Kurt Walters

March 12, 2010

So I'm back from the Olympics, and skiing in Whistler, and now after a few days of work thought I could share the current state of Story Forest with you. I've gone a little crazy with the carpet of flowers look, might have to tone that down a bit.. Otherwise, Story Lady herself is coming along, though I will be softening her as I progress. Some of the kids have evolved more, and the background is pretty much done finally..

Posted by kurt at 12:24 PM | Comments (0)

February 18, 2010

This is one of 2 very short animated films which I believe are cornerstones in my work to this day. (the other being the 'Madrigal Alphabet' from Sesame Street) I had hoped with the development of You Tube, torrents, and other means of finding 'lost' videos and audio, I would find this one quite soon, but it eluded me until now. I stumbled upon it quite by accident last night while looking for something else.

I saw this only once, and it's been stamped on my psyche ever since that 1st viewing.. it was the main reason I hung the cassette recorder mike around the channel changing knobs of the TV, as I hoped to one day tape it, and could maybe then play it over and over in order to draw my own visions when hearing the tune. But I never saw it again, or only caught the final fleeting seconds.

For a little gay boy stuck in Buffalo Sabre land, with it's defeated populace, and propensity for violence.. fleeting moments like this brief film, and the message I derived from it, that somewhere out there, people with a desire to create beautiful things, simply because they were aesthetically pleasing, that needed not much else, are what kept me hoping and motivated that one day I would find like minded persons, to live amongst, and create work of similar nature.

Click here to see the video

Posted by kurt at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)

February 14, 2010

And a quick update over view of the kids in Story Forest. Though I'm rather happy with the progress at this stage, while working on it the other day, I was suddenly hit by the terror that it's beginning to look like the cover of a Jehovah's Witness publication...

Posted by kurt at 12:40 PM | Comments (0)

One of the other Christmas related projects I'm doing is figurines based on the 12 Gift Bearer paintings I did. These are made of resin. The smaller Santa on the left is from a new company, and the larger one is from a manufacturer I had been working with until they shut down in October.

I wanted him to be smaller so he would be the same size as the other figures, which are still in various stages of development. I recently sent 'The Russians' (Dyed Moroz and Babushka) to a different factory to be made in resin AND ceramic.

Once I get those two samples I'll be able to decide which direction to go. And of course I'll share them with you, for any opinions or thoughts.

Posted by kurt at 12:14 PM | Comments (0)

February 11, 2010

It's not as though I expect people to see every little subtle change and nuance I do to a painting on a constant basis.. but in keeping with the daily updates I thought I would post again..

Yesterday was all about folds in fabric, and the volumes of those folds. though there's a ways to go, I feel the pink apron is looking better.. I also applied those ideas to some of the other skirts in the piece.

We'll see if the momentum continues today..

Posted by kurt at 10:51 AM | Comments (0)

February 10, 2010

Here's a shot of yesterday's work. The kids are all getting their individual personalities established and fine tuned. Some to a greater degree than others. Rudimentary lighting effects have also begun.

I'm still not thrilled with Story Lady's pink apron folds, and I'll attack those 1st thing today. But I am rather satisfied with the sleeping boy's face, as he doesn't look dead, or insane, which could easily happen when doing such a face.

Also, his 1920's style clown doll was quite a bit of work, and I've included a dime again just to give you an idea what sizes I'm dealing with.

Posted by kurt at 09:54 AM | Comments (0)

February 04, 2010

and a detail... see the rat next to the Piper's left leg?

Posted by kurt at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)

So I took this shot before it was almost completely dark out .. and you can actually see some of the changes a bit better. For example the lighting that I mentioned yesterday, some of the other figures coming along, and St. George on top of the fountain with no spear yet to kill the Dragon with..

Posted by kurt at 05:08 PM | Comments (0)

February 03, 2010

Back to Story Forest, I've been refining the background, and making it begin to recede more. Also have been really working the lighting effects, with the golden glow coming in from the left.. which I think is becoming more evident.. did more on the fountain as well, but by the time I shot this it was getting so dark the pics were coming out too blurry..

Posted by kurt at 04:58 PM | Comments (0)

January 31, 2010

Ok, total change of pace for a moment.. the owner of the Bryan China Co. drove to our home from New Castle PA. this morning to hand deliver the newest prototypes of the 4 first Christmas Plates we intend to release.

