Category Archives: PupArt

I Was Busy Yesterday!

I found a pile of little 9″ x 12″ canvases in my studio cabinet, so I decided to put them to use. I don’t usually work small, so it was a bit of a challenge. I started with a little, close-up landscape. I was comprised by a pile f fallen leaves and the base of my grape vine. I spotted this little gem of a scene after I returned from the Van Gogh, Up Close show and started refocusing on the things around me. I can’t come close to replicating Van Gogh’s strokes, nor would I want to. There’s only one Van Gogh! Instead, I tried to reign in my normally less-than-controlled approach to painting to the much smaller surface. Here is the result:

Vinnies Vines painting

Vinnie's Vines, Acrylic on canvas, 9" x 12", 2012

I used the same palette to complete another small painting. This one is much more within my normal comfort zone. I do love to paint dogs!

Mr. Boxer, Acrylic on canvas painting

Mr. Boxer, Acrylic on canvas, 9" x 12", 2012

I completed one more painting with this palette, but I can’t reveal it yet…the subject hasn’t seen it yet!

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

PupArt: Amercan Bulldog

Acrylic on Canvas Board 5" x 7"

PupArts are little acrylic paintings that I sold to raise money for various shelters and rescues. Over the years I have painted many PupArts…all of dogs or cats who have touched my heart in some way. Every PupArt is a real animal who I met while they were awaiting their new family.