"Blue Poppy 4" oil on hardboard 6x6"

Okay! so I said the last one was "the last one".  This really IS! at least until they bloom again in 2012.

"Slippery Slope" oil on hardboard

My neighbors have recently started surfing.  Given we live in the Pacific Northwest that does not conjure up feelings of warm water sport for me!  However, the images that small humans make when bobbing about in the ocean make for pretty dynamic compositions.

"The Eyes Have It" oil on hardboard, 6x6" $99

I have no idea who this little fellow is.  I ran into him in a park and snapped his picture.  He was so adorable it was impossible to resist.  The ears look like the wind has picked them up and he could actually levitate.

"Star Power!" oil on hardboard 6x6"

This is the beautiful Ms. Onyx.  She belongs to Patty and Georgia.  I swear she's going to open her mouth and join the conversation one day.  She follows our faces when we talk just like she knows what's being discussed.  Amazing.

"Blue Poppy 3" oil on hardboard, 6x6"

The habit of this flower seems to be in a downward, nodding like pose.  I'm trying to get up the nerve to try them in our garden next season.  Though it seems like a daunting challenge the paintings that would result could make it worth the angst.

"Blue Poppy 2 " oil on hardboard, 6x6"

The light through this flower is amazing.  I almost enjoy them more one at a time than as a "field" which is what they have at the Rhododendron Species Foundation.  Quite an accomplishment in the garden world.

"Blue Poppies 1" oil on hardboard, 6x6"

Ross and I were fortunate enough to be introduced to the Rhododendron Species Foundation in Federal Way, Wa. this year.  It was an amazing visit. Our good friend and over the top smart garden friend Greg Graves made it happen.  On that visit they had a "meadow" of the blue poppies that everyone is so desperate to grow and so often foiled.  Who knew there were so many shades of blue?!?

untitled, oil on hardboard, 12x12" SOLD

This is the second piece for a client.  This is his precious little Chatta out ruling the forest.  I'm waiting to let him assist me in a title.

untitled oil on hardboard 6x6"

I'm not even sure what to say about this one.  There are so many things I was pleased with when I finished.  If I didn't know better I would think this was a small pooch but it isn't.  Actually quite large.  What  sweet face to go with that imposing body.

untitled 6x6" oil on hardboard SOLD

Yep! this is doggy number 3 in the household of wonders that I've been working on.  Maybe he was "adopted".  When you see images of the 3 together it is such a fascinating mix. 

untitled oil on hardboard 6x6"

This is another of the "family" of pups.  Wait until you see the third!

untitled oil on hardboard 6x6" SOLD

This is part of a family of dogs I am working on.  They all have such amazing personalities!  I can't wait to see them all together.

"Look of a Winner" oil on hardboard 6x6" $99 + $9 shipping

This marvelous dog is like a painters dream.  The intensity, the movement, the glamor! it's all there in one package.  It's hard not to just run back in the studio and start another one.

"Lashing Out" oil on hardboard 5x5" $99

Same old song.  I wish the photo was more accurate.  The painting is a lot more subtle.  It was intersting to spend time so close to my own eyeball.  I thought my eyes were gray.  At age 60 I found out they are green.  Go figure.

"Chatta" oil on hardboard 12x12" sold

This pup was a rescue dog from Mexico.  The owner has quite the story.  I'm so please that he allowed me to paint Chatta from this vantage point.  The dog portraits are always fun but being able to capture something totally unique was a treat.  Chatta shipped out yesterday and their going to host a "one painting opening".

repeat - 12x12" $400

If this looks familiar it's because it is.  The original was 6x6".  However, I was asked if I could repeat it on a larger format.  It's the first time I've ever done that.  Surprised me at how well it came together.  Painting is such a mystery to me that I really didn't expect to be able to come so close to the original.  Historically artists have often copied old masters etc to improve their skills.  Since I have never done that it seemed unlikely that the two images would look the same.  Shocked!

"Lady In Red aka Me at 60" oil on hard board 8x8"

If you read the previous post you know this was the June challenge.  I posted it again so it would transfer over to the Daily Painters site tomorrow.  It's the only way I know to make it happen correctly.  If you haven't visited that site you should.  New work EVERY day and some excellent painters.  OF COURSE you are visiting my challenge partners sites - right?!?!?!?

"Two to Tango" oil on hardboard 6x6" sold

Can you see the mischief in this little guy?  I think his pal is along for the ride.  It looks like he's laughing!  I can only imagine why!

"Luna" oil on hardboard 6x6" sold

A friend of mine raises these beauties.  She procured this as a gift for another owner.  I can't wait to hear what they thought!

"RIP"

I just finished this piece about 2 weeks ago.  I think it's about 16x24.  I KNOW the photo isn't as good as the painting and I know even more that the painting doesn't come close to being as wonderful as this cat was.  He died in his sleep last night.

