Update from "Isaac Land"

Hurricane Isaac has finally past, the slowest hurricane I have ever experienced. We got back to our house yesterday, briefly, but didn't stay. No power yet and it was late in the day, but we were able to see that the house is undamaged. My studio, however, took on a couple of inches of flood water. So my task will be to start the cleanup there.

We live 2 blocks from Lake Pontchartrain and storm surges have gotten increasingly worse in the last years. Isaac gave us as much as (or maybe a little more than) Katrina did. When we got back to the house late yesterday afternoon, the water had only receded as far as the corner our house is on. While we were checking it out, the water started to rise again, probably because of high tide.

We will be at the house today, cleaning up the studio and picking up the debris in the yard. Yesterday, we found someone else's trashcan that had floated into our yard. Complete with trash.

Dave, pet portrait

Dave has one of the characteristics I find most challenging. He has some brindle markings. I find it difficult to paint them in a way that is obviously brindle and not just stripes, but still stay true to my painting style. With Dave I think I came close.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.

Molly and the Once a Month Promise

Molly is actually Belle's "sister" and they are very close.


You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.


The Once a Month Promise
I have promised to support handmade by buying something handmade once a moth and posting about it. This month it's my wonderful:

Hot/Cold pack from HotColdComfort.com

Recently I found a wonderful website for pain relief- hotcoldcomfort.com. Sally, creates all of the patterns and sews each hot/cold pack herself. There is a microwave heating pad/cool pack in just about every size and shape imaginable. If you have an idea for a shape that might help relieve your pain, just put the bug in Sally's ear, and she will create something that is just what you are looking for.

I had begun to have pain in my feet and hands so, I went on a search for a hot/cold pack. I found HotColdComfort.com, and purchased the Microwave Heating pads for Hands, and the Microwave Slippers.

Heat Pack Hand Mitts, Microwave Heating Pads for Hands, Heat Up Mitts for Arthritis RA

Microwave Slippers, Heating Pads for Feet, Keep Feet Warm with Heat Up Slippers

When they arrived, I found that they were not only very well made, the flax seed rice mix was evenly distributed, and they were quite comfortable. I heated them in the microwave per the instructions, and sat down to relax my pain away. Right away, the moist heat started to penetrate, and I began to feel better. I am very happy with my purchase from HotColdComfort.com. If you find yourself in need of a hot/cold pack for pain relief, visit HotColdComfort.com, and tell Sally I sent you.

Belle

Belle loves her tennis ball. 

8x8 oil on Raymar canvas panel
You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.

Pearl

Pearl is a sweetheart, you better believe it. Beneath that tough exterior is a sweet and loving heart.

10x8 oil on Raymar canvas panel
You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.

Gypsy and Something Completely Different

Gypsy's portrait was commissioned for a wedding present. I'm been getting a few of those lately. But then, it is wedding season, isn't it. In fact, I just got back from a wedding in Philly. It was a wonderful wedding, and so good to see family that we don't get to see often.

16x16 oil on Raymar canvas panel
You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.

And Now for Something Completely Different!

Much as I love painting my pet portraits, sometimes I just need to paint something for the fun of it. For a while I was still painting still lifes, but I've found if I don't paint them regularly I lose my touch and it can take me a while to get back in the groove.

I've been experimenting with landscapes, and I really like doing them, but that requires heading out  to either paint or take photos, and it's not always an opportune time.

So I decided to return to my college days, and paint some abstracts. I found it a wonderful break from the portraits and an opportunity to be really loose and free with my brushwork. Which is important, because it is so easy to tighten up painting pets.

Since getting busy with pets, I haven't had anything in the local shows I used to be active in and I missed doing it. So I decided to do a few larger abstracts to enter. This lead me to the next step.

I've been considering offering giclee prints on stretched canvas of some of my paintings and I realized these abstracts would be fun to offer as well. So today, I'm officially selling  about 15 (more to come later) giclee on canvas prints in my Etsy Shop. Besides the florals, and still lifes (along with an occasional landscape or cow) I have several abstracts. Here is my favorite, you can pick your favorite in my Etsy Shop.

 

I'm selling this one as a tryptych (30x20 each) but every painting is available in any size.

Ruffus and the Once A Month Promise

Rufus's portrait was commissioned as a wedding gift. I've been getting alot of those lately. I must admit, it's a great gift for a dog lover.

8x10 oil on Raymar canvas panel
You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.


And now, the Once A Month Promise

Once a month you'll see a different kind of post from me.
I've made a promise to purchase something handmade once a month.  This purchase, whether big or small, helps to keep an Artist working, and telling you about my purchase helps to give them exposure they might not otherwise have. (Besides, I love to show-off my handmade purchases.)
This month I want to tell you about Tippythai and the Dark Olive Canvas All Purpose Bag I purchased from her.

Tippythai lives and crafts in Thailand. Each of her bags is handmade using traditional and natural sources, and often it is even naturally dyed. This bag is so roomy, and I use it often to carry around everything I might need. Tippythai makes bags in different colors, styles and sizes. If you are in need of a new bag, have a look at her shop, and like me, you might find just what you need.

Reuben, custom pet portrait

The person who commissioned this portrait told me, "I have a friend who just recently lost her young dog to cancer, and so we wanted to have a custom portrait made of him.  We  want something really special to remember Reuben by."

