Christmas Cards and a Lovely Dog Rescue Story

I haven't started anything new for a while, after finishing the dog portrait. She will be delivered this week, in time for Christmas.

The owner told me the story of how they got her. The story brought tears to my eyes. Her son works for a local rehabilitation program. The pup was well cared for, and had been living in a homeless man's back-pack. The man wanted to enter a drug rehabilitation program, but no dogs were permitted in the rehab. house. So the son asked his parents [the artist I know] if they could keep her for a while. They brought her home, and she instantly wandered over to the husband, and leaned into his leg for support and comfort. The two have been inseparable since then.

Roxie, finished! If I touch this any more, I will ruin it. :)

Thank you for dropping by!!! Your comments are always welcome. 

Miss Roxie

Since the last post, I added some more shadow to her face ...

 ... then darkened the entire background with a thin black mixture, to make her stand out. I found I had to glaze her all over several times with the quin. burnt orange to get the proper depth to her coat. And then I worked on the details of her face. All that is left is to show her to her owner for approval.

If you or any one you know would love a portrait of their pet, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you for dropping by, and all your comments are most welcome! 

Roxie Is Off and Running ... but ... She May Be Walking Soon ...

Another drawing/pose I did

Background was painted w/w with aureolin and quin. burnt orange

Then I got into some scrumbling with the orange, and mixtures of quin. burnt orange, quin. violet and indanthrone.
I used all those same colors for her as well.

I added more shadowing with a dark brown mixture applied thinly, and  I will continue that way till I achieve the proper depth.

When I started this portrait, I thought it would hum along smoothly. But I am finding that getting the correct colors for shadows is a bit difficult. Still, I hope to finish this week, and that Roxie's mom likes it. She is more of a cool/blue type of person. I'm the one who likes warm. But I think the dog demanded warm colors, so ...

Thank you for dropping by, and your comments are always welcome.

Two New Christmas Cards ... and ... Third Time Lucky

12 x 8 in.
31 x 21.5 cm.

9.5 x 11.5 in.
24 x 29 cm.
This is the third time I have painted this in three days. That''s where the "third time lucky comes in ...

These are two other cards I have made up for Christmas. I approached a few of the local tack [horse riding equipment] stores, and one has bought a dozen, and wants more of the horsey cards.

They are printed on a high-quality watercolor-like paper, with matching envelope. I am offering them for $4.50 each or 5 for $17.50. The shipping will be $.50 to the States, and $1.00 to Europe. If you are interested, please leave me a note. The funds are all safely handled through paypal.

Pups in Progress ... or ... One Out of Two ...

I've done more with puggy - strengthening color intensities, and working on the eye ... 

... laying down a road-map of her dark colors, and starting the butterfly.

I LOVE the eye in this, but ...
I think the overall proportions are wrong. She seems to need more space above and in front of her face. She does have a thick neck [I believe there must be some labrador in her] but it looks wrong here. And I am not overly fond of the background colors. I used alizarin crimson instead of my usual quin. violet and it looks too bright. A duller, darker background would be an improvement.

It was a typical Vancouver-type winter day yesterday - rained hard all day. So other than running a few errands [delivering froggy Christmas cards, grocery shopping, library ...] I painted all day. Sometimes when I get into a long period of painting like that, I lose some focus. It looks like that happened to Roxie. I am going to have to change her neck somehow, and paint her in a different format. If you have any suggestions, PLEASE let me know!

Thank you for dropping by, and your comments are most welcome!

PUPS IN PROGRESS ...

This is Tweedles. She and her moms write an absolutely delightful blog. Recently, Tweedles had two major surgeries, and is still recuperating. Her moms have had a very difficult time, so I thought a painting of their sweetie would make things a bit easier.

reference photo for color

Drawing

So far ...
This is Roxie. She belongs to another of the artists at the gallery. Roxie's mom was hoping I could get a portrait done to give to her husband for a Christmas gift. I think I can do it!!!

Thank you for visiting!!!

It's SUNNY, So I Could Get Some Decent Photos ... or ... Yes, Same Old

It is gloriously sunny, so I was able to get good photos, showing the colors much more as they are.

This is Cindy. She was my horse vet's Mexican-rescue dog. Sadly, she developed myasthenia gravis [neurological disorder] and had to be euthanized early this week. Mario is devastated - he is such a sweet, kind soul. When I spoke with his wife, she told me he was desperately looking for photos of Cindy. I have a few on my computer I will give him, and I did this yesterday to give Mario as well, though his wife said he will probably cry. It really is so hard when one of our animal friends passes on.

These are the two portraits I did of Cindy a few years ago. Mario and Juanita have this one hanging in their bedroom.

Thank you so much for dropping by, and your comments are always welcome!