tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8470594056057225752024-03-12T20:59:00.692-06:00Katy Widger's Raindance JournalSinging the Lord's Song in a Strange LandKaty Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-36084717387169211282018-06-25T12:59:00.000-06:002018-06-25T13:00:36.774-06:00Borneo Mother and Child<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcyIkhAj6BU/WzE5qYGFL4I/AAAAAAAABg0/mhcVQA4Sr6wHK1cPQdwk--7NYwjPnr_WQCLcBGAs/s1600/Orangutan%2526Baby1email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1080" height="393" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcyIkhAj6BU/WzE5qYGFL4I/AAAAAAAABg0/mhcVQA4Sr6wHK1cPQdwk--7NYwjPnr_WQCLcBGAs/s400/Orangutan%2526Baby1email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borneo Mother and Child, copyright 2018 K. Widger, 15" x 15" oil on canvas.</td></tr>
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One of the most endangered species on the planet, orangutans native habitat in the rain forest of Borneo and Sumatra is being destroyed by international corporations to plant palm oil plantations. The video of an adult male orangutan trying to fight off a huge bull dozer destroying his home is heartbreaking. When their entire habitat is destroyed, they starve to death. Please consider not purchasing products that contain palm oil. For the sake of a cheap ingredient and the enrichment of international corporations, they face extinction. <br />
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Original painting is available now, or find exquisite prints and other products with this image at my sight at Fine Art America.com: <a href="https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/katy-widger.html" target="_blank"> https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/katy-widger.html</a></div>
Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-55893642590018619682018-03-27T12:16:00.002-06:002018-03-27T12:18:45.153-06:00Orphaned<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3XyA__mkg0/WrqKP99b59I/AAAAAAAABfs/ULIY6ktQDWgzO6Cbqd-1wq7hzwCl73O8QCLcBGAs/s1600/Orphaned1.email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3XyA__mkg0/WrqKP99b59I/AAAAAAAABfs/ULIY6ktQDWgzO6Cbqd-1wq7hzwCl73O8QCLcBGAs/s640/Orphaned1.email.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Orphaned", 20" x 20" oil on canvas. Copyright 2018 K. Widger</td></tr>
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<br /><br /><br />Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-30535637023340308312017-09-02T13:13:00.000-06:002017-09-03T16:35:02.448-06:00Uptown Girls<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64QGL3zlsww/WasBQxYRmWI/AAAAAAAABcY/jBialsX_FJg8vLDR85xxj2mGZu0w7L5UwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2610email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1600" height="377" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64QGL3zlsww/WasBQxYRmWI/AAAAAAAABcY/jBialsX_FJg8vLDR85xxj2mGZu0w7L5UwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2610email.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Zoe and Friends", 18" x 30" oil on canvas. Copyright 2017 K. Widger</td></tr>
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Four little precious souls! One of the most delightful things I get to do when I'm asked to paint someone's sweet dog or cat is to meet these little sweeties when I photograph them. We took about 200 photos of these girls and ended up with a dozen or so that served as reference for this painting.<br />
It is done in shades of gray, with color only on their soulful eyes and pink collars.<br />
From Left to Right: Shyla, Isabella, Zoe and LaylaKaty Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-30722907375216359312017-07-17T14:13:00.000-06:002017-07-17T14:13:32.539-06:00Reina in Red<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-33ReNhPRpKg/WW0Y4XX82eI/AAAAAAAABbU/vyqqyUxoJ5ccOeavVvUyUhfx2FZYtSRUQCLcBGAs/s1600/ReinainRed12x12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="864" height="398" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-33ReNhPRpKg/WW0Y4XX82eI/AAAAAAAABbU/vyqqyUxoJ5ccOeavVvUyUhfx2FZYtSRUQCLcBGAs/s400/ReinainRed12x12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Reina in Red" copyright 2017 K. Widger, 12" x 12" oil on canvas</td></tr>
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<br />This is a commission piece given by one good friend to another for their birthday. The recipient's home is decorated in contemporary decor, so we decided to go with this, more graphic rendering of this beloved Schnauzer, Reina. It was tons of fun to paint! Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-86781938171241217482017-06-20T13:19:00.002-06:002017-06-20T13:36:47.050-06:00Khan and the Tiger<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf-15WJ-l5Y/WUlx--5jh2I/AAAAAAAABZ4/FkUviBLmSNkAlEpTvIRANMvrRZBWJeBegCLcBGAs/s1600/KhanTiger20x20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1440" height="635" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf-15WJ-l5Y/WUlx--5jh2I/AAAAAAAABZ4/FkUviBLmSNkAlEpTvIRANMvrRZBWJeBegCLcBGAs/s640/KhanTiger20x20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Khan & the Tiger, 20" x 20", oil on canvas, copyright 2017 K.Widger<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Ever since I saw "Life of Pi", several times, featuring the Bengal tiger called </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Richard Parker, I have wanted to paint a Bengal. It's not as easy as you </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">might think to come up with a photo of a particular type of animal that</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> is good enough to use as a reference, that "says" what you want it to say,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> especially if there are no Bengal tigers in your immediate area, or within </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">many hundreds of miles, for that matter. I am thankful to Artist Reference </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Photos for the use of this one, taken by a generous photographer of a </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bengal tiger in a refuge. (I added the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">as a sort of "counterpoint" to the strength and power of the tiger, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">and artists always take certain liberties with photographs, by necessity). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">All the Big Cats are critically endangered now. Their habitats are shrinking</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> daily, their meat and body parts in ever increasing demand for folk </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">medicine. I hope to draw attention to their strength, their majesty, and </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">their right to exist safe from poachers and those who would profit </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">from their extinction. The next time you see a Big Cat in a zoo or</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> sanctuary or preserve, consider that it might be the last Big Cat you will </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">All of my paintings are available for purchase. If you see one you are</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> interested in, please contact me. Gallery inquires welcome. And you can</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> purchase prints and other merchandise of most of my animal paintings </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">at Fine Art America.com: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_182369960"> </a></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/katy-widger.html">https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/katy-widger.html</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your comments and feedback are always welcome. Thanks for looking!</span></span></div>
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Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-84783611324790054322017-03-22T12:01:00.002-06:002017-03-22T12:11:33.738-06:00Baby Buffalo<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w2y0Yssft4I/WNK6_I03T4I/AAAAAAAABYg/PauLRtLf5fYlYyI0zIV6iJm639YIGwzAwCLcB/s1600/Babybuffaloemail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w2y0Yssft4I/WNK6_I03T4I/AAAAAAAABYg/PauLRtLf5fYlYyI0zIV6iJm639YIGwzAwCLcB/s640/Babybuffaloemail.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BABY BUFFALO copyright 2017 K. Widger 24" x 18" oil on canvas</td></tr>
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Way to go, Baby Buffalo! I've never been to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA, but that's a place I'd love to be, and where this young man lives. My thanks to the excellent photographer who supplied this reference photo, Gary Peters. <br />
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I enjoyed playing with the orange to purple complimentary contrast, with the green completing the triadic compliment. If you're interested in purchasing, please contact me here, or through FB at Katy Widger Fine Art. You can also purchase prints of any size, or many other unique products and gifts with this image, and many others of my Animal and Wildlife Art through https://pixels.com/profiles/katy-widger.html<br />
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Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-8527358859612850122017-02-15T11:04:00.000-07:002017-02-20T15:20:56.474-07:00The Boys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQYEv64S_lY/WKtrSplivoI/AAAAAAAABXY/ypAibVBM8jUnjp2LZKHksDUb2hOfqIG3QCEw/s1600/TheBoysemail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQYEv64S_lY/WKtrSplivoI/AAAAAAAABXY/ypAibVBM8jUnjp2LZKHksDUb2hOfqIG3QCEw/s640/TheBoysemail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Boys", 18" x 24" Oil on Canvas, copyright 2017 Katy Widger<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Biscuit was a sickly little runt of a pup, only 6 weeks old when he was dumped. Shannon and Tom rescued him and gave him the very best life any blind dog could have ever hoped for! He's a "talker" who loves to visit on the phone with his grandmom, and anyone else who'll listen. Face rubs, butt scratches and tending to his vast collection of beloved stuffed animal "babies" make up the rest of Biscuit's happy days with his family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">His best friend for life, Boomer, is a "typical" German Shepherd Dog in that he never stops "working". He has to know what is going on, inside and out, every minute of the day, just in case his services are needed. That green tennis ball is his other favorite thing in his life. He fetched and fetched, relentlessly, until his teeth were worn to nubs and his mom and dad were exhausted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Boys have never spent more than a few hours apart in their entire lives, and we all pray that it remains so. Warm, happy days on the beach, good dogs and a loving family makes up the best that life has to offer. God bless them all!</span></div>
