A Self-Portrait in Oil Paint

"Wisteria"

10" x 20"

oil on wrapped canvas

NFS

Wisteria is a symbol for longevity, among other things. 

I chose a photo that my

brother took of me - a very, very long time ago - to work from.

I have embellished some to make it more 'narrative'.

For now, I am calling this done, but as in the past,

I have realized the longer I look at it,

the more I am liable to make a few tweaks.

Peace and Harmony

Original SOLD however...

You can purchase prints of this original at
FINE ART AMERICA HERE.

A Finished Painting of Three Dogs

"Three Dog Night"

24" x 36"

 oil on black canvas

NFS

Finished and allowing drying time, and will have it to

LOOK AT while I organize and PAINT ON.

Always see something, but not going to NOODLE this one.

ARTIST AT WORK

WORK IN PROGRESS

oil on 24" x 26" black gessoed canvas

I have had this photograph I took of my three dogs 

hanging on the fridge for many years.

The black and tan Herman, passed 4 years ago, so it's been awhile.

In fact this photo I am using was taken very soon after moving

from Colorado to Kansas.  It was that 'first' winter

and they were all huddled up on their 

dad's lap on the couch to get warm (and vie

for his attention - like a 'me - me - me!!').

I had to paint it, it was just a matter of 

that FEAR you get

when you wonder if you 

can paint it right --- looming

over my head all 

these years.

I have waited and waited and finally

something told me it was time.

I have the dogs likenesses and expressions 

down just about right,

now I just need to work on the 

fur, the light, the shadows...continue

tweaking - it will look so great

hanging in our bedroom

above the Weims crate.

Here it is on yesterday's studio time...

Thanks for stopping by!

Please come back soon to see it finished.

Batman and Chaco

Today we have had hundreds of European Starlings migrating through, landing and eating off the grass, on the fence, on the roof.  My dachshund Chaco has been in and out of the house - all morning barking and carrying on.  A little earlier I had heard a fairly loud 'THUNK" like one of the birds may have hit the porch enclosure.  A little later, DH called me to come outside and corral the dogs to go 'inside'.  

There was a brown bat laying up near the house, panting and obviously in distress...wings outstretched, opening and closing it's mouth, showing it's teeth...if I could hear it - I would say it was growling...but no sound.

DH put it on a shovel and we removed it from the yard...

and placed it on the open and dry trailer in the sun...it's cold here today.

It still seemed to breath in a labored fashion though - like it had the wind knocked out of it? - and one leg was tucked underneath, so I was thinking it was injured somehow - pretty sure the dog had not hurt it, he only got close to bark and growl.

About 5 minutes later, I went back out towards the trailer to see if it was any improved or even gone..as I opened the door, a caught a shadow of something flying over - it must have been the bat.

It was gone.

Glad it regained it's little self and got back out to it's job.

All wild things have a place here ~ and we plan to keep it that way when we can.

Thought for Today

AS I was looking through my weekly updates
from several sites 

I visit regularly, I felt this one needed to be shared.  

Here are 9 Reasons to Buy a Painting ~ 

(and it's NOT JUST to match the sofa)

I think of the spaces I have in my house

that tell of that inspiration and gallery effect

that the article above shares.

My bedside 'dream' corner - a dreamcatcher I got 

from my DH when we were dating,

a copy of a petroglyph on a plaster plaque I bought at a store,

a painting of me and Chaco from one of my Where I Stand

Sunday photos painted by Susan Carlin/Texas,

a portrait of ME done in Fauvist style by Carol Nelson/Colorado, 

a handpainted livestock bell given to me

by a first grade student many years ago ~ 

that hangs off the lamp and makes a sound 

when I turn on the lamp (and that sound brings back memories

of teaching at Elk Creek Elementary in Pine, Co.) - and my lamp sits 

on a hand towel crossstitched by ME.

It's a hodgepodge, it's eclectic and it's inspiring!

What are some gallery spaces that you have created?

Sometimes they are created without even knowing it.

A Sunrise Painted in Watercolor and Pastel

"Harvest Sunrise"

10" x 36"

watercolor beginnings with pastel finishes

on Utrecht WC paper

I love to watch the sun change positions on the horizon 

by the seasons where I live.

Right now, it's easier to see as it gets

closer to my first view out the

bedroom window

in the morning.

Listed FOR SALE HERE.

A Watercolor of Some Pumpkins for Fall

"Scarlett's Jack-O-Lanterns"

11" x 14"

watercolor and colored pencil on Arches

Fall is my favorite time of year.  Colors of the leaves, crisp fall air, chilling temps - 

all commands a difference

in activities.  

 Halloween time - fun!  

I like Halloween things all year long - the colors, the images, the excitement -

it helps to transform fall into winter for me.

We have been busy changing the scene for winter at the farmstead.

This is a painting of my granddaughter's carved pumpkins 

last year when she was 6 years old.

I think the tall one, looks just like

one of her many drawings back then.  

So nice to see her able to transpose it to a jack-o-lantern

face.  The lights in their faces at dusk creates that special mood.

.