Paco gets a nose...

"Paco in the Big Bed"

(in progress)

20"x16" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

The quilt gets a bit more texture and Paco received a nose on his cute little face. Tomorrow the lamp might get a base.

Happy Halloween everyone.

Bri-

The Bed comes to life...

"Paco in the Big Bed"

(in progress)

20"x16" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I spent much of today working in my studio and helping Corrine do several raku firings. Both were big successes.

The bed in the painting is coming to life, and I'm itching to be painting more of Paco. "All in good time my painter friend." I have to tell myself.

For the past 6 months I've been working on small canvases or wood blocks, it's nice to be painting large again. It's great how quickly the story unfolds with a large brush. Then when all of the imagery is in place I go back to add the details that bring the story into reality. If my paintings were a book or movie, they would be done in flashbacks.

Bri-

The start of Paco...

"Paco in the Big Bed"
(in progress)

20"x16" acrylic on canvas
SOLD

Here's a new commission I just started today. The cute pooch in this painting is named Poco. He loves to hang out on his owner's bed and chew on socks.

I love the smile he has on his face and in his eyes.

Bri-

Two Hound Polka

"Two Hound Polka"

3 1/2" x 5" acrylic on wood

SOLD

It's a new day and a new painting is finished with new ones being started.

I'm getting a little rush of commission work, yeah for me, and have a show I'll be part of next month. Busy, busy.

Back to the easel.

Bri-

Two Hound start...

"Two Hound Polka"
(in progress)

3 1/2" x 5" acrylic on wood
SOLD

I spent much of today in a meeting and then doing some design work, with a GF pizza with Corrine and friend Steve, thrown in there.

Then I got put a little paint on this new one. I spent about 45 minutes to an hour on this, and it made me realize I didn't actually spend 4 hours yesterday on the Mama painting. I spent a little over 4 hours doing creative work, drawing Mama, these two hounds and sketching a painting idea for a client (a non dog related painting, don't tell anyone). Doing all of that work from the same chair, it seemed like I had been painting for 4 hours.

That's a good thing. I really do love creating.

Bri-

Mama Dot

"Mama Dot"

3.5" x 5" acrylic on wood
SOLD

I had forgotten how quickly the wood blocks soak up the paint. It's strange to have the paint dry almost instantly, as if it were a hot windy day and I was painting outside. It forces me to paint in a very different way then I have been in the past month.

I either have to mix the paint in the palette before putting my brush to the wood, or I have to paint really, really fast on the wood to mix it there. It was also strange to paint small again.

I also started a second one today, which I hope to post tomorrow.

Bri-

Flora Abstraction (final)

"Flora Abstract"

(work in progress) 

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

After taking a couple of days off, I spent most of today finishing up Flora. After reviewing some of the other photos I was given as references I decided to call her owners to check wether or not I had gone dark enough with her fur. I think if you look at the other posts you'll see we decided to go a little darker.

I really enjoyed creating this piece and loved the way it turned out.

I also put gesso on wood blocks today, so you might see some of those in the next few days.

Bri-

not today...

"Flora Abstract"

(work in progress) 

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

So I didn't get any painting done today, but yesterday I spent hours working on Flora. Is she done? Well no.

I think I have a few more days of work, which is great because then I get to spend more time with her, but I'm also itching to start something new.

Bri-

Pain and painting...

"Flora Abstract"

(work in progress) 

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

So I strained some muscles in my back yesterday moving clay for Corrine, and it hurts to do just about everything. You'd think I'd be in better shape, but I guess not.

I've set-up my easel so that I stand at it versus siting. It's a little strange to work standing, since I like sitting when I paint. I think the only difference I feel is in my feet, because even when I'm seated I hold my palette in my left hand.

I think the only way I'd find it to be a problem is if I were working on a smaller canvas, because right now the easel is at it's height limit. In order to look right into Flora's eyes I have the shelf the canvas is sitting on about an inch from the top of the channel it rides along.

Hopefully, I'll have less pain and the same amount of energy tomorrow.

Bri-

It's in the eyes...

