Halsart

At Ampersand Gallery, Newmarket, NH

2011-12-04T17:14:00.002-05:00

One of three paintings currently, showing at the Ampersand Gallery, Main Street, Newmarket, NH. The Show runs until the 18 of December.

It's a $100 show, with no art work over $100.

Showing at Exeter Town Hall Gallery

2011-12-04T17:01:00.006-05:00

Two paintings currently showing at the Exeter Townhall Gallery, Exeter, NH. Unfortunately the gallery is only open weekends from noon to 4 PM. I will be sitting the gallery on the last day of the show, Dec 18. I also have 15 of my giclee prints there, available for purchase.

New Hampshire Open Doors

2011-11-02T22:33:00.007-04:00

I will be at the Mac's Apples, 230 Mammoth road, Londonderry, NH this Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. I will be demonstrating my art as well as offering my original art and giclee prints.

I really need to be more active here.

Three of my recent oil pastels

Haikus and Art

2011-09-19T09:19:00.012-04:00

Currently entered in the Exeter Townhall Gallery for the next three weeks. It's a combination of poetry and art. A poem written for each piece of art or a painting made for a poem.

I write Haikus (Americanized version, three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables) for some of my paintings. Haikus are short and unpretentious (like me). Occasionally I write the Haiku and then paint a subject evoked by my Haiku.

This painting was done a number of years ago when I was in a darker place.

"Adrift"

"Adrift on a dark,

Dark sea I dream of what never

Was and never will be."

This painting has won four awards in Juried shows ranging from Honorable Mentions, to a first place in Pastels. I've shown this for many years now but have never been able to sell it.

Another autobiographical Haiku and painting: "Into the Sunset", as an old (really old) retired Air Force Pilot, I feel this is quite appropriate.

"Into the Sunset"

"The sunset beckons.

I fly the valley of clouds

Tracking the beacon home."

This one also won awards but one judge criticized the repetitious cloud shapes in the lower half of the painting. I guess she couldn't see the hand of God reaching out to receive me. This painting sold the first time I put it up for sale. The patrons are the judges who really count.

Londonderry Art Fair

2011-09-17T10:55:00.004-04:00

My Monet's Pond was one of the paintings sold at the Londonderry Art Fair last weekend. Even though I did let a gentleman haggle me down about 50% on two paintings, it turned out to be a good Saturday. I just wanted to get the first sale of the day out of the way. (My artist friends always give me a hard time when I do this. In fact they give me a hard time on my pricing in general. They should be higher??????)

Applecrest Orchard

2011-08-19T15:22:00.006-04:00

"English Canal", 11 by 14 inches, oil pastel, on watercolor paper.

This one won't be framed in time to join my art exhibit at the Applecrest Orchard, in North Hampton, NH tomorrow and Sunday.

I will set up my pavilion with about 20 paintings and a large number of Giclee Prints.

This is all part of the Applecrest Orchard's Peach Festival. Perhaps they will have some peach cobbler for me.

T33

2011-08-08T10:18:00.010-04:00

My T33. My advanced trainer of 50 years ago. I finally got around to painting the aircraft.

10 by 10 inch image, acrylic on 140 pound watercolor paper.

Exeter, NH Art Fair

2011-07-14T22:31:00.004-04:00

Painting of the fountains in Prescott Part. Some Artistic License taken. 11 by 14 inch acrylic on canvas panel.

I will be showing my original art and a number of giclee prints at the Exeter, NH art fair this Saturday. I was late signing up for the fair and the only spot left was inside. So I'll be showing my art inside of the old townhall, on the stage. Alas I'm probably the only artist who will be showing inside at an outside fair.

I'm like the old joke of the guy who brings a knife to a gun fight.

My Review of Fargo Portfolios

2011-06-27T09:45:00.001-04:00

Originally submitted at Jerry's Artarama Art Supplies

Many artists don't want to purchase expensive portfolios but want a rugged, good looking case that they can load up with supplies and travel with. Made out of 600D denier nylon fabric, these portfolios will go far due to their fine construction and stitching. Each case includes a FREE hard...