"Of Another Land" oil on hardboard 6x6" $99 + $9 shipping

This young man is not one of Ross' work study students.  He was just a tag along one day.  The two of them were trying to study together while taking care of the gallery.  When I say study I really mean study!  It was serious math and they were all business.  I was so impressed by their work ethic.

"the Refugee" oil on hardboard 6x6" $99 + $9 shipping

My husband curates the gallery at the college where he works.  All of his work study students are from Iran.  This young man is marvelous.  During gallery openings he and I sit and chat once my feet get too tired to greet visitors.  Certainly has given me a new insight into his country.

in progress

I have a soft spot for this breed.  We had one when I was in high school.  Smart dogs!  I can't believe the soulful eyes on this little love.  He is a commission for a family I met during our open studio tour last month.  I think they'll be pleased.

"50%" oil on hardboard 6x6" $99 + $9 shipping

This was one of those paintings that never said "quit".  At some point you just have to stop paintng and hope.  Now that its posted and I see it outside of the studio I think it works quite well.  Of course, with that adorable subject matter how could you go wrong?!?!

"The Eyes Have It" oil on masonite 6x6" $99 + $9 shipping

Wow! this didn't play out like I expected.  Before I began I thought the black, white and gray would be an insurmountable problem.  It never occurred to me that the eyes could carry the entire piece.  The more dogs I paint the more I look forward to painting the next one.  It will be interesting to see how it changes my human portraits.

"Atmospheric Conditions" oil on board 6x6" $99 + $9 shipping

I was driving home one day and saw this amazing silhouette.  Somehow the birds appeared to be mocking the people below in their automobiles.

"Sure Shot" oil on board, 5x7" $99 + shipping

This image is on my site twice.  There is a reason but it is too long and boring to explain.
My fabulous neighbor loaned me one of his cameras from his collection.  There were so many to pick from it was really difficult.  Strong geometric shapes are not my forte so forgive the odd "circles".

"Rest for the Weary" oil on hardboard 6x6"

Guess what; in the painting the chair arm isn't pink.  My camera skills are outlandish.  Oh well.  You get the general feel.  This is the same guy that wears a life jacket.  He is so much like my Mr. Magoo that painting him has a special charm for me.

"More Ally More" oil on board 6x6"

This was a pretty fast study.  I feel like this cat should be moving in with my brood.  Seems like she lives here already.

"Aqua Cat" oil on board 6x6"

This is Zane, Ally's partner in crime.  He's actually wearing a life jacket.  His owners take him on their boat.  Wouldn't you love to know what he's thinking?

"Ally More" oil on board 6x6"

"Ally Cat" revisited

This is the same painting just with a few additions.  Her tag is for real.  Purple crown with rhinestones.  The owner hasn't decided on which painting she wants.  With all this attitude I wouldn't have to think twice.  I think I have painted her 4 times at this juncture.  She's so beautiful that it is never boring.  Her buddy Zane is coming up soon.  I painted him in his life jacket.  No! really.

"Marching On" oil on hardboard 8x10" $220

I have this new fascination with feet, shoes, shadows and all that goes with them.  My husband and I just spent a bit of time in some airports.  The things folks had on their feet provided endless entertainment.  I think this you'll be seeing more of this to come.

"Ally Cat" oil on hardboard 6x6"

Well! I didn't think I would ever find a cat as beautiful to paint as my own orange Ollie but Ally is certainly giving him a run for his money.  This is the first of two paintings I've already completed and I KNOW there will be more. 

"Not So Crystal Ball" oil on canvas 20x24

This is a re-work of a previous painting.  I think this version is much more in tune with my original intent.

"The Good Life" oil on hardboard 8x10" $175 + $9 shipping

Oh wait! a cat.  I've been so inundated with with dog images that this was a nice departure.  I'm still having some image problems with light and camera.  The face and upper body are very bold in color interpretation.  Unfortunately you can't tell by this shot.  Guess it's back to the drawing board with the camera. :(

"Fly Boys" oil on hardboard 12x12" sold

This was a recent commission.  The dad is a pilot and they were at the museum of flight in Seattle.  It's a surprise for his 30th birthday next weekend.  Kind of fun to be part of the celebration.

