animal friends portraits

Winken

2012-01-23T21:06:00.001-08:00

Winken was painted as a Christmas present for a woman who lives here in the Rainier Valley. Winken is not her cat, but her mother's deceased cat.

We were unable to get a picture of Winken with his eyes open, so we punted. Jen agreed that these look pretty close.

The background is the color of Winken's favorite chair.

I especially love his jowls.

Valentine cards

2012-01-23T20:52:00.001-08:00

These are two cards that I recently delivered to Ideal Pet Shop for Valentine's day--a little break from pet portraits. My next portrait is a lovely black cat. I am looking forward to it.

I'll post the most recent pet portraits next,

Bearded Dragon I

2011-10-15T18:19:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine wanted a bearded dragon with wings for another friend's birthday. I spent some time sketching pictures of bearded dragons.

What I gave my friend were two pen and ink sketches, one of a face, and one with wings and showing a bit more body. I didn't feel done with it, so I sketched another on heavier paper, painted a little color on it, and realized it was fun even without the pen on top of it. (I'll add the picture with the pen and ink on top.)

Yellow Lily

2011-07-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

My friend Mimi Torchia Boothby and I have talked about doing a few events together.

Last year, we did the Renton Art Walk. This year, we signed up again (me just last weekend) but talked about getting up early and standing in line to be a vendor at the Fremont Sunday market.

In preparation for these two nonanimal specific events, I've been experimenting with some non animal little tiny paintings. Not that I ever want to move away from animals, but now and then I get the urge to paint some flowers, or a canoe or something, and these little canvases are a fun way to experiment.

This is actually a 1 x1 inch painting. I did another that I will post soon of a 2 x 2 " paintings.

Gidget

2011-07-19T00:17:00.000-07:00

Gidget is a sign of balance in my life.

When I last posted, I had just finished 3 commissions. They were all rejected. I thought something was wrong, that perhaps I lost the grace that I feel while painting.

And I realized I had slipped from my purpose. I was spending too much time being angry rather than a conduit of creativity, so I quit the community board I was on.

The decision was a little harder than that; I did feel I had made a commitment and I struggled over it. But, what really got me was the lack of time I felt and the feeling that I should be doing something more productive.

As a reward for getting more time, I bought a bike, which I have taken out on a few fair weather spins. But, what's more important is that I am painting again, and liking it. The bonus is that ,folks who have asked for commissions are liking the paintings.

I feel on the right path again.

2011-06-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

I was really happy about this painting, until I scanned it and saw an error with the eyes. I must get back and fix it, but I've been busy.

I've been involved in this community organization and then I realized I wasn't having any fun. I woke up stressed, went to bed stressed, was stressed at meetings, etc. I wasn't happy. I quit.

I celebrated on the day I quit, I went for a walk around Seward Park tonight, followed by a lovely dinner at St. Dames. But tomorrow. I begin painting in the evenings again. And the first thing I'll do is fix the eyes.

I've also deliberated over going to a few dog events in the past couple of days. We'll see.

Henry

2011-06-02T22:08:00.000-07:00

I am so used to painting full face portraits that I forget about the joys of painting bodies, profiles, and paws. I like to see sparkling eyes looking at me.

But perhaps I needed a challenge. Or perhaps the gods were smiling. The first sketch I did of this little retriever, on canvas, was perfect! I knew that it would be just as easy to paint.

I still have a little eye work to do, but I am very happy with this little 5x5 painting.

Even the fangs.

The Chosen

2011-04-10T23:11:00.001-07:00

See previous post. This is the painting that the customer chose after seeing two paintings I did of one of her mother's cats. Very aristocratic kitty, but doesn't necessarily look like the sweetest girl ever. (And I see I need to clean my scanner.) It was fun painting the tag, too. Part of me wanted to get some silver foil to put on the collar, but I refrained. This is Emily. My friend Diane's mother's cat. Diane owns KittyStar Services. If you live in north Seattle and need a cat sitter, I highly recommend her. She is ultra reliable, resourceful, and great with the kitties.

Emily on square canvas

2011-04-10T23:04:00.001-07:00

Every so often, I create two paintings of one commission. Sometimes I want to experiment with the color. Sometimes I want to experiment with size. Sometimes, I just want to. It usually takes me as much time to paint two as to paint one, even when I'm playing with color. Something about concentrating on the paintings and feeling the way the face is structured makes it quick. I created two paintings of this cat, Emily. This cat has a sweet expression, but I should have made it a little smaller because the cat is actually one of those longer faced, aristocratic looing cats. It needed either a bigger painting or a smaller rendition on the canvas. I like her eyes and her collar. And her slightly undefined features. Compare this one to the one I post next and let me know which one you like.

Victoria's Dogs

2011-03-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

So, I've been working on this painting for much too long. I forget that paintings of more than one animal take longer than if I just did one painting of each animal. There's composition to consider, as well as how the colors relate to one another.

This is as good as it's going to get. Thanks to iocolor.com for the lovely picture.

It doesn't fit on my lettersized scanner.

A Favorite Place to Sleep

2011-03-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

Meet Loomis. He's every bit the character that he looks, and the painting doesn't even show that he's polydactyl.

I was thinking about naming this Luminescent Loomis because I used some luminescent paint on the faucet and on Loomis' tag.

A little about the Loominator: He was painted because his people were the highest big for a Seattle Animal Shelter auction.

They said they wanted a picture of him in the sink. I asked whether they saw that most of my portraits was of just the animal's face, but they said yes and said it didn't have to be realistic. Perhaps that gave me the freedom to play a bit. Some of my commissions sometimes seem arduous cuz I hear my husband asking whether it's realistic or not. Argh! Really, much of my best work is when I relax just a little bit.............