The newest ones are the ones where the central image is smaller. We feel it's a much better solution. Though some color tweaking still needs to happen, and we feel there should be an indication of some shadow so the figures don't float and are more grounded..

What do you guys think?

Posted by kurt at 05:03 PM | Comments (0)

January 29, 2010

So after a couple layers of glaze dried, I was able to get back to work and decided to concentrate on one of the more neglected areas, The Pied Piper, the fountain he's sitting on, and the surrounding foliage.

Although, in this shot, he's appearing much redder than he does in reality. And at this point I"m still thinking his legs will go to a deep, rich purple.

While I'm adhering to the original copper etching's concept, I am adding a few fun twists to personalize it.. at 1st I thought I wouldn't mention this newest one, but as dedicated fans, membership does have it's privileges.. look just to the right of the Piper's left shin.. see something? A small creature that might have something to do with his story?

Posted by kurt at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)

January 28, 2010

So a quick overview to see the progress.. Once the white areas of the throne are eliminated, the group of kids and Story Lady will come more into focus.. of course lighting will help that too.. Onward!

Posted by kurt at 03:09 PM | Comments (0)

And just before a lunch break, the final group of kids is blocked in a bit more. At this point, every square centimeter of the painting has been dealt with, so now it's just a matter of coloring it in and I'll be all done..

Posted by kurt at 03:03 PM | Comments (0)

January 26, 2010

Well even though it's my birthday today, I still love to do the things one would think I would avoid.. work, and practice really difficult Beethoven sonatas.. so after a few rounds with the Presto agitato from the Moonlight, I went into the studio and did yet another 'Hold -your-breather.'

This is the term I use to refer to passages in a painting especially faces, where the tiniest of dots of paint, can make or break an expression. One millimeter to the left or right can make a charming rosy faced child suddenly look like E.T. By holding my breath I can control the placement of said dots much better..

I'm kinda thrilled with my latest addition, the girl on the lap of Story Lady.. and just to give you some perspective, I've included a Dime..

like I said, lots of breath holding..

Posted by kurt at 02:39 PM | Comments (0)

January 25, 2010

Time for another overview... Story Lady herself has evolved a bit, her face is softer, and has a hint of a smile.. The Pied Piper and the fountain are coming along, as is the snake.. and of course a few tweaks on Snow White..

Posted by kurt at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)

January 22, 2010

With appointments to go to today I couldn't work as long as normally, so I dashed off the Story Lady's face, and after I took this pic. continued to work out the folds of her dress and apron. I've decided I'm having her twist her torso a bit while seated, Mannerism!

Thus her feet face slightly left, while her shoulders and arms angle more to the viewer and the children, as if she's about to say, 'Alright, let's gather 'round, and listen..'

Posted by kurt at 02:36 PM | Comments (0)

January 21, 2010

more kid tweaking today.. the 'dog group' is starting to get the shadows they'll be in glazed on top of them... the others are getting more defined, pared down, etc. Also determining lighting effects, and what information is necessary or superfluous, to tell the story.. so to speak.

Posted by kurt at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)

January 14, 2010

The kids just keep coming and coming.. reminds me of Loretta Lynn's 'One's On The Way'... kinda really happy with the boy leaning on the throne, as his hand is getting less 'clawier'.. and I'm really happy with the 'little dumpling' holding the flowers kneeling at Story Lady's feet.. and now it's time for some lunch.

Posted by kurt at 02:31 PM | Comments (0)

January 12, 2010

So this is it for today.. you may see a few changes from this afternoon, little girl in blue dress' face is coming along, and the girl sitting up on the rocks behind the throne now has a new-ish hat/ bonnet, and the face is getting more to where I want it..

Posted by kurt at 05:06 PM | Comments (0)

Shot this just a few minutes ago before taking a lunch break, ( but then painted a bit more on the small girl on the left).. they're all just getting the basics scribbled in at this point.. keep in mind the little boy is about as big as your thumb.. so anatomical perfection may not happen throughout the piece..

Posted by kurt at 02:05 PM | Comments (0)

January 11, 2010

After a few days back getting things organized, I've been able to spend time working again, and for this update I thought I would show an overall view of where Story Forest is currently.

