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