Home Alone

Next weekend is the annual Artists' Studio & Gallery Tour in Rappahannock County, Virginia where I live. My studio is not on the tour this year but I am excited to report that my work will be represented in the River District Arts' Confluent Gallery which is one of the stops on the tour (and where I am an associate artist member). I submitted two paintings for consideration by the jury. They asked me to bring both--one a floral and the other the dog painting shown below:

Titled "Home Alone", the painting depicts a rather forlorn Boxer wondering where his humans have gone. I often think about what our dogs must think when we leave them alone for hours at a time and if they really do get to wondering if we're ever coming back. This painting is based (with permission) on a friend's photo of his "best friend" dog from his teenage years. It is done in watercolor and is 15 x 22 (or as we watercolorists say, a half sheet).

It painting will be on display at the Confluent Gallery from November 5, 2011 through December 5, 2011 and will be for sale there. If you happen to be in Sperryville, VA during that time stop at River District Arts and see it in person!

To see more of my work, please visit my Web site and roam around the galleries there. If you're a Facebook user, I invite you to "Like" my Facebook Artist Page too!

Maya and Mookie - by Beth Lowell

"Sibs" a 4x6 Golden Open acrylic painting (c) Beth Lowell 2011

My Wallis pastel paper still has not arrived, so my foray into acrylics continues – I’ve got to keep working because the deadline for the Canine Art Guild’s Helping Paws: All Creatures Great and Small Exhibition is coming soon! Subject matter can be any rescued animals - and Mookie and Maya are two of the dogs I chose to paint. (Well, Maya gets the limelight here as you can see!)

Animal Control asked the Misha May Foundation to help these two siblings find homes. Both Maya and Mookie were placed and are living happily ever after in their forever homes.

Show winners are selected by popular choice, and proceeds from sales of this painting go to the Misha May Foundation. I’ll keep you posted on show details and my progress on the next pieces I’ll be working on for submission.

Please contact me about commissioning your own pet portrait or…well, the holidays are coming up faster than you think! Affordable art makes a great gift for your animal loving friends! And please feel free to share this blog with other art loving animal people too!

Beth Lowell
www.bethlowellfineart.com
beth@bethlowell.com

Little Man Mirk, A Painted Sketch ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Little Man Mirk," a painted sketch, of a rescued corgi mix. This image is approximately 4" or so, roughly centered on a piece of multimedia artists paper. I think this piece is sold, but if you are interested, let me know!!   I've got lots of emails to answer today, so will keep this post short and sweet, just like our little man above.   Happy weekend!!   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Sigh, A Gratitude Painting ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS HERE

"Sigh," from "The Gratitude Series,"** 10" x 6-1/2", portrait of a silvery Great Dane Pup, done in Golden Open Acrylics on a Raymar panel, $449. And since the muse for this painting hailed from Ohio Great Dane Rescue, proceeds from the sale of this painting will benefit them. Inquiries may come to moi.   I had an entirely different concept when I set up to paint today. I wanted the pup smaller on the canvas, with her entire body draped sveltly across the painting. But each time I blocked her in, she wanted to be bigger. I'd rub her out and start over, and every time she returned, she was flowing over the edges.   So I stopped fighting, and just let her be.   This will be another of my entries for this year's Canine Art Guild's "Helping Paws: All Creatures Great and Small" exhibition. This is an online show that supports animal welfare through the artists' philanthropy (each piece's sale benefits a specific animal welfare group) and awards (cash prizes go not to the artist, but to the animal welfare groups).   The online show will go live in December, but meanwhile I am getting my entries ready. I'm looking for one more muse; they have to be a rescued pet hailing from a 501c rescue group that is still functioning. You may email non-flash photos to me for consideration - and THANK YOU!!   Meanwhile, don't forget - grownUPs Journalling class tonite at Little Monsters in downtown Lake Orion, 6-8pm.   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PS In-process shots of "Sigh" are on the studio's Facebook page.   **"The Gratitude Series" of paintings stars rescued animals who have found new homes. Proceeds from the sale of these paintings (including reproductions) are earmarked to support the groups that gave the animals a second - sometimes a third - chance at life.

