Moving Along Nicely ... and the Old Car, Too

I'm pleased with how it is developing, and very happy on the decision to "go old".

One I painted about 8 years ago [and sold ... yay]
I will probably do a similar background.

Himself, several weeks ago.


I thank all of you for your questions about Bruno. He had "good drugs" - corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid - injected directly into the arthritic joints of both hind legs. The results have been phenomenal. Physically, he is supple, more fluid and powerful in his movement, and has lost the severe, protective muscle tightness. Emotionally, he is one happy guy - keen and eager to be ridden, and not balky and sulky when under saddle. He really and truly feels like a new horse! We both are quite happy right now.
I also have 2 boarders here for at least the next 6 weeks. One of my sisters had a major flood in her home [poorly done plumbing]. It was so damaging that she and her husband had to move out for the repairs to be done, and the place they are renting for the duration does not accept dogs. So I have the Boxer girls. They are both sweet and well-behaved, but are high maintenance dogs. The cat is tolerating them ... barely. And Bruno can't stand them! He is so very possessive of me, that he charges and chases them if they are in his space, and will put on a show of force - rearing, bucking, galloping, and generally letting the dogs know that he means business! My dear little 3/4 ton green-eyed monster!!! So it goes, here on the farm.  

Distressed ... the Painting, Not Me

Photo taken from this year's Cruise In

Two photos taken several years ago
Cars "parked" in a field

A distressingly-painted car


I liked the photo I took this year, but realized it would be almost impossible to decipher all the shadows and reflections, and their sources. So I decided to wing it, and paint the car as an old timer, rusting happily in a field. Hurray [or "huzzah"] for the concept of artistic license.

... Something in the Air ...

Did this sketch quickly this AM

Been clarifying and simplifying this for weeks

The REAL bun

Beauty of a 1931 Ford, at CruiseIn this summer

I think this is the same make and year

I took these photos 10 years ago, in a field not too far from home



I was reading Carrie Waller's blog post this morning, and found I am not alone in being frustrated with my art. Apparently Carrie is looking for her "style". I found myself so fed up with my art yesterday, I trashed the hibiscus I was working on ... and it felt GOOD! It was a nice photo of a pretty flower with beautiful colors, and that was it. I am trying to find/see some meaning in my work.
The portraits I did of John and Steph were received in a lukewarm manner. Steph made the comment that I should stick to graphite or pencil sketches for "people" portraits, if not all portraits. She loved the pencil works, and thought they would probably be more salable as well. So here I am. Any thoughts or grumps gladly received!!!  

Time for a Big Flower

Washes of aureolin, quin. gold and alizarin crimson

More washes - quin. burnt orange, phthalo blue and alizarin

STILL more washes - phthalo blue, alizarin and a final quin. gold

The unveiling

Original photo


I was feeling the need to do something big and floral, so I checked  the photo library, and found this gorgeous hibiscus.  I did a sketch with the leaves included, and found it to look too cluttered. So I decided to paint a background that would give depth but allow the flower to dominate. I think there must be at least twenty graded washes in the background already, and I must say it felt GREAT to splash on paint with [relative] abandon! I'm not completely happy with the masking I'm using - finding it slightly marking the paper. If you have ideas on masking fluid brands, let me know, please. And, as ever, please let me know what you think ...

A Morning TOO Beautiful Not to Share ...

Willows by the pond

Path to the barn

Field behind barn buildings

Looking back from field into paddock

His Nibs, enjoying breakfast hay

Path between my humble abode and next door

Late-blooming hollyhock

As I went down to feed His Highness this morning, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the day. I love the look of the sunrise filtering through the mist. I almost ran back to the house to get my camera, but Bruno was neighing for food! I hope you enjoy these early morning scenes as much as I did.

Amazing ... I Quite Like It ...

I think I left off here, deciding to intensify skin tones ...

The great unveiling - removing masking fluid

I re-did the water with mask, so I could get a more fluid look to the water, with the three background colors.
Afri's Nephew  10.5 x 11.5 in. / 27 x 29 cm.


When I near the end of a work, I usually start to nit-pick the life out of it. With this painting, I am pleased as it is. It's bright and happy; it totally expresses what I set out to achieve. Again and always, please let me know what you think and feel about the painting.

Catching Up ...

I started by masking what will be a spray of water, then dropped in quin. pink, quin. burnt orange and phthalo blue

I've laid in color on the skin, hair and shirt.

Just intensifying everything. Now I need to go in and get some good skin tones and shadows.
This was my morning's effort

  A BrunZ news flash ... The lad was diagnosed with arthritis in both hocks [ hind leg "knee" ] I am not surprised, as he spent at least five years at the pacer track in Cloverdale, pounding on the equivalent of cement, doing his thing as a race horse. It has left him stiff and sore, so to alleviate that condition, my vet recommended injecting both joints with a combination of hyaluronic acid and a corticosteroid. Friday evening, Mario came over, set up all the equipment for filing teeth [ also needed ], filled syringes, and gave Bruno a shot of tranquillizer. It takes effect within seconds, and B. was zonked but standing. Mario first gave the hock injections. Then we muscled his sleepy body into a sort of head-holder, propped his mouth open, and filed the teeth. When the vet was almost done, I slipped back, with a bucket of water, soap and cloth, and cleaned what you would not believe needs cleaning. Ahhh ... the glamorous life of a horse owner!
   Now the lad needs time off till Tuesday. Then I can walk [ only ] for a week, and then gradually build up our work, focussing on strengthening his back and hind end.
   While Bruno's off, I've had a bit more office time, as a dental hygienist. And I've also had more time to paint. Right now, I am working on a long-ago-promised painting of a friend's nephew. I'm really enjoying it, and that is usually an indication that it will turn out well.