30 May, 2013

Shades Mill

Shades Grand River, Canada

14.5" x 18.5."

Pastel

Casey Klahn

29 May, 2013

Panorama in Yellows

Click on the image to see the full view.

Canola Panorama

6" x 14"

Pastel

Casey Klahn

26 May, 2013

I Am A Civil War Artist This Memorial Day Weekend!

Imagine my delight at being out among hundreds of costumed actors; the solders in dark blue uniforms and the ladies in hooped skirt outfits. I am getting some great sketches, and did one plein air pastel session today. I get very few opportunities at drawing people, so it is an artist's heaven.

Please look for some images to be posted in the next few days.

The Civil War is remembered for having started 152 years ago this past April.

See what I mean?

18 May, 2013

Walt Disney Presents: Four Artists On Location, 1958

This early TV episode gives you the old "studio-president-sits-at-his-desk-and-pontificates" treatment. But, given it's Walt Disney, and given that he is reading from The Art Spirit, by Robert Henri, I think you will profit by watching this.

The premise of this film short is the contrast between the regimented studio production, where everything must fit animation cells like a glove, versus the natural inclination of the artist to do his own thing. And, if you haven't read Henri's 1923 master book on American art sensibilities, you will be surprised at his stance of grasping your own independent ideas and style.

Robert Henri wrote of Thomas Eakins, "His vision was not touched by fashion." I like the description from the negative. There is a counter-movement to the artist's way; he doesn't swim up stream to cooperate, but to counter the school.

It seems to me that Disney knew he had a studio of artists, and if they were going to be good at all, they needed to be let off the leash occasionally.

Robert Henri

Walt Disney

15 May, 2013

White Tree

White Tree Study

12.5" x 6.75"

Pastel

Casey Klahn

View the recent professional interview that covers my studio practice here.

In other news, I am working daily (with early-ups!) to get ready for exhibitions in Albuquerque, NM and The Hamptons on Long Island. I will give links when time gets closer.

12 May, 2013

Ready To Ship To New Mexico!

This pastel is framed and ready to ship to the June, 2013 IAPS (International Association of Pastel Societies) exhibit and convention in Albuquerque, NM.

See more about IAPS here.

04 May, 2013

Preperceived Ghost Trees

Vardøgr (Forest Vardogr)

11" x 8"

Pastel

Casey Klahn

01 May, 2013

Abstracted Forest

Green & Gray Forest

13" x 8"

Pastel & Charcoal

Casey Klahn

29 April, 2013

Video Interview of Casey

Here is the premier of the professionally filmed documentary, The Colorist Idea, with Casey Klahn. Film by Kathleen Secrest and Mark Forman.

26 April, 2013

IAPS!

The River Blue

11" x 15"

Pastel

Casey Klahn

The River Blue has been selected to show at the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) Tenth Biennial Convention in Albequerquie, NM. The exhibit is the Twenty-Second Juried Exhibition and will be June 6-9th., 2013.

IAPS

Tenth Biennial

IAPS blog

24 April, 2013

Durango Photo Wrap Up

Every once in a while I do leave my studio and get to mingle with other artists. Here is a photo review of my trip to the Four Corners area of Colorado to teach a workshop. I am overflowing with visual stimulus and will be creating works from this trip for a long time.

This was the See Differently - Authenticity & Your Art curriculum, with a third day added for outdoor work. I will share more about the event later.

Also, while enjoying the hospitality at the ranch studio of artist Lorraine Trenholm, I talked her into starting a blog. I will link it for you soon!