In Memory of K9 Cade   Last summer, Burton (Michigan) police dogCade was killed in an accident. In his memory, multiple groups in this community have rallied together, hosting a fundraiser tomorrow evening.   Their goal? To raise $10,000 through the sale of sloppy joes and raffle tickets - just enough money to bring a new police dog to town.   I am proud to support this effort (my sister-in-law works for one of the organizations involved) by donating a Painting a Dog a Day gift certificate valued at $250.   If you are in the Flint area, you are invited tostop by and help a community help itself.   Thanks so much!

 

More Lemonade - 'Sweet Dreams' portrait of a pug by Beth Lowell

Sweet Dreams, 4x6 acrylic painting (c) Beth Lowell 2011

Last May I was struggling with a pastel of a pug. After the difficulty I had, I decided to try painting more of them. It's been awhile since I had the opportunity to paint another one, and so when I came to care for Daisy, a sweet senior, I grabbed the chance to shoot some photos of her and give it a whirl.

Since then, my laptop mysteriously reconfigured itself and many of my files were lost, including my shots of Daisy. Not to be thwarted, I took more photos.

I couldn't wait to start on the piece, but when I reached for a new sheet of Wallis sanded pastel paper, I realized I was out.

I immediately went online, ordered it, and waited. And waited. Finally I checked the status of my order and to my horror, discovered that demand for the paper was so high that the manufacturer can't keep up with orders - I am expecting it in two weeks to a month!

So, once again, life has given me another pug related opportunity to make lemonade... Here is the result - an acrylic painting of Daisy.

Thanks to fellow Canine artist, Kim Santini for tipping me off to Mastering Color by Vicki McMurray. (Actually Kim didn't just tip me off, but shared with all who subscribe to her newsletter.)

Now, my work done, I'm off to enjoy this beautiful October day!

Beth Lowell

www.bethlowellfineart.com

beth@bethlowell.com

Well, Hello, Gorgeous ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Well, Hello, Gorgeous," 8" x 15", portrait of a mixed breed dog adopted from the Michigan Humane Society by a friend of a friend. Ruby now leads a charmed life, glowing and beautiful from the inside out.   Done in Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, I shared multiple in process photos inside the Mobile Uploads folder on my studio's Facebook page.   This painting is headed to the Canine Art Guild's "Helping Paws: All Creatures Great and Small" exhibition next month. In this annual show, all the paintings feature animals that were, at one point in their lives, homeless. Proceeds from the sale of all the artwork benefits animal welfare groups around the world, and the People's Choice award goes to animal welfare as well. When Ruby's painting sells, a generous donation will be made to the Michigan Humane Society.   I'll share updates on the exhibition as the show dates approach, but meanwhile, enjoy Ms. Ruby!!   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

The Value of Daily Creativity     Tomorrow I'm giving an informal presentation on inviting creativity into your life at ArtCapsule (formerly Margot's Gallery) in Oxford, Michigan.   I'll be talking about the many facets of creativity - not just daily painting - and share some of the wonderful side effects of adding creativity and imagination to your life.   We'll also discuss structuring a regular committment in the most positive way, so that you are ensured success.   Come join us at 7pm at ArtCapsule (on M24, next to Sweet and Savory Bakery). I hope to see you there!   PS For those of you asking, this talk will eventually be published - I'm talking to editors and promise to keep you posted on the when - and where - it runs. Thanks!!

Ready For Her Closeup ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

ORDER PRINTS/NOTECARDS HERE

"Ready For Her Closeup," 8" x 10", portrait of Tallulah, who I've been told is the Carol Burnett of poodles. This painting was done in Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, with multiple in process photos inside the Mobile Uploads folder on the studio's Facebook page.   I've got a couple of exhibitions in mind for Tallulah - we'll send her off on a world tour, shall we? Meanwhile, if you can't wait for her to come to a town near you, the painting can be yours for $469.    Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Complementary Colors   When choosing the palette for your painting (or even a room in your home), consider colors that fall opposite each other on the color wheel.   When placed together, they create a visual tingle.   Hence my choice of the faded orange couch to complement the pale blue pillows.   Tallulah doesn't have a speck of black in her. She's a variety of blues and purples, with just a couple splashes of that orange. Again, complements.   She sits there with anticipation, amped up even more so by her surroundings. Just like a queen.

