, impressionistic landscape by Kirk Witmer

2011-06-08T11:23:00.001-05:00

Daily Painting for June 6 - 6x8" - Oil on archival panel
This is a quick study (quick? almost two bloody hours!!) in preparation for what I've decided to call my "Dorchester Series" of landscapes. It seems very impressionistic to me, which is why I can't ever consider it a "finished" painting. That's just not my style. But the effort here was to determine what impact primarily values, and to some extent color, have on a composition. From this study I can now tell that when I begin the larger work, I will have to pay particular attention to the interplay of light and dark to maintain the best composition. And from this I know that I will have to increase the contrasts between light and dark to maximize the drama and help tell the story of "tha laidy totin' 'er baigs douwn thet coontry laine".

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

The Turnip Harvesters, landscape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-06-07T13:39:00.001-05:00

You may recall my Study for a Future Landscape, posted back in April. Well this is it.
Imagine Dorchester, England during The Long Depression of the late 1800's. This is the first in a series of paintings, all of which are inspired by a movie set in that time and place. I've made some changes from what I saw in the movie to improve the composition and enhance the mood.

18x24" - Oil on canvas
And here's the screen capture upon which The Turnip Harvesters is based.

I'll be posting more info on the series soon. Stay tuned.
Hopefully what I've done here is a little more interesting visually than what you would see when watching the movie. What do you think?

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Salt Water on the Rocks, seascape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-06-03T07:41:00.003-05:00

Daily Painting for June 2 - 6x8" - oil on archival panel
This is another painting that was done from a very small (about 1-1/2 x 2-1/2") photo, as were the ones for June 1 and May 18, so much of this was "ad-libbed". It was also more practice at painting rocks. I think I'm getting closer to believable rocks. What do you think?

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Sunset in Catskill Valley, landscape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-06-02T08:39:00.008-05:00

Click on the image to bid
Daily painting for June 1 - 6x8 " - oil on archival panel
I need to keep reading the book I bought recently about the Hudson River School artists, because maybe once I get through it the urge to paint so many landscapes may subside and I can go on to paint some other things. But on the other hand, painting landscapes is not such a bad thing, is it?

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Determination, landscape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-06-01T09:31:00.000-05:00

Daily Painting for May 20 - 6x8" - oil on archival panel
Just like my daily painting for May 12, this was another effort at painting believeable rocks. Better? Maybe. They somehow still seem to elude me. But I'm not giving up. I must have rocks in my head? :)

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

"Blonde to Enterprise .." Challenge painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-06-01T07:16:00.003-05:00

Daily painting for May 31 - 6 x 8" - oil on archival panel - US$ 70
This daily painting was done in response to a Challenge from Daily Paintworks. The challenge was "to paint your interpretation of this photograph. You can change colors, crop, edit, or do what pleases you as long as you stay within the boundaries of this photo". I'm not usually one to jump in on these challenges but this one brought to my mind an idea that 96 other artists hadn't thought of. So maybe that will make mine a little more unusual.
Here's the original image.

If you're interested in purchasing my painting please use the email link below to let me know.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Lone Pine, Canadian landscape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-05-28T14:06:00.002-05:00

Daily painting for May 19 - 6x8" - oil on archival panel

From somewhere in the wilds of Canada.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Buffalo Sunset, minimalist painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-05-28T14:02:00.002-05:00

Daily painting for May 18 - 6x8 - oil on archival panel

Mr. Buffalo warms himself in the last rays of sunset before the chill of nightfall sets in.
I wonder where the rest of the herd is?
This is a departure for me from my usual style. Some may like it, we can hope. I have mixed feelings about it, but if we don't experiment we get stale, don't we?

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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
Bidding starts at $35

View from Middle Earth, landscape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-05-28T13:32:00.002-05:00

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?

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Fall in Colorado, landscape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-05-28T13:25:00.000-05:00

Daily painting for May 11th - 6x8" - Oil on archival panel

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

My Modeling Career ... Ha!

2011-05-26T10:59:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted in awhile, but I have been painting, and I'll get caught up on the posting soon. (Blogger was really squirrely for a few days last week, so I gave up wasting time on that.)

