Books at Eastside Artists

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Jo Myers-Walker
A photo of three books illustrated by watercolor artist Jo Myers-Walker

Illustration trio

Update:  Thank you to everyone who stopped by!

I’ll have these books I illustrated at the Eastside Artists Show and Sale this weekend, December 1 –3, along with my other artwork.

On the left is an updated version of Carol Jo’s Daydreaming Tree, which I wrote and illustrated. The first version I made just a few copies to show other writers and one publisher. I was excited about the watercolors and not thinking so much about where to put the script when it was added. That is when I knew I needed to learn the craft and plan where to put the script ahead of time. More about this process in a future post!

In the middle is Rufus Rutabaga Flicktail Finds His House, written by Mary Pepper, and on the right is When I See Through My Eyes, written by Anne Marie Kraus. Stop by the Show and Sale to see the books, and all of the creations from the members and guest artists of the Eastside Artists!

See also (later blog post):

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A warm welcome for Fall

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Jo Myers-Walker
Artists Jeanette Carson and Jo Myers-Walker in front of their booth at the 2023 Octagon Art Festival in downtown Ames, Iowa

Our booth on Main Street in downtown Ames

A photo of Jeanette and me at this year’s Octagon Art Festival in late September as we were dancing to the music (or at least I was!). On the left are some of Jeanette’s paintings; you can see more of her work at ArtWorksJC.com.

It was a beautiful day weatherwise for an outdoor festival, but with fall and winter weather ahead, galleries are looking more appealing. Stay tuned for indoor events on the way!

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Working in tandem

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Jo Myers-Walker
Logo of IN Tandem Arts & Authors Gallery Store in Des Moines, which is now closed; a red tandem bicycle with the name of the gallery in blue

   

Update March 15, 2025:  IN Tandem has now closed. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, and to IN Tandem for the opportunity! The gist of the original post is below.

I’m excited to have my work in the newly-opened IN Tandem Arts & Authors Gallery Store in downtown Des Moines! I first met Polly of Tandem Publishing Group (and now IN Tandem Arts & Authors) at the Iowa State Fair back when I had a booth in the Cultural Center. The new gallery store features a variety of artists and media, and I’m also excited about plans for classes and author readings!

Preview of a poster for IN Tandem Arts & Authors Gallery Store in downtown Des Moines, which is now closed, with the gallery's tandem bicycle logo

(Poster announcing the opening; store has now closed as of March 2025)

Paintings by artist Jo Myers-Walker displayed at IN Tandem Arts & Authors Gallery Store in downtown Des Moines, which is now closed

My work in the new space
   

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A floral tribute

Posted on August 12, 2023 by Jo Myers-Walker
Artist Jo Myers-Walker in conversation with an orange-and-white cat. Jo is holding a paintbrush and standing next to paper with a faint line of paw prints.

Discussing painting tools with pawprint
collaborator Mungo Jerrie (at left)

Two views of floral gardens including orange lilies and a shady rock pathway

   
Two views of Joanne’s tranquil gardens

I stayed with my friend Joanne and her spontaneous cats while I was in Muscatine for a tribute to artist Carol Steinmetz, a long-time member and teacher at the Muscatine Art Center and member of Iowa Watercolor Society who passed away earlier this year. Carol was known for her floral paintings and landscapes, and we used flowers from Joanne’s abundant gardens for a still-life watercolor workshop in Carol’s honor.

When I was at Joanne’s house getting ready for class her cats would walk across my paper making pansy-like footprints. I really enjoyed being around cats again.

You can read a bit more about Carol Steinmetz and see a photo of her with some of her work in this article on the Discover Muscatine site:

• Carol Boehl Steinmetz:  Nov. 27, 1925 – Feb. 9, 2023

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New system on display

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Jo Myers-Walker
Jeanette and Steve set up a system of hinged panels to display the artwork of Jeanette Carson and Jo Myers-Walker at Reiman Gardens 2023 Garden Art Fair

Jeanette and Steve secure the new system

Artist Jo Myers-Walker adds artwork to a hinged panel display at Reiman Gardens 2023 Garden Art Fair

Adding artwork to the new display

A variety of small watercolors by artist Jo Myers-Walker at the Reiman Gardens 2023 Garden Art Fair

I found some “little gems” for the show

Earlier this month fellow artist Jeanette Carson and I teamed up to share a booth at this year’s Garden Art Fair (Reiman Gardens, Ames, IA), using the new display system shown here. Jeanette and her husband Steve have been going to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, picking up hollow doors and painting them white. We have enough to fill a 10′ x 10′ booth space.

