Ferdinand the Bull

This bull reminded me of the story of Ferdinand, the bull who would rather smell flowers than fight a matador.  I think he's got the right idea!

"Ferdinand", pastel, 6x6", ©2012 Kim Werfel

He's currently at Frame Warehouse getting framed in a beautiful black/gray wood frame with museum glass.  Holy Cow! (Sorry, I couldn't resist that)

I use the museum glass now when I can as it really shows off the pastel best without any glare, ultraviolet light or distortion.  Highly recommend it, if you can afford it.  Easier to afford

on the smaller paintings.  Check out the link to learn more.

Interested in Ferdinand?  Contact me here.



Fearrington Cows

Some fun last week was had at the "Meet the Artists" reception in the "Belties Lounge" at Galloway Ridge last Tuesday, March 27th from 6-8pm.

Me with "Fearrington Cows", pastel, 17x22", $550,©2012Kim Werfel

After a juried process, two of my pastels were in the show!  Pictured here are "Fearrington Cows", (otherwise known as Galloway Cows, from Scotland).  They're known for their distinct white belt....so they're often called belties.  Some call them Oreo cows, their white middle is like the cookie!

This painting is done in Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, NC...the little place where I live, so I see these beautiful cows every day, along with their belted goats....but that's another story for another blog!

The other painting accepted is "Fall Tree"below:



"Fall Tree", pastel, 11x14",$325 ©2012 Kim Werfel

This piece is framed with a cherry wood frame and filet with a soft grey/green mat. Framed size is 17"x20".

Local news photographers were there and I had my photo snapped by the Chapelboro photographer...see more images from the show here.

Contact me here if you're interested in these or of having a commission painted of your own.

Enjoy this Spring day!

Kim

http://www.kimwerfel.com



Curious Kid

This little goat stole my heart while visiting Celebrity Dairy in Siler City, NC.
He was so curious about what I was doing...he demanded to be photographed and painted!

"Curious Kid", pastel, 6x6 ©Kim Werfel

He's painted on 3/16" white gatorboard with Art Spectrum's Fine Tooth Colorfix primer in Terracotta.  I loved the angle and planned on capitalizing on the strong diagonal, heavily textured board and complementary colors.  But there were problems with light coming from various angles, part of another goat in the scene and part of a fence to delete.

This took more time than I thought....I simplified the composition to just the goat that caught my heart in the first place and the straw around him.  Sometimes less is more :)

Contact me to purchase here.

Have a great weekend!

Kim

www.kimwerfel.com





Summer Seagull

Love going to the Atlantis down at Pine Knoll Shores for little vacations on the ocean.  They take dogs, so I can bring my bichon Summer.

While there last year I snapped a photo of a local seagull, sunning himself on a pier.

"Summer Seagull", pastel, 5x7"©Kim Werfel

This was done on white ampersand pastelboard, underpainted in magenta acrylic.  I'm still trying out different surfaces and their affects.  I'm loving working on these smaller sizes....little gems.

If you go to the Atlantis, check out the giclee framed in the lobby...by yours truly...of their dog Cody.

He may be there to greet you as well!

"Cody", pastel, 16x20"©Kim Werfel

Contact me if you're interested in purchasing Summer Seagull, or having a special portrait painted of your own.

Have a great day!

Kim

www.kimwerfel.com



Long Island Egret

My brother is a very good photographer when he's not working in the family business in Brooklyn, NY, W.H. Christian & Sons.  Living on the water, he often photographs the wildlife there....and gave me permission to paint this egret.

Although his egret was in the act of fishing, I decided to paint mine without dinner dangling from his mouth.  Great shot, don'tcha think?  I doubt if I could ever catch him at that precise moment.

"Long Island Egret", 7x5",pastel ©Kim Werfel

This is the smallest pastel painting I've ever done.  I took a tip from Rita Kirkman, a fabulous pastel artist, and bought some 3/16" white gatorboard and used Art Spectrum's pastel primer in terracotta for my surface.

Lots of fun working this small...and especially from a photo done by my expert photographer brother Ray.

Stay tuned for more pastel paintings!

Kim



The Picnic Place

Right outside our house in Fearrington Village is a patch of land with a picnic table used for an occasional block party.  I enjoy seeing the morning light, especially when the fall colors begin. 

The Picnic Place, pastel, 12x16"©Kim Werfel

I know it's Spring, but I've been meaning to paint this since last fall, and just got to it now.

Working from this enlarged photo, I tried to keep pretty true to the composition, eliminating a bench and simplifying the shapes and colors.

Spring is inspiring me, so stay tuned for more seasonal painting.....maybe even an Easter bunny!

What's your favorite season to paint?

Kim Werfel

website





How to Grow a "Goatee"

I felt this winsome goat to be particularly handsome sporting his goatee...the real thing that not every man can successfully accomplish!  Thus, his name....

"Goatee", 7x8", pastel ©KimWerfel

Sweet natured and playful, this goat was a willing subject to photograph.  Most just want a scratch behind the ear or some food like a dog.  Goat curtesy of Celebrity Dairy.

This fellow is painted on Richeson's pastel surface on hardboard with a soft sienna coating.

Contact me to purchase.

Kim Werfel

Website