New Pet Portrait Commission

Here is my newest commission..."Hannah"-- Shitzu with an attitude. Can you see her fiesty expression. It's as if to say, "I'm the boss." Being personally acquainted with the owners of this little pet, I can honestly say that she really does command the respect of her family! Sometimes it is good to loosen up with a small portrait such as this. If you are interested in commissioning a portrait of your family pet, please contact me at vkohnartist@aol.com Rates are reasonable!

oil on canvas....11x14...Sold

"Man's Best Friend"

Have you ever wanted to do a portrait of your best friend? No, I don't mean the human kind; I am talking about your pet. My little dachshund, Snoopy, (who lives up to that name, btw) is the perfect kind of studio "companion." He lies on a cushion next to the ceiling-to-floor window & watches for any intrusion that might disturb my inner sanctum. Of course, just when I am deeply focused on a fine detail in the painting, he begins to excitedly bark at the neighbor's goats or cows who lean over the fence to get that green blade of grass just out of their reach! More than once I have had to retrieve my paintbrush from the far corner after such an outburst. All in all, he makes a good & faithful companion, content to just be in the room with me, making no demands whatever, except foran occasional pat on the head. What more can you ask of a good friend?
oil on canvas, 12 x 16"
$125, unframed

"If I Can't Be a Surgeon, I'll Be An Artist"

One of my art students has many hats to wear..one of them is as a writer. Here is an example of her work:
"Lately I have considered myself to be one of the luckiest persons alive. Why? Because I am an artist. That may not be a big deal to you, but it is to me. There's been a lot of years when I just wasn't sure what my 'calling' was. I spent quite a few years as a substitute teacher & was actually very good at it. But it wasn't something I planned for, worked toward, dreamed of. I kinda fell into it & accidentally found I was good with middle school kids & could teach a lesson, & even make most of them pay attention while I taught it....But, the art side of me has always hovered near the surface...during an art class, I was told by several artists that I didn't need to get a degree unless I wanted to teach..my talent was there! Still, just because you decide you want to be a surgeon & can pull all the body parts out of the game Operation in record time, doesn't mean you can own your own scalpel (& use it). My criteria for being able to say, 'I'm an artist' has hinged on being able to sell any of my paintings.......well, I have! I'm going to be hung in a new restaurant! And I have 2 commissions!!..guess what...I'm an artist! Still, that statement & $2 will get me a venti green ginger tea at Starbucks (with 2 Splendas) habit, I need to continue to sell paintings..which means I need to produce paintings-which means I probably don't have time to mop floors or take out the trash much, much less cook dinner......If you need me, I'll be in my studio (back of the house). Come on in, visit, hang out, just don't get in my light. We artists are fussy about that."....If you're interested to read more & laugh, her link is: http://www.waitingforthenextshoe.blogspot.com/ . Her name is Becky Arnold....enjoy the laughter!

"Busy Month"

Somehow I have found myself double-booked on the same weekend..I'm judging an art show on Sept 12th & have to drive back to Ft. Worth (2 hrs) in time for art show reception in which I am one of the artists! How do I get myself in these situations?

In addition, I am leaving for a family reunion (2nd or 3rd this year) to Lake Tahoe. Looking forward to a photo shoot while there. I can hardly wait. There will be some wonderful paintings from this trip. Travels are always welcome moments of inspiration for artists. Duty calls!!!

"Arts in the Garden"

For those in the Ft. Worth vicinity, the "Arts in the Garden" will be held Sept. 11-13th in the Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden Center at the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens. Call the Center for times: 817-763-0724. Website: http://www.fwbg.org/. Gallery night reception: Sat. 5-8 pm.

I am fortunate to be included as one of the participating artists. Here is my entry, entitled: "DeGolyer's View". Hope to see you there!

Oil on canvas..11 x 14.. $ 750

"The Life of an Artist"

I have often heard the phrase, "artists march to the beat of a different drummer"...so true! I have just found a recent article that is so appropriate in describing what we do and what we are as artists. I quote: "The life of a visual fine artist is rewarding, satisfying, and sometimes, necessary. Like many other endeavors, it has its good points. We enjoy what we do..we can do it anywhere..we can do it in our pajamas..we enjoy the process. We can often make money at it..we can teach it...we can enjoy the process. Whilethe quality & beauty of our work..is always in the eye of the beholder, it is a goal to seek out art collectors, gallery owners, or maybe even a museum ..how do we cope with the emotional roller coaster of 'approval, income, the ups and downs of our careers?'" She has many thought provoking things to say...good advice for any level of artist! This article may be seen in its entirely at www.patzart.blogspot.com . Enjoy the read!

