MY QUIET PLACE – whiskey painting
Whiskey Paintings are miniature watercolor paintings, no larger than 20 square inches, created by members of the Whiskey Painters of America. Typical sizes are 3.5″ x 5.5″ and 4″ x 5″.
The organization originated in the 1950s when a traveling salesman, who was also a watercolor artist, would spend his evening hours at the local “watering hole” creating miniature paintings using his current beverage as a mixing medium. The idea of the paintings became very popular and people began collecting the miniature works of art. There are currently three Whiskey Painters residing in Vermont – Annelein Beukenkamp (Burlington), Laurie Sigmund (Warren) and Gary Eckhart (Warren). Gary nominated both Annelein and Laurie.
At any given time there can be no more than 150 active members. Artists are nominated by existing members and go through a jury process before being accepted into the organization. There are several national exhibitions of Whiskey Paintings by galleries and museums held throughout the year. The New England Exhibition is held as part of the annual Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition in the Red Barn Galleries at Lareau Farm and Forest, Waitsfield, VT. The Exhibition dates for 2025 are June 15 to July 20. Check the Valley Artists Guild, presenting organization, website (www.valleyartistsguild.org) for details on the Exhibition.
Over the centuries there have been numerous twists and turns in the styles of art that have been popular with both the public and the art collectors. This is very evident if one would take the time to peruse any of the multitude of art history books available. The 20th century alone had a plethora of “art movements” ranging from Impressionism, Post Impressionism, Ash Can School to the more recent Pop Art, Expressionism and Op-Art. Scattered among all of these movements have been the artists who have dealt with representational and realistic art. These art forms have always been present, but they frequently got lost among the popular in-vogue movements of the day.
The various art movements of the past were driven by any number of external influencers including war, financial concerns or politics. Some of these influencers were very obvious while others were more subtle.
Over the past few years (especially after the COVID pandemic) there has been a renewed interest in representational art. No one can, or is willing to, explain why this sudden interest, but galleries are suddenly filled with works of representational and realist art. Groups such as the American Artists Professional League will only show art that qualifies as representational or realistic. Ateliers stressing techniques of these art forms are cropping up across the country.
Gary (painting below) and Roarke (photo top) of Moosewalk Studios and Gallery have become known for their representational and realistic art (yes, there is a slight difference to be discussed in a future post). The art is accessible, easy to understand and pleasing to the eye. Visitors are welcome by appointment thru mid-May when regular weekend hours for visitors begin for the summer.
EVENING CHORES – a 15″ x 20″ watercolor that has been selected for numerous watercolor exhibitions.
It has been a long time – very long – since any activity has taken place on the Moosewalk Studios website. Thank you to all the individuals who have remained faithful and continued to keep in touch.
The past 12 months were not overly kind health-wise to either Roarke or Gary. No need to bore you with any of the details other than to let you know that we are fine, active and back to operating the studio and gallery. The “down time” did provide us with the opportunity to produce a new series of work with some striking and exciting new images.
The gallery is currently open thru early May by appointment (call at 802-583-2224). Once the volumes of snow disappear we will be open regular hours for the late spring thru autumn gallery season. Starting May 16, hours at Moosewalk are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 PM with most Fridays open as well. Other days are by chance. Guest artists will be joining us on occasion.
The Gallery will be participating in the spring Vermont Open Studios on May 24 & 25 and the autumn Vermont Open Studios on October 4 & 5. Studio hours for both events are 10 AM to 5 PM on all days. These state-wide events are presented annually by the Vermont Crafts Council.
Gary will not be holding a painting workshop this coming spring but will resume his presentations here in Warren with a workshop on October 11 & 12 . Details will be available on this website in late spring. He will be conducting landscape watercolor workshops for the Bryan Memorial Gallery in Jeffersonville on March 29, April 5 & 12. Pre-registration is required (802-644-5100).
Information on private lessons by both Roarke and Gary is available on other pages of this website
Both artists remain active with events sponsored by the Valley Artists Guild. Guild activities can be found on the Guild website at www.valleyartistsguild.org.
Some of the images on the gallery pages of this website are still available while others have already found homes elsewhere. The gallery pages will be updated with images of new work in the very near future.
Again, thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in the near future.
How quickly the summer passes by! The days are shorter, the nights are cooler and the leaves are starting to show their colors. Here at Moosewalk we are preparing for another fall season of gallery visitors. We will be taking our yearly early fall break as we prepare for our fall guests. I am attaching a schedule of our autumn hours with a reminder that you are welcome any time by appointment – 802.583.2224.