Great Bargin

By New Hampshire Hal from Coastal New Hampshire on 6/27/2011

Pros: Execellent bargin

Cons: Excellent value

Best Uses: Art

Describe Yourself: Artist

Primary use: Business

Was this a gift?: No

At Jerry's prices, these were outstanding values. I did remove the masonite insert and replaced it with a slightly smaller cardboard stiffener which allows me to place two framed painting facing the softer cardboard. With the larger masonite stiffener I only could get one framed piece in the carrier and the molding had to face outward making it more suseptible to damage. I now have many of these portfolios and only have two paintings in each making it easier to carry my paintings to art fairs. I have some carriers that would hold five or six paintings but that was getting to be too much for this old back. I am very happy with this product.

The love of my life (my wife's too)

Tags: Alas no photo product use

(legalese)

Art Fair

2011-06-21T14:48:00.003-04:00

I will be setting up my art tent in New Castle, NH this Saturday for their annual arts and crafts fair. (God willing and the Thunder storms hold off)

I will be showing about 20 original paintings and numerous giclee prints. I will be showing more smaller original art this summer.

Please stop by and say hi.

My Review of Turner Acryl Gouache

2011-06-19T09:59:00.001-04:00

Originally submitted at Jerry's Artarama Art Supplies

World's Finest, Fast-Drying, Brilliant Matte Acrylics! An incredible array of 219 colors All colors are opaque and dry to a matte finish Colors adhere to most surfaces Apply in multiple layers without bleeding Full range of pearlescent, pastel and Japanesque c...

Great Product

By Hal from Coastal New Hampshire on 6/19/2011

Pros: Good Color Variety

Best Uses: Art

Describe Yourself: Artist

Primary use: Business

Was this a gift?: No

I have purchased many of these 7 color basic sets. I'm a strong believer in limited palettes and this basic set allows me to mix any color needed in landscapes, marine art or in any other subject matter I choose to paint. In adding subsequent layers of paint over an underpainting the lower layer colors don't bleed into the new layer as they will with regular gouache. Yes I'm a fan of this product. This basic set is an incredible value, especially for artists who paint with a limited palette as did many past and current masters.

Mount Redoubt Alaska

Tags: Made with Product

Misty Morning

Tags: Made with Product

(legalese)

The Helmsman

2011-03-12T13:52:00.003-05:00

I've always admired the statue in Gloucester, MA dedicated to the fishermen who have gone down to the sea in ships and I've wanted to do a painting based on that statue. This is my interpretation inspired by that statue.

It's an Oil Pastel, 11 by 14 inches on an archival canvas panel.

Latest Oil Pastel

2011-03-12T12:00:00.003-05:00

I had to do a posting of my FB111 on it's mach 2 run. After a few supersonic runs one of the birds came back missing its veritical stabilizer we quit making the supersonic runs.

Our mission was to penetrate at low level so the supersonic runs were unnecessary.

This is a 16 by 20, oil pastel on archival canvas board.

My Review of Turner Acryl Gouache Sets

2011-01-31T10:15:00.003-05:00

Originally submitted at Jerry's Artarama Art Supplies

World's Finest, Fast-Drying, Brilliant Matte Acrylics! These colors are the world's finest for illustrative techniques with acrylics. It is incredibly versatile, adhering to wood, acrylic boards, stone, cloth, clay, metal, slate, glass, aluminum, iron, hard vinyl, styrofoams, artist canva...

Delighted

By Hal from Coastal New Hampshire on 1/31/2011

Pros: Wonderfully opaque

Cons: Execellent value

Best Uses: Fine art, Art

Describe Yourself: Artist

Primary use: Business

Was this a gift?: No

I create my paintings for the art fair circuit and gouache is a new medium for me. I am delighted with the results I have been achieving with this brand of gouache. I always work with a limited palette. John Stobart is my hero and for me 5 or 6 colors is a full palette. One of my mentors said that if you don't mix your own colors you're not a painter. This set has all the colors I'll ever need. I highly recommend this product for other artists.

Mount Redoubt, Alaska; Gouache 8 by 10 inches

Tags: Gouache mount redoubt, Made with Product

(legalese)

In the Style of Eric Tiemens

2011-01-17T11:57:00.003-05:00

I enjoy paintings with dramatic value shifts and I was recently introduced to the work of Eric Tiemens. I did this painting trying to emulate the style of some of Eric's gouache paintings.

