Lucky’s Feet

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Jo Myers-Walker
Cover of the book "Lucky's Feet" with photos of a young boy whose clubfoot condition was treated using the Ponseti method

Cover of the book “Lucky’s Feet”
(click image to visit the book’s page
on Clubfoot Solutions website)

I’m pleased to share with you a new book for which I was the illustrator. “Lucky’s Feet” is a children’s book based on the true story of a boy whose clubfoot condition was treated using the Ponseti method to allow him to walk, go to school, and play like his brothers and sisters and friends. The Ponseti method is named for Dr. Ignacio Ponseti, M.D. who developed the technique at the University of Iowa (UI), and uses a series of expertly placed casts to gradually adjust the position of a child’s feet. The Ponseti method does not involve surgery and can be applied anywhere in the world. The “Iowa Brace,” developed at UI, helps maintain the position of the child’s feet after they are done with the casts.

“Lucky’s Feet” was written by Dr. Thomas Cook, P.T., Ph.D., professor emeritus of Public Health and Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences at UI; and Dr. O.O. Adegbehingbe, M.D., the pediatric orthopedic surgeon and professor in Nigeria who treated the real-life “Lucky” whose story is the basis for the book. Dr. Adegbehingbe serves on the Medical Advisory Board of the Ponseti International Association, and Dr. Cook is co-founder of the non-profit Clubfoot Solutions and is currently Director of Global Operations of the Ponseti International Association.

From the Clubfoot Solutions website:
“Dr. Ponseti’s legacy lives on through Ponseti International Association and Clubfoot Solutions. The two organizations are working together to deliver the Ponseti Method to children everywhere, and hope that the Iowa Brace will finally realize Dr. Ponseti’s dream of a high quality clubfoot brace for every child born with this deformity.”

You can buy “Lucky’s Feet” from the shop on Clubfoot Solutions website; 100% of the profits from the sale of this book go to Clubfoot Solutions.

Update:
Dr. Thomas Cook has added his narration of the story in “Lucky’s Feet” to my artwork to create these videos:

Watercolor illustrations depicting scenes from the story of a boy whose clubfoot condition was treated using the Ponseti method

Two of my illustrations for the book. Since it’s based
on a true story, my style for the paintings needed to
stick close to the facts.

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October at the Octagon Shop

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Jo Myers-Walker
Artist Jo Myers-Walker holding a fabric print of her watercolor painting of a rainy day in downtown Iowa City

Meeting to hand over my artwork
in my face mask and clear face shield
(with fabric print of “Clock Tower in the Rain”;
photo courtesy of the Octagon Shop)

Storefront of the Octagon Shop with artwork and signs supporting Black Lives Matter and voting rights

   
The storefront in Ames reminds us
to VOTE for what’s important
(photo courtesy of the Octagon Shop)

Watercolor painting of trees in fall by artist Jo Myers-Walker

My recent painting “Fall Splendor” is
now framed and at the Octagon Shop

It was fun reconnecting with the Octagon Shop in downtown Ames (413 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA) which is featuring my artwork during the month of October. Plus, my work in the shop is 15% off, now through November 2020.

From their Facebook page:
“The Octagon Shop is a consignment retailer for original handmade works of over 175 area artists. Enjoy a unique shopping experience where you’ll find hand-crafted jewelry, pottery, paintings, photography, fiber, wood, cards.”

The shop is open for walk-in customers, with face masks required (see their website for hours and more information), and they have a new online shop to check out! Manager Terrie interviewed me in an enjoyable Zoom call which she recorded and posted on the Octagon’s YouTube channel (an edited version — we talked a long time!).

There are always beautiful things from many different artists at the Octagon Shop and I am appreciative to have my artwork featured among them. Keep an eye on their website and social media to see what’s new, and the Octagon Center for the Arts website to see what’s going on in the galleries and classes.

Watercolor painting of chickens near a shed by artist Jo Myers-Walker on display next to creative ceramic ware

   
“The Girls Are Out” shares display
space with some unique ceramic ware
(photo courtesy of the Octagon Shop)
   

Interior of the Octagon Shop in October 2020 showing the work of many artists in a variety of media

Inside the shop, a wonderful array of
work by many different artists. Here my
paintings and prints are in the foreground.
(click image to view larger;
photo courtesy of the Octagon Shop)

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Looking forward to Monday

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Jo Myers-Walker
Pencil sketch of a house in the countryside by artist Jo Myers-Walker

   

Update:  See the Classes and Events page for current offerings.

I’ve been working on this sketch for Monday’s class. There are three “Simply Watercolor” Zoom classes left this month — Mondays, October 12, 19, and 26, 2020; 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Central Daylight Time.

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Autumn barn (Zoom class on Saturday)

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Jo Myers-Walker
Watercolor painting of a barn seen across a field in autumn by artist Jo Myers-Walker

   

Update:  See the Classes and Events page for current offerings.

For Saturday’s class:
A little architecture in the Fall with a barn! We will discuss perspective.

