LOUIS!

"Louis"
8" x 8"
watercolor on aquabord 

I took a little time out over the weekend and Monday to finish "Louis."  He belongs to a dear friend and student of mine.  He's just as sweet as he looks.  

Now back to bottles and lanterns. Have a lovely day.

The Doggy Post

work in progress - aquabord
12" x 12

Oh boy, I'm at again:  barely moving on my flowers.  I had some painting interruptions last week (in addition to the regular ones consisting of typical household chores and MANY doggy needs: wanting to go out, come back in . . . go out again . . . come back in . . . pretend to want to go out but really just want attention . . . doggy lunch . . . go out again . . .  come back in . . . you get the picture).  But I'm determined to make some real dents in these two paintings this week.  You've seen the flowers before, however the one below is for my friend/student, Sue -- to whom I owe so much -- it's her Louis.  He's her special love.  So I really need to finish this for her.  I had originally wanted it to be a surprise but got excited and blew that!  :)

Speaking of doggies - I caught some of Puppy Bowl X yesterday and was completely enamored.  I had never watched any in the past but was flipping around the t.v. while working on my miniature kitchen and found it -- so stinkin' cute!  Puppies make for just plain, feel good t.v.  :)  Admittedly, I didn't watch the Superbowl, but after seeing the score I think it's safe to say that Puppy Bowl X was probably more riveting!  

Have a great day and thank you for stopping by.

work in progress - aquabord
8" x 8"

Brady

"Brady"
8" x 8"
(private collection)

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a good weekend.  I finished up two commissions last week.  This is the pet portrait of "Brady" (yes, his owners are New England Patriot fans).  I had a mishap with the gloss medium finish coating but will spare you the gory details.  Let's just say, at hour zero I was repainting the entire painting.  I'm pleased with the results, but could have forgone the last minute stress.  And being the perfectionist that I am, I get a little sick thinking of the "original" and knowing that this isn't totally it.  But again, I'm pleased, and more importantly Brady's owners are pleased.  It's just my own obsessive compulsive issues.

Below is a shot of Brady framed . . . and one of the work in progress.  Now that my two biggies are done, I'm excited to start one new pet portrait commission and get back to my regular paintings this week.  

Have a great day and thank you for coming by. 

Brady in all his framed glory

blocking in the values with some detail

He's a Beautiful Boy!

"Virgil" (a German Short-haired Pointer)
8" x 8"
watercolor on aquabord
Sold

Virgil in his frame

So here's Virgil -- what a beautiful boy!!  He's a show dog and it's no wonder. and I'm happy to report that his mom was pleased with the painting -- (big sigh of relief).  You just never know.  I was pleased, but my feelings don't really matter so much when there's a mom out there who REALLY knows her baby boy.  :)  I spent this morning "trying on" different frames and I think I'm going to go with this one -- simple, sleek and black.  I like the contrast.  And I love this aquabord -- no need for matting or glass.  I think it has a very classic look to it.  

I'm also working on finishing up the Little People circus train painting -- just a few more tiny little details and I'm dragging my feet.  Go figure.  Then there's much cleaning and decorating to do --- gaaaaahhhh!!!  I'm kind of bad at decorating -- takes me forever to get things up, then it's about May by the time everything comes down.  Well, maybe not May, but close.  So that's my "true confession" for the day.  :)  Have a great weekend!  Thanks for coming by.

Commission

12" x 12" -- wip 1

wip 2

wip 3

close-up

I thought I'd post these progress shots of my latest commission.  Hope you enjoy . . . thanks for stopping by . . . back to painting!