Labrador Retriever 2012 Wall Calendar featuring Molly Poole artworks

Last year, I offered a limited run of my wall calendar featuring some of my favorite labrador retriever watercolors. To my surprise, they were all spoken for in short time.
I have had several inquiries about whether I will have a 2012 wall calendar and after putting out feelers on Facebook, it seems there is plenty of enthusiasm!
The good news is that the price of the calendars is the same as last year $19.95 plus $5.00 shipping Priority USPS. They make great gifts for the dog lover!
Place an order:

For the folks that have contacted me already to reserve your calendar, your calendar has been reserved and I will be billing via email. Thank you!
Order now and I will be shipping around the last week of October.
The calendars are printed on heavy stock and have a gloss finish. The printing quality is outstanding.
This year, I will be happily donating a portion of the sales of these limited run calendars to Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue. This is a wonderful group that tirelessly pulls adoptable Labs from shelters, fosters and finds new, wonderful families to love them unconditionally.

LABRADOR RETRIEVER PAPER COLLAGE ART by SHEILA M.WEDEGIS

  I recently took a workshop with Elizabeth St. Hilaire and I fell in love with the process.  However she has such a distinct style I needed to be a bit different.  Instead of using painted paper all over this 16 x 20 gessoed board, I decided to paper the face and ears of the Lab. I also added paper to the water.  Hunting throught the art store I found fabric gel. Perfect. So, painting with Golden Acrylics and the fabric gel I finished the rest of the painting adding extra paint and gel to the balls.  I love how it came out.  I'm feeling a series coming.

This art can be purchased from my blog site. Paper Collage   If you happen to be a Collector of my work please contact  ME   for a discount,

                                        Thanks for looking at my artwork, I appreciate you!

SHEILA M.WEDEGIS  PALM BAY, FLORIDA  

http://www.labradorretrieverart.com

Pepper, a Boston Terrier

This portrait of Pepper, a Boston Terrier, was fun to do because of the range of colors I found in her fur. It also reminded me of summer days and croquet on the lawn, (I won!) especially warm memories as today is cold and rainy as we head deeper into fall. She measures 8 x 10. Please ask, if you are interested in purchasing her.

Katie and Mollie, A Painted Sketch ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Katie and Mollie," commissioned sketch portraits of two fabulous ladies, both rescues. The image is approzimately 6" x 4" and roughly centered on an 11" x 14" piece of multimedia artists paper, done in Golden Open Acrylics.   I ask my clients to share a bit of the dogs' personalities with me, just so that I get a strong sense of who they are in addition to what they look like.   Here's what I learned about Katie (on the left) and Mollie (on the right):   "Katie's a jumper, a barker, a kisser, and a total nut.  She's also a total spaniel - where she wants to be is RIGHT NEXT TO YOU, if not on top of you - and she loves nothing in the world so much as a belly rub.  Except possibly food."   "Molly's got a hefty dose of Chow Zen.  She's also got a lot of street smarts - which means, in part, that she knows how to catch her own food.  I can number at least three occasions where I stood on the sidewalk and said "DROP IT. DROP IT. DO NOT EAT IT. Ohh, crap. DON'T LICK ME, LIZARD BREATH." "   So there you have it. Katie and Mollie. And an unfortunate lizard.   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my paintings, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PAINTING WORKSHOP, October 8th, Lake Orion Michigan, 10am-4pm. Email me for additional information.

It's  Football Season!   Mona helped cheer the MSU Spartans and the Detroit Lions onto great victories this weekend.   And tomorrow we'll be cheering on The Caped Crusader's football team.    Well, not Mona. After all the driving rain and gusty wind at his last game, she's opted to stay home. Maybe she'll get dinner started for us.