Have you visited my new improved yvonnesovereign.com website yet? Please do and let me know what you think.
And be sure to sign up for my newsletter. I promise you won't be inundated, but I hope to send out short informative newsletters to keep you updated on my latest art and art adventures. New paintings, new classes, new galleries etc.
I just finished a two day class session at The Artist's League of the Sandhills in Aberdeen, NC. It was Painting Animals in Watercolor and I was so pleased with how well my students did. They turned out some fabulous paintings. I look forward to teaching more regularly at the Artist's League.

New look for website

I have recently updated and changed my website for my canine art and canine art prints, still at the same place http://www.yvonnesovereign.com/ . It is a whole new look and similar to my fine art website that features original paintings of all subjects http://www.yvonnesovereignfineart.com/

On the Canine Art site I have re-photographed much of the artwork that had old, bad photos, plus I have all my newest prints on there too. Be sure to visit!

I have finished the large greyhound painting, The Greyhounds of GrandCru Hopefully it will be framed and installed at the vet school soon. We are all very excited about it.

Whippet portrait in oil

Here is my latest oil portrait of the handsome CH Bohem Just In Time, or Justin. What a gorgeous face he has. His owner Nancy is thrilled with the painting and will be using the image for some advertising as well as hanging the actual painting in a special place in her home. The painting is 14 x 18" on linen canvas.

My newest project that I am working on is a very large painting of 4 greyhounds that will hang in the new section of the School of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh. Watch here for updates on the project.

Some artistic musings

I just read an article in a recent Wall Street Journal entitled The Art Assembly Line. It certainly made me think. The article talked about artists who don't actually pick up a brush but have assistants do it for them. Many have a whole staff to produce enough paintings (or sculptures) to provide galleries and customers with new works. They maintain that the ideas are theirs and so it is OK for others to do the actual work. One artist remarked about having 7 different artists in India do his paintings, "I prefer not to be involved in actually painting, It liberates me not being encumbered by the technical proficiency." WHAT???? Now it seems that most of these "artists" are doing contemporary pieces. Contemporary pieces are what museums buy for their collections and give showings for. Contemporary pieces often command very high prices. I do know of one current realist painter who also employs artists assistants to do some of his work. This is one of the most well known painters today.
Then there are those realist painters who make very good giclee prints, dab on a few brushstrokes and suddenly they are "original", not reproductions. Prints are prints, reproductions and should be sold as such. Of course they are reproductions. Some very good articles about this phenom is in the website www.artbusiness.com, well worth a look-see for both artists and collectors.
Another of my favorite websites is for the Art Renewal Center, www.artrenewal.org They promote beautiful realistic and figurative works considered passe' by the contemporary art world. Beauty passe'??
Oh well, just a few musings on art...... one thing not mentioned and that is the satisfaction of the acutal making of art, of the doing, the joy of the feel of the brush, the smell of the paint and joy of creating. This is something an assistant cannot do!
Now to get to work painting.......
Yvonne

Sanford tornadoes, Southern Wind Studio is OK

Last Saturday was quite a day here in North Carolina as many of you have seen by the news. I have recieved so many phone calls and emails from friends far and wide. Yes, we are all OK with no damage at all to home or property. It wasn't the case though in other parts of Sanford and the damage is even more incredible seeing it in person than it is on television. I know you have seen photos of the Lowe's home improvement store, but other factories and buildings in the path were even more damaged, flattened some of them. There are going to be a lot of people out of work for a while and as well as people displaced whose homes were so damaged and destroyed. My prayers are with them.
Yvonne

Paintings go to new home, corporate client

I am thrilled that 4 of my landscape paintings are now owned by Capital Bank. They are hanging in the beautiful new main office building in Sanford, NC. Thanks to Nicole White Kennedy of Nicole's Gallery of Raleigh who put this all together and included me with other fine, talented local artists.

Portraits completed

Two oil portraits of sisters Hannah and Heidi...... I really enjoyed doing these lovely young girls. Both paintings are 20 x 24" on canvas.

Where does the time go???

I have been working, really, really.... but I haven't posted for a bit so here are a few recent pieces.

At the top, an oil on canvas, 18" x 24" titled Olde Towne Window

Next a just finished commission watercolor portrait of four beautiful Rhodesian Ridgebacks

And last a custom logo

Thoughtful Pause wins award

I was thrilled to hear that my painting, which I titled Thoughtful Pause was accepted along with another I submitted, Song of the South, to Wayne County's 31st National Juried Fine Arts Exhibition, was awarded 2nd place. There were about 120 pieces in the show. The reception was held last night and was very well attended. The director of the Arts Council shot this photo of me with my painting.

Painting finished, as yet untitled

I thought I had this finished yesterday, but still did some tweaking on it today. It was quite a marathon and I am pretty happy with the results. I have to say though, that this is a piece that is hard to appreciate in a photograph. It appears softer and more glowing when you see it in person and the photo really didn't replicate the color subtleties.
Now, to get caught up on some watercolors and several other art projects......