I've ignored Snowy as much as possible, and have turned my attentions to the kids on the far right, 'the dog group', and the 3 girls just behind them..

Posted by kurt at 04:49 PM | Comments (0)

December 23, 2009

Alright, one last pic of Snowy before heading off to LGA and trying to get to the left coast.. I'll be gone 'til the 4th, enjoying the sensory delights of Georgetown Cali.. prone to violence toothless yokels, tomb like stillness, an ailing parent, gorgeous scenery, a place where one can scan the emptiness of one's soul and question one's decisions, and each night try to balm the voices with some calvados in a 200 yr old, delicate as air glass from a long gone relative.. Happy Holidays..

Posted by kurt at 01:04 PM | Comments (0)

December 22, 2009

well I've pulled back the view so you can see that I'm not only working ( ruinously obsessing) over Snowy.. that, indeed, other parts of the piece are getting blocked in and getting resolved.

The figure of St. George and the dragon, atop the fountain are set, and the Pied Piper is just getting started. Of course I'll obsess over them as well, but basic premise and shapes are established.

btw, there is no St. George in the original etching, just a dragon on the fountain. But I figured I'd give a little nod to someone kinda special in my life.

the flat appearance of the colors will change over time as I continue to glaze, and deepen the colors. Hope to do a little more tomorrow before trying to head to the left coast..

Posted by kurt at 08:10 PM | Comments (0)

December 21, 2009

and yet another day of Snowy.. it got to a point where I had to scrub a few layers away and build back up.. see? isn't it fun being the fan of an insane obsessed artist? You get to see the same crap day after day with the tiniest of changes, and you're expected to notice something.. imagine being married to that?

Anyway, this is the newest face, which I think I'm happiest with.. though I really need to get a better camera .. it looks like I shot this with the poster board camera that came with my April 1974 issue of School Bulletin..

Posted by kurt at 06:44 PM | Comments (0)

December 19, 2009

It's funny.. for some reason if I don't like something about a painting, I obsess about that, and continue to work on it until I get it 'right'.. for example Snowy's face... here's the newest version..

I often think it would be more efficient to work around the whole piece and then go back to parts that need more work.. someday I may have to try that.

Posted by kurt at 04:21 PM | Comments (0)

December 17, 2009

and after some more work a close up... though the colors are still way off.. guess I may have to upgrade camera phones one day..

Posted by kurt at 04:29 PM | Comments (0)

Decided that Snowy's face was too modern.. threw on a more 19th cent. one before going off to lunch... yeah, I know, she looks like she's chewing tobacco, and some other quirks.. don't worry I'll tweak those.

Posted by kurt at 12:02 PM | Comments (0)

December 15, 2009

And back to a day of work on Story Forest, more tweaking of skin tones, tree shadows, leaves, more depth on the snail and surrounding area, and another layer of color on the snake.

Posted by kurt at 04:05 PM | Comments (0)

December 14, 2009

Came back from the Bahamas last night to find a package containing the latest version of the Santa guest towel on raw linen with a sample of its 'sewn in' tag.. That's what you see in the upper right. Gotta admit, I'm getting rather excited about these

Posted by kurt at 11:50 AM | Comments (0)

December 09, 2009

After lunch I played with 'Slinky' the snake.. and tweaked Snaily n Snowy a bit more.. this is how it will look for the next few days, as I'm off to the Cove in Nassau to celebrate the bf's boss' birthday..

Posted by kurt at 08:25 AM | Comments (0)

December 08, 2009

Haven't been able to work for a couple weeks, but got back into it this weekend after returning to my studio. Here's Snowy n Snaily as they progress.. again the camera keeps picking up the garrish colors... not sure why

Posted by kurt at 02:08 PM | Comments (0)

November 17, 2009

Here's a slightly tweaked Snow White, for some reason the camera picks up some wild colors this time of day.. The piece really isn't this intense.

Posted by kurt at 04:36 PM | Comments (0)

November 13, 2009

Well, 'Sitting Up On The Rocks" girl has gotten a little more evolved, and doesn't have much of a sailor suit going on anymore. But now she got some little lace cap that is a little too wacky.. she'll get a little more tweaking. The boy standing looking up at Story Lady herself, is blocked in, and the boy lying asleep with a toy in his hand is starting to develop.

