Patrick and Sammy

Patrick and Sammy

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

Number 11 in the 30 paintings in 30 days!  This is my cousin's son and his adorable puppy Sammy!  I was drawn to the loving look in his eyes.  Man's best friend throughout the ages.

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"!  

Beatrice Townsend after John Singer Sargent at the National Gallery of Art

Beatrice Townsend

After John Singer Sargent

NFS

This is my progress so far on Beatrice Townsend by John Singer Sargent.  I am painting at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC participating in the Copyist program..  I am really have a great time.  My day began by re-assessing placement of the facial features, neck and the size of the puppy.  I figured out the dog's head was not bit enough so I made that bigger.  Adjusted the sash a bit and then tackled the facial features.  I knew the mouth was too high...but I remained in denial all day long...I kept thinking that it was OK.  Then just before quitting time I fixed it.  I knew I would never be happy with it...so down it went.  

I still have quite a bit to do...finishing.  The white collar needs detail and the necklace has to be repositioned a bit and some dimension added to it.  

No joke of the week this week.  Everyone was very quiet.  I don't know whether it was because I had to concentrate on features so much that I didn't interact or the heat got to everyone and they were just too hot and tired!  The highlight of the day was a little boy around seven or so who walked by...smiled...and gave me a thumbs up!  

Here I am diligently working away...you can see how empty the gallery was today!!!  So unusual!

Georgia On My Mind

"Georgia on My Mind"

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

Sometimes you have to take a break from a 30 in 30 series of portraits and just paint something else!!!  

When I began my 30 in 30 series I received a phone call from a dear friend and wonderful artist, Kathy Cousart...click her name to visit her website...ohno... I digress...

I received a phone call from Kathy asking about my series and encouraging me...cheering me on and giving me confidence.  It really meant so much to me.   When my brain was muddled with the next 6 x 6 portrait and I needed a break I decided to paint Georgia, Kathy's adorable puppy and name it "Georgia on My Mind" because she was...on my mind that is.  It was fun to play with the whites and the bright red Georgia Bull Dawg shirt.

I sent Kathy a picture of this painting and she loved it...I am so very happy to be able to send her a small token of my appreciation for the kick in the pants I needed to get started!  

My attempt to make the world smile, one painting at a time, is working.  

Now back to the 30 in 30 series!!!  Break is OVER!