Keep Your Eyes On the Ball

6x8
acrylic on gessobord

I feel like I haven't posted a new painting in some time.  It's been a busy couple of weeks and I have a painting or two that I've been struggling with.  I really need to learn to put the paintings aside that are just not working.  I end up spinning my wheels, and getting nowhere!  Arghhhh!

On a more positive note...isn't this guy cute?!  Painting dogs in water makes me happy!  Enjoy!

Fishing Dog

6x6
acrylic on gessobord

Why is it that Golden Retrievers have no problem sticking their heads all the way underwater to grab a rock, toy, or any other treasure?  Every Golden I know does this!  It's so funny!  Our dogs certainly aren't part Golden Retriever.  If their noses go even slightly underwater, they end up sneezing and coughing like crazy.

Twist and Shake

6x6
acrylic on gessobord

This past summer I took so many photos of our dog, Salty, swimming, splashing, and shaking off the water.  He cracks me up when he shakes because his tail gets all bent up and his jowls end up flying to the other side of his face.  Dogs always have a way of making me smile!

Kaneohe

6x8
acrylic on gessobord

I've really been missing my Hawaii home lately, so I thought I'd do a painting of it.  This is the view from the Pali Lookout.  Isn't it gorgeous!  In all the years I lived there, I never tired of this view.

Surf's Up

8x16
acrylic on canvas

And this is the final painting of the 3 commissioned works I did for my friend.  Doesn't this setting look heavenly right now?  This is a painting of their kids at one of the best anchorages along the mainland Mexico coast.   Often times there was great surfing, along with a wonderful palapa bar.  I have a few very fond memories from this place;  Once while anchored here, we all swam to shore from the boat.  Another time a mother and calf Humpback whale duo came swimming and playing just outside of the anchorage area (what a show it was!).  Our oldest daughter turned 13 while we were here.  For her birthday we rented horses from the nearby resort and enjoyed a leisurely prance along the beach.  Oh, I miss you Mexico!!!

Abuela

8x10
acrylic on gessobord

This is the second painting I did for my friend.  While cruising in Mexico, she snapped a photo of this sweet woman sitting on the steps.  I really loved working on this piece.  It brought me back in time to Mexico.  The people we encountered while cruising were wonderful.

Sailing JC Spirit

12x12
acrylic on canvas

I had a busy December painting three pieces for a friend.  This is the first.  We had the wonderful pleasure of being dock neighbors years ago and then cruising buddies in Mexico.

Elle

8x6
acrylic on gessobord

This sweet girl is one of the dogs from our shelter.  I couldn't stop thinking about her this past week.  She liked to sit calmly in her kennel, watching every move I made.  I could get lost in her eyes.  I was praying that she would be adopted.  When I went into the shelter today I saw that she had found her forever home!  I'm so happy for her! 

Dog Beach Puppy

8x6
acrylic on gessobord

Sing It With Feeling

6x6
acrylic on gessobord

I've been working on a few commissioned paintings lately.  It's been wonderful and challenging; just the way I like it!  Today, however,  I felt the need to paint something that I picked out.  Isn't this pup adorable!  The expression on his face just makes me smile!  I used a photo I found on Pixabay as a reference to paint this soulful lab.  It makes me want to get out and do some caroling!