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<br />Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-16160632754935950672016-12-30T12:06:00.000-07:002016-12-30T12:07:16.225-07:00Snow Cat<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVywdy8JgAs/WGaumoiq3cI/AAAAAAAABVE/td4l4_lmv_Qod-Y3eVGWluxbnOmvwGcNgCLcB/s1600/SnowCat.email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVywdy8JgAs/WGaumoiq3cI/AAAAAAAABVE/td4l4_lmv_Qod-Y3eVGWluxbnOmvwGcNgCLcB/s640/SnowCat.email.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Snow Cat" 14" x 21"oil on canvas. Copy right K. Widger 2016</td></tr>
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He's an Amur Tiger, cousin to the Siberians, and he lives way up North in the coldest latitudes. Even more endangered than the Siberian, his numbers dwindle as he is poached for his bones, organs and beautiful pelt. Still, he holds on to his rightful place on this Earth as best he can, unaware that these next few decades may see the end to his race of beings due to the greed and ignorance of man, far more so than loss of habitat. He's got plenty of room to live his life, but he's no match for the horrible devices man devises to track and kill him. When will we ever learn....when will we ever learn?<br />
<br />Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-53560809432212825732016-12-09T14:00:00.001-07:002016-12-12T12:00:51.170-07:00Predator Dreams<div style="text-align: left;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWgRtmS0FeA/WE7zKxMSUTI/AAAAAAAABTw/oQ6x1TESS_0jmNpBNeqVVbhsQvp13pu6QCLcB/s1600/Predator%2BDreams.email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWgRtmS0FeA/WE7zKxMSUTI/AAAAAAAABTw/oQ6x1TESS_0jmNpBNeqVVbhsQvp13pu6QCLcB/s320/Predator%2BDreams.email.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Predator Dreams 14" x11" oil on board Katy Widger 2016</td></tr>
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Just finished this one, so the picture is "shiny" from the wet paint reflections. <br />
The ABQ Bio Park has two cougars, and WildLife West, here in Edgewood, has two young sisters. Their mother was trapped and killed and the young sisters captured and brought to WLW to live out their lives. Observing cougars in captivity bears no resemblance to getting a glimpse of them in the wild, but it's the best option I have. They are top tier predators, and take mostly elk and deer in northern New Mexico, and big horn sheep in southern NM. They are very rarely observed and rarely take domestic livestock because their native prey is plentiful.<br />
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New Mexico is one of very few states that allows, even encourages, the trapping of animals for sport. It is shameful and horrific. Cougars, foxes and bobcat are the specific targets, and coyotes have long been hunted, trapped, poisoned and shot in coyote-killing contests in this backward state. I have hope that the congress of the US will outlaw trapping very soon. NM sure isn't going to.Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-67414082141519902492016-12-09T13:50:00.002-07:002016-12-09T13:50:46.085-07:00Little Gems<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-beBASwlrXq0/WEsUnkb6iFI/AAAAAAAABS8/bYUl-E1J-AMFm4lLgR1l8JBJen-fPZ_ygCLcB/s1600/Jaguarsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-beBASwlrXq0/WEsUnkb6iFI/AAAAAAAABS8/bYUl-E1J-AMFm4lLgR1l8JBJen-fPZ_ygCLcB/s200/Jaguarsmall.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaguar 5" x 5" oil on board</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XP5w1pvHUI0/WEsUnkox-VI/AAAAAAAABTE/oktBPjhWxrIrM9TZS5kC2BWk2ozPdE7_gCLcB/s1600/NMCougarsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XP5w1pvHUI0/WEsUnkox-VI/AAAAAAAABTE/oktBPjhWxrIrM9TZS5kC2BWk2ozPdE7_gCLcB/s200/NMCougarsmall.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Cougar 5" x 5" oil on board</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ABQ Swan 5" x 5" oil on board</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inverness Cow Lick 5" x 5" Oil on board</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Placitas Old Grey Mare 5" x 5" Oil on board</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gordon's Raven 5" x 5" oil on board</td></tr>
