Listen to the Angels Sing

In today's post, I'm including a video of Libera's "Deep Peace"

Merry Christmas and a "Deep Peace" to all of you.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=k5HOBFpZRUE


Lyrics:

"Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you

Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you

Deep peace of Christ
Of Christ
The light of the world to you

Deep peace of Christ to you

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you

Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you

Deep peace of Christ
Of Christ
The light of the world to you

Deep peace of Christ to you"


Kim Werfel

I Double-Dog Dare Ya!

Anyone who has seen "The Christmas Story" knows about the Double-Dog Dare!  Well, being asked to do a double-dog portrait two weeks before Christmas felt like that.

Gremlin & Violet, pastel, 18x24"©Kim Werfel



This portrait really was delightful....these two border collie/Australian Shepherd mixes were adopted from an animal shelter...at different times, but look like they could have been from the same litter.  Their happy expressions tell us how loved and well-cared for they are.

I'll walk you through some of the steps I took creating them....first was the selection of a grey Wallis paper, 18x24".   Then I sketched in the large shapes and values with black pastel and an alcohol wash.

I started to experiment with color to liven up the black dogs....

 

 

 

 

Used a variety of warm colors that were in the leaves of the photograph for the background....

 

 

Finished with more attention to the back-lighting and details in the eyes, nose and expression.

They plan to frame them and have them on the wall Christmas morning!  So exciting to be part of a family's Christmas surprise present!

Hoping you all have a lovely, happy and memorable Christmas holiday and a Happy New Year!

Kim

Great, unique gifts for Christmas....and "Queen" wins Second Place!

The Chatham Arts Studio Tour is celebrating it's 20th year of providing fabulous, unique gifts for the holidays!   My "Keeping Warm" and "Squirrel" sold last weekend, but I still have some more smaller affordable original art pastels available for your art connoisseur!

"Egret", pastel, 5x7", museum glass, white wood frame, $95

 

 

"Ferdinand", pastel, 6x6", wide plein-aire Gold, Black or distressed wood frame, museum glass, $95

 

 

"Curious Kid", 6x6", pastel, warm wood frame, museum glass, $95

 

Giclee prints of my award-winning deer pastels as well as a large assortment of note cards can make one-of-a-kind gifts not found anywhere else.

 

Oh....almost forgot to share that my "Queen of Swords" came in 2nd Place at the Central Carolina Community College Show!!!  Very excited and happy about that!

 

So come visit me....#31, on the Chatham Artists Studio Tour this final weekend and make some fabulous purchase for someone special on your list.

 

Hope to see you this weekend....find me at #31...see the map here .

 

Happy Holiday Shopping!

 

Kim

 

 



 

 

 

 



Frank Reception Tonight!

The very first Chatham Artists Guild group show will have it's reception tonight, 6-8pm, at FRANK Gallery, 109 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC  27514.  (919)636-4135. 
Should be a Blast!  Come see my brand new piece "Autumn Goddess", pastel,  $600.

"Autumn Goddess", pastel, 18x14", $600, ©Kim Werfel 2012

 

 

 

Our usual Artist's reception will take place the very next night, Friday, November 30th, from 7-9pm at the Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) Gallery, Pittsboro Campus featuring Tour artists, art and gourmet hors d'oeuvres.   My "Queen of Swords" will be there...don't miss it!

 

 

 

"Queen of Swords", pastel, 24x18", $1600, ©KimWerfel 2012

 

 

 

To entice you to come to my Studio (#31) in Fearrington....I have a brand new piece "Keeping Warm" making it's debut.

 



"Keeping Warm", pastel, 11x14",  $250 ©Kim Werfel

 

 

Hope to see you at my receptions and at my home on the Studio Tour....I'll have hot apple cider waiting for you!

 

Kim

 

http://www.kimwerfel.com









Chatham Artists Guild Studio Tour

The first two weekends of December marks the 20th Anniversary of the Chatham Artist's Guilds Annual Studio Tour!  Be sure to visit me - #31 on the map (click here).

