Extra! Extra!

"Caught Up in the Moment" - 18 x 24" - oil

About a week ago I  participated in the McConnell Arts Center (MAC) "yART" show and sale.  The "yART" event is an art fair held on the lawn of the MAC in Worthington, Ohio and included several artists and area art leagues.  Like many artists, if I had the choice I'd never leave my studio but since I teach the oil painting class at the center it seemed like a good opportunity to draw up interest for my class.  It only made sense to make the best of my time and work on the painting above for an upcoming competition.  In addition to getting some work done I was able to see some familiar faces as well as meet some new folks from the area.  It wasn't far into the day when I found myself being interviewed for the community newspaper.  Maybe it wasn't a bad idea to leave the studio after all.

Special thanks to Jon Cook at the MAC and Candy Brooks of ThisWeek Community Newspaper.

click here for a larger view

Capital Idea

"Statehouse 150" - 8 x 10" - oil

This past Friday I was at the Ohio Statehouse with the Central Ohio Plein Air group.  The Statehouse invited us out to paint in celebration of their 150th anniversary.  It was both an honor and a challenge.  For the first hour or so of the paint out it rained cats and dogs and even included a little lightning.  Nonetheless, I was out there trying to make lemonade out of a brutal day.  I was soaked, my palette was soaked and even my attitude was a little soggy.  Fortunately the sun broke through and gave me the opportunity to work on the painting above.  This piece will be hanging up in the statehouse for the month of July.

"Park of Roses" - 8 x 10" - oil

In my second outing of the weekend with the Central Ohio Plein Air group we were at the Park of Roses.  With a grant from the park, we turned the day into a mini competition among those that were painting that day.  I was informed yesterday that this particular piece won third place.  

Coming Up Roses

Painting plein air at the Park of Roses.

"A Rose by Any Other Name" - 8 x 10" - oil

For the first time in a few months I had a chance to go out and paint plein air (the act of painting outside or on location).  My first outing was on Friday at the Ohio Statehouse (more about that later) and  Saturday I was at the Park of Roses with the Central Ohio Plein Air group.  

It was this time last year when I first dove into the plein air arena.  From what I remember during that first experience, it was hectic.  There were hundreds of people walking by and looking over your shoulder to see what you were coming up with.   There was a chance of rain, the sky was overcast and it seemed like the scene I was painting changed every minute.

This year was a little different.  The weather was far better and I was far more prepared physically and mentally to take on anything.  After a year of plein air painting, I can look back and see that this practice has helped my process in the studio as well.  All in all it was a good day at the park.  I got to see some of the regular group of plein air painters in the area, meet some new folks and work on a couple of paintings like the one above.

Humbly Yours

"An Autumn View" - 8 x 10" - oil

For the most part I'm a pessimist.  It's unfortunate but it helps me deal with this roller coaster ride that I call "the art life."  All in all I'm just trying to break even but every once in a while something good happens.  Today for instance, I attended the Worthington Area Art League / Ohio Plein Air holiday potluck dinner.  It was here that I was presented with a first place ribbon for the painting above.  This painting is currently part of an exhibition titled "Leaving Footprints" at the Arts Castle in Delaware, OH.  We were fortunate enough to have Don Jones, "the father of art therapy" juror the show.  You can read more about Mr. Jones in this interview (click here).

This award was an important step for me because I'm still very new to the local art scene here in Ohio.  While I can enjoy this award today, tomorrow my focus will shift back to trying to make the next painting better than the last.

Ohio Player

"The Ol' Farmstead" - 18 x 24" - oil

Sold

This past summer I decided that I'm going to become more involved in the local art scene here in Ohio.  My first move was joining the Ohio Plein Air group which has really paid off.  Most recently I joined the Worthington Area Art League (WAAL).  One of the key reasons for this local involvement is to meet other artists in the area.  Personally, I could get use to being a hermit but it is helpful to talk shop with a few of your peers.  The painting above will be on display at Dick Blick Art Store (Columbus, OH) with the works of some of my new found artist friends.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Crazy in Love

"Whetstone Prairie" - 8" x 10" - oil

Once again I found myself out painting before the sun was up in the Whetstone Prairie at the Park of Roses.  If this isn't a love for painting then it must be insanity.  The previous week of painting was a complete dud by my standards as I could not get into the right frame of mind for plein air painting.  This week was somewhat different.  I was relaxed, calm and even mellow, characteristics that have never been used to describe me as a person.  The painting above is what stemmed from that unseasonably cold morning.