"The Last Grandchild"

As with most families, we have a family tradition. My g-grandfather built handmade chairs & rockers for extra income. In the early days, he took a wagon load of rockers & various types of chairs to market. On his last trip, he gave each of his grown children a chair with the instructions that it was to be handed down to the youngest of each grandchild as a family heirloom. As luck would have it, the little red chair was given to my mother, the youngest at that time. Now I am in possession of this small chair which is being preserved for my youngest.

The seat is covered with old deer hide that has split & curled in the most interesting texture. The quilt, the Bethlehem Star pattern, also her quilt, is reminisicent of the period in which the chair was fashioned. Her christening dress, garden hat, and doll are all a part of her place in our family...this is a portrait of "the last grandchild" of my generation.

20 x 24 framed..please see my website if interested: www.vonniekohn.com

"Art in the Garden '09"..I've been accepted!

I've just been notified that I've been accepted into "Art in the Garden 2009" at the Ft. Worth Botanic Garden (Ft. Worth, Tx). The show will be held in the Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden Center on September 11-13, 2009. This artwork is posted on July 27, 2008 in this blog. I was honored to learn that the juror was very impressed with "The DeGolyer View". He has had many credentials, among them, a staff member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Washington, D.C. If you are in the vicinity of the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, please attend this noteworthy show.

"Crossroads N Ranch"

This is a very large ranch that we pass by every time we take a shortcut to one of the major interstate highways in Texas. For years I wondered why it was called "Crossroads Ranch." As we passed by on one of our trips into Oklahoma, I looked back & saw the "crosses" on the top of the silos & a cross with the letter "n" beside it. This is such a lovely area. I determined for several years that I was going to paint them. Just so happens that the tenants were there the day I chose to set my easel up & paint-such willing models! The paper was slightly wrinkled when I took this picture..the framing took out those uneven areas.

Watercolor painting on 140 lb Arches..22 x 28..double matted & framed
$ 450
http://www.vonniekohn.com/

"Vendimia"

Grapes-a symbol of life, immortality, harvest, a time of joy. This is my newest "note from the easel". I chose to paint the palomino grape which is used for making "fino" and "amontillado" (sherry wine). It is not just a white grape, but goes through many color changes as it ripens on the vine.

While on a tour through a vineyard, I spied this beautiful cluster of grapes, with the sun peeking through the leaves. I wanted to share the moment with you. Beautiful, isn't it?

11x14...oil on canvas...gallery wrapped (needs no frame)

If interested, please contact me either here or through my website:

http://www.vonniekohn.com/

"Isaiah's Scroll"

What could be more about Easter than the celebration of the Resurrection? This small painting is my spiritual tribute to the One whom this season is all about. The prophet Isaiah is known as the "prophet of the messiah" because of several writings which foretold of a coming savior for his people. His was a "celebration of life." This particular scroll is chosen from Isaiah, chapter 53....Happy Easter everyone!

5 x 7" oil on board, framed...$150
www.vonniekohn.com

"Pomegranates with Lime"

I love pomegranates....they are both tasty and interesting to paint! I also love painting small works..aka..miniatures (altho' this is not a true miniature in the sense of scale). Painting on such a small canvas helps me to have a sense of immediancy in brushwork and spontaneity in composition and color. I don't get "buried in the details". Many painters have a blog advertising "a painting a day." I do not try to keep that schedule. There are too many wonderful ideas in my head that simply won't fit that daily rigor. The pomegranates in my kitchen, however, seemed to beg to be captured in this simple, but appealing still-life. Please feel free to enjoy...or maybe you'd like to buy a pomegranate & share my enthusiam?



Oil on Canvas...5 x 5"...gallery wrap (needs no frame).. http://www.vonniekohn.com

"Signs of Spring"

It's nearly the season for painting in "plein air"-a term the French used to painting outside. Here in Texas the bluebonnets are in their seed pods waiting to burst forth and announce the arrival of Spring! It is also the season designated as a sign of "new life." This beautiful Arabian, belonging to one of my friends, has just experienced a sign of new life with her son, "Prophet." Can you smell the flowers yet?

12x16..oil on canvas..available (framed)
http://www.vonniekohn.com

"Cloak of Honor"

It's been awhile since my last posting...Christmas was a busy time for me. As vice-president of Shows for my local art guild, I had to oversee the installation of the Western Art Show that is being held concurrently with the Ft. Worth Livestock & Exposition Show in Ft. Worth, Tx. Our Western Show will be held during the entire month of February. It includes not only western, but Native American, wildlife, landscape & photography. One of the entries is this painting of a Cherokee man who is known as the "Principal Chief". As head of the Cherokees, he dons a turkey feather cloak when welcoming other tribal dignitaries, at weddings, or any ceremony which requires his presence as acting Principal Chief. Only a man who exhibits great leadership skills for guiding his people has the honor to wear this robe....hence, the "cloak of honor."
Pastel on Canson paper...18 x 24...Private collection