This year I'll be showing two new pieces...."Autumn Goddess" at the Central Carolina Community College - Pittsboro Campus, and "Queen of Swords" at Frank Gallery - 109 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC  27514.

"Autumn Goddess", 18x14", pastel, $600 ©Kim Werfel

Autumn Goddess is a pastel created from a photo taken from the NC Renaissance Festival in Huntersville, NC.  So many actors participating in the festival were dressed up in medieval costumes and let me take their photo.  This piece is professionally framed in a 2" distressed, stained wood frame with museum glass to let the pastel really shine through.

Please come to the CCCC Artist's Reception Friday, November 30th from 7-9pm to meet the tour artists and their art, feast on gourmet hors d'oevres and vote for my Autumn Goddess in the people's choice awards!

"Queen of Swords", pastel, 24"x18", $1500©Kim Werfel

Queen of Swords will be on exhibit at Chapel Hill's Frank Gallery. (Click here for their website.)

I'd love for you to come to our Artist's Reception Thursday evening, November 29th, from 6-8pm!

She's professionally framed with a 3" distressed, stained natural wood frame and museum glass - perfect!

A busy week of art shows....followed by the tour all weekend (Dec. 3 & 4) from 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday! Whew, I'll need lots of sleep to catch up and do it again the next weekend (Dec. 8th & 9th)

I'd love to see you at the receptions and on the tour.  A lovely way to spend time this holiday season :)

Kim

website

"Queen of Swords"

Wanting to paint something different....my friend posed for me with her fencing equipment this Summer.  So many good photos....I particularly liked her expression in this one..



"Queen of Swords", pastel, 24"x18"©Kim Werfel



She reminded me of the Tarot Card...the "Queen of Swords".  Her confident gaze seems to make one wonder what she's thinking.  I think this has a rather otherworldly look...almost like a female superhero of sorts.

Part of the Tarot interpretation "a woman who is intensely perceptive, quick and confident in all she does....a woman of strong character..."

This was fun to paint and has encouraged me to do more portraits that have strong personality!

I plan to have this painting in the exhibition at Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro for the 20th Chatham County Studio Tour this December 1 &2, 8 & 9.   The reception for the show will be on November 30th from 7-9pm.  The artwork will be on display there Dec 1st & 2nd and will be in my home for the 2nd weekend of the tour (Dec. 8th & 9th).

I'd love for you to come to the reception and the tour!   For your map and info click HERE

You'll have a great time, so mark your calendars!

best to you all,

Kim Werfel

www.kimwerfel.com



Invited to Demo at Art of the Carolinas!

Jerry's Artarama hosts The Art of The Carolinas, a huge art expo with over 100 workshops and fantastic sales and bargains on art supplies.  They have asked me to demo for their line of handmade soft pastels, Mungyo Gallery.

 

The Art of the Carolinas Expo will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 9th, 10th and 11th at the Hilton North Raleigh/Midtown, 3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.  Trade Show hours are Friday and Saturday from 9 - 5:30, Sunday 10-3.  Workshops start on Thursday.  Free admission and parking.

If you find yourself there, please stop by my vendor booth and say hello!

Kim

www.kimwerfel.com

Continuing Pastel Painting Class

My "Introduction to Pastel Painting Class" has been humming along these past four weeks and after being asked, I decided to create a new class "Continuing Pastel Painting".

The new class is not for beginners....but will build on the elements of design from the Intro Class.

We will introduce the principles of design and different types of composition.  Preliminary value and color studies will be explored giving you tools to create great paintings from life and/or photos! 

Beginning pastel student working from her own still life set-up

 

Class begins on Thursday Oct. 25th from 10am - Noon.  Click on this link to register at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro.  Class number 1024B Continuing Pastel Painting, $82 tuition, Friends of the ArtsCenter $74, day of class tuition $87.

