BELLE

5x7 oil on canvas panel

Week before last was Spring Break, it was a most enjoyable week of painting. The folks over at Some Texas Artists Like to Paint chose "paint with your other hand" for this month's challenge. I'm right handed so I painted this little portrait study of my parent's dog, Belle with my left hand. Because it was such a difficult exercise, I had to sit on my right hand the entire time I painted. So much fun, I would encourage all of you to try it. I began with a blank canvas, quickly estimated a few reference points with my left hand, then just went for it. Mom, I promise, one of these days you will get a real portrait of Belle.

ROXI #18/50

8x8 oil on canvas panel

Seriously, I blinked and Roxi painted herself; she was a joy to watch appear on canvas. Roxi has the distinction of being the very first painting I painted when I moved into the new studio. I will share studio photos one day; with the 100+ temps, I don't have the desire to finish the exterior painting, easel painting is more my taste and appeals to my comfort level.

IZZE #15/50

8x8 oil on canvas panel

Izze just happens to belong to my next door neighbors, not only is she the most delightful pup, so are her mom & dad; we seriously have the best neighbors ever!

When I began this little portrait, I knew I wanted to keep the background monochromatic with Izze's coloring; I think the end result emphasized her smiling eyes.

IGGY

8x10 oil on canvas sold

Iggy was a commissioned portrait I did before Christmas.

Today was so busy, I worked on a landscape commission, tomorrow it will be an animal painting and some time this weekend I have to begin painting in Camille Olsen's moleskine. I have put off working in her book long enough, time to brush off the intimidation and just move on. Camille's portrait of her husband in her moleskine is amazing, take a look at it on her blog or on the flying moleskin blog.

Today, my parents adopted a little Shih-Tzu just like this one. Her name is Bell, but Mom likes to call her Miss Bella. I'm certain Miss Bella will be on canvas shortly. Thank you for visiting, take care!!

TWO MORE SMILING PETS

K.C.

8x10 oil on canvas sold

This is K.C. showing off his special little grin. This portrait is a birthday gift for the "grandmother" of Shep, Ollie, & MiMi West (see earlier post). In the photos I was given, K.C. has the exact same expression in all of them....only a smile a mom could love!
WILSON 

8x10 oil on canvas sold

As I was working on K.C.'s portrait, I received a phone call for a special birthday present for Wilson's dad. Imagine my surprise, when I received the photos of Wilson, again another unique smile, and the same expression in all of his photos, as well...only a smile a dad could love!