Churches and cemeteries hold a special fascination—and offer a special inspiration—for Walt Gonske, so much so that he has traveled to several states and foreign countries to capture their beauty and, in essence, to tell their stories. That fascination took hold almost immediately, when Gonske moved from New York City to Taos, New Mexico, 47 years ago. Having spent the first 30 years of his life on the East Coast, he was so taken with New Mexico that, when he visited his sister there in 1971, he went home, saved his money for a year, and made a permanent move
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Archives for Gonske, Walt
Ah, Sweet Color!
A burst of color in a painting, particularly when placed against a moody background, is a delightful surprise. It is poetry; it is magic. Color can be as soothing as an ocean sunset, or it can knock your socks off. While most of us appreciate a good black-and-white piece, we find color, when properly placed, leads our eyes along a route the artist has skillfully set for us. Kevin Beilfuss Sarah’s Diary Kevin Beilfuss trained at the American Academy of art in Chicago, Illinois, and has been painting professionally for 26 years—13 as a freelance illustrator and 13 as a
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Still Pouring It On
In 1972, Walt Gonske made a decision that, he says, was “probably the smartest thing I ever did.” That decision-to leave illustration and New York City behind and move to Taos, New Mexico, and try his hand at fine art-changed the course of his life. It also provided art lovers with the opportunity to enjoy his incredible talent. Walt Gonske (New Mexico) Los Colonias Oil 30″ By 28″ Winter cottonwoods and red willows along a Taos creek-it doesn’t get any better than this, having all of these forms and color in one composition. Walt Gonske (New Mexico) Placita Winter Day
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