Materials List is here. 

Questions?  Feel free to contact me at k-e@mindspring.com.

http://www.kimwerfel.com

New Baby Girl Portrait

This blond beauty was fun to capture in pastel.  Her delightful grandmother worked at my bank and decided to have her granddaughter captured at the tender age of three.

Blond Toddler, pastel, 13x14",©Kim Werfel

 

 

The portrait is painted on a light blue Art Spectrum paper mounted on mat board.  The parents may plan to make giclee prints, and if so, I plan to get one too.  I like American Art Editions in Apex for my prints - great people to work with and excellent quality.

 

Her pink dress and white collar with her embroidered initials are lovely with her pale porcelain skin.  I had to change the background color from the photo, as it was a dark orange and didn't work with her coloring or the dress.  To help her come forward, I added cool darks with a touch of lavender behind her.

 

These make great gifts that become heirloom pieces handed down through generations.  Contact me at k-e@mindspring.com to discuss creating a your own pastel portrait.

 

Thank you for following my blog :)

 

Kim

 

http://www.kimwerfel.com



"Fire and Ice" wins award

My pastel painting "Fire and Ice" has won 3rd place in the 10th Annual Fine Art League of Cary's Senior's Art Exhibition!

"Fire and Ice", pastel, ©Kim Werfel, $600

 

 



This same piece got juried into the PSNC's Statewide Pastel Exhibition this Spring.   It's a departure from my commissioned portrait pieces...painted in fun for myself as a color experiment.  I need to do that more often!

This artwork is available in giclee prints and greeting cards. 

Contact me at k-e@mindspring.com if you're interested. (makes a great Christmas Card!)

Thanks for following me :)

Kim Werfel

www.kimwerfel.com




Come to the "Passion for Pastel Exhibit" reception this Friday!

The Waverly Artist's Group Gallery in Cary, NC invited me to participate in a "Passion for Pastel Exhibit"...my first invitational!  I've included two pastel paintings "The Picnic Place" and "Leading the Way". 

"The Picnic Place", pastel, 16x20"©Kim Werfel, $650

 

 

"The Picnic Place" is a view down my block where my neighbors and I have picnics now and then.

 

"Leading the Way" is from a photo taken of a doe and her fawn right outside my window...

 

 

"Leading the Way", pastel, 19x15"©Kim Werfel, $540

 

 

Both are personal favorites of mine...but I decided I should show them...if the right person responds it's meant to be :)  I've made cards and prints of Leading the Way just in case.

 

A surprise bonus third painting may be shown if there's room...so I may have "Rooster and his Chicks" there too!

 



"Rooster and his Chicks", 14x18", ©Kim Werfel, $450

 

The show will also feature works by Christine Berndt, Vinita Jain, Wendy Musser and Lori White, all fellow members of the Pastel Society of North Carolina and excellent artists.  The show runs from August 28th - September 24th.

 

Should be a beautiful show, so come on out to the reception this Friday, August 31st from 6-9 pm.  It's a full moon, so everyone should be up for a good time!!

 

Hope to see you there!

 

Kim

 

www.kimwerfel.com



 





ArtsCenter Instructor Open House Demo and New Fall Class Info

The ArtsCenter of Carrboro is sponsoring an "Instructor Open House" event this Saturday, August 25th from 4-6 pm to help kick-off the new fall classes.  I'll be there with my pastels and a painting demo on my easel.

 

Here's a photo from my current pastel class, showing one of my fabulous students at work on a pumpkin still life set up.  Brand new to pastel painting, she took to it easily and is making wonderful progress.

 

My next "Introduction to Pastel Painting Class" is on Thursday mornings, September 13 - October 18th, from 10 am to 12 noon at the ArtsCenter.  Class #1024 on page 11 of the new Fall ArtsCenter Class Catalog.

Click here for the catalog. 