"Flora Abstract"

(work in progress) 

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

It's in the eyes, or so they say. More life is coming into Flora every time I sit in front of the easel with her. She's getting a little curlier too. I'm somewhat surprised "curlier" is a word, but spell check didn't flag it.

I'm listening to "Once a Runner" by John L. Parker Jr., while I work on this and I'm throughly enjoying it. I think every time I listen to running books, it makes me want to go running more often. Sometimes I do, but most of the time I stick to 3 days a week.

Bri-

Curls starting to appear...

"Flora Abstract"

(work in progress) 

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Some of you might think I'm crazy, but I've decided to take on the job of Marketing Director at Anthony Lakes again. While it was the most frustrating job I ever had, it also had some really fun moments too. I think with the group of people I'll be working with this year, the good times will out number the bad. By a large margin.

The most important thing to me besides creating a great public image for the mountain, is to continue painting. Something I wasn't able to do last season. If today is any indication of what's possible, I will be able to do both. I spent a little over an hour working on Flora today, and her curls are coming to life. Then I spent about 5 hours working on a new brochure for Anthony Lakes.

So, tomorrow I plan to do about the same.

Bri-

Flora continued...

"Flora Abstract"

(work in progress) 

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I spent a little time working on Flora painting yesterday, but ran out of good daylight to photograph the painting. So here's the progress, as I get ready to start work again.

Bri-

Chihuahua final...

"Spot the Chihuahua"

7"x5" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I had little to do today to finish up this cute guy. I love the way he turned out and think all the colors play off each other great.

I'm looking forward to getting back to work on Flora now.

Bri-

Just few more strokes

"Spot the Chihuahua"

7"x5" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I spent about an hour painting today, and almost finished. I have a few more strokes to do, and then he'll be done.

I really love the way these dogs look, even if they can't control their barking most of the time.

Bri-

Chihuahua in progress...

"Spot the Chihuahua"

7"x5" acrylic on canvas
SOLD

It was cloudy off and on today here in Baker, which didn't really put me in the mood to paint. I did though, as you can see. This is a new commission that is due by Tuesday the 12th. I'm under the gun a little even if the weather isn't that conducive to painting.

I think too, that when I have several pieces going at the same time, I'm torn between which I want to work on. There isn't a painting that's in progress in the studio right now that I'd rather be working on. I want to work on all of them, and that does seem to cause a little creative block. There are four canvases that have something that's partly created on it. I could say five, because there is one from several months ago, that is only several hours, if that, from being completed.

I think the other problem is the audiobook I'm listening to. It's all short stories and most of them have unhappy endings. I actually think I'll just quit listening to it and start a new one.

Maybe tomorrow will find me with a finished painting.

Bri- 

Fun with Flora...

"Flora Abstract"

(work in progress) 

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

NFS

Flora seems like one of the most fun loving dogs I've ever painted. The look of playfulness in her eyes is intoxicating.

I think that all of the sketching I did the past few days paid off, and I'm happy to be painting for real.

Bri-

The Flora in your eyes...

"Flora Abstract"

(work in progress) 

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

NFS

I was able to add Flora to the painting today. I'm totally in love with this piece right now too.

I spent part of yesterday and today working on sketches from the photo I'm using to make sure my hand knew what to do once the brush touched the canvas. Painting on backgrounds like this leave very little room for error in composition and proportion. So in order to get it right, I drew it three times on paper before starting to paint.

I really like to work thin to begin with on canvas, like adding washes of color versus pure pigment, and so just like any other painting I do on canvas, I draw with paint.

Can't wait to see how this develops.

Bri-

The dots appear...

"Flora Abstract"

(work in progress) 

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

NFS

I've added the dots, by putting down a white base first. Now I can add color with out the colors of the background tinting the color I chose.

I've also coined a new term for the type of work I'm doing. I call it Abstract Representaionalism. Ahh, the art world is always evolving, and I'm just doing my part.

Bri-

Move to the right...

"Flora Abstract"

(work in progress) 

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

NFS

I added a little paint to the canvas today, and got a little movement to the right. I could however turn the canvas on it's side and then it would be movement to the top or bottom. Or it could be a move to the left.

I am left leaning most of the time anyway. Hope to see lots of you out at 1st Friday Art Walk

Bri-