PINK DOTS

5x7 oil on canvas panel

Another cupcake for the current Different Strokes From Different Folks challenge commemorating the 1 year anniversary of Karin Jurick's fun and challenging blog.

PERSIA

8x10 oil on canvas

For some reason I have become a painter of dogs and not a painter of cats, when I saw Persia posted on my friend's Facebook page a couple of months ago, I knew I just had to see if I could paint a cat. According to Jacque, Persia's favorite napping spot is on this embroidered pillow, with one little eye slightly open.

Several months ago, Jacque (an artist friend) gave me permission to use her photo, but I had to wait to paint Persia when I had time. On Wednesday I decided I could not paint another commission until I did something for me, or in this case for Jacque. I am so sad to say, Persia died just yesterday from kidney renal failure. I hate to end this blog post so abruptly and sadly, if you would like to see Jacque's beautiful graphic art, you can check out her website here.

Thank you so much for looking, reading, and listening; I appreciate the time you take to visit my blog.

HAPPY HANNAH

8x16 oil on canvas panel

It's an overcast morning here, a little rain and the promise of more this afternoon. We have been so lucky these last few days to have rain come our way; I am very happy to have relief from the 100+ temps.

And speaking of happy, here's Happy Hannah, my final painting for James Parker' Windows to the World Art blog. The challenge for me here was to make her appear to be stepping forward and to keep her feet "grounded" so she did not appear to be floating. Some dogs are made to smile and Hannah must be one very loved dog to be grinning from ear to ear.

Now, off to my little studio closet for a serious day of painting. Thank you for visiting; take care!

TWEEDLES

8x8 oil on canvas panel
Another painting for James Parker's, Windows to the World blog. This was fun to paint, but challenging because of the unusually adorable features that make pugs so special. Thanks for looking.

THE LONG WAIT

9x12 oil on canvas panel

This is my first painting for James Parker's Windows to the World blog, please check out the variety of talent from other fellow artists. Maggie Mayer submitted this photo to James' blog for us to paint, please go by and see her incredible paintings. Thank you for visiting; I appreciate it!

I CAN TIE MY SHOES

10x10 oil on canvas

This is one of the paintings I worked on during my Spring Break vacation a couple of weeks ago. I am, happily,  very busy with pet portrait commissions, but thought I would, selfishly, fit in a little painting for myself. I try to have my camera with me at school so I can capture little moments such as Aaliyah learning how to tie her shoes. I have so much to learn, ugh those hands. So many of you paint such beautiful figures, please keep in mind I am learning, but aren't we all? 

EMMETT, LITTLE SWEETHEART

Meet Emmett, 8x10 oil on canvas. His parents know him best, so here's their story...sold

"Emmett is an alien. No really I swear he is. He'd try for world domination if he just didn't get so cold, and if he was just a little taller, but being a 4 lb Chihuahua...he'll settle for dominating the living room sofa. 

My husband and I are actors living in NYC, and we never thought we'd own a Chihuahua. I've always thought that they were ugly and buggy eyed, and not nearly as pretty as Pomeranians (one of which we are the proud owners), but here we are...alien parents. When Brian made his Broadway debut in Spelling Bee and I had returned from the Annie national tour, we began casually looking for another dog to keep our sweet Winston (the aforementioned Pom) company. One of Brian's cast mates had a friend who places dogs, and after looking at an e-mail with pictures, the little black and white Chihuahua with a  heart-shaped mark on his head was so amazingly cute that we had to bring him home. We have never regretted it. Emmett weighed just about a pound and had to wear a bell so that we could find him when he decided to crawl into tiny spaces. He has turned out to be such a funny and amazing little guy. Though he does have that Chihuahua edge, and often tries to let the pit bulls in our Washington Heights neighborhood know that he owns the street (we're working on that) he is actually very loving and snuggly, loves people and loves to play.

Emmett also can talk and loves to sing. Though I am still working on understanding his alien language, he will often jump info my lap and growl and whimper the days events to me. And if I begin to sing, watch out cause Emmett will be joining in momentarily, tail wagging, head thrown back and eyes bright. He is a boy soprano by the way, and the higher you sing the better he likes it. Emmett sleeps under the covers in the bed and shivers if it is less than 70 degrees outside, two things that our very furry Pom cannot understand. He gets scared when my husband watches horror films, yearns for his people when we watch X-files, and LOVES the doggie heating pad that Brian bought for him. So...next time you are in the neighborhood, maybe you'll catch us out for a walk and Emmett can tell you about his plans and give a command performance of his favorite songs...and if, by chance, you speak alien maybe you can tell me what he's saying."