Work in progress

Let me share with you a new piece I am working on now. A lot of work to be done on it before it is done, but it is at the point where I can share the progress. It is a large oil, 30 x 40". I think this image is a bit brighter than the original, as the paint is still wet. I am spending hours on it daily so I hope to post some more progress tomorrow. Today's work was interuppted by an electrical problem at home. Although the electricians have to come back tomorrow, I should be able to get a lot of painting time in.

My show at Appalachian Physical Therapy is ongoing. It will run through the end of May. I have over 30 pieces hung there, dog paintings, landscapes and figurative. It is in Pinehurst, NC so if you are in the area, be sure to stop in and take a look. The Rhodesian Ridgebacks in residence will be sure to give you a paws up.

Exhibits

I have had quite a busy spring so far.... hope it continues. Of course I am working in my studio, finished a couple new breeds for my print line, the Great Pyrenees and an Australian Cattle Dog. I am also working on some oils, figurative this time. Will post when I have something to show.
I have a painting in the Double Exposure Exhibit at the Chatham Camera Club this month and also hung a solo exhibit in Pinehurst at the Appalacian Physical Therapy. What a great space, very open and lots of walls. I have about 30 pieces on display there for the months of April and May.
I am really looking forward to some more plein air experiences, especially this spring. Just need to get out there and paint. Looks like a little trip to the mountains might be in the near future.
Y

More new "stuff"

First, thank you to Carla Helm for adding An Ancient Dignity to her collection. I know she will enjoy it for many years to come.

Now here are two more paintings recently finished. A large landscape, 24 x 30" titled Voices in the Hills and a dog painting of two Dobermans, titled The Gatekeepers, 16 x 20". Both are oil on canvas and are available.

Recent work

Top: Hidden Homestead, 16 x 20" oil

Bottom: An Ancient Dignity, 14 x 18" oil

New artwork

Here are my most recent paintings. I just finished the whippet at the top today. It is 14 x 18" oil on canvas and one of my own whippets was the subject for this one, it is titled Serenity. The Afghan hound, Beach Breezes, is a 11 x 15" watercolor, done as a commission for the Tampa Bay Afghan Hound Club in Florida. Reproductions will be given as trophies for their annual specialty show. At the bottom is Golden Blossoms, 14 x 18" oil on canvas. This piece was done specifically for the Double Exposure show at the Arts Incubator in Siler City, NC which wil take place in February.

My latest oil

An 11 x 14" oil on canvas..... I just love the moss hanging from the live oaks and the backlighting shows it off beautifully. Have been spending a lot of time on watercolors lately.... lots of commissions.... so needed to take a break to do an oil. Hope you like it.

Some watercolor dogs

All little watercolors, at the top Bulldog Puppy, 5 x 7" $25

Next is a greyhound on the beach, 5 x 7" in 11 x 14" mat, handpainted starfish on mat, and the saying "make a difference." $35

Two more greyhounds, lovely headstudies of a brindle and a parti-color. These are both embellished with little rhinestones on the collars and are $50 each.

At the bottom is an 8 x 10" of an IG also $50

More available paintings

Here are two small oil paintings, at the top is Snowy Boxes, it is a very small miniature, just 3" x 5". It is only $40 and would look good on a tabletop, shelf or on the wall.

Below it is Farmhouse Nocturne, it is 6 x 8" and $75. I love the stormy sky and the welcoming little light on the front porch.

Fall is here

First, thank you to the buyer of Sunset Arabian, it is now SOLD.
Fall has arrived with some cooler weather and misty rain. The trees are starting to burst with color. I spotted a maple yesterday that just glowed with an orangey-yellow. Wonderful, I love this time of year.
I am still taking orders for Christmas, both the mini specials and larger portraits, whatever you desire. Later today, I will post more photos of paintings that I will offer for sale that are not posted elsewhere.
Right now, I need to head into town for errands.

Sunday

Cold here today, in the 50's but it is supposed to get warmer in a couple days. The leaves are just starting to change and I can't wait for all the fall color. I have to say that fall is my very favorite season. I love the colors, the smells of fallen leaves on the earth and burning wood and leaves, I even love the cold rains, it is so cozy when you come inside a warm inviting home. I love Halloween and I love Thanksgiving.

The luncheon at the Woman's Club of Raleigh, where I was the guest artist went off very well. It was lovely and everyone so friendly. The show was very well recieved.

Today, I am spending a lot of time in my studio, matting some prints, getting some orders ready to ship and working on some mini portraits. Life is good.

While in my studio, I thought I would pull out two little paintings to feature here and offer for sale.

Whippet Tapestry is 6x 8" oil on panel and is $125

Also available is Sunset Arabian 8 x 10" oil on panel and also $125

Shipping cost is included. If you would like to have one of these colorful little gems in your home, contact me at canineart@windstream.net

I am also still taking orders for the 5 x 7" mini watercolor portraits, perfect for holiday giving at $75 each and shipping is included in that price also.