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Little mini paintings I completed recently, in hopes of entering them into the Masterworks Miniature show coming up early next year. Each is 5" x 5" oil on board. Available now, in December only. for $85 each, unframed. Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-3351772579870104192016-08-31T15:07:00.001-06:002016-08-31T15:07:32.693-06:00Wild African Lion<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETA87-e_Pcg/V8dEt0YkW_I/AAAAAAAABQg/-hxJWBXROZ0G_Dq08SFG49F6DUslxZ4PgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0795cropemail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETA87-e_Pcg/V8dEt0YkW_I/AAAAAAAABQg/-hxJWBXROZ0G_Dq08SFG49F6DUslxZ4PgCLcB/s400/IMG_0795cropemail.jpg" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild African Lion, 12" x 12" oil on canvas, copyright K. Widger 2016</td></tr>
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<br />In some parts of Africa, Wild Lions are extremely endangered. National Parks and Refuges attempt to save some, but poachers take their toll. In other parts of Africa, lions are being raised in captivity and the cubs are subjected to a cruel hoax wherein they are sedated and tourists, unaware of their fate or the conditions of their captivity, are allowed to pet and "cuddle" with them, and take photos to post on FB and other social media accounts, of course. When the lions become to big to safely handle, they are sold to "game farms" where they are the prey in a "canned" hunt. Some are so tame and accustomed to human interaction, by then, that the "hunters", who pay a large fee for the opportunity to "hunt" the big cats, simply walk up to them and shoot them with pistols. They deserve better.<div>
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The reference photo from which I painted this Magnificent Beast was shot by Emmanuel Keller, a "hunter of wild game" who shoots with his camera. Thanks to him and Wildlife Reference Photos.<br /><br /></div>
Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-27757154324611310642016-07-22T14:24:00.001-06:002016-07-22T14:25:57.087-06:00LionessI've been painting endangered species lately. Focusing on Big Cats so far this year. I was inspired several years ago when Life of Pi came out. And then Cecil the beloved lion was killed by that dentist in a "canned" hunt, where a "hunter" pays a fee and is guaranteed a kill. They baited Cecil to leave his sanctuary and he was shot at night using bright lights with a compound bow, only to suffer for another 24 hours before he was finally tracked and killed with a pistol. Made me extremely angry and sick. For the most part, I have no issues with "real" hunters, those that obey the rules of fair chase and kill for need. I do have a big problem, personally, with those who kill for pleasure and sport. That pretty much defines most "big game hunters" who like to think of themselves as game conservationists because they pay big fees to kill what amounts to captive game. Lions are being bred in captivity for the sole purpose of becoming prey for big game hunters, let loose into a hunting park where they are easily tracked and killed, with some so tame they can be approached and shot with a pistol at close range. Wild African lions are extremely endangered because their habitat is shrinking, and they have been hunted mercilessly over the past decades. Thanks to Emmanuel Keller of Wildlife Reference Photos for the reference I used in this painting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lioness, 12" x 12" oil on canvas, copyright K. Widger 2016</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underpainting in saturated colors</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Value Study</td></tr>
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Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-54632025110993108152016-07-04T15:50:00.002-06:002016-07-04T15:50:46.559-06:00Birds of Prey Attack Small Pets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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East Mountain Pet Alert produced this video to warn owners of small pets about the dangers from Great Horned Owls, Red Tail Hawks and other raptors. Please watch, share, imbed in your own blogs and websites, share on FaceBook! </div>
<br />Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-25783042139273937612016-06-30T09:54:00.001-06:002016-06-30T09:56:14.039-06:00Encantada! 2016 Rio Grande Artist Association Annual Juried Show<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-enCx_zmpj10/V3U91TqEZaI/AAAAAAAABOA/EFpO4K3w2cIUY3onhHiiWv5c0MN8qKbugCLcB/s1600/widgkaty%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-enCx_zmpj10/V3U91TqEZaI/AAAAAAAABOA/EFpO4K3w2cIUY3onhHiiWv5c0MN8qKbugCLcB/s400/widgkaty%2BA.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azeo (Snow Leopard), 18" x 24" oil on canvas, copyright Katy Widger</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening Flight, 18" x 36" oil on canvas, copyright Katy Widger</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Egg Thief, 30" x 26" oil on canvas copyright Katy Widger</td></tr>
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These three paintings of mine were all juried into the show. An honor to have all three accepted! The opening reception will be on Wednesday, July 6 from 5-8PM. Awards at 6:30. I'll be there! Hope you can come! The show runs through July 27, open Wed-Sun 10:30AM to 5:30PM at the Fine Arts Bldg at Expo New Mexico (State Fair Grounds). </div>