It actually came together really well. I was happy with the sketch and equally happy with the painting.

Kali

2011-02-06T13:17:00.001-08:00

Remember when I said that a friend of mine's mom helped me bake for a fundraiser I was having? And that I would paint her cats? The first one I finished was Buck, and you heard about what a character he was.

I don't know much about Kali, except she is sweet and shy. I think she wants to trust you, but. may never quite do so.

Kali's mom's son in law named Kali for the Hindu god of destruction, or that was his interpretation of the goddess. But, my quick research shows that that is a superficial interpretation. She is the goddess of energy and change and has many guises.

Perhaps this Kali is really named Bhadra Kali, who is gentle. Bhadra in Sanskrit means blessed, auspicious; fair, beautiful; good; fortunate, prosperous. She is indeed fortunate to have landed in Fern's household!

The colony

2011-01-28T15:03:00.001-08:00

They come in an assortment of colors and sizes. Some are ear tipped, the universal identification method used by Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs. The males are notched on the left ear, while the females are notched on the right ear.

I thought this would be a fun painting to create. But, I had so many choices for great cats to paint. I've even inserted a couple of my rescues into the mix!

Who's your favorite?

Buck

2011-01-05T16:37:00.000-08:00

What can I say about a cat who's named Buck? One whose pictures showed him with his ears flattened to his head?

Yet, his mama says he's the sweetest thing, and I imagine he is. Plus, with that hair, I imagine he's soft and fun to pet, once he trusts you.

Tina, the woman who took the pictures that this painting is based on, has never experienced that trust. That's why his look is the way it is.

Mr. R. calls it grumpy (and ,Fern, if you want me to make him sweeter looking, I can try), but I call it questioning. Are you coming closer to pill me? Do you really want to come closer? Perhaps I need a preemptive strike?

Why did I paint Buck? Because his mama helped me bake when I was raising money for Feral Care to help three little kitties who needed to be relocated. When a home with humans wasn't available, and the cats were needing to leave their current location, Feral Care stepped in. I offered to help raise money. And, Fern, out of the goodness of her heart, and perhaps her love of baking, offered to help me make things for a bake sale.

Thank you, Fern.

Here's Lucy!

2011-01-04T23:36:00.000-08:00

Early in December, before I received my last minute commissions, I was asked to be the guest artist as a fundraiser for Feral Care.

Feral Care is close to my heart because my dear Willow came from there. I of course said yes, but then I realized it would be better to be working on something that was close to being finished, rather than starting from a blank canvas, or even a sketch.

Yet, all I had in the wings was two dog paintings. So, I put on my Facebook page that I would offer a 50% discount for any cat portraits in 48 hours. My friends Erin and Theresa responded. Lucy their cat was getting older and they wanted a little painting....

So, here's Lucy.

Right around the time I started painting her, (Erin provided me with three rather out of focus pictures), I had the opportunity to meet her. She sat on my lap and pressed her little paws into my upper chest. Adorable. So, while I thought the pictures did not do her justice, I knew she was very sweet and wanted to capture that sweetness.

I was happy with this, until I showed it to Mr. Rick. This painting did not pass the Mr. R test. When he saw it, he frowned and said it looked like a caricature. I worked on it for a little longer before I remembered that all my paintings are whimsical caricatures. What I aim for is personality.

How'd I do?

Fangs a lot!

2010-09-28T12:04:00.001-07:00

Other captions could be "Happy birthday! You're not long in the tooth. Just toothsome!"

Or "I got lots to tell you......... Do you speak cat?"

Or.....................

This was given to Mr. R on this b day. Well a little late for his b day, but the intent was there.

And yes, the whiskers are missing.

Brindle Boy

2010-09-09T22:59:00.001-07:00

Do you like paint when it's all thick and gloppy and almost three dimensional in its layering? Then most likely you'll like this and the accompanying girl pibble picture. Lots of layering, and lots of fun.

Brindles, like tabbies, calicos and torties, have so many paint colors that it takes me twice as long to paint. Like with all my paintings, I start with the undercolor, the color that I see under the colors and then pile other colrs on top of that. This has a maroon, almost purple undercover.

Another pittie

2010-08-27T21:14:00.001-07:00

Waiting for you

This reminds me of a friend's pibble although the coloring is wrong. But the patient, almost put upon look is identical. Yes, we'll do that but only because you want to.

For some reason I was really liking the pibble's with the blaze between the eyes to the nose.

5th annual Renton Art Walk

2010-08-26T20:03:00.001-07:00

If you want to do something this weekend that involves strolling about a historic and walkable shopping district, looking at antiques and one of a kind artwork, and listening to music, consider checking out the Arts Unlimited Downtown Renton 5th Annual Art & Antique Walk, Saturday, August 28, 2010.

Animal Friends Portraits will be one of over 100 artists showing their best photography, paintings, pottery, jewelry, fabric art, sculptures, glass works, wood works and much more. There will be martial arts and robotics demonstrations, and music performances at multiple locations.

We're in front of a great little bookstore and right next to the talented watercolorist Madelaine Torchia so stop on by and say hello. Fun begins at 11 and lasts until 6. We'll be at Old Renton Book Exchange on 227 Wells Ave. S.,in Renton.

Information and maps to artists' locations will be at the corner of S 3rd and Burnett Ave S or online. Call 206-407-8719 for more information.

For Anne

2010-08-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

A year ago, I heard that a woman whose life was devoted to the rescue of square headed dogs had died in a death that could have been prevented. She was all gruff exterior hiding a very tender and loving heart.

She frightened me a bit because I could never tell how she'd react to me. But, I respected her and her dedication and her love for four legged beings.