But today I'm sort of bored with Ultramarine Blue and kids, I think I'm going to play with Snow White and see what I can do to her to get her to the next level.. say some prayers.

Posted by kurt at 10:46 AM | Comments (0)

November 11, 2009

So now the smallest girl in the group of 3 (the one on the left) is pretty much blocked in, and I'm kinda' diggin' her, and the girl sitting on the rocks around the throne is slowly evolving beyond her sketched self.. yet the little sailor suit she's begun to develop, that seemed kind of cute yesterday, is rather annoying today..I'm thinking she needs to go back o more traditional 'fairytale wear'.

Oh, and Dog-girl, as been put on a diet..

Posted by kurt at 01:40 PM | Comments (0)

November 10, 2009

Began work on the group of 3 girls behind the 'Dog Group'.. it's funny how just changing the head position can take quite a while to get right. The girl on the right went from profile to 3/4 which I like a lot more.
Though now comparing her body, which to me seems more kid-like to the matronly girl with the dog makes ...me realize dog-girl will need to lay off the Cinnabons.. i.e. she'll get some slimming done soon.

Posted by kurt at 11:09 PM | Comments (0)

November 09, 2009

So here's a shot taken yesterday, as I got a call from Gallery 1870 in Yountville Ca... and they wanted a sampling of what I do. It's a new piece I'm working on called Story Forest, based on an etching by my Grandfather.

In the original etching one sees many children piled around a seated woman. In the background is the Pied Piper on the edge of a fountain, and in the foreground is Snow White, a giant snail, and a snake in a tree.

I've taken what seems to be a mass of kids listening to a story told by a woman on a throne, and moved them around a bit. I've opened up the space more, and made it an overall more calming composition. Tweaked some of the bodies here and there, and made the setting more coherent.

Posted by kurt at 04:39 PM | Comments (0)

September 23, 2009

The final version of "Composition in Black and White, using neither Black nor very much White, 'The Matt Tratner Portrait'". Of course as is always the case, it's nearly impossible to show the true depth of the color in a scan on line. But hopefully you get the idea.

Posted by kurt at 12:12 PM | Comments (0)

August 21, 2009

So these arrived this morning, and though I'm excited we're moving to the next step, they're still not perfect. And whatever has the Kurt Walters name on it, just has to be perfect... sorry. So we'll tweak them a bit more and I hope to have some updated shots to share soon.

Posted by kurt at 02:09 PM | Comments (3)

August 20, 2009

Alright, I just don't add to this blog enough. Guess it's a feeling of inadequacy, or that I don't have anything new and interesting to show. But with this latest piece in the homestretch I figure it's time to write something.

I'll post a better scan soon, as this one tends to make the face feel pinched, making him slightly cross eyed, which he's not, and neither is he in the painting. And also the vermilion and orange appear far too strong than they really are.

But the sitter is beyond happy with the piece, and I must admit it's turning out exactly as I had hoped. An exercise in flesh and fabric..

Posted by kurt at 11:44 AM | Comments (0)

June 22, 2009

Well since Google has so kindly made my entry with the Kristkind appear on it's first page, I feel I should waste no time in adding more images. This is a close up of the prototype for the figurine group of Ded Moroz (on the left) with Babushka.

Though Ded Moroz is normally seen accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka, I've opted to change the legend a bit by adding Babushka, the other major Russian gift bearer.

Posted by kurt at 04:56 PM | Comments (0)

June 20, 2009

So this is a quick snap shot of the unfinished piece currently on my easel. Is it a lady with a hat? Or a woman standing behind a curtain? Still exploring the directions the piece could go it.. just thought I'd share it with my adoring public.

Posted by kurt at 12:24 PM | Comments (0)

June 09, 2009

Feel I have to share this amusing photo sent to me by my friend über-talented Dave of Slick it Up. It's the portrait I did of him, now with a logo, and on a T-shirt. Modeled by Francois Sagat and an unnamed buddy of his.

Posted by kurt at 10:59 AM | Comments (0)

May 27, 2009

At last I'm able to add to this blog again.. and with that I have a small sample of the Kristkind's face. One of the 4 prototypes I sent back to the Philippines today.. Keep in mind the face you're looking at is about the size of a quarter.

Posted by kurt at 04:19 PM | Comments (0)