Give Me Liberty

Liberty - 8" x 10" - oil

Plein Air

Sold

The painting above came from a great day of plein air painting at Liberty Presbyterian Church in Delaware, Ohio with the Ohio Plein Air group.  When I go out with the group I really never know just what I'm going to paint.  Some days I'm looking for a challenge and other days I'm just looking for a small victory.  When I drove up to the church I had every intention of painting the church, which is actually an authentic barn, but I was soon informed that there was a trail.  Shortly afterwards found a lovely little pond in an opening.  The view was quite intimidating at first but once I settled in it was off to the races.  


I just want to remind everyone of my upcoming online show at the Glave Kocen Gallery entitled "I've Been There."  There will be several new pieces based on my travels this summer.  I think there's a little something for everyone.  The show is exclusively online and will run from September 3rd to the 28th.  Log on and enjoy the view.  

A Weiss Decision

"The Village #1"- 11" x 14" - oil

Available at the Sharon Weiss Gallery

Last month I posted a blog about obtaining new representation in Louisville, KY. Well now I have more news but this time it's in Columbus, Ohio's Short North Gallery District. About a month ago I was in search of gallery representation here in Columbus. Well things were going slow to say the least until a friend and fellow artist came to my rescue (Thanks Jim) and recommend me to the Sharon Weiss Gallery. After meeting Sharon and talking for a bit, we decided to give it a go. There it is...the start of a new relationship in Columbus. I think that this move will further help to get my name out there on a local level because I still only know a handful of people here.

Plein and Simple

"Mirror Lake" - 8" x 10" - oil

A few weeks ago I was invited to paint with the Ohio Plein Air group. For those of you who aren't familiar with the term "plein air" it is a French term that means painting in outdoor daylight or on location. The Ohio Plein Air group meets every week at a different location in the Columbus area.

Initially I was a little nervous about joining the group because you never know how you or your work will be received. Also, if you don't know by now I like to paint in the studio with the comfort of a controlled setting where I can leave a painting for a few days and get back to it when the time is right. This invitation was just the challenge/experience that I needed. The first couple of trips out I felt like I was on some sick game show for artists. I was fumbling around looking for the right brush, I couldn't paint fast enough and I was overly concerned with details...total nightmare.

Last week things started to come together while painting at Mirror Lake on The Ohio State University Campus. This was probably the first of the plein air paintings that I was somewhat pleased with. There are things that I would change if I had to do it again but I wouldn't change the overall experience.

Shedding

"Cloud Nine" - 30" x 40" - oil

Available at Glave Kocen Gallery

For the past week I've accomplished absolutely nothing as far as painting. I've been focused on clearing up some studio space. Initially it started out as some minor spring cleaning and then it turned into a full expansion. For those of you that don't know my painting process, I like to make my own painting panels with the exception of some of the larger works on canvas. This process often brings along a lot of dust with the use of a miter, circular and table saw. While the occasional dog hair can't be avoided, dust is just plain annoying. So for the past week or so Evelyn and I have been working hard towards building a shed for the building process. Now I'll actually be able to use the studio for painting. Here are some photos from the construction site known as my backyard.

Even my dog was working.

Special thanks to Cynthia (Spreadsheet), Victor, Mr. & Mrs. Davis and Evelyn...of course.

Showing Off

"All that I'm Good For"- 24" x 24" - oil

The painting above is just one of the paintings that I currently have on display at the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington. Also, for the next six weeks I'll be holding a painting workshop at the arts center. I've included a photo from the artists reception below.

What's next for me? Well I've got several small works and a couple of 30x40" paintings on the easel. It's a regular factory around here. Hopefully I'll have some more works to share with everyone real soon.

Here Comes the Sun

"Things are Looking Up" - 12 x 24"- oil

Available at Art Access Gallery

The painting above stemmed from a walk in the park with some friends. What started as a day of leisure turned out to be very productive for me. It took me a while to get up the courage to work on this painting but I bit the bullet. After I finished it the glare reminded me of one of those inspirational posters that you often see in offices.

During last month's show in Nashville, I noticed that a lot of folks took a special interest in a painting titled "The Light in Your Eyes." I enjoyed the end result and wanted to do more similar pieces. With this in mind I wanted to test the waters of the Columbus art scene by including this painting in the group show, "New Works" at Art Access Gallery. The opening went fairly well despite the horrific weather conditions.

Take one down pass it around

"Roadside View 1 & 2" - 24" x 24" each - oil

Despite my absence I have been busier than a beaver in a coffee lake. Let's see...earlier this month we took a trip to Richmond, VA to pick up some panels/frames and spend some quality time with friends and family. From there we drove to Nashville,TN to see more family as well as drop off a couple of pieces at The Arts Company (like the two above).