This class gives an overview of different pastels, pastel pencils, papers and materials, as well as pastel blending techniques.  We will work from both photos and still life set-ups, with emphasis on shapes, values, and hard/soft edges.  Special care in framing pastels will be discussed as well.

Class runs for 6 weeks, $120 non-members, $108 members.

Materials list can be found here.

 

You can register in person at the ArtsCenter front desk, by mail with the registration form in the Catalog, by phone at (919) 927-2787 x201 with a credit or debit card, or online at www.artscenterlive.org.

 

Come join us, whether a beginner or intermediate level student, and learn about the wonderful medium of pastel! 

Questions?  E-mail me here.

Come meet me Saturday and sign up for my class!


Kim Werfel

www.kimwerfel.com
 

 



Rescue Sheltie-Mix Commission

Meet Frankie, a rescue Sheltie-mix commission.  He's to be a surprise gift for my client's friend, who lives out in Colorado.  Needless to say, I've never met Frankie, so had to work from a photo send to me by e-mail.

"Frankie", pastel, 13x18"©Kim Werfel

 

It's always better when I can meet the animal and take lots of reference photos, but I did my best with what I had.

Here's the original photo.  I eliminated the leaves and bricks as they were distracting and busy.  The bricks added too much warm oranges, and the patterns of both of them became as important as the dog....not what you want in a portrait.

I did keep his green leash, as I thought the owner would recognize it and it makes it more personalized. The dark blue helped balance the warms and brought him forward.

For some reason, the purples are jumping out at me on the computer screen, but are much more subtle and blended in the original art.  I've re-worked this several times, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Sometimes work just doesn't translate to the computer screen!

Hope you enjoyed viewing my art!

Check out my website for more www.kimwerfel.com

 





Husky-Shepherd Mix Commission

Meet "Beau" (or rather the southern version "BO" as his owner's wife said.)

This commission is a birthday surprise.  BO has passed on to doggie heaven, and was much loved by his owner.  I never got to meet BO, but somehow in the process of carefully painting him, I always feel a connection.

"BO", 14x18", pastel, ©Kim Werfel 2012

The owner's thoughtful wife never knew BO either, but knew her husband loved him so.  There are only two photos of him, so I chose the one with him looking at the camera....seemingly happy to me.

This work is painted on Wallis paper that I undercoated with a burnt orange pastel and wet into the paper for a warm ground to liven up all the blue-greens.

Birthday is in August, so I must let him go so he can be properly framed for the birthday surprise. 

Now instead of a small snapshot, he'll be honored with his own portrait, a loving reminder of a faithful companion.

Love being able to do this for people.  It's the best.

Kim Werfel

http://www.kimwerfel.com

Introduction to Pastel Painting Class!

Introduction to Pastel Painting Class!

Now's your chance to play with this exciting medium!
Beginners and intermediates welcome.  I mentioned this in an earlier post, but since it's starting next week I wanted to send a reminder..................

I'm new at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro....I thought it might be cooler in the evening...and we can relax and enjoy ourselves :)

3018. INTRODUCTION TO PASTEL PAINTING: Tuesday, 6:30-8:30pm, July 24-August 28
(6 weeks)

Tuesday, July 24, 2012 to Tuesday, August 28, 2012
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Enjoy the world of soft pastels with this informative and structured class designed to give you the opportunity to learn how to combine your drawing and painting skills to create successful pastel paintings. Pastel painting techniques, an overview of materials, attention to shapes and values, use of hard and soft edges and implementing color theory will be included in this course. Students new to pastel painting, as well as returning students are welcome.

*Click here for the materials list for this course.

*This course is part of The Artist at Work Certificate Program. Please click here for details about the Program.

Instructor: Kim Werfel

Tuition: $120

Members Tuition: $108 Not a member? Learn more!

Late Registration: $125

Click here to Register Now!

Any questions about the class, please send me an e-mail or call 919 240-4552.

Spread the word!  Starts next week!  Hope you'll be joining me.

