A EUREKA Moment!!!

The "rejected" Drake

The "new and improved" Drake

I had put this portrait aside for months till I could figure out a way to make all that fluffy hair look natural. Lately, I have been playing with the lifting technique, so I thought I'd try it with this painting. I thoroughly wet the bottom third of the paper, and the left side of the dog's head and neck. Then I splashed on a very dark, almost black mixture. While it was still quite wet, I started lifting some of the pigment, using brushes and paper towel. I LOVE the soft look it gives to his fur. Now I am inspired to re-do this portrait!!! ONWARD ...

                        Thank you for dropping by!

Getting Better ...

Maggie and her new best friend, Flossie, enjoying the squeaky toys my landlady bought for them today.

Maggie, posing by the pool.
Maggie is a Mexican rescue that I rescued from being euthanized last weekend. The clinic that brought her here despaired of finding the right home for her. I think mine is it :) 

Bruno, off on the other side of the pond, having a munch - what else???

Don't know if I'll bother doing more here. It's not making me gasp with visual pleasure as it is, and I have others I would rather do.

This is from two years ago or so. I decided to re-work it. 

The purples and violets of the background are not quite like this - more greyed. But overall, I think I made some improvements by lifting some leaves and intensifying the shadows of the petals. Perhaps a bit more lifting yet.

I am starting to feel more like myself - dizziness gone, mood swings less acute and less frequent - emotionally stronger.  I had been seriously out of it for the past 6 weeks, coming off anti-depressants. I have found large doses of vitamin D help, as well as meditating and being more focussed. Finally I think I can approach that Rio painting with more confidence, and start some paintings with more definitive planning and fore-thought. Here's hoping ...

Thank you for dropping by!