Peace Lily

"May the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Wishing you a Blessed Easter, filled with the Peace of God.

St. Patrick's Day Color Study

I recently took a Color Class. I'm pretty well versed in Itten color theory and have a lot of experience creating color with a limited palette, but this Michael Wilcox School of Color class taught by locally well-known landscape painter, David Schwindt, was a course in practical color mixing. It cemented what I already knew and opened up more possibilities for creative color mixing using the Color Bias Wheel, using six primaries, instead of the usual three-primary color wheel we all learned about in school. I've probably told you more than you wanted to know....but artists are always interested in color, especially how to create the exact color in a short period of time without wasting a lot of expensive paint.

This is a color study of a beautiful cabbage that came with my corned beef. It was delicious!

I re-created the subtle hues and tints using only a violet red (quinacridone red), green-yellow (lemon yellow) and blue-green (cerulean blue), plus white. The color range available was amazing. The vibrant yellows aren't showing up so well in the photo - I'll try and get a better shot.

Wooly

Wooly is a Malti-Poo, soft, silky and curly. The Maltese in him loves to cuddle next to his dad at night in their favorite chair, and watch the world go by in his special place on the back window shelf of his people's Buick. The Poodle half takes his job as Official Greeter of the mailman, UPS or FedEx guy very seriously. When he hears their trucks, he flys up to the back of the couch and announces their presence from the big picture window, then races furiously out the kitchen Wooly-door to make sure they don't go sneakin' around the back.

His other favorite activities are going for walks, and sneaking articles of clothing from his mom, just to luxuriate in her scent, he loves her that much! He's also quite fond of the other ladies in his life, daughters and granddaughters of his parents, and never forgets a friend. Sweet little Imp!

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Wooly 10" x 8" oil on linen board

$160.00 unframed SOLD

www.katywidger.com

Mati

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.
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.
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I finished this painting just in time for Christmas.
It's an 8 x 10 oil on linen-covered board. $170.00.
If you're interested in a painting of your beloved four legged friend, contact me at www.katywidger.com and together we'll immortalize your special pal, too.

Hunter

His coming was a surprise, but not unexpected. I woke up one morning with plans for the weekend that did not include a trip to the mountains of Magdelena to look at a very special German Shepherd Dog. But there has been this giant hole in my restless heart for three years now that just will not be filled. In fact, it feels as if it has grown even larger. Three incredible Lhasa Apsos, whom I love and adore, could not fill it. I didn't ask them to try. They are their own sweet selves and occupy another niche in my canine heart entirely.

I have wanted this dog my whole life. Ever since I read Lad, a Dog by Alfred Terhune, The Call of the Wild by Jack London as a child and more recently, Adam's Task by Vicki Hearne, A Good Dog by Jon Katz. And certainly The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski, probably one of the greatest dog stories ever written. I can only pray that I am worthy of this dog, this Hunter, this noble beast.

He has integrated into the pack effortlessly. Sadie accepts him as her charge, and he accepts her as Alpha and his superior. Zeke, not having ever seen a 32 lb puppy before, protected me from him for a couple of hours, until he was convinced that he posed no threat. Wyatt was unsure and a little fearful, but his timidity is giving way to acceptance and curiosity. He and Zeke are already friends, and Zeke does a great job not only of playing and rough-housing with him, but acting the part of "Uncle". He's been with us for 72 hours now. Just give us a week, and this pack will be one cohesive machine. The Apsos have their Mastiff. I have almond eyes attached to a Strongheart of devotion.

Samson and Delilah

Samson and Delilah live the pampered lives of Persian cats well-kept by their person. And it's pretty obvious, upon meeting them, as to whom is in charge. What's that they say, "Dogs have masters, but cats have staff."
They didn't exactly pose for this portrait; I had to sort of follow them around and catch them at odd moments, laying on my belly with camera in hand, waiting for the right pose, the perfect "look".
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these two aristocats as they "talked" to me through the paint. When their eyes "speak" to me, I know I'm close to capturing them on the canvas.

Samson and Delilah
16 x 20 oil on gallery-wrapped canvas
$420.00 SOLD
You can commission one of your special friend at
katywidger.com

Innocence and Confidences

The title comes from an old Simon and Garfunkel song, which is fitting considering the song was popular about the time the photo was taken. The little girl is now a woman and the lovely dog is, well, gone to heaven where all good dogs go.

I have to admit that I pretty much manufactured the background in the painting. It's much more romantic than the actual background in the old photo, and adds to the idea I was going for here.

My inspiration is the devotion little girls feel for their dogs, and the unconditional love they receive in return. Dogs love their little girls, literally, unto death, and think nothing of giving themselves completely to the care and protection of their charges. Nothing in the whole wide world would willingly separate them. That sort of innocent love exists only for the pure of heart, such as between a little girl and her dog.

"Innocence and Confidences"

16x20

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

If interested in purchase, please contact me at katywidger.com