Crazy week

Wow, I can’t believe this week is almost over (at least the part of it that one has to work.)  I blinked and it’s gone.  Working on some different directions in the art and liking the results.  Now, I have to rest!

A different kind of peaceful

  It’s the first time that I have been alone in the house since Jasmine (my kitty) passed.  My husband has gone traveling for work  and I found it so quiet at first, and then as I took the time to reflect on all the good things in my life (even the ones who are now buried in a plant in my living room) – I found that it’s a different kind of peaceful than when she was here. 

When I am alone it gives me a different insight to what it might be like to have my studio outside the house.  I worked Sunday afternoon to online radio streaming from my laptop and I have been challenged to work in a slightly different way for a project that I am involved in.  I have had to really practice sketchin much more than usual and pull from a different kind of creative place. So far so good, and the ideas are now flowing.

I was heading to the studio again last night but a slight winter cold has got me down a bit, and I am in more of a preventative state than anything – so I ate soup and went to bead super early.  I plan to fly to meet my husband in a warmer climate this weekend, so I have to rest up.

I miss my kitty, especially since she added an additional heartbeat to the house.  It will be the first time in over fifteen years I have been truly alone.  I guess it’s ok – but after this year I am hoping we get a dog.
Thanks for reading.

Photo of Dasa that I used for reference

You can see that this little lovely creature loves showing off her collar bling as well as that tounge!  It was a fun project.  Next?

Dasa Tad Dah!

 One the the most interesting projects I have done is this 24 x 24 lifelike face of this little tea-cup Yorkie.  I had the honor of meeting her and her Snoodle brother Mickey a few weeks back, and this painting was the result.  My husband says that working big is my thing, I wish my studio would grow as large as some of the canvases I’ve been working on. I’ll also upload a picture of this sweet little thing.  Yesterday when I dropped the painting off (received by a “yup, that’s her alright from the hubby” and a big hug from my customer) – Dasa and Mickey received me with enthusiasm and hand knit sweaters to keep them warm from Maines winter chill.  I commented the first time I met these two that Dasa seems to not have a care in the world as she flutters around the room carrying her stuffed toy purse.  Mickey fell in love instantly, and I think it was mutual as he looked at me through those deep snoozer eyes!  He’s next says their mom. 

I created this painting by using a methodical measuring system to get everything to scale, this involes heavy use of a calculater and a ruler and a light weight pencil to sketch.  Even when I started to lay paint I could see that the eyes weren’t in the right spot and that the ears needed to be bigger than life.  A few corrections and I was on my way. Painting on Super-bowl Sunday (to start) I created a nice rending and underpainting during pre-game and the first quarter (naturally I jumped up and ran in the room everytime I heard a commercial.)  I did leave the project to dry (Interactive Acrylic Paint) and watched the rest of the game, much to my disappointment.  The second sitting was a Monday Night (like the next night) this time I put about an 1 1/2 hours into it – it started to really come to life.  I buttoned it up in about another hours time last weekend just in time for it to dry and be photographed by my friend, the infamous “D”.  I delivered it yesterday and I am sad to see it gone from my studio, the larger than life Yorkie.

Read the next blog to see the original picture.

Original Picture for Valentines Day Gift

I couldn’t add both of these into the same post, but you can see the original picture is pretty much the same as the painting except a few artistic liberties such as changing the background and removing the red pillow.  This was Acrylic on Canvas 18 x 24, and I finished the edges so that the customer can hang this right on the wall without having to frame it.  Although it would look fabulous framed, it is not necessary.  The paint was Interactive Acrylics (my favoriate) and I used buildup on the fur in my usual style.

 Thanks for checking out my blog, click on my earlier blog to compare the photo in this blog to the painting in that one.

Valentines Day Gift

This is the painting that a customer of mine hired me to paint in time for valentines day.  These two dogs (according to the pictures and the owner) are best friends.  They move together like synronized swimmers.  The pictures tell a wonderful story of two dogs, which, according to their owner were brought into the home at different times.

You can see from the painting that these two dogs are very much indeed best friends.

I haven’t heard from the customer, but from her reaction, I’m sure her husband was thrilled with the painting.

This is one of the reasons I have had little time to blog!  It’s a good thing.

3-D Art

kittysideview.jpg

I tried to upload this pic, but it was GIANT, so I just have a link to it.  I was doing a practice piece of a cat facing straight on with the it’s head turned to the side.  My website photographer took this of his neighbor Fig and I thought it would be a good practice on 3-d angels which have always been a bit of a struggle for me.  I have been watching for an 3-d design course in my neck of the woods so that I can sharpen my skills.  Most of the animal portraits have been from a looking straight into the camera perspective, with a few that have been more dimensional.  It is all a policy of practice makes perfect and this kitty came out pretty good the second time I adjusted where the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and position of the head was.  The brushstroke style (despite the challenge of 3-d) does look a bit unfamiliar compared to my other style. It will be interesting to see how this piece is received.

More Snow? And as always Art!

What a crazy day!  It’s the first time all season (mind you we have had constant snow since December) that I couldn’t get out of my driveway by just plowing through.  It was evident that after a few minutes that we were going to have muscle the little buggy out of it’s very stuck position.  Oh well, a bit late to work – but that’s ok.

I have just spoken to my printer and my dog cards are almost ready for proof (YAY) – I have had customers and my MOTHER asking if I have dog cards for quite some time.  I will be previewing 4-5 in card format with a cover card.  I also have a big order that is being worked on at the printer with some customers waiting for the new product.

I continue to be very active in Trade and have found it to be an excellent source of networking & getting my work out there to people who most likely would have never been exposed to it.

At an art meeting for SEA this past week, it was decided an open Studio Tour would be set on Munjoy Hill (Portland, Maine) on May 18. 

I am hoping to post my latest commissions Friday and Saturday this week, but I’m waiting for them to be gifted for V-day.

 Have a nice day, keep your eyes out for the new work.

Snow

Again I can only hope that I am forgiven for being a bit slight on the daily blog thing.  I have been busy working on a giant Yorkie painting which I just finished, before that I had a valentines day commission and more before that.  I don’t have any more commissions lined up at the moment, but I suspect that will change.  My customers are wonderful at spreading the word.  In the meantime, where I am, it is snowing yet again.  Every day it seems.  It doesn’t bother me, but today I haven’t left the house and am concentraiting on art stuff.  I will try to be better about blogging, but if I’m not blogging, I’m painting!

Shows for 2008

I may have talked about quality vs. quantity a bit in a previous blog, but I really want to apply this principle to showing my work this year.  Instead of doing every show, I will do a few “regular” tried and true shows that I do year after year – one being in May (previously July) and two being in December.  I will also try a few new venues that seem to be the right fit, but are a bit more risky. I am getting ready to work on some fresh inventory for these shows which will include doggie mug shots and hopefully some scene from catalina.  Of course I won’t forget about the cats.  I am also working on a series of female figures.  Alot going on!  Thanks for reading.