Bo & Odie Completed

Oil on Canvas, 30" X 40"

Whew!  This turned out to be more challenging than I thought it would be.  Tried to "rough" 'em up, make it more painterly, but I couldn't bear to muck up the eyes and so it kept moving back toward a more finished surface.....  I think it'll be ok, though.  All that's left is to varnish it and haul it 1200 miles to deliver as a belated wedding present.  Even if the recipients view it as a big ol' white elephant, I'm ok with that; they can put it in the dogs' room in the basement.

An aside about giving artwork as gifts:  Caveat Emptor.  Especially with anything bigger than a loaf of bread.  People like what they like, emphasis on "they/them" -- and not YOU.  In this particular case, I went ahead anyway for several reasons: 1) recipients are related to me, my niece and her new husband   2) recipients are huge dog-lovers and 3) some 35+ years ago I made some "art" for her parents' wedding present, and it was definitely a whiter-than-white elephant, right from the get-go.  To their credit, my brother and sister-in-law never let on to my much younger self (not an artist then) that it was anything but welcome and appreciated.

Point is, I would die of mortification if I ever saw that "art" again; artwork is relative and has a shelf life, some longer than others.  Just because it claims to be art doesn't mean it can't be disposed of in due time.  I know my tastes have changed over the years -- haven't yours?

Bo & Odie: Works in Progress, Day 2

At the ugly adolescent stage, adjusting shapes and values and colors.  Canvas was the light green color and I kind of like that, we'll see how much ends up staying in the final piece.  

Bo & Odie: Works in Progress, Day 1

Ok, here we go-- wedding present for my niece Lisa & Ryan.  I know they like dogs, just a bit worried that they might not like THIS MUCH dog -- 30 x 40 in oil.  

Red Reader

29 x 21 Watercolor

.... and another picture of Peter.

Time Out (Not Sorry)

 Watercolor 22 x 15

Yes, another picture of Sarah Jane.....

North East Watercolor Society International Exhibition Top Award Winner!!

She Wants to Play
30 x 22 Watercolor

Got a phone call from Richard Price of NEWS advising that juror Mel Stabin had chosen this painting for top honors at the 2012 International Exhibition out on the east coast.  After I hung up the phone I wasn't sure that I heard correctly and have been fearful to tell anyone.... what if he said "an" award and not "top" award?  It's usually called  the "Excellence Award" and I can't remember that word being used.....  so, my bad if I'm wrong here....and really embarrassing.

Nap with Dog #4 Study

14" x 11" watercolor

For some reason I have a lot of images of daughter Sar with her weiner dog Cowboy, and this would be the 4th one I have painted, 5th if you count the even smaller study I did but can't locate at the moment -- too bad, cause it's my fav.  I started a full sheet (30 x 22) painting based on this, but ran into trouble in the middle section, the sweatshirt and left arm.  Another reason I like studies:  what doesn't bother me at all in a smaller study becomes a glaring misstep when made large.  I'll have to resolve this before continuing.

Farm Belt Breakfast

22" x 15" Watercolor

Continuing in the still life theme.  I had to switch this older piece to a different frame, so this time I remembered to take a photo.

Still Life with Mannequin

14" x 20" Watercolor

From the pile under the bed.  Tweaked it a bit and decided it was a keeper.  Probably should've cropped in closer, but too much to do to get ready for Studio Crawl in Fargo-Moorhead this weekend.  Stop by and say hello if you're out and about.

Bride Revisted

40" x 30" oil, in progress

Revised the size of the head and a few other shapes and lines; started rubbing in a thin layer of local color in hopes that it will be dry and ready to use as a demo on Saturday during the Studio Crawl.  Overall, shapes still feel a bit clunky, and I'm going to have to get off the fence and decide about whether to approach as old school portrait or in a more modern fashion, with flat shapes and paint surface qualities.  It will be a learning experience either way, I just don't want to end up straddling the two ideas and achieving neither (a familiar story).  Or, maybe I'll stop worrying about it and just make it up as I go.