Almost Maggie...

"Maggie and the Dandelions"

(in progress)

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

nfs

I'm just about finished with Maggie, and I'm pretty excited about the progress I made today. Looking at the painting here on the computer, away from the studio at Short Term Gallery, I like it even better.

Her front right paw needs a little work and a few brush strokes to the tail and then I think she's ready for a signature. Should be done soon.

Bri-

Jezabel and Hubble...

"Jezabel and Hubble"

20"x16" acrylic on canvas

$1200

SOLD

This has been one of the most fun paintings, I've ever done. I love the way the paint moved, the expression and movement of Jezabel. It turned out so well, and her owner loved it to. What more could I ask for?

I think the things that I learned while painting this background will be useful on paintings in the future. I'm still working on the painting of Maggie, but I've also started two new canvases. One will have a dog named Ubi on it, and the other will be a city scene with a dog on a billboard.

The dog on the billboard might become a new series, that is if I like doing this next one. The city scenes always take so much longer than I think they will, so I'm sure as I get into this one, I'll get a better sense as to whether or not I want to do more.

Bri-

Jezabel has a stick...

"Abstract Jezabel"

20"x16" acrylic on canvas

$1200

SOLD

I have been going to the gallery in the evenings and painting instead of working there during the day. Corrine pointed out, that I don't get much done during the day because of customers and friends stopping it to see me. Plus, the book I'm listening to now, "The Snowman", would need to be paused way more often if customers came in.

I've made quite a bit of progress on Jezzi, since the last posting, but I'm not sure it shows. Lots of layering and subtle tonal changes. I'm sure I've said this before, but I'll say it again. I love painting black dogs because they have so much color to them.

Bri-

Jezzie...

"Abstract Jezabel"

20"x16" acrylic on canvas

$1200

SOLD

I've just started to work on Jezabel, and love the progress I'm making. It blows me away looking at the last posting date, that it's taken me this long to add an update.

It could be that I've been busy doing other things besides painting, but I've also been painting. I must say that I love the painting I've been doing, and can't wait to get back from my weekend in Bend to do more.

Stay tuned and who knows, not even me, when I'll post more progress. Hopefully sooner than later.

Bri-

Maggie and work on another canvas...

I spent much of today painting, new canvas above, Maggie below, and chatting with motorcyclists in town for the Hells Canyon Rally. It made for a fun day.

I think I had a little more fun though since I was painting and outside it was raining, for much of the afternoon and evening. Let's hear it for blue skies tomorrow.

Bri-

A little more Maggie...

"Maggie and the Dandelions"

(in progress)

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

nfs

I spent most of yesterday working on some window photographs that will be at Zephyr Bakery during the Elkhorn Classic Stage Race next weekend, and some t-shirt design stuff too.

I'm crazy about the painting I'm working on though, and so at 8:30 or 9 PM I went down to Short Term Gallery and painted till about 11. I created just a little bit more of Maggie. I'm really happy with the results.

Bri-

Maggie appears...

"Maggie and the Dandelions"

(in progress)

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

nfs

I decided to try something a little different, because of the abstract background there is no room for error when adding the dog. My friend tom always sketches out his paintings using white chalk on black canvas, and I thought that would work for me too.

It did and it didn't. The chalk works great because it's easily washed away while painting, or if I make an error in proportion, a little water and the line is gone. However, using it on this background, I had a hard time seeing where I made my marks. So, I picked up a small paint brush and here's the results of several hours of work.

I'm looking forward to working on Maggie again tomorrow. I'm also working on another commissions abstract background that's turning out pretty cool. I might be posting the progress on these two paintings off and on the next few weeks.

Bri-

Abstract background...

"Maggie and the Dandelions"
(in progress)
12"x12" acrylic on canvas
nfs

Here's what I've been working on since/during the time I was creating Rufus. It's going to hold the image of my friend Katherine's dog Maggie. I'm still doing sketches of Maggie, so that my hand knows what to do when it come time to put paint on the canvas.

When creating this abstract background I discovered I could make right angles with the paint if I just turned the canvas quickly in a different direction from where it was flowing. I also found I liked the effect created when tapping a brush with paint against the edge of my easel. The only downside is that I can get a lot of paint splashed back in my face.

Oh the things I'll do to create something beautiful.

Bri-

Rufus Final

"Rufus"

12"x12" acrylic on canvas

$400

SOLD

I finished Rufus last week and yesterday I spent my time at Short Term Gallery working on two new canvases.

I enjoyed my time with Rufus, and his great expressive eyes. He's a wonderful subject.

Tomorrow I should be posting the new abstract backgrounds. I thought that with the addition of an iPhone to my pocket, I'd be able to make mobile posts from the gallery, but that's not the case. It could be my lack of knowledge, or it could be that blogger.com isn't set up to work seamlessly with the iPhone. Oh well.

I look forward to writing about the painting from yesterday and today.

Bri-