I fostered Penny through her organization. And she's the one who made me realize that I'd never find a permanent family quite good enough for my Penny because Penny was supposed to be with me.

When she died, I had the time to help out getting food for the funeral. And at the funeral, I took time to be with her dog. I really knew no one and so it was a pleasure to hang out with this lovely gentle being.

So, when I was looking for pictures to base a painting that I was going to do for Bullseye Rescue Pitbulls on Parade, and ran across a picture of him, I decided I was going to paint him. I wanted a looser style than some of my other paintings and the goofy expression seemed like a great subject.

Gus

2010-06-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

Whenever I hear of a cat named Gus, the little Broadway musical chanteuse hidden inside of me starts singing,

"Gus is the Cat at the Theatre Door.

His name, as I ought to have told you before,

Is really Asparagus. That's such a fuss

To pronounce, that we usually call him just Gus."

And perhaps that's why this cat got the green background. Or maybe it was to match his eyes.

This cat definitely was not:

"His coat's very shabby, he's thin as a rake,

And he suffers from palsy that makes his paw shake. "

This cat was beloved. And is still beloved even now that he's gone.

I delivered this to the customer on Sunday. You could tell by the look in her eyes that he is very much missed.

It is so rewarding to see the recognition in the customer's eyes when she first sees the portrait.

In gratitude to all the animal lovers out there!

It's not a pony.

2010-06-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

Meet Drum. A horse, not a little pony. What fun it has been to paint goats and horses. Of course, I love painting dogs and cats, too, but with animals I don't paint often I have new things to learn.

One of the challenges for this portrait was doing the braids.

I hope the customer likes it. I sent her a scan, but hadn't heard from her before her transport showed up.

On another note, I've been covering the scan bed with a gray towel. I think that is affecting the colors that are being scanned.

Angel, not just for halloween

2010-06-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

I've finished four commissions this week, two that I am very happy with. This is one of the ones I really like.

This is Angel, who died at the age of 22. My customer's brother rescued her from a San Francisco shelter at age 14. I love it when older cats are adopted. According to my customer, Angel "had it so good she stuck around for a long time. "

She was called "Our little Lady"and was sweet, loving and devoted. She was also a huge talker.

This is a gift for her brother.

Sweetie Goat

2010-06-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

When I posted Keegan, I talked a lot about how alien a goat can look with their hooves and square pupil eyes. On the other hand, they can look incredibly docile and sweet, like this little girl.

And her fur was fun to play with. You could see from the picture that there was a lot to it. I tried to capture that same feeling in the painting.

It was fun!

Plato revealed

2010-05-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

He's missing whiskers -- I was wondering whether I should change his background to yellow or orange or purple instead of blue....... but otherthan that, he's done!

Life of Keegan

2010-05-04T12:55:00.001-07:00

I've been working for a long while now, on and off, on six commissions for a woman VERY active in rescue.

I love to paint personalities of cats and dogs, so I am happy to paint the two cats and two dogs. But, she's given me the opportunity to paint goats and horses too!

It's been so fun, especially to paint the goats, because their eyes, with a square pupil, make them look alien, so it's been challenging to make them friendly and cute, too.

I was even more inspired to paint them after seeing my friends Michael and Lorrainna's goats. Their girls are full of personality and very eager to get attention -- especially if you have a treat in your hands. In addition to their weird eyes, their cloven feet are weird too. Not quite a hoof, not quite fingers, they add to the alienness of the species.

On a wire

2010-04-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

I love it when the crows hold conventions on the wires stretched across the streets. They are so active and social and so interested in all things.

This is my attempt to capture their congregation.

Barbara liked the composition of the Oppossum and the crows. She wasn't thrilled with the raccoons. I of course liked the raccoons.

I'd love to hear your comments.

Another concept sketch

2010-04-20T14:32:00.001-07:00

Of the concepts I created as part of an application to be considered to be a public artist, I drew three sketches, all having to do with animals. But instead of cats and dogs, here are some pictures of wildlife.

Is it a cat (Remember that email that went around that described a "cat" that had been found with long teeth and sharp claws?)? A rat? Or, what? The northwest's version of a kangaroo?

In this urban creatures theme, I would also include coyotes, people and their pets (the homeless youth with the pit bull pup, the guy who shops with his snake wrapped around his shoulders, the woman who takes her parrot for a walk.....) pigeons, crows, starlings, and even bats.

I will include the last rough sketch I did for the application next.

When I'm not doing pet portraits......

2010-04-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

I am usually wasting time. I really have been working to be more structured with my time and having set hours in the studio.

But this past week, I was not wasting time - or maybe I was. Instead, I was creating rough sketches of ideas that could be used on a public art project.

My friend Barb had told me about the opportunity months ago... She reminded me again on Thursday. Said all they wanted was a letter. So in my copious spare time -- actually while I was avoiding doing other things -- I wrote the letter of intent and worked on a resume.

Then she offered to help, so over the weekend, we worked on a proposal. I did three quick sketches on copy of paper and scanned them.

Here is my favorite -- and Barb's least favorite. If I ever use this, I will change the composition.......... but, like I said, it's a concept sketch more than anything else.

Roxanne

2010-04-07T10:29:00.001-07:00

I have been talking a lot about my travails in painting. I've been making excuses about not good enough photos, not having enough time, being undisciplined.

Yesterday, after a particular trying coaching session, I went to Daniel Smith and did some retail therapy. I got a tube of Indian Red (look at the nose) and yellow ochre. Then, I dropped my dog off at Ideal Pet Stop and painted.

I went to get my dog a couple of hours later and came back into my studio and painted.

Around 11, I got a beer and banana, literally and figuratively stepping back from the canvas. I saw something very similar to this. I put a little highlights here and there, but other than that, I was done.