<br />Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-79784968588543985242016-05-26T12:01:00.001-06:002016-05-26T12:06:43.216-06:00Painting a Leopard<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Leopard, Kruger National Park, Oil on canvas 14" x 21" c Katy Widger May 2016<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This is a wild leopard from Kruger National Park in S. Africa. While not labeled as endangered right now, many species of leopards are critically endangered. Since he's a wild fellow, not a resident of a zoo, he has no "name" to identify him as an individual. But, in God's eyes, he is an individual, and he does have a name. I am so glad that there is a National Park in S. Africa where he can roam free and live his life as a wild leopard, apart from confinement and the imminent threat of extinction, or bullets, traps, poisons and snares, an unnatural death at the hands of man. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Credit to Marna Buys for reference photo on Photos for Artists.</span></div>
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<br />Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-49699033275153637912016-05-23T10:18:00.001-06:002016-05-23T10:18:36.201-06:00Pet Portrait Contest! Please Vote!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-grVCnmuv_lc/V0MrDhJZYXI/AAAAAAAABLs/Bw0cj4BAZlMj4rKtRUWLTFXEpuIUwy6wQCLcB/s1600/Joy%2BRide%2Bcrop%2Bedited-1_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-grVCnmuv_lc/V0MrDhJZYXI/AAAAAAAABLs/Bw0cj4BAZlMj4rKtRUWLTFXEpuIUwy6wQCLcB/s400/Joy%2BRide%2Bcrop%2Bedited-1_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Joy Ride" 16" x 24" oil on canvas C Katy Widger<br /><br />"Wyatt's in the jump seat, Zeke likes to drive on our way to the Dog and Soccer Park in Edgewood, every day possible!"<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
Dick Blick Art Supplies is hosting an online Pet Portrait Contest. Winner gets $300 worth of art supplies and some good national publicity. I'd sure love to win this, mostly for the publicity, but the art supplies are very nice, too.</div>
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You can vote for this painting using this direct link <a href="http://bit.ly/1s1gUAu" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">http://bit.ly/1s1gUAu</a> starting today, May 23 through May 30. You can vote every 24 hours until then! Please vote! It just takes a second to click on the link, and then click on the "vote" tab. No need to leave name or email; you can vote anonymously!</div>
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You can also see a darling TV interview featuring Wyatt (and me) on the Morning Brew with Larry Ahren's here on YouTube: <span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nrfcJSKEyE" target="_blank">The Morning Brew with Larry Ahrens featuring Katy Widger and Wyatt</a> Wyatt was a real character, as usual, and everyone in the studio wanted to meet him afterwards! If only dogs could talk! </span></div>
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<br />Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-64793704490068977892016-03-29T14:11:00.002-06:002016-04-07T02:45:53.056-06:00MasterWorks of New Mexico 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My previous piece, "Blood Moon Offering" was juried into this prestigious show featuring the best that New Mexico artists have to offer! This is the fifth time I have entered Masterworks, and the third time I have been juried in. It is notoriously hard to get into! It's quite a honor and I greatly appreciate the opportunity and the recognition.</div>
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<br />Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-72568367683425836152015-11-01T15:54:00.001-07:002016-02-27T14:24:57.981-07:00 Blood Moon and Egg Thief<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood Moon Offering 26" x 30" Oil on Canvas</td></tr>
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I've been planning these two paintings for some time now, working out the design, size and background. The raven in Blood Moon Offering is from a great photo by Gordon Vanus, taken in bright daylight with blue skies ( I added the sunflower and Ken took the moon shot). <br />
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I was still unsure as to what the background on Blood Moon Offering was going to be, but I had already painted the raven and the sunflower onto the canvas in gray tones when the Lunar Eclipse happened the evening of Sept 27th. I watched the moon transform herself as Ken took picture after picture on the tripod, and soaked up the deep mystery of the night sky. The next morning, I knew exactly what to paint. Had to change the colors of the raven from bright daylight to deep, dark night. Used a very limited palette of alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue in the night sky, with a touch of ochre brushed into the distant mountains, far below. The moon has red and yellow cadmiums along with the purple from the sky. No tube black in the raven, just deep purples. This piece just got juried into Masterworks of New Mexico which will exhibit starting April 1 in Albuquerque, NM at Expo New Mexico.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Egg Thief" 30" x 26" oil on canvas copyright Katy Widger 2016</td></tr>
