New site....

So I helped Corrine make a new website for herself yesterday, and got the bug to update mine as well. I like what I've done so far and it's live now, but it will take a bit of tweaking to get it right and of course used to the new layout, and editing of it.

This is the link to Dogs By Bri, which also has a new blog format. I'm very curious to hear what people think, positive or negative. I really want the site to be easy to use and have the same feeling you get from viewing my paintings.

Thanks for your time if you do end up e-mailing or commenting on it.

Bri-

New Start...

untitled for now
10"x20" acrylic on canvas
SOLD

I don't have a title yet for this one, but something like "Just Off to the Side" seems appropriate. I'll sit with it a little while and see.

The tones are coming together and I like where it's taking me. I've been able to use a wide range of colors so far, and that always makes it creatively satisfying.

I'm hoping I get a little work done today, and know that Saturday and Sunday at Short Term Gallery will lead to lots of progress.

Bri-

Shadow detail...

"Form Strategic Partnerships"

(in progress)

18"x36" acrylic on canvas

$4500 US dollars plus shipping

I spent the past two days working on the shadow detail under the construction awnings in the painting. I love the way it's turning out but I also think it's just about the most boring part of the painting to be working on.

The light quality is getting better each time I work on it, but I'm chomping at the bit to start painting the light and reflections in the street. Maybe I'll get to do some of that tomorrow.

Bri-

Fire...escapes...

"Form Strategic Partnerships"

(in progress)

18"x36" acrylic on canvas

$4500 US dollars plus shipping

Can you yell "Fire Escape"in a crowded painting without causing a panic?

I spent much of yesterday and today painting the fire escapes on the second building from the right and adding shadows where necessary. It's becoming more and more real each day. I find it strange, as I've said many times before that for so many hours of work, so little seems to come to life in paintings like these.

It's all worth it though.

Bri-

Window treatment...

"Form Strategic Partnerships"

(in progress)

18"x36" acrylic on canvas

$4500 US dollars plus shipping

I spent today working on the windows of the second building from the right. I'm adding the arches above, and the shadows they cast.

I like where this is going. Getting closer to being finished, that is.

Bri-

The dogs done...

"Form Strategic Partnerships"

(in progress)

18"x36" acrylic on canvas

$4500 US dollars plus shipping

So normally at this point I'd be putting a signature on the painting and call it done, but I have lots left to paint even though the dog is done. Click on the picture to see it enlarged.

I finished up the little Jack Russell, the other day and started to add some glow and flare to the street light. Now with that almost finished it's time to continue working on the buildings that make up this little scene from Varick Street in NYC.

Bri-

long legs and shoes...

"Form Strategic Partnerships"

(in progress)

18"x36" acrylic on canvas

$4500 US dollars plus shipping

I added most of the details to the billboard yesterday, and realized based on the framing I used for the billboard, I elongated the woman's legs. Compared to my reference her legs are about twice as long.

Now, today I'll do a little work on the dog in the purse. It should remain in correct proportion though. At least I think it will.

Bri-

Back to work in NYC...

"Form Strategic Partnerships"

(in progress)

18"x36" acrylic on canvas

$4500 US dollars plus shipping

I got back to work on the NYC billboard series yesterday, and man it's great to be back in New York City.

I also have to say a big THANK YOU to OPB for the feature on me and my work as well as the segment on the Short Term Gallery. It's brought in lots of people who live in the area but have never been to the gallery or a First Friday Art Walk.

One thing I think it says about Oregonians, is how proud they are of their state and communities. That's one thing I love about this place. I also love the dogs here.

Okay, I love the dogs everywhere.

Bri-






p.s. here's the segments if you haven't seen them.

Digby final...

Digby

18"x14" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I spent the day finishing up Digby's paws and nose. I love the results. My only complaint is that the color of the background doesn't show up accurately on the computer screen. So what's to complain about eh?

I will be starting a new commission and working on the NYC Billboard painting again as well. You'll be able to see me this Thursday Jan. 12th on Oregon Art Beat when that painting was in it's early stages. I can't wait to see it myself.

If you're in the Baker City area we'll be having a screening party at Paizano's Pizza which will start a little after 7 PM and the show airs at 8 PM on Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Bri-

Almost Digby...

Digby

(in progress)

18"x14" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

She's almost all there. I spent most of the day working on Digby's paws, which is more of a task than you might think.

Since, Digby has pasted on, I'm working from a photo that doesn't contain her paws or parts of her front legs, but they are in the painting. In order to make this work I'm using four different pictures of Digby to get the right feel and tones in her paws, but none of those photos are from the same angle as the main reference image. So, I took a picture of our dog Zephyr in almost the same pose as Digby.

Zephyr however is considerably smaller than she was, and he's different colors too. I have to keep reminding myself which are the colors I need to work from, and it's not the ones in the picture of Zephyr.

The paw in front needs to be lighter, and then I think a signature will be in order.

Bri-

Paws and Nose...

Digby

(in progress)

18"x14" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

I worked on Digby's paws and nose today. I didn't accomplish quiet as much as I'd have liked, but I did get work done and that's the important thing.

I also got out on my cross-country skis today, second time this season since the fractured foot. It felt great, although I'm not in skiing shape yet. In time I will be I'm sure.

Bri-

Back to work...

Digby

(in progress)

18"x14" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Yeah! It's so great to be painting again after a nice holiday break. Hope you all had a joyous holiday season and are experiencing a creative New Year already.

I started real work on Digby's paws yesterday and I'm liking where it's going. I wish I had a little more canvas to the right of the paws, but it's all I've got so her one paws going to creep around the edge. I think the paw/leg closest to us could use to be enlarged a little as well.

I'm headed into Short Term Gallery after posting this, and will make the decision once I'm sitting down with Digby.

Bri-

p.s. check out today's Baker City Herald if you're in Baker or on-line if you're not. I made the front page. Thanks LBJ!

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-