A Visit with Walt Gonske

 Walt Gonske & Me

My husband, granddaughter and I visited New Mexico this past June. The highlight of this trip was getting to finally meet one of my very favorite artists, Walt Gonske. After a tour of his beautiful home and studio, we sat down to visit for a little while. I had always wanted to meet him and being able to visit was something really special. It was interesting to learn that we are both of Slavic descent. This may explain why we are both so drawn to the work of Nicolai Fechin, who also once lived in Taos, NM. Walt's work very much reminds me of Fechin's. He has even had the honor of exhibiting his work in Fechin's home, now the Taos Art Museum. 

"After Fechin"

It is wise advice to copy paintings of old masters in order to learn. Nicolai Fechin was/is an artist after my own heart. He died five months before I was born. How I would loved to have met him, but all that is left for me is to study what he left behind for us all.  

This is a study of Fechin's "Tonita". He seems to have used this darling little girl quite often in his paintings. Her name was Manuelita. 

"After Fechin"

10"x 8", Oil on Canvas Panel

Website: sekulastudio.com

After Fechin #3

"Red Head"

14:x18", Oil on Canvas

I must confess that I don't know the title Fechin gave this painting or the gender of the model. It seems most think it is a girl but, it looks like a boy to me. Something about it makes me feel he/she was a young composer. Impressions and personal interpretations! That's all that really matters in the end. 

After Fechin #2

"Girl With Shawl"

14"x18", Oil on Canvas

 I am unsure of the title Fechin gave this painting. It is another study and I have given it a title that helps me identify it. 

I loved all of the Fechin studies but, when this one began to remind me of my middle granddaughter, I decided to leave it as it was and end the study. I should have her pose in a similar way while she is still about this girl's age. 

After Fechin #1

"Alexsandra"

14"x18", Oil on Canvas

In the fall I was privileged to be able to take a workshop with William "Bill" Schneider. I had met him several years ago and was so impressed by his passion for art and generous spirit that I determined I had to take a workshop with him one day. When he offered one on Techniques of the Old Masters and, specifically Nicolai Fechin, I knew this was the one!

 This painting is of his wife, Alexandra, and was the first of three that we studied. All of these studies were allowed about three hours and I am very pleased with each one.