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Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Pouting Pretty


You might recognize this painting. I posted it a few years ago and was never happy with it so I continue to work on it. The problem is, I know this kid very well, she is growing up so fast. I wanted to capture her attitude. This kid at the age I took this photo could pout no matter how beautiful the world around her was. She loves the gardens and animals, so I put her in her element.
I can paint  a strangers kids and get it right in a jiff.
It is harder when you love someone.
I still see things I want to tweet and adjust.


Monday, September 17, 2018

Anne's Daughter


This young lady's mom fell in love with the photograph that is seen on top of my easel; but there was a problem with the quality of the shot. Although it was a cute photo there is the issue of black hair next to a black shirt next to black pants. I decided to keep this one very loose and artsy. It was, after all a portrait that would be given as a gift to a young women, not a formal dining room exhibition. We discussed cropping it to just the head of the girl and dog, but that did not feel "right." The whole pose  was so  much of what made this moment so precious. It turned out fabulous, and goes to show, in art, and in life, what you think might be a problem actually produces the most creative unusual results.

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Belle and Sadie

The mother of these pups wanted a painting of them together. The problem was she did not have any good photos of them together. After she sent me over two dozen photos I finally said I would come to her home and take a photo, and she said that would be great, they would bark and growl for a while but would settle down. I am a bit afraid of dogs and did not want to do that under those circumstances. So she continued to email me photos of what she could get, after looking for common poses and themes I choose to merge two photos together where  they both had on a little costume. It ended up being a great adorable painting.... of the two of them together.

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Toby

The client wanted me to paint something so she could  remember Toby, and her request was simple.       " I want a painting that makes me smile when I look at it.. and I want a blue background. " She wanted something large- and she settled on a 24 x 24.  In the photos she sent me Toby was a calm and peaceful looking doggy. I wanted to have his eyes be the focal point .. and his big ole beautiful nose tilted to look like he was curious what his owner was doing.

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Bristow Boys



I was so delighted to paint this portrait for this family. I knew these kids mom when she was about this age herself! I really believe that familiarity of years of knowledge with the family, helps so much in getting a great painting. One of these boys looks just like his uncle! Oh how I love this one!

First Gallop in Spring


Wednesday, January 10, 2018

It's a Dog's Day

I was out at the  Wake Forest Historical Museum enjoying  Plein-Air painting "The Old Well" landmark one summer morning when Allen came by walking his dog Frankie. Apparently this is their neighborhood and hang out, and the go to place to walk on beautiful days. It seemed natural to add them into the painting I was working on and I appreciate Allen letting me take some photo references to use as well. I tried to capture the peacefulness and sunlight as well as  the relationship between Allen and Frankie. It was also nice to be able to put them in the surroundings that they are both familiar with. I decided to call this painting "It's a Dog's Day" because of the relationship between the man and his dog. Clearly when this dog is around ... the day belongs to him!

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Three Dog Day



I enjoyed painting this for a client who wanted all three dogs but not three paintings. She is giving this painting to one of her children as a Christmas gift.

Monday, January 1, 2018

First Gallop In The Spring

I am much to old to run, gallop or even trot. However, I see myself in this painting. The colors, the sky the grasses. I see freedom to pursue and love for the open plains. No saddle, no owner, no limits. Not running away, but running towards a great new slap-dashingly pallet knife world. Giddy up, what amazing words, no matter what your age. Giddy up.