Saturday, September 21 – noon to 5 PM
Sunday, September 22 – noon to 5 PM
Saturday, September 28 – noon to 5 PM
Sunday, September 29 – noon to 5 PM
Friday, October 4 – noon to 5 PM
Saturday, October 5 – 10 AM to 5 PM – Vermont Open Studio
Sunday, October 6 – 10 AM to 5 PM -Vermont Open Studio
Saturday, October 12 -noon to 5 PM
Sunday, October 13 – noon to 5 PM
Monday, October 14 – noon to 5 PM – Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Canadian Thanksgiving
October Blaze – oil
The 12th Annual Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition continues to receive rave reviews from the hundreds of visitors stopping in to view the nearly 200 watercolor paintings from across the country. The Exhibition, on view in the Red Barn Galleries at Lareau Farm and Forest in Waitsfield, features the miniature paintings by the Whiskey Painters of America in addition to the paintings in the competition.
SNOWY WOODS (above) by Z. Feng of Radford, VA, was selected as the top award winner by Richard Sneary AWS, NWS the judge of awards.
The Exhibition continues thru July 20. Hours are Thursday/Friday from 4 to 9 PM and Saturday/Sunday from noon to 9 PM. Red barn Galleries, Lareau Farm and Forest, Route 100, Waitsfield, VT. Free and children welcome
Moosewalk Studios with Andy O’Brien, guest artist
There are three reasons to visit Warren, VT on Saturday, May 25 or Sunday, May 26. Three studios participating in the annual Vermont Open Studios Weekend will be welcoming guests to view art being created.
Luke Iannuzzi Pottery (studio 97 on the tour map) on East Warren Road specializes in Raku fired ceramics. Salt and Sand Studios (studio 98) just south of Warren on Route 100 specializes in blown glass by Spencer Kirk-Jackson and Moosewalk Studios (studio 99) just off of Lincoln Gap Road welcomes stained glass artist Andy O’Brien of Luminous Moose Glass. Additionally, Moosewalk now shows paintings by Jeanette Fournier of Littleton, NH and porcelain ware by Noel Bailey in addition to the watercolor and oil paintings by Gary and the fine art photography of Roarke.
Open Studio Weekend is a great opportunity to talk with the artists, view art being created and to enjoy the beauty of the Warren area in the Mad River Valley. Children are welcome.
Saturday and Sunday Hours are 10 AM to 5 PM
Moosewalk Studios and Gallery is pleased to welcome New Hampshire watercolorist, Jeanette Fournier as an exhibiting artist. The award winning artist is recognized for her realist paintings of birds and wildlife. She has been a frequent exhibitor in the annual Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition as well as shows in Boston and New York.
Jeanette maintains her own gallery in North Woodstock, NH.
Yellow Throat Warbler by Jeanette Fournier
Roarke’s digital image WINGED MIGRATION
Here at Moosewalk Studios we are frequently asked about the permanence of art created or printed on paper. Comments generally center around “my photo (or print, or painting) is turning brown”. In these cases, it is the result of the paper used not being true “art” paper. The browning effect is the result of the acids found in the products used to manufacture cheap paper reacting with the atmosphere and light. The cheaper papers are usually manufactured from some type of wood pulp which contains natural acids. The wood pulp is then bleached with harsh chemicals to create the white surface. The prime example of this is the paper used to print newspapers and magazines, cheap greeting cards, advertising posters, etc.
Quality art papers, such as those used by watercolor artists and fine art printers, are manufactured using 100% cotton by-products and not the acidic wood pulp. While each manufacturer has its own process, each relies on some type of acid free gelatin to hold the fibers together. Many art papers on the market today are still hand made. Quality art paper, protected from dirt and extreme atmospheric conditions will last decades without deterioration. Museums have works on quality paper that have lasted well over 100 years.
Here at Moosewalk, we use only the finest art papers available. Gary’s watercolors and Roarke’s fine art prints are considered to be permanent works of art. Jokingly, we tell clients that “if the work fades in 200 years, bring it back and we will replace it.”
BARTLETT BRIGADE 18″ x 27″ – watercolor
Gary’s painting, BARTLETT BRIGADE, has been accepted into the 157th Annual Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society. This is an international exhibition which includes watercolors by artists from around the world. The exhibition will be held at the prestigious Salmagundi Club in New York City from April 2 -26, 2024.
October Snow – watercolor
Mark your calendars for September 30 and October 1 as two days to explore the art studios and galleries of Vermont. Open Studio Weekend is a celebration of craft and artwork and the work life of Vermont artists.
Three outstanding studios in Warren are a reason for visiting the Mad River Valley, a very special and beautiful region of the state. Luke Iannuzzi Pottery (Studio 75 on the tour map) is located on East Warren Road. Luke specializes in raku art and dinnerware. Just south of Warren is Salt and Sand Studios (studio 76 on the tour map) where you will find Spencer Kirk-Jackson creating his stunning blown glass.
At Moosewalk Studios and Gallery (studio 77 on the tour map) you will find Gary working on a new watercolor or oil painting. The charming gallery features watercolors and oils and the fine art photography of Roarke Sharlow (examples can be seen in the gallery pages on this website). Again this year, the gallery is welcoming the stained glass artist, Andy O’Brien (Luminous Moose), working on his stained glass.
The trees are already displaying some of the color of their annual fall wardrobe making for some great camera shots.
Hours for the studios are 10am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