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The Egg Thief is a soft morning sky in summer with ultra and cerulean blues, quinacridone magenta and cad yellows. No tube black in this raven, either. This raven pic shot by my husband, who set up a "blind" and waited patiently for hours on several days, "baiting" our resident raven with eggs in order to get the shot. Actually, he took a whole video of this raven, landing on a post, picking up the egg, dropping it then catching it in his beak and taking off, all without breaking it! Quite amazing to watch! How strong, yet how precise and controlled their beaks are! He knows my husband and comes to get his egg on a regular basis, now, less wary but still unwilling to have his picture taken, like most ravens. You have to pay your models!Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-26509981074661478522015-09-19T14:04:00.000-06:002015-09-19T14:04:50.417-06:00Western Bluebird on a Metal Post<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Bluebird on a Metal Post oil on canvas on board 14" x 11" copyright K. Widger</td></tr>
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Late spring in Edgewood, a male Western Bluebird sits on a metal post not far from the nest box, watching over his growing family of nestlings. He faithfully catches insects and deposits them in the waiting beaks of his little children, and takes turns with his mate as she takes time out of the nest box to feed herself. He is so faithful and dedicated to his family and an inspiration to fathers everywhere!Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-65770746491154770252015-08-06T13:56:00.000-06:002015-08-06T13:56:01.047-06:00Evening Flight<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NkhSmj5cBJw/VcO6gs-gJbI/AAAAAAAABDQ/X61uA43NBBE/s1600/IMG_9823crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NkhSmj5cBJw/VcO6gs-gJbI/AAAAAAAABDQ/X61uA43NBBE/s640/IMG_9823crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Evening Flight" 18" x 36" Oil on Canvas copyright 2015 K. Widger</td></tr>
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Finished! Signed and photographed, framed and ready for entry into next juried show! Will also be showing this at The Watermelon Gallery in Cedar Crest, NM. Really enjoyed painting this one. It was a challenge, but I'm very pleased with the way it turned out, especially the cranes. Strived to get the anatomy correct and their flying formation accurate, as the cranes lift off from their watery refuge at the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge in Socorro, NM.Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-75105927270368758312015-06-22T11:33:00.000-06:002015-06-22T11:33:00.935-06:00Morning Praise<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-snqMkq6Vv-c/VYhFalF1D2I/AAAAAAAABCM/3a1Mw-XrF84/s1600/Morning%2BPraisenotripod2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="395" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-snqMkq6Vv-c/VYhFalF1D2I/AAAAAAAABCM/3a1Mw-XrF84/s400/Morning%2BPraisenotripod2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Morning Praise" 20" x 20" Oil on Canvas copyright K Widger 2015<br /></td></tr>
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Morning breaks with first light of the sun, that soft rosy glow that eases over the eastern horizon, then sparkles with the dew, like opalescent rainbows on the new day!Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-7039049742167250322015-06-12T12:13:00.000-06:002015-06-12T12:14:43.573-06:00Developing another crane painting<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22smLOwG3GM/VXsfGt7ygnI/AAAAAAAABBY/XkXKZ5vHw9I/s1600/flyingcranesdrybrush18x36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22smLOwG3GM/VXsfGt7ygnI/AAAAAAAABBY/XkXKZ5vHw9I/s320/flyingcranesdrybrush18x36.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original reference, cropped and "photoshopped", sized for an 18" x 36" canvas.</td></tr>
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This one may be called "Taking Flight". Another crane painting. Ken took the shot at Bosque del Apache in the fall of 2013. It's a gorgeous photo. I pumped the color a bit, cropped it, sized it and re-arranged it a bit. I drew the cranes one at a time, pulling them out of the photos (some were so jumbled up in one area that it was a little difficult to discern what they were doing, what attitude their wings were taking, which is what I was after.) You can see my thumbnail in the previous post. I also did a charcoal of the background, figuring out the values, before I did the following underpainting:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kvsZIh9IRYI/VXseqAZqZhI/AAAAAAAABBI/5jlqsrtFnpE/s1600/undrpntngtakflight1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kvsZIh9IRYI/VXseqAZqZhI/AAAAAAAABBI/5jlqsrtFnpE/s320/undrpntngtakflight1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underpainting done on canvas toned with yellow ochre. I painted with burnt sienna and ultramarine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e6biIFNJr0w/VXseoUwSv_I/AAAAAAAABA8/PosGUn2zANM/s1600/wrkingdrwngcranes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e6biIFNJr0w/VXseoUwSv_I/AAAAAAAABA8/PosGUn2zANM/s320/wrkingdrwngcranes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charcoal drawing of cranes, "to size", about 6" each, trying to capture each wing attitude.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ToCYW_loyPc/VXseqLt24JI/AAAAAAAABBE/4z1y6RF3gzA/s1600/undrpntngtakflight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ToCYW_loyPc/VXseqLt24JI/AAAAAAAABBE/4z1y6RF3gzA/s320/undrpntngtakflight.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I painted in the cranes using values of Ivory Black in 7 steps. Now I will start on the "second statement" using local color. I will follow as closely as possible the values I have set out in this underpainting.</td></tr>