But in the interim I was called on for Monday and Tuesday of this week to model for a painter's workshop. Qiang Huang (pronounced Chong Wong) put together a workshop with his friend Zhaoming Wu as the instructor. Modelling was a new experience for me since I'd never done that before. But I do have an amusing story to share with all of you.
On the first day I met Qiang for the first time and he then introduced me to Mr Wu and of course we shook hands. But as he released his grip I held on to his hand and asked "Is this the hand you paint with?"
"Yes" he replied.
I then clasped his hand with both of mine and said "Let me see if I can get some of your magic."
We both had a chuckle over that and then as I released his hand Qiang said to him "Kirk is an artist too."
Then Mr Wu said "Well in that case...." as he extended his hand for me to shake again. And we had another hearty handshake and a laugh over that.
I didn't have the heart to tell him I'm left handed.

You can learn more about these artists at their websites.
Qiang Huang and Zhaoming Wu

But Qiang told me that I was an excellent model and would call me for future workshops that he is already planning. If you're in Texas, you may want to check in on his website to see what's planned.

Far from the Madding Crowd, landscape painting, Kirk Witmer

2011-05-10T15:31:00.002-05:00

Daily Painting for May 10th - 6x8" - oil on archival panel
A view from the outskirts of town.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Size is a Relative Thing, seascape painting, Kirk Witmer

2011-05-10T15:20:00.003-05:00

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

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Dawn at Misery Bay

2011-05-06T10:48:00.002-05:00

Daily painting for May 6th - 6x8" - Oil on archival panel
Five days in a row! These daily paintings are going faster. With the landscapes I find that I'm drawing less before I start painting. The only drawing on this one was the horizon line. Once that was decided, the rest was just massing in the colors which served quite well as a substitute for drawing in all the shapes.
So maybe I'm turning into a daily painter in the sense of completing one in a day. Or at least I'm a "5 a week" painter, because I purposely try not to paint on the weekends. So y'all have a good weekend. I know I will! :)

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Untitled Body of Water

2011-05-06T05:07:00.001-05:00

Daily painting for May 5th - 6x8" - Oil on archival panel
This piece sprung from a tiny photo about one by one and a half inches, but I liked the composition. And it was sort of colorful. Many of my recent pieces have had a bleak mood to them, which is fine for awhile, but it can get monotonous.

This has been a good week for me. So far it's four days for four paintings. The biggest hurdle has been coming up with a title for this one. But then maybe titles aren't really all that important. I don't even know if this is a river or a lake. Hope you enjoy it though, even though we don't have a name for it. Maybe you'd like to suggest one. Let me know in the comments below if you have "a flash of brilliance". :)

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Sandhill Cranes

2011-05-04T12:21:00.004-05:00

Daily painting for May 4th - 6x8" - Oil on archival panel

I actually had fun with this one because only the birds had to be "perfect". So I could paint the sky with "careless abandon". Every once in awhile a subject comes along that allows that. (It was great! :)

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Study of Durand

2011-05-03T15:46:00.003-05:00

Daily painting for May 3rd - 6x8" - Oil on archival panel

Asher Durand was probably the second most notable of the artists of the Hudson River School, after Thomas Cole. This is a study I've done of his painting "In the Catskills". No, I wasn't trying to make a copy of it, but rather just trying to achieve the same values and palette. Durand's piece is about 52x60", and to attempt a copy when you're working on about 1/8th of the size would be a fool's errand.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Lakeside Sunrise by Kirk Witmer

2011-05-02T14:25:00.001-05:00

Daily painting for May 2nd - 6x8" - Oil on archival panel

Inspiration ripped from a magazine and made it my own. Have quite a few of these small landscapes planned, after having seen a traveling exhibit of the Hudson River School artists.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

When We Grow Up ... ?

2011-04-29T16:10:00.003-05:00

Daily painting for April 29 - 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?

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Deep Forest

2011-04-29T15:51:00.000-05:00

"Deep Forest"
6x8" 0 Oil on archival panel

A recent museum trip to see an exhibit of the Hudson River School of artists inspired this piece. My version may not quite compare to those of the masters, but .... practice, practice practice!

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Study for future landscape

2011-04-27T08:40:00.000-05:00

This is a study for an upcoming landscape.

6x8" oil on archival panel

I'm planning a landscape that will be 18x24" and these two ladies will be the focal point of that work. I intend for the landscape to be the first in a series of works that have been inspired by the 1979 movie "Tess", which had some really compelling scenery in it.

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.

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.

What Lies Ahead?