I’m teaching a Zoom class this Saturday, October 10, 2020, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time.

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Simply Watercolor (Zoom classes in October)

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Jo Myers-Walker
Watercolor sketch of flowers by artist Jo Myers-Walker

   

Update:  See the Classes and Events page for current offerings.

Mondays in October, I’m offering “Simply Watercolor,” a series of one-hour online watercolor classes via Zoom. Classes will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. CDT (Central Daylight Time) on October 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2020.

I’ll be teaching the basics — watercolor is gentle and unburdened, especially if we don’t try and control every move. We begin with textures, shapes, lifting, mixing colors and overlapping shapes. Drawing and value start us off as we begin with watercolor warm-up exercises. Each session I’ll demonstrate a simple watercolor emphasizing the lesson for the day and you can paint along with me. I’ll provide a suggested supply list, but use whatever you are comfortable with.

I planned this class in coordination with the Iowa City/ Johnson County Senior Center — The Center’s website has a monthly listing of a variety of virtual programs, plus instructions for using Zoom.

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Trees of the season

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Jo Myers-Walker
Sketches and paintings by artist Jo Myers-Walker showing trees in watercolor

   
Foliage sets the scene and the season in watercolor

Update:  See the Classes and Events page for current offerings.

Previous post: 
I’ve scheduled a Zoom watercolor class for Wednesday, September 30, 2020, from 1:00 –3:00 p.m. (Central Daylight Time). This time we’ll be working with trees in watercolor and how to use them in scenery.

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Welcoming autumn in Amana

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Jo Myers-Walker
Bottle of 2020 Oktoberfest white wine from Ackerman Winery in front of sketch for the label art by Jo Myers-Walker

Ackerman Winery’s 2020 Oktoberfest
in front of a sketch for the label artwork

I had the honor of painting the label artwork for this year’s Oktoberfest wine from Ackerman Winery in Amana, Iowa. The winery, in business since 1956, is known for their sweet fruit wines and adventurous varieties. They describe 2020’s Oktoberfest as, “This white wine is light and sweet with a delicate honey glazed fruit finish. It has a slight warmth to it that is reminiscent of fall.”

The label celebrates the much-anticipated opening of Hotel Millwright in Amana this fall, which was built by restoring and remodeling some unused buildings of the Amana Woolen Mill (this 2018 article on KCRG.com has a nice summary of its background). To research the painting I got to go on location to the construction site for Hotel Millwright. I had to do some explaining about what I was doing there, then the architect gave me a tour of the historic building in the photo below. It will be an events center and beautifully appointed, keeping the feel of the mill.

The smokestack says a lot about the mill, so I started there. With feedback from my clients at the winery we developed the idea through sketch and watercolor study to the final painting. They envisioned pumpkins and cornstalks with the smokestack on the label for an Oktoberfest feeling.

Site of the Millwright Hotel in Amana, Iowa during construction

The hotel under construction
during my visit this past spring

Label on Ackerman Winery's 2020 Oktoberfest wine with artwork by Jo Myers-Walker

Imagination provides people and
scenery for the finished label

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Garden scene for Zoom class

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Jo Myers-Walker
Photo of a backyard garden in summer with flowers and patio chairs

Working photo

Update:  See the Classes and Events page for current offerings.

I’ve been working on the sketch, first wash, and second wash of this backyard garden scene for my Zoom watercolor class. I send the images to the students in advance so they can copy the sketch and prepare to paint along with me.

Sketch of a backyard garden scene

A sketch helps plan the painting
   

Partially completed watercolor painting of a backyard garden scene

First wash, with masking fluid (in orange)
preserving lighter areas

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Watercolor classes via Zoom

Posted on July 23, 2020 by Jo Myers-Walker

Update:  See the Classes and Events page for current offerings.

Previous post: 
I’m staying connected with students by offering watercolor classes online using Zoom! They are happening on a weekly basis; the day varies. I send out a black-and-white sketch, first and second wash before class. Then students can copy the sketch onto their 140 lb. watercolor paper and paint along with me. Students email me and I send them the link, along with where to pay.

Progression of a watercolor painting of sailboats on a lake by artist Jo Myers-Walker

Clockwise from top left:
Sketch, value study (inset),
first wash, third wash

Progression of a watercolor painting of waterside deck with chairs and table by artist Jo Myers-Walker

Clockwise from top left:
Sketch, value study (inset),
first wash, painting

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Art on the square

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Jo Myers-Walker
Poster for Imagination Unbinds Hope exhibit of watercolor paintings by Jo Myers-Walker at Art Domestique, Washington, IA

Poster for the exhibit
(click image to view larger)

Art Domestique, “the gallery on the square” in Washington, Iowa, is featuring my watercolor paintings in the show Imagination Unbinds Hope (“colorful narratives to lift your spirits”!) through July 29, 2020. (Update: this exhibit has now ended. “Thank you” to Art Domestique for featuring my work!)

Art Domestique is “a fine art gallery that emphasizes artists from Southeast Iowa” — check out their website and social media to see what they have to offer:

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