What a wonderful, caring friend!

11x14 oil on Raymar canvas panel
You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.

Miss Cee Cee, custom pet portrait

Miss Cee Cee's bow kept slipping when she was getting her picture taken, but I like the jaunty look it gives her.

6x8 oil on Raymar canvas panel
You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.

Workshop

I just got back from teaching a  workshop and I am tired but happy. I had a wonderful group of students whose enthusiasm for painting and willingness to tackle the challenges was awe inspiring. This was my first demo (sold). I was not able to get a very good photo, sorry.

Here are some photos of them learning and painting.

a couple of their value studies.

 

not afraid to tackle painting glass

 

total concentration

 

such enthusiasm

 

the organizer finally at work on the fun part, painting

 

their new color wheels became their new best friend

 

squinting did occur

 

they created some innovative panel holders

 

 my second demo and setup

As I prepared to leave, they were talking about scheduling my return visit, with suggestions that ranged from the very reasonable "next year" to the complementary, but unlikely "would you just move here?"

I can't thank the organizer, Kathryn Wilson, enough. She did a fabulous job of putting this together.

Live Oak

For a long time, I've been (occasionally) working on plein air paintings, but had not done any that I was pleased with. I had a vague sense of what I wanted to accomplish, but not a real concrete sense of the direction to go to get there. Recently (it was about 2 weeks ago, but I've been so busy I hadn't had time to post it) I painted this live oak and for the first time felt I was doing what I wanted and starting to move in the right direction. I'd be interested in hearing what you think of it.

10x12 oil on Raymar canvas panel

$160
Click to buy




You can see my custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.

Frankie, custom pet portrait

I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted. My time flies. I've been busy with a number of projects but I haven't  been totally away from the studio, just too busy to remember to post.

This portrait of Frankie was commissioned as a wedding gift.

10x10 oil on Raymar canvas panel
You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.

Freddie, custom dog portrait

I have always tried to challenge myself when I paint, but my efforts pale compared to the challenges others give me. This painting of Freddy, a Bernese Mountain Dog,  in the snow is the latest. It wasn't so much the dog part, it was the snow part. After much thought, I decided to paint the dog and background, then add the snow on the dog. I think it was the way to go.

8x10 oil on Raymar canvas panel
You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.

Millie, custom dog portrait

This is Millie. She is a rat terrier who was 16 years old when she passed away last February. She was a great dog with a wonderful personality. She was adopted when she was 3 and was a loyal companion.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.

Harvey, custom dog portrait

"Harvey is a black lab.  He is almost two but still acts like an eight week old puppy.  He is loyal, playful, clumsy, and loving.  In the rare event that Harvey is able to beat his brother in fetch and gets to the ball first, his idea of a fun time is playing keep away from Tucker--which thoroughly annoys Tucker, who thinks of fetch as a job, not a game.  Harvey is also a slob.  He constantly tracks mud into the house from his paws and leaves slobber on clothes and couches.  Even though he has been trouble since the day we brought him home, his apologetic eyes and loving attitude always make you smile, even when he's eaten your favorite shoe!"

10x8 oil on Raymar canvas panel
You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.

Tucker, custom dog portrait

"Tucker is a chocolate lab.  He is always clean, neat, and responsible.  He is super intelligent, intense about playing fetch, and very competitive with his younger brother.  He walks up to bed on his own every evening around 9 p.m.  When he's done with you, he's done.  We have a baby girl, though, who he has a soft spot for.  It's not uncommon for him to make it to her room first when she wakes up crying from a nap." 

10x8 oil on Raymar canvas panel
You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet Portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a Custom Portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.


Did you know I have a Facebook Fan Page?

Well, I do, and you can see it here. If you already use Facebook, won't you please join me there? (I'd love it if you "Liked" me.)

Every month I give away a print. This month, for your Valentine, I'm giving away a print of "Red Rose". You can find the giveaway in the left hand menu of our Facebook Page. Just click on the cute little present to enter.

See you there!

Josie, custom dog portrait

Today's custom pet portrait is of Josie, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. My first Duck Tolling Retriever. How often do you get to say "I painted a Duck Tolling Retriever".

8x8 oil on Raymar canvas panel

You can see more custom pet portraits in the Pet portrait Gallery of my website, or purchase a custom portrait of your pet from my Etsy shop.

Henri, custom pet portrait

My apologies for taking so long to post. Life got rather complicated for a while. But, hopefully, it's a little more normal now.

Henri is a very regal young man. His full name is Henri Tomas Bonaparte.

8x10 oil on Raymar canvas panel

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Nitro, custom pet portrait

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We celebrated with the grandkids on Christmas Eve and spent a quiet and relaxed Christmas day with each other.

This is Nitro. He is 7 months old Deutscher Wachtelhund. He is a great family dog. He's smart, active wants to follow the rules but also likes to see what he can get away with. He loves stuffed animals whether they belong to him or not. Very good with the sad face when in trouble.

8x10 oil on Raymar canvas panel

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Della, custom pet portrait

Della is an English Springer Spaniel. Oh, those eyes and ears.

10x8 oil on Raymar canvas panel

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store