Category Archives: Just Thinking
Trying Something a Little Different
I’m not sure what I think of this one. This is my first attempt at getting more abstract and really using an expressionistic technique ti evoke the feeling of movement. I’m also trying to continue to step outside of my comfort zone a bit and work with a very different animal for my subject. I do like the energy, but I am struggling a bit with the lack of detail. I am going to resist the urge to “fiddle’ with this piece and call it finished, but I think I may try painting it, or a similar piece, again and see what happens.
Rescue Me: Prince
My friend, Lorraine, runs an amazing rescue in New Jersey named Husky House. They help huskies, obviously, but they also help lots of puppies along with, surprisingly, a variety of lap dog type dogs. Right now, they have their hands very full with a litter of puppies who are fighting for their lives!
PLEASE HELP Husky House Puppies! URGENT DONATIONS NEEDED! In the last 48 hours several pups have come down with Parvo & have been hospitalized at GSVS. The bills are huge.. 10,000-12,000 & we are praying no more break with it. PLEASE help us save them..so far, Ricky,Lucy,Ethel, and Dopey are in the hospital. Donations can be sent thru paypal at HuskyHouseinc@aol.com or you can call the hospital directly to make a donation.
Before I knew anything was happening with the puppies, I decided to paint Prince, a little yorkie puppy, with the hopes of auctioning it for Husky House. I finished it up this morning. I think I will be starting on a painting of one of the pups in the morning to add to the auction.
Rescue Me: Prince, Acylic on canvas board, 16" x 12", 2012
Stretching
I started running this year. I usually like it. Sometimes, though, it causes a lot of pain. I’m told, that stretching after every run will do a lot to alleviate that pain. But I HATE stretching!!! I’m pretty sure everyone does! So how do I talk myself into doing it? I know it’s good for me…but I just don’t like doing it.
I also find it difficult to paint outside of my comfort zone. If you haven’t noticed already, I really like dogs. I like them as living creatures and I especially like them as subjects! To strengthen my painting ability, though, I think I need to STRETCH a bit. It’s good for me! I know that…so how do I get myself to do it. Stay tuned! I will be testing out some new subject matter over the next few weeks!
Stretch, Acrylic on canvas board, 16" x 20", 2012
Time to S-T-R-E-T-C-H!
Another Shot of Inspiration
I’ve been trying to look at other people’s work a little more often. Not to copy, but to be inspired. I recently came across a man named Robert Joyner. What’s fun is he has portfolio organized in categories. He has seascapes and cityscapes and people and horse and DOGS and COWS! Two of MY favorite subjects. I LOVE his cows! I love the simple, bold strokes and the exaggerated color palette. Take some time and enjoy his work here.
I Am in Awe!
I recently rediscovered my passion for painting. Along with it I rediscovered all of my insecurities regarding my talent or lack there of. In order to avoid being consumed by it, as I was years ago, I have started looking to others to keep me inspired. Enter Guy Denning. I came upon his work quite be accident while I was searching for interesting images of the human figure and I was stopped dead in my tracks! His work is amazing. Dark yet beautiful. Warm yet frightening. I’m currently studying his technique by watching videos on his YouTube channel. I love that artists are so generous with their talent and willing to share it with those of us looking to learn…I hope I am a good student!
Did I mention…I can’t wait to get back to my paints! Thank you Mr. Denning!
Inspiration
Apparently I have it! All I can think about is my next painting! In fact, I have a whole series in mind: “Shelter Me; Rescue Me!” I have always had a passion for painting animals and I have a passion for helping homeless dogs and cats, so what makes more sense then using them as the subjects of my paintings? I did this years ago on a small scale and created the “PupArt” series. These were little 5″ x 7″ paintings that I sold and then donated a portion of the proceeds to the shelter where the subject was residing. This time I’m thinking of going MUCH bigger! 3′ x 4′, 4′ x 5′, or even bigger! Again, with some sort of profit sharing with the shelter or rescue. Seems like a win-win to me! I get GREAT subject matter and an endless suppl of inspiration and the shelter gets some level of publicity and hopefully a couple of extra bucks. I can hardly wait to get started. I hear the art supply store calling!
PupArt: LCHS, Acrylic on canvas board, 5" x 7", 2003