Let's get creative - you'll love pastels!

Kim Werfel

www.kimwerfel.com

k-e@mindspring.com

Jack Russell - Beagle Mix

Meet "Mojo" - a Jack Russell/Beagle mix who is Maggie-May's "brother" (so to speak)

"Mojo", 6x6", acrylic ©Kim Werfel

He too, is on a 6x6" wraparound canvas and painted in acrylics.  And yes, his ear really does flip up that cutely...he's adorable. 

I couldn't just paint one dog without painting the other.  So now they have bookends :)

Here's Mojo's original photo that I worked from....changing the background to blue kept it dark, cool and pushed it back but brought some color into it.  Blue will recede and Mojo's a little guy, so it fits :)

I continued his paws around the edges of the painting...fun to do on wraparound canvases.

It was so much fun to paint these paintings that I think I will now offer them as a portrait option to my much larger pastel and acrylic portraits....providing there's a photo I can work from and it's the head only (six inches is a bit of a challenger to fit much else).

I'll be offering them for $150 - they don't need framing, are varnished and come with a little sawtooth hanger in the back so you can put them on a tabletop, bookcase or hang in a small spot on a wall alone or in a grouping.  Makes a perfect gift for a loving pet owner.  :)

Now to let him dry and gift him to my sweet neighbors!  (they loved Maggie-May!)

Kim

http://www.kimwerfel.com
k-e@mindspring.com

Jack Russell Terrier Portrait

My friends don't know it, but I painted their little Jack Russell - "Maggie May."  She's painted in acrylic on a 6x6" wraparound canvas and varnished twice. 

"Maggie-May", acrylic, 6x6"©Kim Werfel

 

This is a surprise gift for them as they just sold their home to move to the beach!  Sorry for the poor photo....pastels are easier to photograph as they don't shine back at you.  I must have used some gloss medium without realizing it in the background.

 

(original photo)

 

Thought you might enjoy a look at the original photo....she's very sweet here...but obviously a flash photo.  I like the strong contrast between her light fur and dark background.  Cropped the photo to focus on her face and pushed some light yellows, pinks and greens to give her some dimension.  Pushed dark greens and blues in the background.

They have another dog "Mojo" too that I've started, but won't have in time for their farewell party this weekend. I'll work on him his week and post later.

I think they'll love it...(I love surprises!).....

Stay tuned....I'll let you know how it all worked out :)

Have a great weekend!

Kim

http://www.kimwerfel.com



Chapel Hill News Article

Today's Chapel Hill news has an article about the ArtsCenter of Carrboro's upcoming annual faculty/staff art exhibition where I'm quoted and my piece "Heading for Safety" is featured!

The work depicts a Doe with her very young fawn...a scene from my window last Spring. I have giclee prints available (only $48) and $3 blank art cards too!

So I'm alright with selling her....to the right person! :)

"Heading for Safety", pastel (museum glass) 16x13", $400

I chose this piece to exhibit as it symbolizes being lead or taught....which is what teachers do....It
also shows my newer style of pushing color intensities and my favorite subject matter: animals.

Fear, procrastination and perfectionism stifles many people from trying an art class. Art is something you have to work at, like anything else, one doesn't master it in one class. But it can open up a whole new world of self-expression as does learning music or writing. Very satisfying for the soul.  

I'll be teaching "Introduction to Pastel Painting" - Class 3018 held for 6 Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30pm 7/24 - 8/28/12.  I offer encouragement along with solid information on how to grow.

Information about the class can be found here.   Materials list for this class is here.
Class costs $108 for ArtsCenter members, $120 for non-members.  This class can be an elective for The Artist at Work Certificate Program.

Easy On-Line Registration for my class can be found here.  (The ArtsCenter puts on wonderful music venues and theatre so don't be confused when it's calls your purchase "tickets".)

This Friday's Teacher Art Reception is from 6 to 9 pm at the ArtsCenter of Carrboro's Lobby. I'd love to see you there!