I am happy. We'll see if the client is happy.

Dog or Fox?

2010-04-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

Is this a dog or fox? Or simply a failure?

In my effort to uncover my creative process, I feel I must show this painting.

I love pitbulls but with their wrinkles and heavy jowls, they are hard to paint. Some of them have less massive jowls than others but have the same wide head.

I was too close to finish when I realized that rather than making the jowls less heavy on this one, I made them non-existent.

I do like the color though, half way between yellow and red. I will strive for that in the redo.

Rascal with different colors

2010-04-02T12:26:00.001-07:00

Last time I posted Rascal, I talked about a green smudge under his eye that was a mistake. It's gone. All other smudges that you see are not mistakes! Ha!

Really, I generally like to have smudges on my paintings. Look at a few of my past paintings and you'll see.

The smudge disappeared and more turquoise/green appeared.

This was mailed off on Tuesday.

Sketching Penny

2010-04-02T12:20:00.001-07:00

As I was leaving the pet store the other day, a woman asked me why I hadn't painted my own dog. I stuttered and hmmmed, but the truth is she's very hard to paint. She's got floppy jowls and an expressive face that's pretty hard to capture.

But, I've realized lately that I've not been spending enough time sketching things that aren't commissions, so I decided I'd try a few rough sketches every day.

And that is what this is.

You can of course become her friend on Facebook. Search for Penny the BRD. BRD stands for Big Red Dog. Like Clifford. I don't call her PBRd because I don't want her confused for an alcoholic beverage.

Different eyes

2010-04-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

I posted Minnie earlier this month asking whether she looked mean.

One of my critics, and fan, suggested that her eyes were a bit too stark and contributed to her mean look.

I toned down the eyes and I believe she looks like a gentler soul, which is what her owner said she was.

She was sent to the woman who commissioned her earlier this week.

Pibble sketch

2010-03-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

If you've read my last few blogs, you may remember that I've been struggling to paint a pitbull, but the pictures I was sent aren't high enough resolution for me to see the detail.

And the dog's dead, so I just can't offer to come out and take pictures. (I also have a broken camera but that's another story.)

I was told that the dog in the painting I really like, Roxanne, looked like a chihuaha. And the first painting I did of this dog really did look like a chihuaha, or, perhaps what my critique group said, a fox.

So, I went back to the drawing board, almost literally. I know that Roxanne's ears stick up, that she has a white chest and an assymetrical streak on her nose. She's beige.

So, I meditated about this, looked at some pibble pictures, and this is what I came up with. Notice that the drawing is directly on the 5x5 canvas.

I now am waiting for the customer to tell me whether this sketch looks at all like Roxanne.

Rascal - 90 percent

2010-03-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

Meet Rascal.

I thought she was done, but when I scanned her, I saw the blotch under her right eye.

So, I fixed it and she has much more blues/purple in the latest.

I'll scan that one too.........

Roxanne -- 90 percent

2010-03-15T19:53:00.001-07:00

Can you tell that this pup is smiling?

I went through a couple of months of self-doubt when my beloved told me that I was painting mean looking animals in this picture, Minnie, and one other.

It's all the worse because these three paintings are of deceased animals and I can't ask for more pictures.

Well, I did for Roxanne. I initially painted her looking at the camera in a front shot. But for some reason, that pose made her look more like a chihuaha than a pitbull.

I am working with very limited resolution pictures, too, for some reason. It is the first commision I've gotten where the picture quality had an impact on the painting quality.

I will have to scan this again, cuz I painted over the green stripe on her face.

Minnie

2010-03-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

Sweetest cat?

On the picture I was given, her ears were flatter and she looked almost mean.

Leah Jackson, a dog portrait painter I truly admire, says she doesn't do cats cuz she makes them look mean, and no one wants a mean picture. Up until this painting, I had no idea what she was talking about.

My most vocal critic (and supporter, too) says now she doesn't look mean, just intense.

I think she looks a little sweet.............

We'll see what the woman who commissioned this says.

Not a kind of ice cream

2009-12-23T01:38:00.000-08:00

This is Stella. She's not a labradoodle or an overgrown terrier. She's an Italian Spinone, sister to Aggie, and an all around good pup.

Leslie and Matt decided they wanted this breed of dog when they heard that there were NO incidences of dog biting a child with this breed. With two kids, and boof them working very intense jobs, and having very active lives, they wanted a dog with a good track record that could be counted on. (Even as a lover of rescues, this is one argument I understand, especially if you aren't going to devote your entire life to the dog.)

Stella's the only Italian Spinone I've known (although I did see a guy at Greenlake with one), but she's gentle, patient, and good natured.

I used to think that Aggie, a Hungarian Visla, was smarter, but they just have different brains. Aggie learns commands quicker, but will forget them if not reminded. Stella learns slower but once she knows, she never forgets.

Madison

2009-12-18T09:42:00.000-08:00

Madison is the first dilute calico I've personally known -- and the first one I've painted, unfortunately, post humously.

She and her sister, Amber, were at Rainier Veterinary Hospital, when I was volunteering there. I wanted them to come live with me, but my house was being renovated and I was staying at my boyfriend's.

My friends, Patti and Todd, came down to meet all the homeless kitties and fell in love with Madison and Amber.

Maddie and Amber came home with them. Amber still lives happily ever after, but Maddie died a few year ago.

Patti and Todd's child, Amelia, has wanted a painting of Maddie for a long time.

Skookum, Remembered

2009-12-16T11:49:00.000-08:00

Meet Skookum. A very handsome retriever who helped his guardian through the death of his wife.

He has such an expressive face that he was very easy to paint.

