Digby before Xmas...

Digby

(in progress)

18"x14" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

So, I was thinking I might be able to finish this commission before I left town to spend time with family for the Xmas holiday. That did not happen though, so this is the progress I was able to make before hitting the road, or skies in this case.

This will be the last posting for the next 12 days, and hopefully before New Year's we'll all see more of Digby emerge.

Bri-

Ears it is...

Digby

(in progress)

18"x14" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I spent most of today working on Digby's left ear, and it's coming out pretty good. When I work on one ear and then several days later the other, I have to constantly check the painting versus the reference photo, because my style has to match from ear to ear. Not my current work to the photo. It's strange referring to the painting at times, but it works.

Bri-

Pet quality...

Digby

(in progress)

18"x14" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Digby is almost pet-able now with all the little brush strokes. I haven't progressed as much as I'd like because of other commitments, mainly the Baker City Cycling Classic. Which I'm very much looking forward to directing this coming year.

Back to Digby though. She is looking so soft and warm I just want to cuddle up to her. I also realize that I need to bring a different camera to photograph the painting, because I keep getting out of focus images. She's a beautiful subject and I'm enjoying the process immensely.

I should also mention that my appearance on Oregon Art Beat will be Jan. 5th, 2012. I'm very excited. More details to come about a viewing party here in Baker City.

Bri-

Little brush strokes...

Digby

(in progress)

18"x14" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Today while painting Digby, I used little brushes. It takes forever to make any real progress painting that way, but it sure looks good when I get it where I want it.

Can't wait to spend the day painting tomorrow.

Bri-

The Digby begins...

Digby

(in progress)

18"x14" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Here's the start of my new painting of Digby. What a beautiful dogs she was. I keep imagining her with a big grin on her face on a hot summer day in Baker.

While in this picture she's all calm and resting, I can just she her romping around in the grass like all dogs love to do.

I spent more time than I thought was necessary drawing her on the canvas, which is not my usual way of painting. I wanted to make sure that she fit on there the way I had sketched her. However, every time I put chalk to canvas, she'd either be to big or to small. After my third attempt, I went back to my usual paint directly on the canvas, and what you see here is the result of that technique.

Can't wait to see what develops today.

Bri-

Otto Two Stick

Otto Two Stick

10"x8" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I finished this painting up on Wed. and then took the day off sort of yesterday. Corrine and I went to Boise, had a great lunch with our friends Amber and Kevin. Picked up ceramic supplies, walked around downtown Boise, shopped a little.

I wish my foot was out of the boot, because at my favorite running store, Shu's Idaho Running Company, there was a pair of Newtons on sale. However, you can't try running shoes with a fractured foot, can you.

When we got back, I did head to Short Term Gallery to do a little work on my next commission. Just a little sketch, and today I'll be starting the painting.

Bri-

Otto makes a splash...

Otto Two Stick

(in progress)

10"x8" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

While I was hoping to finish this painting yesterday, it just didn't happen. What did happen was a lot of boring accounting from this past weekends Outta the Box Bazaar. I spent all day chasing $145 cash, that I was never going to find because of an error in the placement of cash vs. credit cards on our check out sheets.

I eventually figured out where it had gone, but by that time I had to get ready to teach my spin class at the Y. Great workout, and I can feel my strength returning to my left leg. Yeah. I went a little to hard during one of the sprints and had a very sore glut afterwards.

Now to the painting. I have learned that there are times through out the year when I find it more desirable to paint, and times when I need breaks from it. Lately though, I've been wanting to paint more than anything, and not because of the fractured foot, but because I enjoy it more than anything. While I still do a bunch of things to pay the bills, painting being the lion share of the income, I find I'd be more willing to stay up late painting and skip the couch and hulu. I still love all the other stuff I'm involved in, but now more than ever painting is the most important thing.

It's helpful that Corrine is the same way with her work. In fact when I came home from Short Term she had just turned the light off in her studio. It was 11 PM.

Bri-

Otto almost...

Otto Two Stick

(in progress)

10"x8" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I spent this weekend working with Corrine and 30 other vendors at the Outta the Box Bazaar, and so I didn't get any painting done since Friday morning.

This is the result of my last time spent with Otto. I'm so happy with how the water is looking and I'm almost done with all of it. A few more touches here and there on the water and then I'll be able to focus on Otto.

If I get all the accounting done from the bazaar today, I might even finish the painting.

Bri-

Otto emerges from the water...

Otto Two Stick

(in progress)

10"x8" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I spent much of yesterday fine tuning the water around Otto, and think the flow and movement are really coming into place. The tones are just about where I want them and will be interested in seeing how the highlights effect the overall look.

I worked on the bottom edge of the canvas early in the day, so while working on Otto, I had the canvas upside down. For the most part the tones and shading are the way I want, but there are a few places where I need to make adjustments.

Bri-

Otto start...

Otto Two Stick
(in progress)
10"x8" acrylic on canvas
SOLD

Here's the start of Otto the dog with two sticks. I've been layering the colors here, and just love the surface of the water. It has a very cold feeling right now, that I hope to warm up with the use of a little pink in the highlights.

Then it will be on to Otto.

Bri-