Buddy and Lovey

I just completed my first two pet portraits that were commissioned by someone who does not know me — pretty cool. The pet business is fairly new to me, and has been really well received so far. I'm starting to believe in that field of dreams theory, if you build it they will come... Word of mouth has been great, and I appreciate all of my friends talking it up. I'm happy to say, with this commission 10% has gone to a great rescue group here on long island, mixed breeds in need. They work with the local shelters to help train, socialize and facilitate adoptions for animals in need. These two dogs were rescued through their program and are now loved so much that they have their very own portraits. They are two of the lucky ones.

The process of a pet portrait

I thought it might be interesting to talk about how a portrait is made. I've learned a few ways to do it – the most fun way for me is from life, no drawing first – go straight to paint. This is also a dangerous way – you're gambling that the drawing will be right, first shot out. Sometimes I'm in the zone and this works, but usually half way through I realize there is something slightly wonky with it. At that point you have to adjust the paint, which with oils can get muddy, or live with the error. Now that I'm painting pictures for other people, accuracy is more important. The traditional method for a portrait is to make a drawing first, then transfer to canvas, do an underpainting, then the finished paint. I learned this method, but find it a little tedious. (I'm super impatient!) So, I kind of cheat between the two methods... I make a drawing first to get most of my mistakes out of the way. I'm also using photos for the first time since high school (the purest in me calls it cheating!!). Second, I transfer the drawing to canvas so when I'm painting I only have to worry about tone and color. The next step is to block in the main areas of light and shade and then start to add the details. One of my favorite instructors in college used to always say 'work from the general to the specific' over and over and it's been good advice.

 

 

This cute pup is Harleigh. She belongs to a friend of mine. I understand she's a bit of a neurotic pup that recently went through some training to help socialize her. She's learning that strangers are not the enemy, and to not be overly fearful of them. I hope to meet her soon, and will try and make friends...It won't hurt to stuff my pockets with treats to bribe her though ;-)

I need a super suit

Thank goodness for the ability to multi-task! Any other exhausted individuals out there? There is so much to do, and so few hours to do it. I work a full time job, have two kids to get off to school, successfully neglect my household duties (yup!), homework, dinner, shopping, laundry, errands, and try to keep a second career painting. Perhaps if I had a secret super suit to wear under my clothes I might have more energy? I think it would be black and would instantly take 20 pounds off of my silhouette. Haha. I'm thankful really, to be interested in doing so many things. Even though I'd rather paint full time, I do like my job too. Probably the variety and the challenges presented to fit everything in keeps it interesting too. If I'm going to have a super suit, I think I need super powers too. hmmmm.... that I'll have to ponder....

Getting started

Oooof. Getting started is the HARDEST part. I took Monday off from work, started and finished a painting. Boy that felt GREAT. So Tuesday night I said...I really oughta start something....then I went to bed. Wednesday night I said to myself, gee, painting was SO much fun the other day, I really should start a new project...(not like I don't have 497 lined up and waiting to go...)...yeah, you guessed it. I went to bed. Thursday, same lame deal.... Finally last night I started a drawing. I lost track of time and had so much fun. Why is it so hard to start?? I don't know. I woke up bright and early and did a second drawing and now I'm 1/3 of the way through a painting. It's actually hard to stop once I get going but soooo difficult to begin. Perhaps it's that bright white page before me silently trash talking me. It says 'I bet you can't draw anymore'. I always worry, perhaps I can't do it. And then I do. Yeah, it's a bunch of mind games I play on myself. Anyone else have this problem??

I thought I'd share the sketches I made. They're preliminary drawings for the next two dogs I have to paint. These two are associated with a great rescue group called mixed breeds in need. 10 percent of the commission has been donated to that group. That's the plan with all of these pet portraits. 10 percent back to rescue groups to help some other nice dog or cat find a home full of love. Every little bit helps, right? I think so.

Lame excuses and pet portraits

OK, I'm back from a long absence. Life sure gets in the way. Two posts in one week, and then four months off. Lame, I know. I'd love to make this one of those painting a day sites. I love those, but sadly, I just don't have the time. I have been painting though. Here's some of what I've been up to...my latest big idea is to paint peoples cats and dogs. It combines two things I love a lot – painting and fuzzy creatures. I've thought about doing it for a while and never followed through on it. That's been the story of my life. I get really interested in different kinds of art, do it for a little while and then move on to the next fancy thing. It worked for DaVinci, but it's not working for me. I did murals, t-shirts, pursued childrens illustration, figurative art, abstract art...I've been one of those masters of none. That may be the case here, that remains to be seen – but I'm really excited about the possibilities. It's gotten the best reaction of anything I've done so far. I think it touches a universal chord. Being an animal lover brings out the best in people. No matter if you're young or old, rich or poor, when you talk to an animal lover about their pet – we all have the same reaction. We talk about our beloved creatures as the family members they are. I love being able to create a timeless piece of art to honor these loyal, funny, sweet, mischievous, stinky, lovable friends. I'll still be doing my abstract constructions, and will get distracted by who knows what. I'm a restless Gemini that craves change, what can I say, but I think I've found something I can stick with!

This is one I painted today on a lovely day off from work. This is Brutus. An adorable American Bulldog who goes about 90 pounds and has a debilitating fear of mops and mop buckets. Yeah, go figure. But a deep hatred for bears that make the sound of a mothers womb. Apparently, they need to be eliminated. Funny creatures. :-)