My only issue was the background was supposed to be "Cape Cod Blue." I tried, coming up with an almost periwinkle. Then, I asked the person who commissioned the painting (it's a surprise for her father-in-law). Neither she nor her husband could decide. I took a sample that they agreed was close. It was almost a cobalt blue, which I then added to the periwinkle.

Skookum's handsome face faded in the cobalt blue. Frustrated, I put it away, adding a status line to my facebook account that I'd be finished if I could just come up with "Cape Cod Blue." One of my Facebook buddies sent me this link, which I then used to finish the painting. The shade is much more calming than the cobalt and balances the oranges and reds very nicely.

Binky

2009-12-11T18:19:00.000-08:00

Now that Binky's finished, I can say that I've successfully painted all three of Kris's cats. Simon and Maxey are also Kris's cats, painted in 2007. I also used Binky as a model for What you looking at, painted in 2008.

You can also see how my style has matured somewhat -- at least some times. Every time i pick up a paintbrush it's still a new experience as I feel the creativity flowing from my fingertips.

I just finished one more acrylic and am 2/3 done with two more......... so expect to see some more in the next week or so. Plus, I have one watercolor that needs to be done by Christmas.

A raffle for Eros

2009-12-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

A while back, Grisha from Ahimsa Dog Training, was trying to raise $$$ for a friend whose dog needed surgery. Having been there myself with Penny needing 2 TPLO surgeries, I donated a 6x6 dog painting. The dog that I was painting was so cute. I did an 8x8 painting.

Meet Taran, a 13-month old welsh springer spaniel cared for by Lindsey Hein, a dog trainer in Florida. He's mischievous and very goofy........ Can you tell?

Emma 2

2009-12-09T13:12:00.001-08:00

So, my friend, Tina, has been incredibly supportive of my art from the beginning. One of my first sales, Gracie, is of her cat. The sale was not to Tina, though.

I also painted Eddie, her big black and white boy, on paper. I scanned it twice because I didn't like the background.

So, when I painted her cat Emma, in 4x4, a size that's not cost effective to do regularly, but which I do for the Feral Cat Project as a donation, she offered to buy it. Well, it sold again to someone else and I said I would paint it again.

Here it is. And, like the saying says, practice makes perfect. She still looks like Princess Crankypants, one of Tina's endearments for her, but the colors are a bit better. When you click the tag Emma, you can see both to compare.

Aggie in the summer

2009-11-28T15:26:00.001-08:00

I've been walking a friend's two dogs for over a year now, almost two. It is a joy to walk them and an excuse to walk fast. My dog just saunters. These guys you can get going/

Aggie was diagnosed with cancer last year and every time I walk her is still precious. A few weeks ago, my friend called. Aggie hadn't eaten all weekend. It was time to say goodbye.

I sat by her on the floor by the dog bed, told her what a good girl she was, and fed her turkey baby food. By the time her parents came to take her to the vet, she was much better.

In the meantime, I had done this very quick watercolor.

Another poodle

2009-10-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

This too, is posted in honor of Chappy, a standard white poodle. This is one of the little portraits painted in watercolor that I did for FidoFest. I believe the size is 3 x5 -- pretty small for someone who likes to paint BIG.

Poodle

2009-10-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

This is posted in honor of Chappy, the standard poodle of a friend of mine. I just heard that Chappy died about 6 months ago.

I liked him a lot.

Another french bulldog

2009-09-26T13:02:00.001-07:00

One of the most sensible product managers I know has two dogs. This is the smallest one.

He may be small, but he has oodles of personality.

French bulldog

2009-09-25T10:10:00.000-07:00

This month, I've switched my painting medium to paint small paintings of the 10 most popular breeds -- and a few oddballs.

I love the oddballs. Anyway, here is another one.

This particular painting is 3.5 x 5. It will be at FidoFest at the UVillage this Sunday.

Brindle Pit

2009-09-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

This is Pogo. He is my barista's dog. Doesn't he look sad?

I did another one for her because I thought he looked too sad in this picture.

Is it Penny?

2009-09-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

This is the closest thing that I've done to a Penny portrait. Not quite her eyes.

Another watercolor that will be at FidoFest.

Here's looking at you

2009-09-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

Here's another watercolor that I did recently. It's going to be at FidoFest, that is if I have a booth. I've been saying I have a booth, but I haven't heard.

Looks like Monty

2009-08-31T11:55:00.001-07:00

This little watercolor sold at Pit bulls on parade. The woman who bought it said that it looked like one of her dogs, named Monty.

I can't remember whose dog it was that I took a picture of, but it definitely wasn't Monty! But, as long as she liked it..

Watercolor pencils

2009-08-28T09:54:00.001-07:00

At the Othello International Festival last weekend, I dragged out my watercolor pencils for something to do.

I got the great idea of doing a few small watercolors (this one is 3.5 x 5") for the Pitbulls on Parade event this weekend. I'll have a booth there.

I have over a dozen of these cute little items. We'll see whether folks like them as much as my friends say they do..

Ready Timber

2009-07-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

This portrait was done as a Christmas surprise. The recipient said, It's the best Christmas present! It hangs in her office, where she can look at it all day!

Timber is a therapy dog. You can see him at many Seattle/Eastside Reading with Rover events.

Lily in the field

2009-06-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Tired of looking at all the cat paintings? I noticed that the cats were getting a lot of attention, thanks to the Art for the Animals show to benefit the Feral Cat Project that I am participating in.

I realized there were a few pups I hadn't posted. This is a portrait I did during the spring of 2008. Next to painting animals, I love painting plants, especially lilies. My calla lillies are just now blooming, so I'll be painting them this week.

Too bad I don't have a white cat to paint next to the Calla lilies.

