Panting Paintings

Two greyhound paintings published in new book

2011-09-19T13:40:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that two of my Greyhound paintings have been published in a new book called Retired From Racing, Not From Life', a book depicting Greyhounds in art and photography. The book is available on Blurb.com, and profits resulting fro sales go directly to help Greyhound health.

Commission finally finished

2011-03-01T13:34:00.000-08:00

This one took months to complete...it was a real challenge. I just recently sent it to its new owner---she really is pleased with the final outcome. Is used a bit of metallic powder on the collar to enhance the design, and to mimic the metallic threads used. The painting measures 20" x 24" oil on linen.

Two of my paintings featured in new book!

2010-10-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

I just received my copy of 'Dog Sayings--wit & wisdom from man'd best friend', and am happy to report that two of my paintings are featured in this wonderful book!

2 Paintings Sold!

2010-04-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

I just found out that 'Regal At Any Age' already sold at the Borzoi Club of America's National Juried Art Show! 6" x 6" oil on panel. And my 'Hummingbird' also sold at the LSU Animals in Art Show! This painting is 6" x 6" oil on canvas on board. As always I will be donating a chunk of the proceeds to various animal welfare groups.

Borzoi

2010-03-06T08:55:00.000-08:00

This handsome dog belongs to a friend of mine. I took some photos of him in the Veteran's Class at a local dog show a while back, and this particular pic looked like something that would be interesting to paint. 6" x6" oil on panel.

Commission

2010-02-07T08:20:00.000-08:00

Here's a commission that was completed a little while ago. It was challenging to say the least, with two full body portraits and the full landscaped background. This piece was a composite of several reference photos! 20" x 24" , oil/canvas.

'One of the Lucky Ones'

2010-01-24T13:13:00.000-08:00

It's always a welcome relief to see a happy dog these days. Clearly there are far too many stories of animal abuse. If I could, I would make it so that every animal would have a safe and happy life. People who abuse animals would cease to exist.

As you know there is over breeding of dogs worldwide, and one industry that is guilty of this is greyhound racing. There are more dogs than good homes and this means that thousands of greyhounds are killed every year. I will never understand how anyone could condone an activity knowing that these gentle dogs are discarded like rotten tomatoes....

This painting shows what Greyhounds love to do: lie in the 'roach' position. All the better in the sunshine! Oil on gallery wrap canvas 8" x 16".

What is he doing here?!?!?

2010-01-21T16:41:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share this Bunny painting which was a breeze to paint. This cute creature was at the Los Angeles County Fair and I couldn't resist taking his photo. "Resting Rabbit" is oil on canvas on board and measures 6" x 6". Shhhhh....he doesn't know he isn't on a bunny art blog!!

'Stella'

2010-01-18T07:36:00.000-08:00

This adorable Cavalier is owned by my a friend of mine. I got to meet her in person this past weekend and she is such a friendly little pup!

I had a great time using lavenders, blues, delicate yellows and oranges in this painting. An added plus was the looser brushwork which helps me get into the spirit of painting without being locked into fixating on every detail! The muted green background really sets off the puppy's red color nicely. Oil on canvas on panel 6"x 6".

Dorothy, the Backyard Greyhound

2010-01-17T09:52:00.000-08:00

This lovely black greyhound was rescued from northern California from a 'backyard breeder'. She was kept outdoors, and never knew love and affection. Thankfully, she was rescued by the Greyhound Adoption Center in San Diego County. I had an opportunity to visit her and sit quietly with her a few weeks ago. She is so very shy, and will not approach anyone. When she got close enough, I placed my hand on her shoulder and didn't look her in the eye, I just spoke softly to her. The painting is oil on gallery-wrap canvas 8" x 16".

Greyhound Impressions

2010-01-01T13:11:00.000-08:00

Well lately I have been trying to push myself into doing larger paintings and try not to fuss to much while painting. This is one that I rather like entitled 'Watching Me Watching You' It is an 8"x8" oil on 1 1/2 " Gallery Wrap canvas.

Memorial Portrait, 'Kiwi'

2009-10-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

This is a Memorial portrait I just completed of 'Kiwi', a greyhound belonging to the founder of Galgo Rescue International Network (G.R.I.N.) which does wonderful work helping the severely maltreated Galgos (Spanish Greyhounds) of Spain. The painting is an oil on canvas on panel, and measures 8"x6". I had donated a custom portrait to a Galgo Rescue auction, and this is what resulted. Initially, I had a diffucult time with the background as it looked as if Kiwi was floating, so I decided to add grass which made things look more believable. Also added are 'Forget Me Nots' which lend a bit of poignancy to the piece

Sleeping Lab Puppy

2009-07-02T11:23:00.000-07:00

Here's my newest mini painting--a 3 1/2"x 2 1/2" oil on canvas affixed to a board. He's on his way to the east coast! This surface is really great to work on---the canvas is a very small weave and it isn't slick so the paint actually is a pleasure to apply. This painting took an evening to complete.

New Pug Painting

2009-06-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

I just finished up this little 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" Pug painting. It's an oil on canvas, and I was pleased with the ease in which it progressed. I'm starting to get bolder and having more fun with color---there are a lot of gentle lavenders, blues and greens in the Pug's coat. The vibrant greens used for the background were really fun to apply.

Galgos

2009-04-25T18:29:00.000-07:00

How many of you out there are familiar with the 'Galgo' ? These dogs are Spanish Greyhounds who for decades have been used as hunting dogs in Spain. What they face after the hunting season ends is extreme cruelty and torture. Galgos are loving, sensitive dogs, just like the Greyhounds here in the US. A few of the 'lucky' ones are adopted after they are no longer needed as hunting dogs, but the vast majority of them are brutally killed. This breaks my heart. These two paintings pay tribute to the lovely Galgo.

Hello Out There!

2009-04-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

For years I have painted in a tight realist manner which is both satisfying and frustrating in that it takes forever to complete a painting, as it is more like micro-surgery, and satisfying because the end product looks just like the subject you are depicting. Case in point, this Greyhound 'Zoe' a lovely brindle painted on a 6"x8" panel. This little painting was very difficult. In order to get her brindle stripes in the proper places, I taped off 1 inch increments on both the panel and reference photo. The end result is pleasing, as it shows her off against a dark green background.

I am very grateful that I am able to do realist paintings... they are great for commissions and when I'm up for a huge challenge. Lately, I have been exploring a more impressionistic technique of painting, using bristle brushes, bolder colors, and thicker paint application, as shown in 'Lab Puppy'. This tiny (2.5"x3.5") took only a few hours, and was a joy to paint.

More later.......thanks for stopping by!