#30 - The Premier of the Pups

8" x 8"

Oil on Canvas Board
SOLD

A friend recently asked me if I painted pets. I said I never had, but I'd certainly give it a go. Here's the first result. This is 1 of 3 paintings of my friend's very-much-loved family pet. I consider this a preliminary sketch to see how I want to handle the final product. I used impasto medium to thicken the paint so that I could get the brushstrokes that I wanted. I will be sketching out one more version in a different pose, then rendering a finished painting on stretched canvas or hardboard.

Let me know what you think!

#29 - Beach Study

Beach Study 1

8" x 8"
Oil on Canvas
Available

It has been a while since I've been to the beach. Seems like a lifetime ago, actually. Probably because since the last time I was at a beach I have become a totally different person. But that's a long, not always happy story so we'll put it away for another time. The point is, is that I had forgotten the peace of sitting on the beach, breeze skimming across my skin, sun soaking in with nothing to do but read, enjoy the company and every few moments just marvel in the bright color and beauty that is blue water and pure white powder sand. Sigh.

This painting is intended to be a study for a larger work. I purposefully edited out everything but sky, water and sand, just trying to catch the light and color that was in front of me.

I like it.

It can still be done!

There are 102 days left in 2011. I have 3 paintings in the works and that leaves 69 remaining to finish this year. I have 3 additional paintings that I have deposits on and need to begin sketching. So we're heading in to crunch time! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

#28 - Singin' Sweet Songs

28 - Singin' Sweet Songs

14"x8"

Oil on Canvas
SOLD

This painting is for the dailypaintworks.com weekly challenge.

Not a literal translation of the song, but just the way it makes me feel.

Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou:")

Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

#27 - The Witnesses

#27 - The Witnesses

6" x 6"

Oil on Canvas
SOLD

My sister and her fiance will be taking their vows in October. These 3 guys live in the chapel where the wedding will take place and will be watching over the proceedings. Since they are carved wooden statues, I guess I'll have to eat their share of the cake!

Special thanks to Troy Burkhart for the photo of the statues. And thanks in advance for the cake. Welcome to the family Troy!

#26 - Violet Lily

Violet Lily
6" x 6"
Oil on Canvas
Available

This is the first in what might be several lily paintings that I do. I'm intrigued by the way the light reflects off of the petals and trying to show that while keeping a loose large brush stroke. I wish I could channel a little bit of Carol Marine on these. I love her work so much!

Three paintings this week! I may just catch up yet!

#25 - Sonoma Landscape

Sonoma
Oil on Canvas
6" x 6"
Available

Hurrayy!!! 1/4 done. That's 25 more paintings than I did last year! Or the year before that. Onward and upward!

This is my first attempt as a palette knife painting. It's from a photo that I took while visiting my brother and family in Sonoma, CA. It's part of the Benziger winery. What a gorgeous part of the country. I highly recommend a visit if you've never been out there.

As for the painting. Not too bad for a first time I don't think.