At Twilight

2009-06-17T20:51:00.000-07:00

This is a riff based on one of my cats, Albro. She was found when my husband and I were on a bike ride between his house in G-town and my house in Rainier Beach. Beacon Hill is between the two houses. One road twists up and down the hill. On that very busy street, my husband stopped on the way down. "Did you see that kitten back there?" "What kitten?" To me everything is a blur when I am moving, even with my glasses on. He led me to where one little kitten huddled, looking too scared to cross the street. We plopped it in the bike basket I had on the front of my bike and proceeded to his house. The little kitten sounded like a pidgeon and called Memph whenever I rode over a bump. Had I been more original, she may have been named Memphis. Instead, she is named after the street I thought we were on, Albro. It turns out that the street Swift twist and turns and becomes three other streets before becoming Othello. You turn on Albro to get to Swift. Still, I like the name better than Swift, which sounds like a cleaning product.

The original idea had the background a little darker. I may still change it. It is still for sale...

Some people don't like the eyes looking up

Starry Starry Night

2009-06-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

June 2009

This is even smaller than the 4x4's and comes with its own tiny easel. It is 1x2 or something like that.

This will also be at the Colors of Compassion art show benefiting the Feral Cat Project.

Emma-zing

2009-06-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

June, 2009

I did five new pieces for the Feral Cat Spay and Neuter project art show. This is Emma, Tina's cat. And she often looks this grumpy. I've also painted Emma's brother. Even though they are both tuxedo cats, don't let that fool you. They are not blood relations, just two cats who share the same abode, much to both of them's dismay.

All the new portraits are little (4x4), which go faster than the bigger pieces I've been creating lately. I love painting in large scale, but there's so much more area to fuss with. The little ones are faster -- I finished all 5 in two weeks.

Cici in sunlight

2009-04-13T15:18:00.001-07:00

Spring, 2008

This is Cici, whose life was cut tragically short.

Cici was rescued by a local rescue out of a bad situation. She was just getting acclimated to the good life, when she had her spay appointment, where it was found out that she had a heart issue.

The vet who did the spay surgery was not equipped to do a heart surgery so Cici was transferred to another hospital (EWU, I think) where she underwent another surgery. Sadly, she did not make it through.

Throughout this, there was a bright spot -- people cared. Cared enough to send donations for the surgery, cared enough to ask for status. Cared enough to remember her short life.

Jackson Action

2009-04-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

April, 2007

This is another painting that I can't believe how old it is -- almost two years old. I painted it as a surprise for a friend who LOVES her Golden Retriever.

This is one of two I've done with the personalized border. It really works on bigger paintings and makes the painting even more fun.

Jackson up until just recently went everywhere with his mama. He lay on the floor at the office where she worked. He commuted on the bus, he did drinks at downtown bars, he went Christmas shopping. His mother just had TWINS so we'll see how his life changes. Hopefully, he just has two more people in his life to love him and to love.

Such a good boy!

Smell the tulips

2009-04-06T23:35:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that this painting is nearly a year old. I did this last year when I was thinking about the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

I was contemplating entering an art showing about spring. I painted a puppy for the same show. I'll show that soon.

Spring, and a grrls's thoughts turn to pups and flowers.

The winning painting

2009-04-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

This painting needs a name!
This brown tabby was painted because I offered a commission to Purrfect Pal's auction.
This is Theodore, or Teddy or Teddy bear. In my opinion, he looks too dignified to be a Teddy Bear, but I am sure I have pictures of my cat, Graham, when he looks dignified, but I call him Graham Cracker. How dignified is that? Then there's Horace, who is a very dignified pointy eared black cat. I sing love songs him to the tune of "Comet, it makes your teeth turn green..." The ending lines are always Let's sing a chorus to Horace today...
But this little digression tells you nothing about the painting. I painted Theodore because his mama had the winning bid for a commissioned painting in the Purrfect Pals auction at the Black Cat Ball.
Now that I've talked about the painting, it may be "Winning Bid" or 'Kim's winning bid" or something. Still would like ideas!
The painting took longer than expected because brown tabbies have so many different colors in them. Then, I had a few minor health issues, nothing major, but enough that I wanted to relax on evenings and weekends rather than paint. Also, I've had deadlines from work, which also make it so I am less productive on the weekend.
I've got to put the hanger on and then he's ready to be delivered.

Show at A Dog's Dream

2009-02-18T16:38:00.001-08:00

Seven cat paintings and seven dog paintings are hanging at A Dog's Dream in Georgetown from Feb 14 - March 12, located at 1010 South Bailey St. There are a few new paintings and several updated paintings.

Beauty Girl

2008-12-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

Here's another black and white kitty that I did as a commission for Christmas this year. I am getting to be quite the specialist at painting black and white kitties. I have one more black and white kitty commission to do this Christmas...

This is Izzy. Unknown to Izzy's mom, I also had a little kitty named Izzy, who died from lead poisoning when my house was being remodeled. It was a little heart wrenching when I saw her name. Luckily, the woman who commissioned me labeled the photo that I used as a base for the painting "Beauty Girl" so that is what I thought of when I painted this lovely girl.

Introducing Abby

2008-12-05T23:48:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a few pet portraits, aside from xmas cards and other little projects. Here is one I can post (others will be posted after Christmas).

I am in Montana visiting my folks and hope to also get some painting in. Wish me luck!

Ziggy the star

2008-11-13T13:02:00.000-08:00

This little man hangs out at Happy Hound Hotel all day and night. He is one lucky dog.

I am trying to decide whether he should be a little less gray. I am hoping his best friend lets me know.

The final home for this painting will be in the lobby of Happy Hound.