Jeanette helps me with the practicalities of art shows (we plan to have a booth at the Octagon Art Festival September 24, and we both currently have artwork at the Octagon Shop in Ames). Steve helps us load the van and builds whatever we need.

At the Reiman show I sold watercolors and fabric artwork and saw many old friends who remembered when The Left Bank Studio lived in the bank building in Gilbert (now home to The Vault, “casual coffee stop and eatery”).

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A colorful tradition

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Jo Myers-Walker
Artist Jo Myers-Walker poses in octagonal multi-colored glasses, brightly colored patchwork jacket, and scarf in tones of blue

   
My new glasses! The colors spoke
to me. They match all my clothes.

An assortment of brightly colored glasses used by Jo Myers-Walker over the years

A photo of my peepers that I wore for
many years. It seemed like a good
idea to continue the tradition!

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A matter of proportion

Posted on May 15, 2023 by Jo Myers-Walker
Sketch and partial watercolor painting of a young woman by artist Jo Myers-Walker showing facial proportions, and a selfie of Jo with proportions sketched in to help prepare for a painting

Studying proportions to get ready for painting

More notes from Figures in a Scene class. In April’s session the class took selfies and studied proportions of facial features. It is fun to see where the eyes, nose and mouth are placed, with the idea of painting themselves or friends.

You can register for classes at the ArtiFactory website — see my post “What’s going on!” for links to upcoming dates.

See previously:

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May classes at ArtiFactory

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Jo Myers-Walker
Watercolor painting by Jo Myers-Walker of a woman posing at a table with a vase of flowers and several kinds of fruit

My notes and painting from the April 26 class

Logo for the class Figures in a Scene at the ArtiFactory in Iowa City featuring a partially completed watercolor painting of a street scene by Jo Myers-Walker with figures of people unfinished

(Click image to visit the ArtiFactory website)

Hand-written notes on yellow lined paper by artist Jo Myers-Walker about the Figures in a Scene watercolor class

Closeup on my notes from the 26th, including the important “Have fun!”

Omer Sanan and I will lead two more Figures in a Scene watercolor class sessions in May (update: see my post “What’s going on!” for links to more upcoming dates!).

Above left:  My painting and notes from our April 26 class. It was so windy we stayed in and drew each other with our flowers.

See previously:  Figures in a scene

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Wall hanging revisited

Posted on May 2, 2023 by Jo Myers-Walker
Fabric wall hanging by artist Jo Myers-Walker depicting scenes from the Easter story, revised to emphasize the figure of Jesus, shown on display at St. Thomas Aquinas Church

(Click image to view larger)
The wall hanging shows scenes from the Easter story, created from fabric shapes

Many thanks to parishioner Sue for this photo of the updated Improvisational Fabric Wall Hanging, on display for Easter season at St. Thomas Aquinas Church!

When viewed on the church wall it was designed for, the top of the artwork is fairly distant from the viewer, and this year I modified it to make the figure of Jesus more prominent.

The story in previous posts:

Posted in Commissions, Fabric, Meaning, Studio Snapshots | Comments Off on Wall hanging revisited

Cards to benefit Dorothy’s House

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Jo Myers-Walker
Watercolor painting by artist Jo Myers-Walker of women bicycling through a Des Moines area scene featuring the word "Renew" on a theater marquee

Renew

Watercolor painting by artist Jo Myers-Walker with two women bicycling through a Des Moines area park featuring the word "Reclaim" on a banner towed behind a small airplane

Reclaim

Watercolor painting by artist Jo Myers-Walker with two women flying kites along the Des Moines area waterfront featuring the word "Hope" on one of the kites, on a card to benefit Dorothy's House

Sample card laid flat to show front and back
(Click image to view larger)

I painted these scenes for notecards to benefit Dorothy’s House, “a safe place for survivors of human trafficking, exploitation and prostitution to discover their healing journeys through the practice of life.” The paintings (and cards!) show two women tooling around the Des Moines area on different styles of cycles, featuring words related to the mission of Dorothy’s House (Renew, Reclaim, Restore, and Hope).

The cards are available as a set of four, with envelopes, and I’ve been bringing them with me to events. Send me an email (jomyerswalker@gmail.com) if you’re interested, and see my Creating for a Cause page for more “products with a purpose”!

Watercolor painting by artist Jo Myers-Walker with two women bicycling through a downtown Des Moines area neighborhood featuring the word "Restore" on a storefront

Restore

Watercolor painting by artist Jo Myers-Walker with two women flying kites along the Des Moines area waterfront featuring the word "Hope" on one of the kites

Hope

Posted in Meaning, Painting, Studio Snapshots | Comments Off on Cards to benefit Dorothy’s House