2011-04-25T21:12:00.002-05:00

6x8" - Oil on Archival canvas panel

This was done from a black and white photo, so those were the only two colors I used, black and white. I believe the photo was taken back during the Great Depression of the 1930's. I'd guess the man here would probably be thinking about how he's going to find some work. Maybe this image isn't as untimely as we might think.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

A Promise of Spring

2011-04-08T07:08:00.002-05:00

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. :))

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

After the Storm

2011-04-07T16:32:00.001-05:00

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

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

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Lone Tree Pasture

2011-04-07T15:08:00.000-05:00

6" x 8" - Oil on canvas panel

My daily effort for Monday, April 4th. I looked at one of my old photos and then went to the studio and painted it from memory.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Johnson City 3 by Kirk Witmer

2011-03-31T10:08:00.001-05:00

Oil on archival canvas panel - 6x8"

The pathways in the Johnson City settlement just seem to wind on and on. October was a good time of year for a nice long walk. I thought this painting has pretty good "aerial perspective" and really shows the distance and the length of this path. (Location: 30.2745,-98.414795)

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Johnson City 2 by Kirk Witmer

2011-03-30T07:11:00.000-05:00

Oil on canvas panel - 6 x 8"

Second in my Johnson City settlement series. Just on the other side of the fence from the first one, below. (Location: 30.274468,-98.415796)

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Johnson City 1 by Kirk Witmer

2011-03-29T09:32:00.002-05:00

Oil on Canvas panel, 6x8"

A visit last fall to Johnson City Texas, birthplace of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, included a stop at the site of the original settlement of the city. This is the first in a series of works done from this site. Location: Latitude 30.274433, Longitude -98.415884

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

"The Mistress" by Kirk Witmer

2011-03-19T08:51:00.003-05:00

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!

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Bee Industrious

2011-02-14T15:41:00.002-06:00

Bee Industrious
Oil on Masonite - 8"x10" (20x25cm)
I got really lucky one day last summer as I was practicing with my telephoto lens. All set up on the tripod and just as I was about to push the shutter button a bee flew by yelling "HEY!!! I wanna be in the picture too!" and jumped onto this Mexican sunflower. What more could a guy ask for!
I had fun with the background on this as I tried to capture the blurring you get with a shallow depth of field from using a longer lens.
I like for my paintings to tell a story so I normally don't paint flowers because I can never figure out what story they might bring to mind. But this was on my inspiration board and I thought I'd move it up to a priority to get it in for this months "Flowers" challenge on "Some Texas Artists Like to Paint". Hope the ladies over there like this flower I painted for them! :)

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Vanitas 2011

2011-02-12T04:44:00.001-06:00

It's finished. Twelve days. I've lost track of the hours. For those who'd like to see the progression pics, just scroll down. At 24x36 this is probably the largest painting I've ever done. I have mixed feelings about working this large. It sure helps in getting all the details just right, but I've spent so much time on it I'm really tired of looking at it by now.

Still struggling with a title. What do you think of "In Vino Vanitas"? Any other ideas?

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Vanitas in Progress - Days 11

2011-02-11T14:42:00.000-06:00

Finished off all the dead grasses, reflected the skull into the silver pitcher, then the lettering on the book spine and did the moldy bread on the plate. Funny thing about that bread; it would not mold!!! It got dry and hard, but it wouldn't mold. I had to eventually paint the mold on the bread in my setup!

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Vanitas In Progress - Days 9 & 10

2011-02-09T09:40:00.004-06:00

Catching up on my postings a bit today.

Day 9
A stack of books, the broken pieces of wine glass and the pocket watch. I'll still have the gold leaf lettering to do on the spine of the bottom book before that'll be finished. Parts of each letter are lit and the other parts are in shadow. It'll be tricky, but I have Confidence on my side. (LOL) :)

Began thinking about possible titles as I was painting on this day. My thoughts got so very philosophical thinking about the symbolism in vanitas paintings and how they are meant to point to the futility of life. Kinda depressing, huh? Hope I can think of a title that's at least a little uplifting.

Day 10
I had fun doing the pewter plate, but oh boy did the fancy embossed design on the pitcher give me trouble! It seemed to come down to black reflections, shiny highlights and one or two other values found somewhere between those two.

You can't really see it in the painting from this point of view, but when I look at my setup from above, the side of the skull casts a shadow across part of the pocketwatch. So for a title...?
"Death O'ershadows E'en Time"?
What do you think? Guess I was in a sort of "shakespearean" mood that day [LOL] so, ... maybe not a good choice.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art
Website | Blog

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Don't forget to subscribe your email address at the top of the right hand column if you'd like to be notified of new posts here or advance notice of my works coming up at auction.