Although it was a work day in Nashville I found time to celebrate my birthday. We walked through downtown Nashville, spent time with family and had a great dinner. Despite being kicked out of the truck by my niece (because I'm a boy...duuuh), it was certainly one of the better birthdays of recent memory.

So what have I been working on recently? Well the big project right now is my first major solo show in Richmond, VA. The show is titled "Between Homes" and will focus on the beautiful sights between Ohio and Virginia. The plan is to have about 40 landscapes painted by November 6th. As of today I've completed 22 paintings with 9 in progress and a little more than a month left. IT'S GO TIME!

Hold the Olives

"Shaken not Stirred" - 30" x 40" - oil


This is a friendly reminder of the "New Works" group show at Art Access Gallery this Friday (July 10th). The painting above is just one of the new pieces that will be on display. The artist reception is from 5 to 8pm. If you can make it bring friends and their friends or even people that just look like your friends. Just come, have a drink, and enjoy the work. By the slim chance that you can't make the reception, make sure you go before the end the summer.

Different Strokes to Move the World

"Stroke! Stroke!" - 5" x 11" - oil

click here to bid or purchase

This is my entry into the Different Strokes from Different Folks Challenge. This one was a real challenge because the reference photo was kind of washed out but I tried to make the best of it. I thought about skipping this one but I felt obligated since my friend Clinton decided to start participating. Nothing keeps me going like a little friendly competition.

In other Steven Walker news... I'll be participating in a group show at Art Access Gallery (Bexley, OH) titled "New Work" for the month of July and August. The artist opening is this Friday from 5pm to 8pm. If you know of anyone in the Ohio area tell them to go to the gallery immediately. If they give you any excuses . . . start shaking them but not too hard, just enough to get the point across.

Disclaimer: Steven Walker is not responsible for any violence that may stem from this or any other blog, although there's nothing wrong with a little tough love.

Testing...one...two...three

"Columbus #3" - 8" x 10" - oil

Here goes nothing. I've had some technical issues with the blog lately and wanted to post this piece just to test the feed. Hopefully everyone is receiving the updates without any issues. This is one of the few cityscapes that I've done of Columbus. This painting is currently at the Art Access Gallery in Bexley, OH.

Hey 98.6 it's Good to Have you Back

"High St." - 12" x 16" - oil

For those of you who aren't aware, I've been teaching art part time at the university level for the past five years. During each of these terms I've managed to only get sick during Spring Break. This year was no different. Unlike previous years, I can't narrow down who the culprit was that infected me. I think it was a four year old named Shannon but until I have any hard evidence it's all speculation. Maybe it was a conspiracy. In any case . . . Vengeance will be MINE. I've been down for a few days but now I'm back at the easel. Here's a painting of High Street on an early Saturday morning.

Local Yokle

"Columbus #3" - 8" x 10" oil

A few months ago I started a series of local city paintings. This series lead to an article in CityScene Magazine. CityScene was the first local magazine that I had come across after moving to Columbus. A few paintings and a couple of months later and here it is. I received my copy of the article this past Saturday. I must say that I was impressed by the quality and color accuracy of the publication. I've had some nightmare situations about color accuracy with publications but this isn't one of them...bang up job. This painting can be found at Art Access Gallery in Bexley, OH. Click here to see the article.

Citywide Domination

"The Drexel" - 16" x 20" - oil

Yesterday I made a quick stop by Art Access Gallery to drop off some Columbus cityscapes. Cityscapes? Don't worry I haven't given up painting dilapidated barns and run down tractors. These Columbus scenes were inspired by Columbus City Scene magazine, of which I will be the profiled artist in the March/April issue. It's all part of my diabolical plan to get the word out... "Steven Walker's in town" (followed by an evil laugh). This piece is my second attempt at painting the Drexel Theater. I posted the first attempt back in December.

If you've been following this blog, then you know that cityscapes aren't "my thing." My first attempts at painting city scenes were mediocre at best but that was also five years ago. I'm not saying that I've mastered the art of the cityscape but I feel more comfortable and confident in my overall painting abilities than I did five years ago...or even five days ago for that matter.

Another Post...er

"The Rail" - 11" x 14" - oil

Here's one of the new pieces from my travels through downtown Columbus. So far I've completed nine "Columbusy" paintings. I'll be posting more of these in the coming posts. In the meantime I'm going to get back to painting some larger pieces. It's been a while since I've completed any large works. This was particularly due to a lack of time (not that I have more time now).

I did this piece a few months ago for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). This poster is part of the kickoff to Black History Month and contains a calendar of events at the university sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs throughout the month of February. This is the second poster that I've made for the university. I was told that several students and alumni framed theirs. As far as I know the poster is free so if you're in the area go pick one up at the Student Commons.