"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.

"Why Not 'Queen Me!'?" oil on masonite 6x6"

Yep, you guessed it.  This is my contribution to the challenge for December.  I had forgotten how much I enjoy still life set up and objects that no one expects to have a likeness to the subject.  I also had forgotten how difficult it is for some of us to paint squares and circles!  I guess that counts as their "likeness"

"Puzzle" 6x6" oil on masonite

This is the first to be offered at $99. plus shipping with $25 going to Susan G. Komen