Monday, April 30, 2018

Curious Dobie

6x6
acrylic on gessobord
The one breed of dog that I have carried a fear of most my life is the Doberman.  That is, until I met Oliver.  Oliver is a 125 lb. Doberman that came to our shelter a while back.  At first, I was very cautious around him.  It didn't take long before he showed me what a sweet, loving,  and adorable hunk of a dog he could be!  The biggest problem I had after that was getting him off my lap!

"Curious Dobie" isn't a portrait of sweet Oliver.  I used a photo I found on Pixabay that reminded me of him.  Oliver found his forever loving home quite some time ago, and I couldn't be happier, but I still miss seeing his goofy face!

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Songbird

6x8
acrylic on gessobord

One more Spring bird.  I couldn't help but paint this singing sensation!  It's been sunny here for almost a week now, and the birds have been singing like crazy!  I used a photo from Pixabay to paint this one too. Enjoy!  Happy Singing!

Gossip Line

6x8
acrylic on gessobord
More spring birds.  These feathered friends make me laugh!  I imagine they are saying, "Oh. My. Gosh. Did you hear about Margie?  Well, I heard that she..." And they speak with heavy New Jersey accents!  Thanks to Pixabay, where I found the picture to use for this painting.  Enjoy!

Monday, April 23, 2018

Signs of Spring

6x6
acrylic on gessobord

I painted this little guy for the DPW "Meaning of Spring" challenge.  When the temperatures start to warm up around here, the symphony of birds start up!  I love their songs of joy that I hear as the days lengthen and the sun once again appears.  It's been a while since I've painted birds.  There's a lightheartedness that comes to me when I'm painting these fine feathered friends.  I might have to do a couple more to celebrate Spring!

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Looking North From Stanley Park

16x12
acrylic on canvas

This is my second painting that has been accepted into the 2018 Olympia Art League's juried art show.  Last October my wonderful husband took me to Vancouver, BC for our anniversary!  I had never been there before, and absolutely loved it!  We spent much of our time at Stanley Park.  I couldn't get over how fantastic the beaches were, as well as the views!  I knew when I was taking my photos that I'd be using one of them for the art show.  I can hardly wait to go back!

Bounding Through the Waves

12x24
acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

I have two paintings that have been accepted into the Olympia Art League's 2018 juried art show, and this is one of them.  I really wanted to do a "water dog" painting for the show.  I used a photo that I took while in L.A. this past January.  I was there with our daughter's sailing team for the 2018 Rosebowl Regatta.  The regatta took place right next to Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach, Ca..  I watched this energetic pup play fetch for hours!  It was absolutely awesome!

I took a couple of photos while painting this, to show some of my process.  I meant to take an earlier one, but became so enthralled with this, that I forgot!  Anyway, thanks for looking and I hope you all enjoy it!

I first like to block in the main colors and shapes and get an idea of the feel of the painting.


Once I know I have my proportions right I start adding more darks and lights and adjust colors to my liking.



The finished product!

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Chillaxing

6x8
acrylic on gessobord

This is what I'd like to be doing right about now!  Granted, I would need an air mattress and margarita to make this my blissful setting!

Water Fountain Play

6x6
acrylic on gessobord

These two cuties are our girls, a long time ago!  They're now 16 and 19!  It's been such a fun ride with these two.  So often I wish I could go back, just for another moment, to gobble up some of their sweetness!
I actually started this painting quite a while ago.  It has sat on my shelf until today.   This week's DPW challenge (The bliss challenge), motivated me to pick it up and finish it.  It was really fun to play with these pinks and oranges, as well as loosen up a bit!

Monday, April 16, 2018

Pretty Please

6x6
acrylic on gessobord

I have a friend, Terri, who has a great passion for all bulldogs.  She and her husband are always fostering bulldogs.  This is one of her foster cuties.  She posted a picture of him on Facebook, and I fell in love with his adorable facial expression. Enjoy!

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Joy Ride

6x6
acrylic on gessobord

I saw a picture of this pup on Pixabay, and knew I had to paint it!  French Bulldogs make me smile!  Enjoy!

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Skipping Rocks

6x8
acrylic on gessobord

While at the Columbia Gorge last summer, these kiddos caught my attention as they played in the water, perfecting their rock skipping skills.  What drew me to paint this was the ripples in the water.  Also, I haven't painted many children lately, and it was time!  Thanks for viewing my work!

Monday, April 9, 2018

Moose

8x6
acrylic on gessobord

Moose was one of our dogs at Adopt-a-Pet (where I volunteer).  He's a yellow Lab and Great Dane mix;  He looks like an oversized yellow Lab.  He was adopted pretty quickly, but luckily,I had a chance to play with him and fall in love before he went to his furever home!