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<br />Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-23575031129012613652015-06-12T11:50:00.000-06:002015-06-12T11:50:08.487-06:00Developing a paintingIdeas come first. <br />
Inspired by nature, events, locations, experiences, feelings, music, lyrics, photographs, the idea begins to take on a life of its own. Sometimes they compost for quite some time until they begin to take physical form. Sometimes they just present themselves to you in whole cloth, waiting for paint to transform them into two-dimensional images on canvas. Inspiration! How exciting and energizing!<br />
Artists live for it! It is the life blood that motivates us to spend countless hours developing our craft and skills, to earn paltry sums for our talents, and to not care, if only we can paint what our heart sees, and make you see it, too!<br />
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Here's a few pictures of the "beginning" of a painting, as yet far from finished. Here's what goes into making a painting, and how "long it takes."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c45ZWAklWc8/VXsZ4i7YnDI/AAAAAAAABAc/CUH4QbwNMEs/s1600/orgsketchmornpraise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c45ZWAklWc8/VXsZ4i7YnDI/AAAAAAAABAc/CUH4QbwNMEs/s320/orgsketchmornpraise.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original sketch of "inspiration": standing crane, charcoal and white conte on newsprint.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ICq0nCcpofw/VXsZ4t7BHkI/AAAAAAAABAU/mTdSyXPlhqo/s1600/sketchthumbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ICq0nCcpofw/VXsZ4t7BHkI/AAAAAAAABAU/mTdSyXPlhqo/s320/sketchthumbs.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thumbnail sketches from sketchbook, working out design idea on various planned paintings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JnBXDn0nlFQ/VXsZ5RJeFMI/AAAAAAAABAo/LjKZcH_ktlY/s1600/wrkingdrawmornpraise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JnBXDn0nlFQ/VXsZ5RJeFMI/AAAAAAAABAo/LjKZcH_ktlY/s320/wrkingdrawmornpraise.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished, working drawing "to size" for planned painting "Morning Praise" along with reference photo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z-uljA0gN1I/VXsZ4t7jUoI/AAAAAAAABAY/CqDhCIJiyss/s1600/undrpntingmornpraise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z-uljA0gN1I/VXsZ4t7jUoI/AAAAAAAABAY/CqDhCIJiyss/s320/undrpntingmornpraise.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First "statement", a rough "underpainting" showing value and temperature. </td></tr>
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Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-57073297345134040252015-06-12T11:25:00.000-06:002015-06-12T11:29:34.914-06:00Long Time GoneIt's been a long while since I've posted. Illness robbed my energy and kept me out of the studio for many months last year, and posting to my blog slid down the list of importance. <br />
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Overcoming the little and not-so-little adversities in life takes perseverance and patience, I've found.<br />
I'm back in my studio now, painting, drawing, sketching. Renewed vitality, interest and energy has me at my easel looking closely at birds, again. Incredible creatures with above-average intelligence, they inspire me with their beauty and abilities we somehow overlook or fail to notice. Ravens, especially, the smartest of all flying creatures, those wolves of the air, inspire me to paint their individual characters. <br />
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We have two ravens who live in our area, or, rather, we live in theirs. My husband has lately taken to befriending them with eggs and other offerings, placed on a nearby post, in order to tease them into letting him take pictures of them. It's sort of a trade; we give them treats, they let us take their picture. They always take the goodies, and sometimes even caw their "thanks". But only occasionally do they let us take their picture. They seem to "know" the camera is there, even hidden in a blind, even set on "automatic" with no human present. They have incredible eyesight. Bernd Heinrich says they can see for a distance of two miles, accurately! Hard for some to believe, but they also seem to possess a "second sight"of sorts, a telepathy that Rupert Sheldrake describes in his many intriguing books like <i>"Dogs Who Know When Their Owners are Coming Home"</i>, and <i>"The Sense of Being Stared At" </i>along with "<i>The New Science of Life" </i>that corresponds with his theory of morphic resonance. Fascinating stuff! And makes perfect sense to those of us who know that life is more than the material.<br />
