I've Been Tagged!

Oh my! Am I it? Couldn't resist. Anyway, I'm on a tight deadline and will get into tagging in a bit. This sounds like fun! Someone recently tagged me and all I did was say thank you. I'm sorry, I had no idea is was so involved and cool. Back to work!

THE MASTIFF

16x20"
oil on canvas
SOLD

It's not finished, but I wanted to post today, so I am. It's close though. Can you believe what an amazing face this beast has? And what fun it's been painting it. Such a magnificent presence, strong and yet gentle and loving. So much going on in that mug, or snout or pout, whatever. All those hills and valleys. When I worked with pastels, one of my favorite for cool shadows was caput mortum, lots of that here. Wish I had more time. This is supposed to be shipped out this coming Monday. Crank up the heat and close the door in the storage room, which in actuality is a small bedroom and hope for the best. Happy T-Day!

SHOOTER

16x20"
oil on canvas
SOLD

I feel adrift so I decided to post a commission from last Christmas. I've changed my method of painting and the consistency of the paint I use since this piece. I remember thinking this one was close to the style in which I wanted to work, looking at it now, I've totally changed my mind.

The Mastiff I'm working on is coming along, thought I could post tonight, but no. It's my first pet commission on black canvas and the difference in the process is startling! I think listening to Jelaine's advice is the most significant change I've made in my process since I started painting professionally four years ago. Thanks,yet again.

Hopefully, I'll be able to post the Mastiff tomorrow and get back on smaller pieces while I work on a portrait commission. I miss those little buggers.

STILL GOING!

I haven't quit. I cannot wait to get back to dailies!! I've mentioned the reasons previously—design jobs, commissions—but I just wanted to see what it felt like to post, I really miss it. I'm preparing 5 new paintings so they'll be in different stages of completion during the week. My plan is to finish the Mastiff I'm working on (what an incredible face) and hop right back on the daily wagon. Oh!! I forgot, I'm so excited! I mailed out my first daily sales today—3 paintings!! I'm very happy. Soon.

BELLA & CALVIN

16x20"
oil on canvas
SOLD

This is one of the reasons I haven't been posting. What a tough one this was. The original photo(s) were not optimal, but I accepted them anyway. Won't do that again. These amazingly busy bodies were photographed against an amazingly busy rug, their eyes looked like they belonged to Little Orphan Annie and I couldn't really discern their coat colors. But, I think they are fine. Hope the client thinks so too. More to come.

I LIED

Happily, I have a ton of work, including two, count 'em, two, graphic design jobs! Unhappily, I want to paint!!!! This is good. I miss doing my daily like I miss my feet jammies, my tea and my bankie on a cold, stormy day. I'm gonna try and squeeze one in today but it doesn't look hopeful. I did have such good intentions when I pledged to post four days in a row. It was more like a fib. Is that how one spells fib? Or is it phib? Whatever. I inadvertently told an untruth. Plus, I lost half a day at the Honda service center because himself got stopped and ticketed for a blown headlight! Am I whining?

Also, we bought a new screen for our old mac. My imac still has won't turn on disease. Again, I could get it serviced, but then what would I complain about? Anyway, this screen is calibrated too dark and I've been washing out my last few dailies by lightening them too much! I do apologize. To you and to me. Imagine working all day just to see a faded representation at DP the next morning! Arrrrgh!

I'm off to get started working and recalibrate this screen!

DISTANT COUSINS

4 X 6"
oil on canvas
$100

These guys must be related. City slicker Christmas ornament all pimped out in bling and it's back-to-basics country bumpkin cousins. All the pommy needs is a hook to hang it on a branch and it would make a perfect ornament. Back in the day, they probably did just that, although they must have been a tad to weighty.

I am so behind, but I'm determined to post every day until Saturday. With all the work and self-imposed pressure, I'm feelin' pretty positive and optimistic. Could it be as easy as making a decision?