Boxer Completed

I finished the boxer portrait today. She just needs to be framed and then can be delivered to my client. This painting is pastel on Clairfontaine PastelMat paper. The size is approximately 9x12.

A new Commission

I am working on a new pet portrait commission. This girl is a very elegant Boxer. I was given a great picture--a much better than usual photo--to work from and that makes the project a lot easier. I have a long way to go yet, but this is where I am now. This painting is pastel on Pastel Mat paper.

Winston is finished

I have Winston finished. He is such a cutie.

Winston's coming along

I've been working a bit more on Winston. He is really a charming fellow.

What's on my easel

My studio is finally a place to do a little work and not just to shove boxes around in! I was able to put in some actual creative work time today. Here is what I am working on. This is Winston. He belongs to the barber whose shop is next door to my chiropractor and he is the shop dog. I took this picture about a year ago. Winston was napping outside the shop on a bright sunny summer morning.

This work is pastel on PastelMat paper. The size is about 9x8.

Painting sold

I participated in the Franklin Garden Club's House and Garden tour today. I sat in one of the gardens and painted. Earlier in the week I visited the garden to take pictures so that I could be painting something OF the garden and not just an unrelated subject. One of the features of this garden was a goldfish pond. I was able to get a nice few pictures of the pond and that is the subject I chose to paint. This piece is pastel on black velour paper. When it was finished, the homeowner bought it. I was very pleased.

Everglades Kite Snails--Finished

Today I finished the Everglades Kite Snails. Finished size is 3x9. It is off to the framer this afternoon.

Newest Pet Portrait

Finished this yesterday and the "Gramma" picked it up today. She was very happy. I hope the Mommy and Daddy are equally pleased. This guy is a 5x7 portrait done in colored pencil. He is a Brown Boston Terrier which is a very rare coloration.

Turtle Progressing

Worked onthe turtle a bit more this week. He is almost finished. One more session and I think we will be able to call him done. He still needs work on his shell and then adjusting values. In this photo, you can see the reference photo in the corner.

Current Project

I am working on a turtle with my student. She took the photo in Florida on a very bright sunny day. The turtle is sitting on a rock in shallow water with a reflection that is absolutely exquisite. Last week we blocked in the turtle. This week we worked on the reflection and the rock. He is coming along nicely, but there is still a lot to do. He is about 8x10 in pastel on Art Spectrum Colorfix sanded paper.

Catch of the Day

I thought I had posted phase one of this piece, but I guess I forgot. My student brought a couple of photos that we combined to develop this composition. The fish is a Cutthroat Trout. The piece is done in pastels on Hannemuhle velour paper. It is about 8x11.

What's new?

Today I completed a small commission piece in colored pencil. It is 5x7 and done on grey-blue card stock.

Downy Woodpecker

This morning we finished the Downy Woodpecker. In the right kind of frame, he'll be pretty cute.

New Project

Today I started working with a pastel teacher. I am absolutely thrilled! I was lucky enough to find someone who specializes in animals and works in a realistic style that is a good match for what I am doing and want to do better. We started working on a tiger today based on a photo that my husband took at a zoo. We accomplished a lot in 3 hours. I can't wait to go back again next month.

Busy Christmas Season

I have been very busy since Thanksgiving with orders for pet portraits. They are completed now and I will be delivering the last of them soon. Most of them were done in colored pencil, however, this one is in pastel. This little guy was sitting in front of a fan and it is his "Mom's" favorite photo.

On my Easel

Here is my latest piece. This is a male brown pelican during mating season. They turn a brilliant shade of blue. I worked from a photograph taken by one of my students in Florida. The piece is approximately 5x10 and is done in pastels.

Another ribbon in my collection!

I picked up my work from the Cranberry Festival Art Show today and found a ribbon attached to my little portrait of Gus. Gus took 3rd place in the Adult Division. I am very pleased. The portrait is approximately 2.5x3.5 inches and is rendered in colored pencil on Stonhenge paper. Gus is now on his way to the Annual Miniature Show in Chambersburg, PA.

A regal pose

Here is another pet portrait from my easel. Newton is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He is a beautiful boy and the graphite pencil makes a very formal portrait.

Peek-a-Boo

While I have been working on the drawing course, I have gotten interested in doing more work in graphite. This little guy was at my friend's backyard feeding station one night along with another young raccoon. She was able to get some wonderful pictures. She said they were afraid, but not so afraid that they ran away. They were more curious about her. She sent me a number of the pictures and gave me permission to use them. This piece is about 2.5 x 2.5 inches. It is done in graphite pencil on white Bristol Plate paper.

Peek-a-Boo