Emma - Portait of a very special companion

Emma

8 x 10

Oil on Raymar Panel

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This is my first of the 30 paintings in 30 days hosted by Leslie Saeta.  May I introduce Emma…a longtime companion who unfortunately is no longer with us.  Sometimes these paintings are difficult to do because I desperately want to capture the essence of the beloved pet…it is a huge responsibility that I take very seriously.  Since my goal is to paint family and friends…I knew Emma would fit into either category.  I am pleased to say that the painting was well received.  

As an aside I decided to show my sketches for this 30 day project…here is Emma's sketch.

As you can see I am not careful.  I am just trying to see where everything is in relation to where everything else is.  I am lining up the eye…nose and ear…It makes it so much easier to start painting.

So I am smiling as I prepare for my next painting!!!

You Gonna Share That Gelato?

"You Gonna Share That Gelato?"

12 x 16

Oil on Raymar Panel

$250

This is, of course, from my recent trip to Switzerland/Italy/Germany.  We were in Italy here...where else would you get gelato!  This dog desperately wanted some of the delicious treat but waited patiently until he was allowed to lick the bowl.  I love the look between the two...an anxious understanding.  

The setting was one of the cobblestone stairways...of which there are many..in Italy.  They all look so quaint and foreign to me that I could only think of movie sets and how wonderful it would be to film real life in Italy!

Yesterday my son agreed to sit for me so I could paint from life.  Here is his Steampunk look. He owns the top hat and glasses.  I imagine I will be doing more of these as he has agreed to sit again...and his wife has also relented and will sit for me also.  It is such a good exercise.  This one was done in three 20 minute sessions...then I called it done.  When I do these I am trying to get as reasonable likeness as I can as quickly as I can and not be too knit-picky about it.  I am pretty pleased but will do better next time!

Well, arrivederci!!!  Which means, of course..."till we meet again"!