Questions about classes?  Talk to me...Email me here

Lots to digest in this blog....but wanted to get the word out!

Have a great day!

Kim

NC Statewide Pastel Exhibition Reception Photos

Don't miss an incredible collection of beautiful pastel work at Bev's Fine Art in Raleigh this June!
Work includes pastels from all across the state of North Carolina and beyond!

Her I am with "The Lookout" and "Fire and Ice"...the two pieces I had juried into the show.  I was lucky to be honored by Frame Warehouse, winning a $50 gift certificate!  That will surely come in handy!

Here's Vinita with her two beautiful abstracts in pastel...winning some Art Spectrum Pastel Paper too!

Patricia Harris posed with her beautiful barn pastel entry.  There are a little over one hundred pastel paintings displayed in this magnificent show.  Hope you get a chance to see it!

Thanks for following my art journey!

Kim Werfel

http://www.kimwerfel.com

Children with their dogs Portrait

Being commissioned to paint an outdoor scene with a sister and brother, each with their dogs, excited me when I got the call a few months ago.  Who knew how much work this would turn out to be!

"Family Portrait", pastel on Wallis paper, 21x31", ©Kim Werfel

The first challenge was the photo shoot....choosing where and getting the dogs to look at the camera and the kids to try and have a natural smile.  They were all pretty cooperative...so was the weather thank goodness!

(original photo)



Didn't like the tree growing in between them...or the house in the background, so I removed them but pretty much kept the rest of the composition the same.  Loved the rock and the natural feel of the landscape. 

Older dog

The boy's dog was elderly and deaf...very sweet but hard to get her attention... the kids were troupers and very polite...lovely to work with.

Girl with younger dog

The girl's dress seemed to have lavender shadows, so I went with it.  The tiny toes and fingers were really tricky to get just right...sometimes just suggesting instead of putting it all in.

The biggest problem I had was doing their portraits so very, very small....their faces were less than two inches long so all the details and nuances had to be done with specs of pastel pencil!  Very challenging...I don't recommend it.

While making this I heard in my head the wise words of my teacher years ago saying that you don't want to paint portraits too small or larger than life......now I know why.

All in all this was a learning experience...this portrait combined landscape painting, dog portraits, children's portraits, photography skills and figure drawing all in one. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Kim Werfel

http://www.kimwerfel.com

Little Calf & Goat Paintings Sold!

A pair of 6x6 wraparound canvas acrylic paintings sold at yesterday's Art in the Park event at Fearrington Village yesterday!

"Fearrington Goat", 6x6, acrylic on wraparound canvas ©Kim Werfel

This was the first time I exhibited with the Fearrington Artists, it was an outside event and the weather cooperated beautifully.  The same woman who bought my little goat snapped up a small calf that I had done years ago...they went together like bookends :)

"Fearrington Calf", 6x6, acrylic on wraparound canvas ©Kim Werfel

Forgive me, this little calf was painted so long ago, I only found this poor photo out of focus, but I wanted to share it with you anyway.

The customer was visiting Fearrington from Wisconsin and wanted to take home a bit of charm from the place.  I was happy to oblige, but confess that I was holding onto them myself as they always made me smile :)

Need to paint more small acrylics of these sweet animals...so much fun!

Have some dog portrait commission leads from the show as well - and had a blast catching up with friends who stopped by. 

Thanks to all who made this show a success!

Kim

http/www.kimwerfel.com



Art In The Village

An Outdoor Art Exhibit and Sale at my homestead, Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, NC 27312 is taking place on Sunday May 20th from 10-4pm (rain date next Sunday 5/27)

Fearrington Village is such a nice place...great restaurants, bookstore and I love the cows and goats!  It's located just 8 miles south of Chapel Hill - off 15-501. 

