The Struggling Actor

#18 of the challenge. I had it in my head that I really wanted to paint a dog that was waiting on tables while working towards an acting gig. I just knew it was coming...good or bad. Why, you ask?

I'll get back to you on that! Definitely having fun.

 http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/645004

Texting My Grandpa

#17 of the challenge. I saw this man texting, and I imagined (hoped) that it was a good and happy exchange, like maybe with his Grand kids telling him they loved him. But what do I know? Maybe he was texting to check on his investments. Or to make a reservation. Or to learn results from a medical test. Thank God for our imaginations.....! PS I was terrified of this angle, but I am happy with it. I just tried to follow the values.

sold

It's My Party

#16 of the challenge.  This is a pretty thickly painted 10x10 oil painting. It has 1 1/2 inch gallery edge sides painted a rich dark color, so it doesn't need a frame. 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/644317

Today's a Good Day

#15 of the challenge. Halfway there! I loved painting this imaginary scene. Mainly because I was doing a lot of glazing. Indian Yellow, Burnt Sienna, etc, are very fun to use as glazes. http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/643869

Free shipping for challenge month!

Leap of Faith

#14 Another "mark by mark" painting. Fun as can be. These people are all interested and anxious, though a little wary, about what's in there. But they do know that it's good.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/643459

Wish You Were Here

#13 of the challenge. Guess it was inevitable that a little (recurring) imaginary scene like this would pop up. One of my favorite things to do-one mark here, one make there. No stress, just happy in my own little world. 

Sold

Joy

#12 of the challenge. Anyone who has been to Fishtown in Leland, Michigan, has probably seen this charter fishing boat. Leland has been a family destination for more years than I can remember. So when I found this photo I took, I knew it would be taking the #12 slot! 

   http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/642698

Spa Dreams

#11 of the challenge. Another pup I snapped a photo of at the groomer. But this girl looks nothing like the photo. I had it in my head that I wanted to put rollers in a dog's hair. No sense in asking myself why. Anyways, so I did. And nail polish.She's been dreaming of a day of pampering. I hope I made her dreams come true...:)

 http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/642376

A Good Dad

#10 of the challenge. I spotted this family in Saugatuk, and I loved the dynamic between this man and his kids. They were heading to the dog parade, as yours truly was! Once it was underway, I didn't see one face that didn't have a smile on it. My beautiful (inside and out) daughter and I are set to hit Saugatuk, as always in March. A yearly birthday present to me. How lucky am I? 

  http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/641996

I Don't Feel Right About This

 This guy is very, very skeptical. He just seemed paranoid about his surroundings. Sweet thing. So I snapped a photo and decided he would be #9 of the challenge.I saw him at the groomer where I take my Wade and Luddie. Oh, I love these characters! 8x10 oil.

Free shipping for the challenge month!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/641693

Knock Three Times

#8 of the challenge. This is a little mixed media painting from my imagination. Now I want an asymmetrical a birdhouse like this! And I also want green leaves on the trees. Ready for spring!

NFS

A New Life

This is a recent commissioned piece, which was just presented to the couple. I heard that they were thrilled. Music to my ears! I am always nervous when I have a commission piece with people in it. But I like to go outside of my comfort zone. It's pretty textured (oil) and it looked nice in a beautiful pewterish/goldish frame. So this is taking the #7 slot of the challenge!

I'm Falling for You

#6 of the challenge. This is a happy little vase (what Bob Ross might have said!). It's holding an abundance of happy overflowing flowers. Simple, but fun because I just enjoyed the shapes and colors.

Sold

Serenity

Boy, I go from a "doctor" dog, to a comforting angel! Maybe the angel is trying to protect us from the doctor dog! This is # 5 of the challenge. It is a mixed media (acrylic, watercolor, ink) on fabric. It is mounted on an 11x14 canvas with deep painted gallery edges, so there is no need for a frame. Finished with a protective varnish. Free shipping for the challenge month!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/640322

Trust me. I'm a Doctor

#4 of the challenge. This guy turned out looking like he wanted to inspect me. So I ran with it and gave it this title! A fun little 5x7 oil painting. And I do mean fun. 

Sold

# 3 of the challenge. This is Samson. A very fun little commission piece. I am having more and more fun painting dogs. I love it! He is sold, but I always welcome doggie challenges!

I'll Wait For You

#2 of the challenge. This is a remake of a much earlier painting. I liked a little bit of the first one, and decided to preserve that part. It didn't work because I had too much fun layering and layering until it was totally changed. This painting is 10x10 on gallery wrapped 1 1/2 inch painted sides. Ready to hang without a frame. Free shipping for January!

#1 I'll Start Again

#1 of the 30 in 30 challenge for January for 2017.  Last January, a fella who looks like this character, started me off. So I created a cousin. Or a Brother. Or a friend. Anyways, he got me off to a good start last year, and I had a great 2016. So I hope this character brings the same. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in the challenge!

Some Recent Paintings and Happenings

Back to my blog! I just thought I'd share a few recent paintings. Also, I have had artwork in two shows, and have completed 2 commissions (which I'll show after the recipients get them). So I have been busy........mostly with life more than painting. I hope to do the 30 in 30 again, and this time, I'll try to actually finish it! I look forward to checking out everyone's art who enters it in January. I hope everyone has a great Christmas/Holiday!

Peanut and George

Meet Peanut and George. I was lucky enough to be asked to paint 2 beautiful bulldogs recently. Thanks, Mary Weeks! These are both on 16x16 canvasses with wide, painted gallery edges and were ready to hang. In fact, they are already hung in their home! Peanut has gone to the "Rainbow Bridge" (https://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm). It's a story/poem about what happens to our beloved pets when they die, and what happens when we join them. It's very comforting to me. So, here's sweet and comical Peanut. Her relative George is still with us, and is just as characterful! What a total treat it was to do this project. And painting dogs has become one of my favorites!
I haven't been on my blog in a long time. Hopefully I'll be painting more and more again. But I've still been keeping tabs on what my friends are up to!