This is a gouache, 6 by 9 inches on 140 pound watercolor paper.

A link to Eric's site: http://www.virtualgouacheland.blogspot.com/

I have 32 paintings in the Mark Wentworth Home, on Pleasant Street, in Portsmouth, NH with an artists's reception this Sunday, 23 January, from 2 to 4. Since the Patriots are out of the playoffs, I'll attend. Come on down and say HI.

For the Love of Dogs

2011-01-03T13:38:00.004-05:00

My goodness it has been a long time since I last posted here. I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. In taking down my wall calendar for last year "For the love of Golden Retrievers, I noticed two tributes that are so true and should heap shame on anyone who mistreats a dog or any other pet or any other animal .

By an unknown author: "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

By Lord Byron: "Near this spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed beauty without vanity, strength without ferocity, and all the virtues of man, without his vices. This praise would be unmeaning if inscribed over human ashes, is but just tribute to the memory of Boatswain, a Dog.

December Art Fair

2010-12-02T11:54:00.004-05:00

I will participate in the Sommersworth Arts and Crafts Fair, in Sommersworth, NH, Saturday, December the fourth.

I also now have a presence on Fine Art America.

http://harold-kirby.artistwebsites.com/index.html

Art Fair

2010-11-12T13:50:00.003-05:00

I will participate in an arts and crafts fair at the Newfields Elementary School, Newfield, NH, next Saturday, November 20. I display about 20 original paintings and numerous giclee prints.

Come on down!!

Gus a portrait

2010-10-26T17:12:00.002-04:00

I finally got around to doing a portrait of my beloved Gus. It's an oil pastel on archival canvas board.

Wow such a long time

2010-09-20T10:02:00.008-04:00

Wow, it's been such a long time since I visited my blog.

I've been quite busy. I had great shows at Newcastle, NH and The Fuller Gardens, in North Hampton, NH.

This coming Saturday, I will be showing my paintings at the Layafette Mall in Portsmouth, NH. My son will also be joining me at this show.

To keep my motivation charged up and my muse interested, I participate in monthly challenges on the Wet Canvas web site, (the greatest web site for artists, beginner to expert).

One of the September challenges in the Oil Pastel Forum involved a motorcycle.

This is my interpertation for the Motorcycle Challenge: It's 11 by 14 inch, oil pastel, on gessoed 140 pound watercolor paper. I titled this painting "Red Rider, Red Rider"

Perhaps other geezers out there remember a comic strip called "Red Ryder" about a red headed cowboy, with a indian child as a side kick named "Little Beaver."

When I was a kid, back in the dawn of time, I had a "Red Ryder" bee bee gun, and a "Red Ryder" wagon. At my age perhaps I just think I can remember those things. Alas I'm rambling.

Winnicut River Walk

2010-05-07T09:33:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, May 15, I will be at the Weeks Brick House and Gardens, showing some of my paintings and prints in conjunction with the Winnicut River Walk inagural opening in Greenland, NH. The event will be from 10 AM to 2 PM next Saturday. If you're in the area please come by and say hi.

Perhaps a Cliche?

2010-03-23T10:00:00.002-04:00

This is perhaps a cliche but I wanted to do something contemplative with spiritual conotations for the upcoming season.

An 8 by 10 inch, oil pastel "In His Hands".

Latest Oil Pastel

2010-01-04T22:29:00.003-05:00

It has been a long time since I created a monochrome painting. The reference was of a frightened or disturbed horse. I felt a black and white color scheme would create a painting of drama.

This painting is 8 inches by 10 inches with oil pastels.

A couple more Oil Pastels

2009-12-30T19:51:00.004-05:00

I'm still working with Oil Pastels. The first painting 11 by 14 inches of one of the fountains in Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH. The second painting is of a sojourn in Bancock, Thailand, also 11 by 14 inches Oil Pastel.

Aviation Photos

2009-12-15T13:04:00.008-05:00

I've been putting some of my old aviation slides into my computer and I thought I would share a few.

The T34, the first aircraft I ever flew.

T33 my last training aircraft

T33 close formation

Flying the KC135, jet tanker with a F102 on my wing between refuelings.