First Friday Art Walk in Wellington, KS - May 6th

I am the featured artist at Barbara Jon's for this month's First Friday Art Walk. Stop by and say hello, buy a painting or two and do some Mother's Day shopping in downtown Wellington, 

Bosc Pears and Pitcher - 11x14 in Oil

"Bosc Pears and Pitcher" 11 x 16 inch Oil $400

Here is one of my most recent still life paintings. I enjoy painting still life very much. I will spend a considerable amount of time (probably too much) trying to find a composition that I like. This is the first time I've ever painted bosc pears; it was great fun working with these flesh tones on something other than a person. 

Beautiful Day at Bartlett Arboretum and Art at the Arb

SOLD! "Red Barn and Silo" Oil/Panel

It was an absolutely beautiful day at the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine, KS today. A little breezy at times and a little cool at times but that's okay.

The tulips up by the house were picture perfect; the whole arboretum was in good shape. The music was great, everything from Irish to bluegrass to jazz and big band. There was also a good crowd of visitors and I would expect the same for tomorrow's event.

I sold a little painting this morning and, based on past years, suspect I'll sell a couple of more tomorrow.

Come out and see me, I'm set up just south of the stage. The gates open at noon. See you there.

This Weekend I'll be at Art at the Arb

                                                                                                                                     photo by Skeet Sirmons

If you want to experience live music and art in a beautiful setting then you need to be at the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine, KS this weekend for Art at the Arb. I enjoyed being a part of this event for the few years and I love every minute (except for the one wasp sting two years ago). Come and see me, buy a piece of art to add to your collection. I'll be around the stage area somewhere. 

Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy an afternoon of music as well. See you there! 

Study of John Singer Sargent's Portrait of Henry James

I haven't done a portrait for quite a while and so I decided to do a head study of one of my favorite John Singer Sargent portraits. There is a lot lacking in this little two hour 10 x 8 inch painting but overall I'm happy with what I gained from it. Enjoy. 

SOLD! Two Paintings: "Harmony" and "Classics"

"Classics" 8x10in Oil/Linen Panel 

"Harmony" 10x8in Oil/Linen Panel

I just received notice from the Online Gallery I am a member of Zatista.com that I sold two painting. These two paintings were purchased by an interior designer in New York who has purchased my work in the past. 

I'll miss these two paintings especially "Harmony", it's one of my favorites. 

Check out Zatista.com if you're interested in purchasing art online or you are an artist wanting to sell you work online. 

Blueberries and Spoon - 10x8in Oil/Panel

Blueberries and Spoon 10x8in Oil/Panel $260

It's been a while since I posted anything on my blog. It's not because I haven't had things going on, I definitely have been painting. 

This year my goal was to paint at least 52 paintings which is only one painting a week. That goal didn't seem too out of reach except that I'm several paintings behind already this year. I promise I will get caught up and get them posted on this blog. 

This is a painting that was inspired by Pinterest post I found. I don't find anything wrong with being inspired by other artist's or photographer's work, it happens all the time actually with most artists I would say. I of course don't believe in copying someone else's work and claiming it as my own. In any case I was please how this turned out.  

Great Fountain Pen for less than $25

If you want a great entry level fountain pen or just an all around good writer then order the Jinhao x450 and put a Goulet Pen Co. No. 6 nib (I prefer the extra fine) on it. This pen is going to remain in my everyday carry for a long time. 

The Jinhao pen I ordered on eBay for less than $5 (including shipping. Don't know how they can do that) It took a while for it to get here because it came from China. I then purchased a Goulet extra fine nib #6 from www.gouletpens.com for $15 plus shipping. What a bargain for a fantastic writer. 

Goulet Pen Company is one of my new favorite fountain pen and ink sites. Go check them out. 

  

Michael Shane Neal and Me

Skeet Sirmons with Michael Shane Neal in Shane's Studio

I had the great privilege and honor to spend Labor Day weekend in Nashville with Michael Shane Neal. I must tell you he is a true gentleman, honorable in every sense of the word and it was an incredible pleasure for me to spend time with him in his studio.

I, along with a dozen other artists, spent time learning about the business of art. There were so many takeaways from the weekend that had to prioritize them all once I made it home and reflected on the weekend. 

I may not have the honor of painting celebrities, congressman, judges or other dignitaries, as Shane has, but I do feel a little more prepared to do the painting I am called and blessed to do.

Thank you Shane for sharing your time and passing on your knowledge. it was a true blessing.    