Vanitas in Progress - Days 7 & 8

2011-02-04T10:23:00.000-06:00

Day 7
Creating the lace pattern wasn't difficult. In fact it was pretty mindless. It gave me all day to think about other things. Some of the things were about my art and what will be upcoming. The other things were probably things I shouldn't have been thinking about. They were more stressful than creating the lace.

Day 8 was a short day. Well actually it was the same length as they all are, but I had other things that called me away, so I didn't get much done. The base of the broken wine glass and a start on the stack of books. As I was creating the set up for this still life, finding the bottom book was a happy accident. I looked on a bookshelf for a book that would be just the right thickness to elevate the skull to the point where I could get it reflected in the pitcher twice. When I took the multi-colored garish looking dust jacket off of it I was pleasantly surprised to find it was black! "Great!" I thought. "That'll fit right in." And then I noticed the title! "The Immortals". "How ironically perfect!" I thought. Sometimes we just get lucky. Other times, lucky gets us. ;)

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.

V-I-P (Vanitas in Progress) Day 6

2011-01-26T15:36:00.000-06:00

It's progressing nicely, but slowly. I've taken WIP pics every day, but I didn't want to bore you all with them. (I know. "Don't tell me about the labor pains, just give me a healthy baby.") but this is showing some significant progress so I thought it worthwhile to post.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

V-I-P (Vanitas in Progress)

2011-01-19T06:15:00.000-06:00

VIP, in this case stands for
"Vanitas in Progress".
I've been wanting to do a vanitas painting for quite awhile. If you're not familiar with that term click here for more information from Wikipedia.
At 24x36, I think this is the largest painting I've ever done. So... "daily painting"??? Ha! You've got to be kidding.
So here's the first three days work.
First day was spent drawing and transferring. I didn't bother to put up a separate pic for that because there's still enough of it left visible for you to get the idea.
Second day was on the tablecloth. That was painted first so it would be dry when I'm ready to put in the lace pattern.
Third day I worked on the background. Black satin with a pattern in it. Can you say tedious"? Why do I do these things to my self? Oh yeah, that's right, it's all about the challenge. ... Stay tuned.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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.

Pamela's Shed Door

2011-01-16T04:55:00.004-06:00

6" x 8"
Oil on gesso/marble dust

A friend has this really interesting door on a stone shed behind her home. I just love her security system. Ain't nobody gettin' in there as long as that rock is where it is! :)

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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

Hay 4 Sale

2011-01-13T07:43:00.003-06:00

6" x 8 - Oil on canvas panel

This is another from my "Hwy 95" series done from a photo taken on "The Great Sausage Expedition". The photo was taken at Latitude 30.371885/Longitude-97.371178 which puts it not far south of Taylor, TX. I've been interested more and more in things that repeat themselves in an image and when I saw this row of haybales I thought "Yep, that'll do just fine."

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

And while you're here, don't forget to become a subscriber by submitting your email in the gadget at the upper right and then you'll get advance notice of upcoming works before they're even listed on at auction.
Click here to bid on this painting

Dying Oak

2011-01-11T11:11:00.002-06:00

Dying Oak
6"x8"
Oil on canvas panel

This was painted from a photo I took back in October when a buddy and I went on a "Sausage Expedition" to buy the necessities for his retirement celebration. It's a view from Hwy 95, not far north of Elgin, and south of
Taylor, Texas. We bought sausage in both towns and they were distinctly different. The jury's still out on which one's better. ;)
This piece is now among my offerings on my DPW store. Click below to bid.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Click here to bid on this painting

Restive Lake, landscape painting by Kirk Witmer

2011-01-06T06:13:00.004-06:00

Oil on canvas panel
6" x 8"

This work is among my first offerings at my DPW online store currently at auction.
And while you're here, don't forget to become a subscriber by submitting your email in the gadget at the upper right and then you'll get advance notice of upcoming works before they're even listed on eBay.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Click here to buy this painting ($39+shipping)

Blue Door

2010-12-09T10:08:00.000-06:00

5" x 7" - Oil on masonite

This one's kinda "painterly", don't ya think?

With the weather turning colder here in Texas I thought it might help me feel warmer if I painted something with a feel of the sun in it. Good thought, but it ain't workin'.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Teton Sentinels by Kirk Witmer

2010-12-06T09:32:00.001-06:00

Oil on Masonite - 12" x 16"

Done from a photo that was leant to me. Someday I hope I can make my way to locations like this so I can take my own photos!

