Another "Process", or what am I doing up at 2:00 in the morning?

    I've been playing with this for the past few days, between work-time and horse-time. Above is the finished painting. It will measure 11 x 5 inches when matted. Below is the process, from sketch to last fussy glazes.

Initial glazes of aureolin on iris, then mask perimeter, and slop on some very wet washes. Photo taken while still wet.

I have intensified the dark in the background a bit with same colors, and on the iris I've added more yellow, and started to shadow it . For that, I used a very dilute purple/blue glaze.

After 2 washes, I remove the masking fluid. The washes are aureolin, burnt orange and indanthrone blue. 

For the stem and bud, I use phthalo green, with burnt gold and burnt orange, and a purple/orange mix for the bud tip.

Just more depth of shadow and hue. I also lift the warmer shadow on the far right petal, and went to grey instead.

Escaped ... again!

The chin, Baby, eating Shakespeare.

Baby, hiding behind sweatshirt

I don't know what possessed me this morning. I suppose it was that they are so cute and playful early in the day. That, and my congenital belief that all living things have souls, and a desire to be happy. So, I set up their playpen, and let Baby inside. He ran, and rolled in his bath dust,and ... disappeared. I just caught a glimpse of  grey fluff streaking toward the bedroom. I'm doomed!!! He was there, making merry ... scampering around at close to light speed, stopping only for the occasional chew on books, paper, furniture, walls. I can't catch him in a large area; my only option is to let him in the bathroom, and shut the door behind me. Then he's easier to catch. I've read that one can train chins to come to you for a treat, but I think it must be an urban myth. Well, at least he got his dose of culture today!

Seriously contemplating chewing the wall

Playpen, with toys and cornstarch "bath"

Bungee cords and plank to keep the little bugger in

Halloween ... of course

Look ... it's the Travelocity Gnome!

Me, as the Rotten Tooth Fairy, pliers in hand

Showing off my wings

This robot turned and posed for me.

The adorable Magic Unicorn

   I fed Bruno early, and headed over to my sister Barb's new home. She lives in an area that is noted for its celebration of Halloween. I was not disappointed. Houses for several square blocks were decorated to the nines, and there were hundreds of people of all ages and manner of dress wandering the streets. I went out once with my nephew, to talk hockey, weird movies, and take photos. Then, I went out twice more with my niece, as official trick-or-treaters. I LOVE Halloween, and dressing up, but the best I mustered this year was my "Rotten Tooth Fairy" costume; I was surprised at how many people we passed who said,"Look, there's the tooth fairy"!!

A Commission

This is where I am right now.

   I'm working on a painting for a friend of mine. Mike had a hobby farm in Langley, and boarded one or two horses. The painting is of one of the boarders who became a close friend, with her horse. The photos from which I have to work are NOT painter-friendly, so we'll see what can be done.

This is the photo I am using for the pose.

This I'll use for color reference.

I was at this point a few days ago, and found the horse to have too much orange.

I am definitely at the point in a painting where I wonder what I'm doing - really an awkward stage. Let me know what you think of it , so far.

A Word Concerning "Chins"

Baby, wondering how he can escape, and take over the world

Baby, in my work area 

   This morning's amblings were inspired by Baby's escapade today. I have, living in a huge cage on the kitchen counter, two male chinchillas. They were acquired from my sister, Steph, when her otherwise tolerant husband said they had to go. She called me almost in tears, so I told her to bring them out here. I have since found out IN SPADES why John wanted them out of the house.
   Chins are cute, incredibly soft, and chew everything they can get their teeth onto. They are a bit larger than a guinea pig. They move like stink ... running, scurrying, and jumping.
   Since they have moved out here to the country, [not that they'd notice, living indoors in a cage] the fuzzy little bastards have managed to chew my dressage saddle, a bridle and set of hand-made braided reins, and a bathroom! That was the primary damage; there was a lot of gnawing done on furniture, baseboards, and anything within reach of their teeth.
   Chinchillas must gnaw, as like so many rodents, their teeth are continually erupting from the jaw. In watching them, I have also come to think that they use their teeth and mouths to explore their environment.So it is quite natural, BUT .....
   Anyway, to give them time out of the cage, and time for a cornstarch bath [really, it's grooming] I bought a large playpen. This I set up in the kitchen, put in their bath, some toys, and cover with an old blanket which I batten down with bungee cords and a plank. One of the chins, Baby, is a master of escape. This morning, I didn't even know he was out till I saw him zip around the bedroom. He also looked wet. When I checked the bathroom , the floor near the toilet was wet. He had jumped up and fallen in. But how did the little bugger get out? Anyway, he had his romp, allowed himself to be relatively easily caught, and placed back in the cage.
   The other chin, Fat Bastard, is not as keen on being out of the cage. His quirk is  sprawling on his back for hours ... a most un-chinchilla-like posture. He also has a serious raisin addiction. Both chins like raisins, but he will do anything and go anywhere to get one.

