Two Is Better Than One

 

6x8

Acrylic on Gessobord

I'm so happy I was able to sneak in another water dog painting!  I've been going back to older photos and browsing royalty free sites for reference photos lately.  I usually have a lot more material to work from but my travels have been thwarted by Covid!  I found the photo I used for this painting on Pixabay.  I love seeing more than one dog playing and fetching in the water.  If any of you have fun water dog photos that you'd like to share, send them my way!!!

Last One To Shore Is a Rotten Egg

 

6x8

Acrylic on Gessobord

I've been super busy with commission paintings lately, so working on these water loving dogs was an absolute delight!  I've learned that I need to take regular breaks from painting commissioned pieces or I end up going a little coocoo.  I was so happy to finally get to this one.  The splashing water and active dogs have me loving this one!

Orca Pod

 

6x12

Acrylic on canvas

While out on a whale watching tour in the San Juan Islands, my friends were blessed with a visit from these beautiful creatures.  (And then said it was okay to use their amazing photos as a reference! Thanks Susan and Robyn!!) They are so fun to watch.  It's almost nirvana like being in their presence.  I  always enjoy painting clam waters.  It soothes me.  Enjoy!

The Sparkling Water Is Calling Me

 

6x6

Acrylic on Gessobord

I couldn't resist painting one more "sparkly" painting.  With all the election craziness going on it's nice to just think about sparkling water for a bit!! Thanks to Unsplash for the photo reference.

Good Day For Surfing

 

6x8

Acrylic on Gessobord

I've been craving painting the ocean.  I love the deep blues and greens of this one. Thanks to Unsplash for the awesome photo reference!

Shining Border Collie

 

8x6

Acrylic on Gessobord

The sparkling water is what drew me to paint this.  I thought I was going to struggle with this one, but it flowed so easily off my brush.  I think my mental state makes a huge difference in how I paint.  If I'm having a bad or distracted day, my work usually turns out less than desirable.  Luckily, what usually follows are GREAT days of painting.  Yay!  Gotta love those ups and downs in life! Hope you all are having a terrific day!

Echo Bay 2020

 

6x8

acrylic on gessobord

One of our favorite anchorages in the San Juan Islands is Echo Bay on Sucia Island.  This year did not disappoint!  The islands were a little more crowded than usual due to the Canadian border being closed, but in Echo Bay there's always room for one more boat. Here's to future sunsets at anchor!

Swimming For Sticks

 

8x6

Acrylic on gessobord

This is our boy, Salty enjoying some beach time this summer.  While out cruising around the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound this summer, we were blessed with some of the clearest water.  I really wanted to capture that in this painting.  I know I say this a lot, but, I am so ready for next summer!

Swimming For Sticks

 

6x6

Acrylic on Gessobord

I just finished this painting after many days of tweaking.  I hate that little voice in my head that keeps telling me "It's not good enough".  Do any of you other artists have that?  It really drives me crazy!  Anyway, as for this painting, I was so excited to paint the water!  I used a reference photo I took this past summer while playing on the beach in Gig Harbor.  The water was absolutely pristine (see photo below- you'll laugh because I changed so many details)!!!  I had a hard time finding a happy medium between color balance, pattern of sight, and simplicity.  I think I finally got it.  I hope you enjoy it!

Louis

 

6x6

Acrylic on gessobord

This sweet boy belonged to a friend of mine.  She adopted him just a couple of short months ago.  He sadly is no longer with us.  It turned out he had cancer.  My friend has devoted her life to rescuing older Pit Bulls and she is amazing at it!  She's got a heart of gold (that's a bit broken right now:() Anyway, I painted this with the hope that in time she can look at Louis's face and not feel sad.