Portrait of Past Master Robert Green

Robert Green 24"x18" Oil/Canvas

I had the honor and privilege to paint a portrait of a good friend of mine's father Mr. Robert Green. This is a Past Master Masonic portrait of Mr. Green as you can see by the emblem on his tie and the Past Master pin on his lapel. I painted this over a year ago and it was unveiled this past Sunday at a family reunion in Kiowa, KS. It's not entirely an original work of art because the resource material was a photograph taken by Mr. Green's daughter-in-law, Jaime Green. Jaime is a very gifted photo journalist with the Wichita Eagle. 

I was very please with the way it turned out and the family was please with the results as well. 

"The Best Holiday Ever!" Miniature Art Show

A Ball of Thread 6x6 Oil/Panel

Cheers! 6x6 Oil/Panel

 The above two paintings are going to be included in "The Best Holiday Ever!" Miniature Art Show at SouthWind Gallery in Topeka, KS. The show opens on November 7th and goes through December 31st. If you are in the Topeka area stop in and say hello to Gary Blitsch and the rest of the fine folks at the gallery.

InkTober 2nd 2014 - Happy Birthday Groucho!

Today is Groucho Marx's birthday! I thought I would dedicate my Inktober 2nd drawing to the iconic glasses with the bushy eyebrows, nose and mustache we all have worn at one time or another.

Drawn with Pigma Micron pen and Sharpie.    

InkTober 1st, 2014 - "Valves" from my sketchbook

I decided to try and participate in the InTober Project 2014 started by Jake Parker. This is the first drawing submitted to the InkTober Project 2014. I think this is a great idea to get yourself drawing daily and working in one of my favorite mediums–ink!

This drawing was done in The Art of Watercolor Sketchbook using a Pigma Micron 01 pen, size 3.5x5.5 inch. The InkTober Project 2014 tag was added in Photoshop. 

DEMO - "Ball of Thread" - Part 2

To start with I cut this 6x6 inch panel out of a larger 1/8" MDF panel I had and then gave it several coats of gesso with a touch of sanding in between each coat. I used a spray gesso which worked great, it went on smoothly and evenly. I prefer painting on a smooth surface rather than a surface with brushstrokes or even canvas texture.  

I then toned the panel with burnt umber using thinned down oil paint with Gamblin OMS and I let that dry for several days. I prefer painting on a toned surface just to kill the white and unify the painting a bit.

I worked out the size and placement of the arrangement with vine charcoal and brushed away everything except the lightest of lines; some of the charcoal lines disappeared altogether. 

DEMO - "Ball of Thead" - Part 1

I spent about an hour or so working out this little still-life composition this evening. It is the subject of a small 6x6 inch painting that is going to be exhibited at SouthWind Gallery in Topeka, KS as part of their Holiday Mini-Show. A Ball of Thread is a little bit of a play on words, it's really a Ball jar containing thread...hopefully people will get it. 

I paint most all of my still-life paintings from life and I think it has made a difference in the quality of my work. In this setup the light is from above. I'm hoping I can capture the quality of the light on the various colors of thread in the jar and create a nice atmosphere around the setup all in a mini painting.

SOLD! "Copper Pot with Lemons"

"Copper Pot with Lemons" Oil/Linen Panel 8x10 Inch

This little painting was featured this week on the home decor' website www.onekingslane.com and it sold. I packed and shipped it off to it's new owner in Atlanta, GA. This was my first time painting lemons and copper. It was a fun learning experience. 

114 S Jefferson Wellington KS (AKA The Pink House)

Sketchbook - 114 S Jefferson, Wellington, KS 

This is a very unique home in downtown Wellington just past the First United Methodist Church. It is a landmark of sorts and is commonly know in the area as the Pink House. It has not been a residence for many years but the home is being cared for. I had an opportunity to take a tour of the home several years ago before work was done to preserve it. This is a quick sketch I did in my sketchbook on Sunday afternoon and then added some color using Photoshop.  

Bolillio y Agua (Bread and Water)

Bolillio y Agua 8x10in Oil/Canvas $240

Bolillio is a Mexican bread readily available in the stores here in Kansas. I don't recall seeing until just recently though. I painted this on stretched canvas, which I usually don't paint on any more but I had it so I thought I would use it. This painting is available either through my website www.skeetsirmons.com or www.zatista.com.

   

KAOP Exhibit at Wichita's City Arts

The Kansas Academy of Oil Painters is exhibiting at City Arts on Mead Street in Old Town across from the Warren Theater. Tonight is Final Friday in Wichita and the artist's reception is from 6-8pm. Come see us. 

Cartoon and Caricature Blog

I have started a new website www.ObviToons.com it's actually a blog. Anyway the purpose of the site is to have fun posting cartoons and caricatures that I do on occasions, usually several times per week. Go over and check it out. Let me know what you think.