The Snowfall That Led to a Photo That Inspired a Painting

When snow blanketed Fredericksburg last January, I captured a photo of the main house at Kenmore Plantation.  Photography is both part of my job as editor of Fredericksburg Patch and a personal hobby.  I especially enjoy snow landscapes.

Months later came an email from local artist Casey Alan Shaw.  He, too, enjoys snow scenes.  He'd seen my personal photo, and he wanted permission to paint it.

"Kenmore in the Snow" will debut during the Dec. 6 First Friday reception at Art First Gallery in Fredericksburg.  It will also be the first time painter and photographer meet in person.

Shaw, who is a member of Art First Gallery, said vintage travel posters from the early 20th century heavily influence his art. He also creates folk-art inspired designs and is an award-winning cartoonist.  He adapts some paintings into posters, available online at Fine Art America.  Some of his folk-art is available as greeting cards, including Christmas cards featuring Fredericksburg scenes.

The Fredericksburg resident is relatively new to painting.  "I've drawn ever since I was a kid, but for some reason I didn't pick up a brush to try my hand at painting until my fiftieth birthday," Shaw said.

He continues to work as creative manager for USA Today's USA Weekend Magazine, a job he's held for 18 years.  His graphic portrait of Pope John Paul II was adapted as the cover for a special Dec. 18, 2005, Christmas issue of the magazine.  In August 2013, his portrait of Satchel Paige graced the cover of Whurk, Fredericksburg's monthly cultural review.
Shaw has received dozens of national awards for illustration and design, including recognition from the National Headliner Awards, the Society of Publication Designers, the Clarion Awards, the Print Regional Design Annual and American Graphic Design Awards from Graphic Design USA Magazine.

The First Friday reception will run 6 - 9 p.m. at Art First Gallery, 824 Caroline St., in downtown Fredericksburg.

First Friday events are hosted each month in Fredericksburg.  Downtown art galleries are open late with free artist receptions, featuring new exhibits for the next month.  Businesses and restaurants often schedule special events to coincide with the increased visitors strolling the streets. 

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