Oil Painting by John Kelley

Daniel Garber, Tanis, June-July-August 1915. Oil on canvas, 60 x 46-1/4 inches. From the Warner Collection of the Westervelt Warner Company, displayed in the Westervelt Warner Museum of American Art, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

On the 23rd and 24th of November I taught an introductory course in pastel painting at the newly formed Jack Warner Art Institute, a division of the Warner Westervelt Museum of Art here in Tuscaloosa Alabama. The course was a survey of the use of pastel and was a preview of the upcoming six-week classes that I will be teaching at the institute. Jack Warner has put together one of the largest collections of American art in the country and it was an incredible experience teaching in a room filled with paintings by Sargent, Whistler, Chase, Casssatt, Innes, Henri and others. Information on the upcoming classes taught by Caleb O’Conner, Danny Rountree, Maureen Shots and Ruth O’Conner can be found by contacting the Westervelt Warner Museum.

The highlight of the first introductory session was the purchase of my demo painting by Mr. Warner. I cannot think of a higher honor and I am humbled to be recognized by such a knowledgeable art collector and art historian. His contribution to American art is unmatchable and I hope that when you visit Tuscaloosa you will take the time to come and enjoy his incomparable collection of art. You can also see a VIRTUAL TOUR of the museum on the website.

I’m finding it much easier to do a painting every day than it is to post a painting everyday. So it may seem that I haven’t been working but here is the proof that I have. Most of these paintings will be reserved for my two upcoming shows. If you fall in love with one of these and you would like to deprive one of my shows a painting please contact me. “Strong” is the only painting I’m putting up for bidding this week.

“Bunched!” 5″ x 5″ Pastel on Paper SOLD

$150 - framed

“Friends” 5″x5″ Pastel on Paper

SOLD

“In A Line” 5′x5″ Pastel on Paper SOLD

$150 - framed

“No Hurry” 5″x5″ Pastel on Paper SOLD

$150 - framed

“Open Spaces” 5′x5″ Pastel on Paper SOLD

$150 - framed

“Strength” 5″x5″ Pastel on Paper

SOLD

“The Fire” 5″x5″ Pastel on Paper SOLD

$150 - framed

“Fire Tree” 5″x5″ Pastel on Paper  SOLD

$150 - framed

“Where I’ll Be” 24″ x 24″, Oil on Canvas

SOLD

“Misty’s Day”

SOLD

“Far Away” 24″ x 24″ Oil on Canvas

SOLD

5″x5″ pastel on Kitty Wallis pastel paper (the best stuff on the planet!)

Someone asked me the other day if I ever get tired of these. The answer for the most part is no. They are the most relaxing of all the paintings I do. It has been a challenge over the years to keep coming up with new compositions and color ideas, but that is the amazing thing about these little guys. Even when I try to make them the same they never turn out the same. There is an endless variety to what can be done with pastel even when you are confined to a 5″x5″ space. I will be posting several more of these in the days to come.

SOLD