Blog Archives
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:
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, 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!
Another Sad Dog
Shelter Me: No Name, Acrylic on canvas (in progress), 12" x 30", 2012
I have a vision in my mind of a series called Shelter Me. I want to honor the many dogs who never make it out of shelters, but I have so much trouble painting sad dogs. I hate to see them that way and it pains me to look into their eyes and see the depth of their fear and sadness. I started trying again to day. While this one is sad, I think I may be capturing a little feeling of hope. This may be the direction that I need go to make these paintings work.
Rescue Me: Puppies
Rescue Me: Puppies, Acrylic on canvas board, 16" x 12", 2012
This is a painting of one of the little pups that is being cared for by Husky House in New Jersy. This guy is very sick and fighting for his life at the hospital. Several of his puppy friends are also quite ill. Husky House has a huge vet bill looming! I will be selling this painting as well as Rescue Me: Prince to help raise some money for their care. Please think positive thoughts for the pups! Stay tuned for information on where these two paintings will be posted for sale!
Rescue Me: Kiernan
Rescue Me: Kiernan, 12" x 30" x 2", Acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas, 2012
I finished up another painting for MaPaw Siberian Rescue today. This is Kiernan, a young boy who was rescued by MaPaw and is currently looking for a new home. Hopefully this painting can raise a few much-needed dollars to help the rescue. It will be auctioned at their Beef & Beer next month. Visit MaPaw for more information.
I’m In Love!
Shelter Me 1, Acrylic on canvas, 18" x 24", 2012
I bought a palette knife the other day. I didn’t really have anything in mind when I bought it, but thought it might be fun to fiddle with. I LOVE it!!! I wasn’t happy with the direction my first Shelter Me painting was going so I decided to give the palette knife a try. What fun! I love the texture and the way you can ALMOST control the paint, but not quite. I can’t wait to try it on a figure painting….think I know how I’m spending my weekend!
This painting is available on Etsy! Click here for purchase details.
Shelter Me!
Shelter Me 1, Acrylic on canvas, 18" x 24", unfinished
My vision for the Shelter Me series is to capture the faces and emotions of the animals who wait in shelters for their new homes. This is my first attempt. It’s not quite there yet, but I can almost see where it is going. I took the photo that I am using for reference years ago at a local kill shelter. The dog in the photo, being part pit bull, likely never made it out of the shelter (although I hope I am wrong about that!) It makes me so sad to think about all of the animals that spend weeks in shelters, scared, alone, only to be euthanized. I hope painting these pictures will honor them in some way.
Trying Something New
Henrik in the Wood, Acrylic on Wood, 8" x 24", 2012
Quite a few years ago, I bought a stack of book-matched pieced of wood from a luthier who was going out of business. I’m not exactly sure what I planned to do with them all, but they have been sitting in the basement waiting for me ever since. So, I decided to see what would happen if I tried painting on them. Well, I quite like the results! In areas where I thinned the paint with water, it absorbed nicely into the would, giving it a stained effect. Where I applied the paint heavily, it sat nicely on the surface.
This piece was a gift for friends who have a beautiful dog named Henrik. He was a shelter dog and has begun to thrive with their love. This may be the style that I adopt for my “Rescue Me/Shelter Me” series. I still haven’t decided. I am excited to get started working on it. I know exactly who my first subject will be! His name is Luke and he is a guest of MaPaw Siberian Husky Rescue. He and his friend, Dora, came into MaPaw from a local shelter. Soon after arrival, they were both found to have Canine Influenza. Sadly, Dora did not make it. Luke spent several days in critical condition, but is now improving. Their vet bills are quite high and my hope is that the sale of Rescue Me: Luke will help offset them just a bit.
Looking Back
Casey: The Look, Acrylic on canvas board, 16" x 20", 2003
I started building a “portfolio” on Fickr and it has been interesting looking back at some of my old work. In some ways, I’m very sentimental for the easy way I could put paint on canvas. But, I can also see that I have grown as a painter and I almost think I like where my work is going. Does every painter endlessly question their ability? Hopefully insecurity makes us better. That’s it, right?
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.