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Sunrise on Marina Beach, Chennai India

2010-12-01T11:06:00.001-06:00

Oil on stretched canvas - 24x30" (approx. 61 x 76 cm)

This is the final version of the painting done from Vivek Reddy Pottu's photograph. Considerng the number of people that live in India, I would guess that it's very rare to find a stretch of beach that has this few people on it at one time.

I took some freedoms with the sky, particularly the clouds down on the horizon to make it a little more interesting. I'm really liking the movement in the water. And for me this beach just cried out to have something scratched in the sand, so I broke my tradition of always signing in the lower right and "carved it into the sand" at left.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

Marina Beach - WIP (continued)

2010-11-28T02:34:00.000-06:00

I probably ate way too much turkey on Thursday because it apparently gave me a case of "paintus interruptus". Anyway, here's the next days work, which believe it or not is the first time (that I can remember) ever painting an ocean. I had fun with it.

I should be able to finish this piece in another day. Considering the size, it's going faster than I expected.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist

The Plein Air Painter's Song

2010-11-24T08:08:00.004-06:00

This is for all those artists who like the feel of the sun on their face and the wind in their hair while they're painting......(which sure ain't my idea of a good time!)

(To the tune of “Teddy Bears Picnic”. If you don't know the tune, visit Teddy Bears Picnic on Youtube

The Plein Air Painter's Song
If you go out in the woods today, you'd better not go alone.
Mosquitos and snakes in the woods today, it’s safer to stay at home.
Beneath the trees, where nobody sees
They’ll mix their paints there just as they please.
Today's the day the artists will have their paint-out.

[CHORUS]
Paint out time for all of them,
The plein air painters are having a lovely time today.
Watch them catch their canvasses
Before the wind has a chance to blow them all away.
See them wave their brushes about.
They love to mix their paints and never have any cares.
At six o'clock they’ll pack up their gear and head on home to bed
Because they're tired little artists now.

If you go out in the woods today you're sure to have lots of fun.
If you go out in the woods today you'd better watch out for the sun.
The smartest painter that ever there was
Will wear a hat for certain, because
Today's the day the artists will have their paint-out.

[CHORUS]

Every painter that's any good is sure of a sale today.
There's lots of wealthy buyers about, just name your price and they’ll pay.
Beneath the trees, where nobody sees
We’ll mix our paints there just as we please.
Today's the day the artists will have their paint-out.

[CHORUS]

Absolutely horrendous lyrics unabashedly rewritten by Kirk Witmer, http://www.kirkwitmer.com

Marina Beach - WIP

2010-11-22T17:03:00.010-06:00

24" x 30" Oil on canvas

You may remember seeing the the 8x10 study that I did last week for this piece. So here's the first day's progress on the larger version. This underpainting should provide a good base on which to do the glazing that will provide the glow found in Vivek's photo of an early moring sky. Spent somewhere between five and six hours on it today. I'm tired and "my dogs are barkin". Tomorrow's another day.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist

Study for Marina Beach, India

2010-11-19T12:07:00.002-06:00

8" x 10" - oil on masonite

I found this image on the internet and when I contacted the owner I was given permission to paint it. (Thanks Vivek!) This little 8x10 is just a quick study in preparation for a larger work. I'm currently thinking about 24 x 30.

I did almost all of this piece in one sitting, but needed a break and had to come back later for about twenty minutes to put the figures in.

But ooohh the hazards of trying to color match from a computer screen!!! It's only when I put the original photo next to this photo of my work that I realize just how far off are the colors in my sky compared to the original.
Note to self: "Find a better way to color match before you start the larger image."

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist

Still Life in a Bunkhouse

2010-11-17T08:53:00.002-06:00

18" x24" Oil on Masonite

In the 1800's, a cowboy's bunk was his private corner of the world.

The fellow who slept here was the prosperous owner of a rifle, a shotgun,and a brand new hat.

