Where I Stand Saturday

"Nicki"

12" x 16"

oil on stretched canvas

Commission...

so this is a "Where I Stand - Saturday".  It is more interesting than where I will stand tomorrow, which is probably doing something along the lines of organizing. This painting took a long time, so we are dancing to say the least... 

and Jacques and Jill are dancing with me as I finished this commission and feel it's 'spot on'.

  In the meantime, looking forward to more days of healing and looking to the future. 

Already making an ART plan for this next year.  Will share more as the season crescendos. 

Took a survey the other day of "when do you start your next year's goals?"  The choices were - before December, in December, around Christmas or on New Years.  Heck ya, before December - got lots to sort out.  Been watching videos on and reading about watercolor portraiture..that may be one of my goals.  I LOVE painting in oils and pastels, but am so intrigued by 'watermedia'.  I am also intrigued by 'altered books' and what goes into making them!   

Greetings and Good Tidings of the Day

"Wild Turkeys"

9" x 12"

oil on Raymar canvasboard

Happy Thanksgiving - if you celebrate it..(and if you don't - have a nice day and a great weekend.)  Today we are celebrating and giving thanks for the life of a little dog, who changed our lives for the better - left us with sweet and fun memories, showed us what devotion and unconditional love is all about - and whose passing reminds us how fragile life is.  Give hugs and respect to your loved ones today.  Don't let a day go by that you don't tell them how much they are loved.  Be it children or pets, give them the attention they need and ask for, as nothing is more important. 

Checking Back In

As stated in my sidebar..I write this blog to tell about life as an artist living in (rural) Kansas.  Also, my plan was to have a plethora of art pieces to showcase on a regular basis.  Sometimes that works and sometimes that doesn't.  Many have told me that it interests them to know what an artist does, how they think, what they experience in their lives that makes them able to and want to do what they do.  I hope I share that, as well, probably not always obvious..but hopefully my readers can infer.  

Been in the studio the past several days.  It's been a real wrestle, but I need to get on with it.  I have a commission to paint of a coworker/friend's dog, who passed in May.  (See a couple of posts ago, same dog, different pose and a more involved finished piece - larger, more complex.)  By contrast, I am experiencing some of the same emotions that she felt at an earlier time.  This painting is one of those MOST IMPORTANT paintings for reasons you may understand.  Not that they aren't all important, but painting 'life' - posthumously - is the supreme challenge for me. 

Two dogs are with me at all times.  We are discovering the "new" order of life without Herman.  I watch them act out in different ways...it all says to me how they are missing him, too.  We are helping each other - healing from a loss of a pet, and best friend/companion/source of unconditional love and affection.  The BIG awareness for me is...there will never be another dog like him.  He was the "one and only - Herman".  Going forth each day, trying to find inspiration in his memory.  It's gonna take awhile.  Thanks for your kind thoughts/comments and emails. 

Where I Stand Sunday

Voices from the Edge...

Still sorting this thing out and trying to find peace and solace. 

Wondering how and why it all happened? 

Worst time is arising each day - what a routine we had.  Herman always insisted on being #1 lap dog..guess who has taken his place?  And he is choosing to do it 'overtime'.  My arms are open wide.

Interesting dynamic to watch - in both of them, as they obviously notice his absence.  Chaco seemed to sense the whole ordeal from the beginning.  Watched Bailey (big dog), who always looks far beyond the dog compound - look around corners, and in other areas,

sniffing for where perhaps Herman had been but definitely looking for him.

Accepting the differences in each day now. So many 'changes' going forward. 

We have our good memories. 

We are hangin' in there...

Where I Stand Sunday is an ongoing photo essay examining the different places I spend my life standing. Too often we take for granted the everyday places we spend our lives walking on. If you'd like to join me and a few others (who faithfully post this day) by posting a photo on Sunday of places you've been on your blog/photo hosting site/website, leave me a message or a comment and we will include you in our fun.

Sad News

One of our beloved dogs passed away today.  Herman (Hasty Herman - is his name on his official papers) was approaching his 10th birthday.  I feel he has left us a little early..but whenever that time comes, is too early for pets.  He 'passed on' while we were with him.  I saw his little soul leave his body and he watched us - as I watched his last breath.  I find comfort in that. 

You should have seen his last hurrah last evening after his dinner meal.  You would have thought that the puppy returned.  He was running around playing with us and the other dogs...he even started the whole event.   It went downhill from there.  By this morning, we drove to our long distance vet...upon arriving, he was hanging on to life by a very thin thread.  Some sort of stomach rupture the vet thinks - perhaps I go along with that.  He was what I considered fragile this last year.   I kept him as close to us as I could. 

He had a good life.  He almost always traveled with us.  The other two dogs will have some adjusting to do.  Empty house tonight.  Empty feeling.   In the days ahead, I will try to find ways to celebrate "Herman". 

REST IN PEACE - BEST DOG IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD.....

Where I Stand Sunday

The heat is on..officially today!

"Play Ball"

6" x 6"

oil on Raymar canvasboard

Getting the feel for an upcoming commission.  Animals have many issues to consider in their physical make-up, such as placement of the eyes, shape of the eyes, length of nose and shape and placement of the ears, shape of the skull (check out the differences the next time you are around several dogs at once) to name a few.  Color is a biggie on this one.  Every photo I have - shows a slightly different hue.  Nicki passed away last May..so photos are all we have.  I think I am ready for a different pose - several to select from and a more complete portrait.  By the way, if you haven't seen "Dogs Decoded" on NOVA on PBS, you must see it.  It is so fascinating!



Where I Stand Sunday

I really like to paint - be it on a canvas or the side of a building. This building color has been my nemesis for ages - it houses the studio.  Time to make it the color of the house where we live.  The weather, being so nice, surely will cooperate. 

Cutting in, some yesterday and the rest today.

Seventy foot flat surface, just a few windows and a door - should be done in no time...

Two different kinds of metal siding..the old part (the part that is done) could be rolled easily with a half roller...the newer part, the roller doesn't fit between the peaks of the material, so back to the brush.  Then it got so hot, that the paint was drying and dragging as I worked along. Who would imagine?  Such a  nice day.  I really planned to be done with this side TODAY!!  The white on the roof is patch to keep it from leaking...it is just metal and purlins...no decking.  We need to treat it again, as there are some leaks.  We may tear it off, deck it, tarpaper it and replace the metal.  Oh geez..
But that is another day, another bunch of material needed.    So on to the next project...

this little old - circa 1950 - one car garage (almost falling over) needs to be torn down and the metal roof needs to be preserved for another job.  Then the wind came up...hubster did a dance off the ladder, missed a step, hit the ground...bodies are hurting, fighting the wind...we did good for awhile..this one may be for another day as well.

Where I Stand Sunday is an ongoing photo essay examining the different places I spend my life standing. Too often we take for granted the everyday places we spend our lives walking on. If you'd like to join me and a few others (who faithfully post this day) by posting a photo on Sunday of places you've been on your blog/photo hosting site/website, leave me a message or a comment and we will include you in our fun.

A Preview of Art

A friend asked, "What pieces are you showing at Salina?"   Here are 11 of the 14.  I know I have a photo of the others, I just can't put my finger on where I saved them...it's called "being organized" and sometimes I am NOT.  If you are in the Salina area, be sure to stop by for a look - we have some great pieces showing at the country club!!  Lots of great spots to eat in Salina. 

We ate lunch on Monday at a restaurant - made in an old (historic) dry cleaners downtown called "Wood Fashion Restaurant".