A Commission or how to Stress out

I recently got a commission to paint,  what else,  a dog.  I just fell in love with the dog's ear.  The problem with a commission is not only does it have to look like a dog it has to look like a specific dog.  In this case it had to be done quickly because it was a birthday gift.  I feel honoured to be entrusted,

Pegu on my easel

What do you think - did I succeed?

Be still my heart

I am in two shows at the same time.  This doesn't happen to me often.  Okay it never has happened before and may never again but for today you can see me in two places.  Here is the invite - that is my doggie in the poster.

I have two pieces in the show.  Can a pictures be any worse? The glass is just reflecting everything but I think you can see it is a dress, just ignore the people in the bottom enjoying themselves and not looking at my painting.

Here is the other painting and see the ribbon beside it I won first prize.  YEAH!!!!!!  The judge also took the time to tell me such nice things that I am still blushing.  

YEAH!!!!! again.  Oh what the heck here is a third YEAH!!!!!

Getting Better all the Time

Okay today was better - the vet said not to panic yet about the tics.  Doesn't he know me -  we were at the laundromat  boiling our sheets and the duvet cover. The heat is on - turns out you have to change your filters once in awhile - who knew? And my knee is what it is.

There is a really long traffic light in our city which we like to avoid because it is really long but we always forget.  The car parked next to us at this light had a beautiful rottie sticking his head out of the window.  The light was long enough for me to ask the other driver if I could take a picture of his dog - that brought a great smile to his face - the driver not the dog.  The dog couldn't care less - too much to smell. This is my original picture.

I didn't like where the muzzle was kissing the window and I simplified the background.  I started with a 3 value painting.  

I like the feeling that the head is pointing out of the window but something is dull.

Getting Better

Getting better, and I'm tired I'll work on it tomorrow.  I think it looks like a golden in Rotti clothing.

Sorry rotti - but nothing beats a golden.

A wonderful Guy

I am married to a wonderful guy.  Since I injured my knee I have been slow to move in the morning and he has been  bringing me coffee in bed. Is there anything more loving than that? Well there is. He bought me a stool  so instead of standing I can turn on my stool and look at my painting in the mirror.

Isn't it beautiful.  In my chair's honour I cleaned up the studio.  Swept, scraped paint of the table and put away supplies.  I think the chair appreciated it.  If you think I am crazy watch this ad and tell me you didn't feel sorry for the lamp. 

Ikea lamp commercial

The chair is so pretty and shiny, that I almost don't want to use it.  It is like getting the first scratch on a new car - painful.

I am preparing for a show and I have a vision of a whole bunch of small paintings with a couple of large ones.  I have one large one completed and I am working on another one.  

This is 24 X 30.  I started it this afternoon after cleaning my studio. It is a pretty good start.  

Thank you Gerry for the support - I feel warm and fuzzy. 

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

This was taken with my Ipad because I can't find my camera. The difference between my painting and this photo is it seemed to make the dog wider - I don't understand how it did that.  

I suppose eventually I will find my camera because sooner or later I will clean up.  I have to admit my house is not as clean as I would like it, because of my bad knee and my husband's avoidance of dusting.  I am not complaining about him because he has been wonderful.  He just bought me a stool and I will blog tomorrow if it helped.  He brought down the computer to the main floor so I can avoid steps. 

This is Bogey.  Poor dog, he was so easy to torture.  He could hold this position forever and then toss it in the air when we said ok.

Look at those poor starving eyes.

We don't do this with Mully because the minute the cookie is on her nose she starts drooling.  I personally find puddles of drool distasteful.  She has it easy.

Poor Bogey.  

Bogey

I loved this dog and the painting doesn't do him justice.  He knew a million tricks and once we won a bouquet of flowers. It was pouring outside and the radio announcer said it was raining cats and dogs, He had a quick contest -  the first person to have their dog bark on air would win flowers.  Piece of cake.  A bunch of people phoned up but Bogey was the only who barked on command.  The announcer said it was too loud so Bogey barked quietly.  He was a really talented dog.  

I used to think I was a really great trainer, but I have since learned - Bogey was a really great dog. 

Day 30 Heaven on Earth

PEI (Prince Edward Island), is the smallest province in Canada and sparsely populated.  If you are looking for heaven on earth, this is it. They have the  the nicest people.  We would pass things for sale on the side of the road with a can to hold the money.  No need to ring the doorbell  - just put the right amount in the can - who would think of stealing?  We were there for a week for Mike Svob's workshop.  My husband would drive me to the site so he could have the car.  He was irritated by everyone waving to him as they passed us in the other direction.  Coming from the city, we are not used to that, but by the end of the week he was waving too. If they didn't wave back, he would say they must be from the mainland.

I miss the PEI Preserve Company, lobster straight from the fisherman, mussels, the Dune's gallery, one room school houses, the local beer, Anne of Green Gables, small white churches and of course Cow's Ice Cream. Every stop had a million potential paintings.  Most of all I miss the red sand. See the crowds!

PEI really is heaven on earth.  You should go.

I started this series with a painting of my old dog walking with my husband - I am going to end the 30 in 30 with a picture of Mully walking with my husband on the beach in PEI.

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Day 29 Her name is Lola

Actually her name is Lolita - but I ask you does this look like a Lolita?

She was a very nice dog that we met at a dog park.  I would have liked her better if her owner wasn't so busy laughing at my dog.

Doesn't she know, he who laughs last, laughs best. The only thing is I never laughed.  Dumb dirty dog. Ok she really is smart dirty dog. Never mind. 

Mully I think you missed a spot.

Please join me in my new blog ArtbytheBooks.blogspot.com where we will work through how to books and improve our art skills