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I'm also painting cranes. Sandhill cranes who winter at the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge in Socorro, NM have been the focus of our many trips down there in the fall. I'm developing two paintings right now, and I'll post the sketches, preliminary drawings and underpaintings that I've done so far, so you can see what actually goes into producing an oil painting (in part, to answer the oft asked question, "How long did it take you to paint that?"). And I just this day received notice that two of my crane paintings were accepted into the national juried show, "Encantada", sponsored by the Rio Grande Art Association. It will be July 10-26 at the Fine Arts Bldg at the EXPO New Mexico in Albuquerque.<br />
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Here are the two finished crane paintings that will be in the show: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9paJGys1sY/VXsVAHBtG-I/AAAAAAAAA_4/wmAX1Tyr0Qc/s1600/widgkatyA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9paJGys1sY/VXsVAHBtG-I/AAAAAAAAA_4/wmAX1Tyr0Qc/s320/widgkatyA.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lone Crane Still Water, 14" x 14" Oil on Canvas, Framed, $650. copyright 2015 K Widger</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMoOJtbzpa0/VXsVAJrEgFI/AAAAAAAAA_8/dE_y48VyakA/s1600/widgkatyB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMoOJtbzpa0/VXsVAJrEgFI/AAAAAAAAA_8/dE_y48VyakA/s320/widgkatyB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening Preen, 14" x 14" Oil on Canvas, Framed, $650. copyright 2015 K Widger</td></tr>
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<br />Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-847059405605722575.post-89124378857485281132014-07-26T12:39:00.002-06:002014-07-26T12:39:46.153-06:00Remembering Mati and Max<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently I learned of the passing of these two lovely souls. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is what I wrote about Mati back in 2009 when I first painted her portrait: "<span style="text-align: left;">Don't let the grey muzzle fool you, this girl is still very much young at heart. You can see her playful spirit in her eyes, in her countenance and posture. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">Mati, short for Matilda, is named for the character in the Roald Dahl short story. She was the one left out, from whom not much was expected. That sort of explains Mati's start in life, as well. She was the little shy one, last of her litter, the unchosen. But someone wanted her, very much. And saw the potential in those beautiful eyes. She's now ten years into her life with her special people, who very much love and adore this young lady</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Max was father to our Hunter, and his death from cancer is sad and tragic, a reflection of the illnesses caused by our modern life that we share with our dogs. But Max, too, had a grand life on a large ranch, running free, pursuing dog interests to his heart's content, expressing all the "dogness" he possessed. Couldn't ask for more! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Here's some of what I wrote about Max back in 2010 after I finished his portrait: "His call name is "Max". His immediate ancestors hail from Germany, where the German Shepherd Dog originated and is still bred best. He lives on a ranch in the stunning southwestern region of NM, near the town of Magdalena, just west of Socorro. His kingdom consists of vast acreage to oversee, beautiful vistas to admire, and a pack of seven, including sons and daughters from his mate, Catey.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;">He is Hunter's father, and it's quite obvious that my wonderful young "acorn" didn't fall far from this strong and magnificent 'tree.' "</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was privileged to meet both of these dogs in person, and I offer now my condolences to their people, who loved them and now mourn their passing. It's hard to lose a dog you love, sometimes harder than losing people we care about. I've been there before myself, and I know the heart ache that can last for months, and even years. After I lost Mychal, too soon, too tragically, I spent three years in deep mourning, yearning for reassurance that he lived on in Spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a Christian I found that assurance in God's Word. Particularly, in several books written by Christians who had experienced the same loss, had the same question, and turned to the Creator for answers. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Do Dogs Go To Heaven?" by M. Jean Holmes (available on Amazon) is one book among many that I highly recommend for anyone needing assurance that animals, all living beings, do indeed posses a spirit and a soul, and that spirit returns upon death to the God who created it. Our beloved dogs and pets, indeed all animals, do go to heaven! Are you going to meet them there? I hope so! Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. </span></div>
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Katy Widgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08198613306042991463noreply@blogger.com0