Issaquah Pet Expo

2008-11-05T12:57:00.000-08:00

Accompanied by my little Penny, I am going to be a vendor at a pet expo at Le Chic Pet in Issaquah this Saturday from 11-5. In addition to my booth which has custom pet portraits, other vendors are offering food, leashes, training, treats, etc.

Featured artist at Met Vet

2008-09-10T22:13:00.001-07:00

The last show I have scheduled right now is now hung. I am the featured artist at Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in Tacoma. My friend Barb found their listing for animal artists through the Artist Trust. My paintings will hang through end of October.

I could have used about four more paintings to hang in their lovely reception area and three exam rooms. As it was, I borrowed from my friends and held off giving two commissions to their rightful owners.

Many great artists have shown there, including one of my favorites, Leigh Jackson of Noisy Dog Studio. The coordinator warned that there's not many sales, but that there's good exposure. At this point, exposure is as good as sales.

Barb 's still looking out for me. She sent me info this week about showing at the University Unitarian Church. She had a lovely show there.

I want to check with some other places about November/December shows.

Show at 4 Legs Good

2008-08-08T22:37:00.000-07:00

I have ten paintings at 4 Legs Good in Wallingford until the end of this month. I am happy with the hanging (my first), the labels, and the response.

Wednesday night was the Wallingford Art Walk and besides some of my friends, there was a bit of foot traffic too. No sales, but I didn't expect that. A few people took the postcards and one person bought a card.

Bonita, the store owner, is wonderful, very gracious and friendly.

Ghost Cat

2008-07-16T23:52:00.000-07:00

Not an angel, June 2008

This cat is a precursor to a commission where I have been asked to paint a nearly white cat on a white background. I thought I needed to practice a bit before doing the commission.

If I get this back, I'll make a few changes. If not, well it's done!

Michi II

2008-07-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

I've never said I was a realistic painter, so it's not surprising that two different portraits of the same cat came out so differently. I really wasn't happy with the first portrait, Life too short. Perhaps knowing that there wasn't a happy ending for Michi clouded my inspiration. There's a darkness to it I didn't like.

So I called on my muse again and asked for joy and the serenity that Michi didn't have at this life and this is what happened.

Life too short

2008-07-09T10:43:00.000-07:00

Also known as Michi Departed
May, 2008

I don't know how Michi came into King County Animal Control, but I do know her life ended there, despite tries to get her adopted.

She was sent to PetSmart to be shown. She started getting really upset about being in a cage...grumbling, hissing, irritable... so that didn't work out.

So, she went to a private home to be fostered for a bit. She didn't get along with the foster's cats. Then she bit the foster mom. So, she came back to the Kent shelter. She was even more unhappy there, back in a cage.

Last straw came when she bit an officer, so she was put down. Some cats do not do well in shelters.

I've painted two portraits of her. This is a little dark so I did a little lighter one. 100% of the proceeds from this painting will go to the Feral Cat Project if it's sold at the Laura Frost Gallery show.

"What are you looking at? "

2008-07-07T11:37:00.000-07:00

June, 2008

This painting also will be one of the paintings at the Feral Cat Project benefit on July 12.

It started off as a painting of my friend, Kris's, cat, Binky. However, Binky has a black swash across her nose and I didn't want to ruin this very nice nose.

This painting is a bit larger than what Kris wants anyway. Her other paintings (Simon and Maxey) are about 6x6. She'd like it to match. This is, I think, 8x10. So, it's for sale.

Blue, Too

2008-07-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

"Blue, Too" or "

Blue, Two"
July, 2008

I've been painting lots even though I have nothing posted to show for it. I have 5 pieces that are going to be at the Feral Cat Project benefit this coming Saturday.

I've been working on another two besides the ones slated for this show, so I thought I was in good shape. No rush. But, I ended up needing another day to scan and put the final touches on the items needing to be dropped off today. So, Rick scanned the five items for me so I could concentrate on painting.

This particular painting showed in 2006 at the same benefit. It didn't sell then, so I played a bit more with the colors. It will be the cheapest item that I painted at the show and hopefully it will move out of my closet and into someone else's house. All proceeds from this sale go to the Feral Cat Project.

Disconnected scanner

2008-03-09T19:48:00.000-07:00

You haven't seen any new art because I've disconnected my scanner from my computer while Penny is recovering from her first TPLO surgery. I've moved the easel and the pc down to where she's recovering and left the scanner in Capn Jack's room.

Thank you cards

2008-01-02T09:15:00.001-08:00

"Thank you," January 2008

I spent New Year's day coloring this line drawing that I am going to send to those people who contributed $$, baked goods, or time (or all three) to making Penny's bake sale a success.

Cards are at Kinko's now. I really want to get them out!

My little friend Amelia opens mail for her household. At 4, this is a big responsibility. "Look," she cried. "It's Seanna and Penny."

Rowdy and Oreo

2007-12-25T12:13:00.001-08:00

"B&Wx2" also known as "Rowdy and Oreo", December, 2007

These two lovely seniors were commissioned by my friend and former collegue, Molly, who plans to give this painting as a Christmas present for her friend and handyman, Ray. These are Ray's cats. Rowdy is a bit shy and Oreo is a big thinker.

I could not get Oreo's eyes right for the longest time.

I love the green smudge on Oreo's fur.

I found out this week that I am having an exhibit in Tacoma at the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in September/October. My friend Barb told me that the vet had posted at the Artist's Trust web site. Turns out that the Met Vet contact, Julia, is a great photographer.

Another pulled from the archives

2007-12-20T23:19:00.000-08:00

"Mr. Mole," Autumn 2006

This is a black and white that I did for the Art for the Children's Market class that I took.