Seems Fearrington has attracted an eclectic group of artists who live and work here.  We've gathered together to form a group that will show a couple of times a year here.  Don't miss this....great people...wonderful ambiance....great places to eat lunch....and pick up some one-of-a-kind lovely artwork, art prints and cards!

See our facebook page (just starting out, we would love it if you'd "like" us!)
Click here

Join our blog to keep current with our events:  http://fearringtonartists.blogspot.com

Thank you...

Kim Werfel

Two Entries Selected for the 2012 Statewide Pastel Exhibition

Yeay!  My pastels "Fire and Ice" and "The Lookout" have both been juried into the 2012 Statewide Pastel Exhibition.  Marla Baggetta, the juror, selected my work from 209 entries submitted by 84 artists!

"Fire and Ice", pastel, 18"x11"©Kim Werfel

Marla's comments on "Fire and Ice"  – The fiery invented color is what really makes this piece for me. Adding to it’s drama and intrigue is that the buck is in shadow. Great!

"The Lookout", 19x25", pastel ©Kim Werfel

Her comments on "The Lookout" – I love the combination of the tonal approach with line. The head of the “Lookout” poking out into the light while her family is in shadow is brilliant and stunning!

The opening reception and awards presentation will take place at Bev's Fine Art on Saturday, June 2, 2012 from 6:00-8:30 pm.  Bev's Fine Art is located at 7400 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC  27615.

The art exhibit is titled "On Common Ground:  Pastel Paintings From the Mountains to the Sea",  will have pastellists from all throughout North Carolina, and will be on display from June 1st - 30th.

Save the date!  Hope you all can come to the reception and/or see the exhibit.

Kim Werfel

http://www.kimwerfel.com





Artists for Animals Faire

Come to the Artists for Animals Faire tomorrow, April 21, 2012 from 10am-6pm at the Cloer Family Vineyards in Apex, NC.

"Baby Donkey", 9x12", pastel, $175 ©Kim Werfel

The Apex Arts Council will donate half of the profits to the Carolina Tiger Rescue, Paw Prints Animal Rescue and the Triangle Chapter of the US Equine Rescue League.

Cows, horses, cats, dogs and other animals will be available for purchase and adoption, and the vineyard will have wine for tasting and purchasing.

Admission is FREE!  Coffee, soft drinks, ice cream and snacks are available for purchase.

Come visit and meet me at my tent!  Twenty original paintings plus dozens of giclee prints and an assortment of artwork cards will be available.  Plus my dog Summer would love for you to give her a pat on the head :)

Hope to see you there!

Kim Werfel

http://www.kimwerfel.com



"Nicky in the Snow"

And now for something completely different!

After painting several small pieces and using different supports, I'm challenged to paint a large piece of a beautiful Sheltie in the snow.

"Nicky in the Snow", 18x30", pastel ©Kim Werfel

This piece is painted on Kitty Wallis paper mounted on my new favorite backing, 3/16" Gatorboard.  The paper is dry-mounted at the framers onto Gatorboard before I start, so I have a warp-free, lightweight board that easily framed too.

Nicky's portrait is for a repeat client who e-mailed me his photo taken in Asheville, NC.  He has two other beautiful Shelties that I've painted in the past.  See them here on my website.

I underpainted parts of this piece with a wash of acrylic paint in the dark parts to save some pastel build-up.  Since this is so large, I've included some close-ups....

Nicky's face was small here in proportion to the rest of the piece, so I needed to use my pastel pencils for detail.  Using impressionistic color for interest worked as long as the values and intensities were correct.

There were many more tree branches with lots of snow in the photo that actually started to compete with Nicky so I edited them out to create something less distracting, yet still told the story of snowy branches.

This corner of the work had some tangled underbrush which I simplified...keeping the color harmony with the rest of the piece.

Hope you enjoyed my journey with Nicky!

For a beautiful portrait of your own four-legged best friend, just e-mail me at k-e@mindspring.com.

Rates and commission info are at http://www.kimwerfel.com.

Thanks for following my work,

Kim