On the board and on the easel

Busy time for me, going to dogs shows and enjoying the fall scenery. But I haven't stopped working! Have several dog commissions in progress and completed this one of Toby. This is a tribute by his owner. Toby was sadly killed when he escaped from his handler at a dog show. I hope this watercolor painting will bring some wonderful memories of his face back to her.

Then we have a new design for the yearly Whippet Whiners t-shirt to benefit WRAP (Whippet rescue) and WHF (Whippet Health Foundation) It was concieved for "whiners", or those who aren't able to attend the Whippet National Specialty and thus sit at home and "whine". It has been well supported by the fancy even if they do get to go to the National.

And continuing work on oil paintings, two new landscapes. Solitary Oak is pretty large for me at 22 x 30" and is from a reference photo I took in Beaufort, SC quite a few years ago. I painted it once before with watercolors and thought I would enjoy doing it in oil as well.

Evening Song is from one of those moments where nature gives us an awesome light display. The scene is actually viewing from my driveway down the road. I was coming in from the studio and the sun was setting. When sunny you can see the light receding on these trees. But this night there was a pink and orange sunset which made the trunks glow reddish orange. I bolted for the house, RAN back out and shot a photo at that very moment. No time to do anything else. With the photo and my memories of this scene, I painted this piece. 16 x 20" on canvas.

Wrapped it up today, "Evening Watch"

After a couple more days work, I think I am done. Here is the final result. I am calling this one Evening Watch.

Border collie today

More work today, continuing to refine the foreground and worked on the dog. The dog will get more work as soon as this layer is dry and in fact you can see some glare in that section of the painting from the glistening wet paint. The foreground needs a lot more work too, but things are coming together.

Border Collie work continues

I am continuing to work on the background, still mostly in the darks but some highlights are being positioned as I go. This is what I have done over the last couple days. I forgot to mention the size, it is 24 x 30" on gallery wrap canvas.

Next step

Looking a little funky at this stage, but just wanted to get the canvas covered and establish the values. My poor border collie looks a little funny without eyes too! Will continue when this step is dry.

Finished and starting

Distant Rain, 16 x 20" oil on canvas


Palms by the Bridge, 6 x 8" oil on panel

Tropical Colors, 6 x 8" oil on panel
CH Sporting Field Stone of Destiny, 16 x 20" oil on canvas. This painting was done quite a while ago of my own whippet girl, but I was never completely happy with it, so it recieved some changes to make it more to my liking.

My artist friend Ute has requested I post the progress on my new piece. Today I got the sketch transferred to the canvas, it is rather hard to see in the photo, and then I put a glaze of Raw Sienna over it to tone the canvas (not shown). Tomorrow, the real painting will begin on this beautiful border collie.

Painting winner!

Congratulations to Chris Henkel and Mary Ann Larssen of Virginia. They have won the painting in my painting giveaway.