I am still working on the two commissions for Molly Dee and baking for the bake sale to benefit my dog, so even though I haven't posted anything, I've been busy.

Snowbird

2007-12-08T21:40:00.000-08:00

"Snowbird," December 2007

This is the second of hopefully three designs for a card exchange. They will also be on sale at the bake sale to benefit my dog.

I think it's a little too dark, but I'm not going to tweak it anymore. I'd make a few changes now that I've haven't looked at it for a couple of days. I wouldn't outline the sign and I'd make the light source more obvious.

Oh come all ye felines

2007-12-08T21:29:00.001-08:00

"O Come All Ye Felines," December, 2007

Obvious title. This is one of hopefully three designs that I created as Christmas cards this year. I've actually spent this evening scoring and folding the cards.

I've never done cards before, except for little hand made cards for Mr. Rick. But, my critique group, the folks who took the 3-quarter "Art for the Children's Market" last year, is having a holiday card exchange and I thought I'd participate.

I will also sell these at the bake sale I am holding to raise money for my dog's knee surgeries. I am thinking $2.50 for each card, although Rick says I should ask for $3. He's right -- I've put lots of time into the designs, I've had to print them, and buy envelopes for them.

Eddie, again

2007-11-30T14:19:00.001-08:00

"Eddie in Red," 2005

Where has the time gone? I can't believe that it's been more than two years since I started painting.

I do think I've learned lots in the past couple of years and I hope to continue to learn more.

You might recall that Eddie is posted in an earlier entry. But I wasn't done then. I thought the grass was too distracting. I painted over it and also reddened the background a bit more.

Rusty at the park

2007-11-30T09:42:00.001-08:00

"Rusty at the park," November, 2007

Well, lookee here. A new freshly finished painting. It might not even be all the way done, but I am happy with it right now. Give me 24 hours....

This is Rusty, my friend Heather's brother's working dog. Her brother, David, works for WA State Patrol and Rusty here is a bomb sniffer. As a working dog, he concentrates on his job most of the time, but here he's enjoying some time at the park.

My family

2007-11-11T18:45:00.000-08:00

The Family, August 2007

I used my watercolor pencils quite a bit this summer. Here is one of the things I finished -- my family. Actually, there are a few more cats if you want to count all of the cats that both of us take care of. And the 88 lbs of love is not quite that small.

Most people agree that I captured Rick pretty well. Me, they're not too sure of. And I can recognize Willow, Graham, Olive, and Cassie... Maybe I'll try another with all the cats some time!

Pen and Ink Wolf

2007-11-11T18:31:00.000-08:00

Well, this is neither an illustration nor a pet portrait, but it's been a while since I posted anything new and I haven't scanned anything new. So, delving into what I do have scanned, I found this.

The pen is just a uniball fine point. Notice how messy I am. Basically, I am a scribbler. More soon!

Mona's Mister

2007-09-13T18:20:00.001-07:00

"Mona's Mister," 2007

My friend Mona dotes on Mister. When I gave her the portrait, she said, "Oh Woods, this is the best present ever."

She moved to Spokane this summer. She still has friends from high school there.

I wish her well.

Fatsy Maxey

2007-09-04T21:23:00.000-07:00

"Fatsy Maxey," 2007

This is the second portrait that I just finished of Kris' cats.

I think I am getting better at painting black and white tuxedo cats.

Shy, Shy Simon

2007-09-02T11:28:00.001-07:00

"Shy, Shy Simon," 2007

This is one of two portraits done for Kris Tsujikawa. I promised her one of Maxey last year and I planned to do one of Binky this year.

Kris has three lovely tuxedo cats. She sends digital images of them that she shoots with her Nikon D-40. Yes, I am jealous of that camera, especially since my little digital Nikon was stolen when my house was broken into last month. Or was it the month before? Time flies by.

I thought that the photograph that she sent that is this painting's source was Binky. But when I gave her this portrait, it was obviously of Simon.

Gracie on Green

2007-08-31T12:50:00.001-07:00

"Gracie on Green," 2006

This is the second painting that I did for the Feral Cat Project fundraiser.

My friend Barb bought it, thereby making a donation to the Feral Cat Project. It's a great cause.

On opening night, a couple asked me (I was being cashier) if I knew who did this painting. Out of all the art hanging, they liked this the best and it was already sold! Did I do commissions? Yes, I said, giving them a card. But I never heard from them!

Soon, soon!

Eddie in Red

2007-08-31T11:13:00.000-07:00

Eddie in Red, 2005

This is Tina's cat, Eddie. He is actually a bit more hefty than he looks in this picture. He's been on a diet so I'm sure he is looking more svelte now.

I decided that all that grass was too distracting. I also thought that the background got a little too dark.

To view the other picture of Eddie, click the Eddie metadata tag.

Blue

2007-08-30T20:49:00.001-07:00

"Blue," 2006

My friend Barbara scanned a number of my first acrylic paintings for me.

I have had the wonderful support and encouragement of many friends: Barbara, who contributed digital pictures of her and her partner's animals and scanned the results; Tina, who has always been supportive and enthusiastic about my writing and drawing; Rick, my husband (boy, that sounds weird), who tells me I have an artist's eye and has paid for all my art supplies -- and classes -- for the past few years, and many more....

This painting was one of two painting created for a fundraiser for the Feral Cat Project. Alas, it didn't sell and I've since changed it a bit, darkening the blues and adding more color.

I mention Tina above because she contributed the digital photo of her neighbor's cat.

Beast

2007-08-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

"Beast," 2005

This was painted in 2005 as part of my acrylics class. This is acrylics and uses some high gloss medium.

It was scanned at 150 dpi.

Barbara and Jane contributed the digital picture of Jane's horse that I used as source material.