Is there a fine art paper that’s elegant, nuanced — and affordable?

See how this Delaware artist found a paper that makes his work irresistible and accessible.

Art for All

After a 40-year career as an engineer, self-taught artist Tony McKee is leveraging his technical skills to create vibrant watercolor paintings that capture local Delaware seascapes, landscapes, wildlife, and nostalgia.

His business, Tony McKee Art, is unique in that he sells at local art events rather than traditional "fine art" venues. This model fits Tony’s intention of making art accessible, allowing him to connect with customers who may not typically buy artwork but are attracted by the lustrous colors of his ink-and-watercolor prints. “Most of my customers at arts and crafts venues have no intention of buying art when they arrive,” Tony says. “I find that inspiring.”

Enter Red River Paper

The vivid hues of Tony's work come through boldly on our 100% cotton Aurora Art White 300. "The Red River paper I use is so important in conveying the bright colors that accentuate my paintings," McKee notes. "I love the consistency of the paper and the resulting prints." Another factor Tony appreciates is the paper’s affordability, which helps him keep his artwork modestly priced.

The pleasing tone of Aurora Art White 300 is an elegant, smooth canvas for the images featured below. In the first, a father and daughter surf-fish on the Atlantic coast at sunrise. The second painting depicts the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk, showcasing the famous Dolles saltwater taffy sign. Both scenes were prompted by some of Tony’s favorite memories.

See More of Tony’s Work

From crashing waves to snoozing crabs, TonyMcKeeArt.com showcases art prints categorized into Coastal, Historic Landmarks, Freshwater Fish, even Classic Vehicles. The Events page lists his upcoming show venues by location and date. You can also cruise over to Tony’s Etsy Shop to see his work. To read about the horse painting he created that inspired tears of delight when presented to the recipient, check out our Q&A below.

Enjoy our Q&A with Tony McKee ...

What year was your business founded and how did you get started?
Tony McKee Art was founded in 2022 after people expressed initial interest in my work at local arts and crafts venues, where I was selling prints of my original paintings using fine art paper from Red River Paper. What followed was the development of a website and Etsy shop where I sell many of the same works.

Tell us a little about what product or service your business offers.
I offer watercolor prints at affordable prices with the intent of making my art obtainable for all.

What makes your business unique?
While many local artists in our coastal area focus on "fine art" venues, I concentrate my business on local arts and crafts events. At these events, I compete with incredibly talented artists and crafters selling a huge variety of products, but only a few of whom are selling art prints.  

Where do you source your raw materials from?
I only use Red River Paper Aurora Art White 300 to generate my prints. It is affordable and accents the bright color values typical of my art. With most of my paintings, I use fine-point Micron or Uniball ink pens in combination with Daniel Smith watercolor paints to create contrast and values that are difficult to convey with watercolor alone.

In what ways does the business reflect your own personality?
My business allows me to express myself artistically and present my view of the world on paper to customers who might not ordinarily have the opportunity to appreciate and own artwork. I love that, and it reflects where I want to be as an artist and who I am as a person.

Who are your typical customers?
Most of my customers buy my art because it sparks a fond memory from their past or reminds them of the beautiful coastal area and wildlife that surrounds us here in Delaware. However, what's most interesting is that most of my customers at arts and crafts venues have no intention of buying art when they arrive. I find that inspiring.

What is the most interesting project you've encountered in the course of your work?
I did a commissioned painting of a horse for a person I met at one of my art shows, which originated from a photo they provided. The photo showed a harness racing horse pulling its buggy and the driver, but my customer only wanted me to paint the horse alone. I later learned that my painting was presented as a gift to an Amish friend who 15 years later has the same horse that now pulls her Amish buggy down the rural roads of Kent County, Delaware. My customer said the woman cried with delight when he gave it to her. It nearly had me in tears as well.

What has Red River Paper done for your business? Is there a particular challenge Red River Paper helped you overcome or a goal they helped you meet?
The Red River Paper Aurora Art White 300 paper I use is so important in conveying the bright colors that accentuate my paintings. It is economical, packaged flawlessly for every delivery, and always arrives quickly, which is so important during my show season.

What do you appreciate most about Red River Paper's products/services?
I love the consistency of the paper I receive and the resulting prints on the Red River Aurora White paper. I also liked the ability to try various media types by ordering a fine art and photography paper discovery kit early in the selection process. Importantly, Red River paper is cost-effective without compromising the quality of its products.

Do you have any future growth or product launch or event goals you’d like to share?
I plan to expand my library of offerings online considerably. I will continue to concentrate on arts and crafts venues in the Delmarva region with the help of my wife, Cheryl, who is my chief operating officer and my most vocal art critic.

Original Publication Date: July 23, 2024

Article Last updated: July 23, 2024