This was a "do over" of a painting I'd done about a year before this one. The original was done from a black and white photo. Here I've changed the lighting a great deal from the original, and was surprised how much it actually improved the composition, even though placement of the contents was changed very little. Go figure.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist

Taos Pueblo, 1929

2010-11-16T10:43:00.001-06:00

16" x 20" - Oil on canvas

16" x 20" - Giclee on canvas available

This was inspired by an Ansel Adams photograph, so of course I had to make up all the colors from out of my head. When I had the original digitzed for reprinting I was told "yellows are the hardest colors to get right in printing", but I'd say the reprints are right on the money.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist

The Fiddler's Boots

2010-11-14T12:18:00.002-06:00

The Fiddler's Boots

oil on canvas

24" x 30"

It's the morning after the square dance and as the sun slips in through the bunkhouse window, we can see that the fiddler must have gotten a bit tipsy on his way home and just pulled off his boots, piled everything on the floor and poured himself into his bunk.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Send the artist an email

Scotch

2010-11-12T07:08:00.001-06:00

12" x 12"

Oil on Canvas

This was done from a magazine add for Cutty Sark that I'd ripped out many (I wanna say about 20!) years ago, knowing that someday I'd want to paint it. I had one too many people tell me that "You should paint what you love!" So finally, I did.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist

"The Foundling" by Kirk Witmer

2010-11-11T12:07:00.003-06:00

16" x 20"

Oil on art panel

This was one of my first serious attempts at painting back in 2008. I thought if I kept it kind of monochromatic and just concentrated on shapes and values it would be a good way to practice those without having to worry too much about color. The only thing in here that isn't black or white or shades of gray is the lariat hanging from the saddle. I've often thought I'd like to paint this again, but making the horse a pinto with black and white breaking up the shape of the horse. Wouldn't that confuse your eye!?!?!?!?

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist

A Live Oak

2010-11-10T15:34:00.000-06:00

"A Live Oak" by Kirk Witmer

11" x 14"

Oil on Masonite

This painting was done from a photo I took at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in central Texas.

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist

Daybreak in the Hayfield

2010-11-09T07:10:00.000-06:00

5x7" - oil on masonite

This is another of my miniatures. I was going for the look of early morning on an overcast dreary day, while trying to capture aerial perspective at the same time.
Let me know if you think I got it all. :)

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist

Burger by Kirk Witmer

2010-11-08T13:29:00.000-06:00

12" x 12"

Oil on masonite

I did this one from a photo in a grocery store magazine.

Some folks have even told me this painting makes them hungry.

I can't imagine why.... :)

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist

"Done for Tonight"

2010-11-06T11:27:00.001-05:00

16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas

"... too tired to continue, the puzzle solver heads off to bed.
In the next instant, this room will be dark..."

Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist

In the Tetons

2010-11-05T07:26:00.000-05:00

"In the Tetons"

5" x 7"

Oil on gessoed Masonite

Inspired by an Albert Bierstadt work.

I've done quite a number of these little 5x7's, and my rule is "Once you start, don't stop 'til it's done."

There'll be more of these later.

Currently on my easel is an 11x14 study of this piece, in preparation for another much larger version. So stay tuned.

But it won't be on the grand scale for which Bierstadt was known!

Newest Landscape: "There's the camp!"

2010-09-29T14:40:00.002-05:00

Two riders coming down through a mountain pass find their compadres camped in a valley just as the sun sets in the distance.
I decided after considering the two options (see August) that the sunset image told a better story than having painted this in full daylight.

more decisions... as different as Night or Day?

2010-08-06T11:15:00.001-05:00

So here are two 6x12" quick (unfinished) studies. Can't decide which one should make it to the canvas.
The sunset scene I think should have a campfire in the distance.

In this daylight scene, that's a stormcloud opening up on the horizon.

I'll probably take a few days to decide, so y'all are welcome to chime in with your thoughts until I do.

decisions, decisions.....

2010-08-06T10:57:00.002-05:00

I've had an odd shaped piece of canvas left from a larger roll hanging around for years. I could have cut it up into smaller ones but the best use of it would be for a 16"x32". Odd size, I know, which would require a custom frame, and at prices for custom framing I'll be making my own for this one.
Did some preliminary pencil sketches at 6x12", just to work out the composition.....
This is an expanded (widthwise) version that I did in miniature last year, and I'd always liked the colors I'd used, so I thought it might be a good subject for a larger version.

But I was inspired by a picture I saw on the internet and when I asked permission to use it as a source it was granted, so I think I like this better.

Oddly enough, with all the changes I'll be making, little of the original photo will be recognizable.
Next step is deciding on colors.

And so ... it begins.

2010-08-05T15:16:00.008-05:00

I've recently been juried into a group called "Artists of Texas" (Thank you AOT, I'm honored) and they tell me I need to have a blog. Yeah, I've known for some time that I need to have a blog, so maybe this acceptance into AOT will light a blogging fire under my ... uh ... somewhere. Now I just have to think of something clever to say. Well, tomorrow's another day.......
"neither Rome, nor a blog, were built in one day"