Inspecting my bridle

Fat on left, Baby on right

   So, that's a little bit of my life with chins.

HORSES ... can't live with'em, can't live without'em

   I am sitting here at the computer, listening to Bruno out in his field and paddock, screaming like a banshee. All his friends in the adjoining properties are inside, and being a herd animal, he misses them. I tried having a companion with him last winter - a cute and small retired school pony - and he was so possessive of me, he would chase her away when I went in the paddock. One morning, he was so intent on chasing her, and the noise next door, he ran into me. He sent me flying, and then ran through me as I was in mid-air. End of "roomie". Which is worse? a jealous and protective horse, or a neurotically lonely horse? I guess whichever causes me less pain!
   I've had horses now since I was 30. Almost never before that time did I have many accidents. A.H., [after horse] I was a regular at the hospital. Sweetie. my gorgeous Hanoverian mare, sent me flying innumerable times. Once, she got me off, and I stupidly held onto the reins. She started bucking, and her hind legs were coming down on my lower abdomen like pistons. After 4 or 5 solid thumps, I let go. My doctor later told me her hooves were less than an inch from the femoral artery, and if hit, I would have bled to death in less than a minute. So it goes. Another time, she also kicked out at a speeding truck, got my right arm, and presto! ... compound fracture.  Ah yes, her imperial highness and I had MANY adventures together!! Yet she could be SO sweet and gentle. I remember my mother bringing my 6 month old nephew to the barn. Her highness was in her stall, and came over to reach out over the stall guard. Julian was playing with her head, and at one point had his tiny arm up to the elbow up her nostril. And she just stood there with a slurpy, loving look on her face.
   Then there was Carlo, a handsome young thoroughbred who had been badly spoiled, and as a result, wanted nothing to do with training and riding. When he finally tossed me, and I could hear and feel my pelvis crack, that was it for Carlo.

Sweetie, geared up with fly mask, heading for the trails 

S. and me [yes, that's her tongue]

Her Highness and me, one summer morning

Bruno and Paulina [my niece] a month ago

   And now I have Bruno ... very tall, sweet and not too clear on the concept of carrying someone on his back. He was a successful pacer at the local track. When he had a minor injury, his owner decided to retire him. My trainer thought we would be a good match. I think so, too, but right now, we are going through a little period of adjustment. So, once again, I am feeling this little niggle of apprehension about riding him. It's cooler, and he is full of piss and vinegar. He has turned out to be quite athletic, an admirable and desirable asset, ONCE you have it more "under control". In the meantime ...

A Session with the Model

   Last Christmas, for his wife, my horse vet commissioned a painting of her much-loved dog, Tobias. She was so thrilled with the painting, she cried when she saw it, and "Tobias" nows hangs in their bedroom. Now Mario has asked if I could do a portrait of their other Mexican rescue dog, Cindy. [ who I think is half or full sister to Tobias]

I think this will probably be the one to paint.

Very grumpy-looking here.

I don't know what to make of this pose!

   Today was another gloriously warm and sunny day, so I walked down the street in the late afternoon for Miss Cindy's photo shoot. She was not as cooperative as her brother, and I had to get down on the wet, newly-cut grass to cajole her into posing. She is as cute as a bug, and very sweet, but from some of the photos, I can't help seeing that she looks quite like an Ewok [one of the teddy-bear creatures from "Star Wars"]