"Sarah" oil on hardboard 12x12" $400 plus shipping

There's a long story with this.  February 2010 I went to a Bluegrass festival.  This amazing young woman played.  I took a battery of images hoping to get at least one good one.  Last August I did 3 paintings from those shots.  One sold to a woman in Canada.  In the fall I was invited to advertise in Southwest Art with a group of other artists.  They used a VERY small image of the sold painting in the ad, December addition.  In February I got a call from a man in Texas who saw the ad.  He had a friend who's daughter plays Mandolin.  The painting reminded him of her.  His wife worked with the girl's mom so she took the magazine to work to show her.  She thought it resembled their daughter too so she shot a photo of the ad and sent it to the girl.  The man from Texas started talking about her and finally I asked her name.  Guess what!  It was the girl I had seen play!  Her name is Sara Jarosz.  She is fabulous.  With a back lit image like this they recognized her posture and body language.  Amazing chain of events.  Now I've painted her again and will contact her folks to see what they think.

Radley...not quite

Still working on this.  The client was not enamored with the red nose.  She still wants more red out :(
We see what happens next

"Puppy Love aka Quinn" oil on board 6x6" NFS

As I was painting this it occurred to me that it is really more a "still life" of a puppy than a portrait.  I'm not sure what it was about the end result that made me feel that way.  However, I don't object.  He might be just one of the most adorable things I've ever seen.  High cute quotient.

"Ah, What a Day" oil on board, 8x8"

It's funny how you feel about a painting once you see it photographed and on screen.  The colors here didn't seem so vivid when I was working on it.  I was so in love with the odd composition and the fat little paw the the rest escaped.  I think it may mean a trip back to the paint box.  I work at the office the next 4 days so time away should give me a new perspective.  Stay tuned.

"Radley" oil on board 12x12" NFS

This is part of a commission for a woman in England for her friend in Holland.  Somehow I managed to wash out the right side when I photographed it.  The dark green background is pretty much the same all the way around.  I have been afforded a lot of reference material for this beauty so you'll most likely see him again.

"Just Hanging Out" oil on hardboard 6x6" $99. + $9 shipping

I know this is posted in the group below but posting it again assures that it will make the group post with Daily Painters tomorrow.  I hope everyone is taking the opportunity to visit the sites of these fine painters involved in the monthly challenge.  For that matter, be sure to visit Daily Painters.  There is some wonderful, affordable work being done.  You never know when you'll discover a little jewel that you just can't live without.
A special thanks to my neighbor Chris for allowing me to toss his precious shoes up over the phone line!  We DID get them down.

"Emma" oil on masonite, 12x12" NFS

I really love dogs but after these last 3 paintings I think I'm more partial to these with the smooth coats and eyes that just beg you to pick them up.  The heart bling seems so appropriate for her.  Now for the kicker:  they all 3 live in the same household.  Can you imagine? what a sight they must make.

"Boswell" oil on masonite 12x12" NFS

Taking on animal portraits has been an eye opener for me.  I love dogs and cats.  However, I find myself much more drawn to certain animals.  This regal fellow could move into my house any time.  Okay! so not really.  With our canine hating feline that would be a big mistake.  But serously, can't you see his dedication and strength right threw those eyes?  Just an amazing creature.

"Showing the Ropes" oil on masonite 6xx6" sold

It seemed somehow odd to paint today and now to post.  With all that is unfolding in Egypt my little world seems pretty unimportant.
That said, it was a very successful day!  You can't really tell from the photo but these two literally glow.  It's almost as if they are lit from within.  Some days what you strive to achieve just happens.  Don't we wish we could harness that!

"Winter Nap" oil on masonite 8x8" $175

A little break from the pooch world today.  As mentioned before, I don't think there are any more paint worthy pets than my own Ollie.  We just found out he's tipping the scale at 21 lbs. now.  The vet wants him to "have 300 calories a day".  Do folks really count calories for their pets?  That seems like a lot of work.  If I'm not willing to do it for myself what makes anyone think it will happen for the kitty?

work in progress

This piece isn't finished.  I just needed to see how it presents on screen.  In my dreams these are the dogs I have.  One of the reasons I wanted to do this image is the distortion of the paw size.  It actually reminds me of these big, cuddly pups.  It's sort of what they are about.  That must sound ridiculous!  but it makes sense to me.  I just want to grab their paws and squeeze!  We have a really big cat and his paws have the same effect on me.  He's not particularly glad to have me do it.  Oh well! the cost of being "kept"

"Pilnsner" oil on masonite 6x6" $99

Don't forget, any and all paintings I sell between now and September 25% will goes to Susan G. Komen for breast cancer research.  Come on all you beer drinkers!  one of you certainly needs this little jewel.

"Static Electricity" oil on masonite 12x12" SOLD

For me this was the best of both worlds.  A beautiful boy and a beautiful dog.  There has been some debate in our 2 artist household about the vivid red of the child's tongue and lips.  My painting, I win.  Young children seem to have that healthy, bold blood flow that accounts for strong color.  Have you ever notice the washed out appearance of the elderly?  Maybe it's one of the things that makes them immediately recognizable as "old".  Maybe that's also why women wear lipstick!  why don't men?  they get old.