Pleasant Surprises

Best Behaviour 8 x 10 oil on Raphael Linen

The current Canine Art Guild show is titled, "Canine Pot Luck" and the work is fabulous, really great stuff. I can't remember if I posted a link to it here, so I have to apologize for that! Be sure to take a look. Viewers were able to place votes for their favourite work, though my lateness in mentioning this that means that voting has now closed! Okay, so marketing has never been my strong point!

Yesterday I received an email from our inspiring CAG helmsperson, Kim Santini, that my entry, Best Behaviour (remember him?), received an Honourable Mention for People's Choice! With the quality of work in the show, I really was surprised. It's certainly an honour in such esteemed company. Deserved congratulations go to winner Diane Solomon for her piece "Big Brother Watches over Me" and to the other Honourable Mention, Julie Bender. Julie does pyrography - definitely worth a checking out!


Meanwhile, back on the easel...my little 5 x 7 oil on Raphel linen is now complete, varnished and ready to go to the framer. Kat Moore, who owns this gorgeous Shire (named Shine) had generously shared more photos of the big guy and his son, Duelly, so you might be seeing more of these boys. I know I posted an image of this, but as I've scanned it now, I thought it deserved a more accurate picture.

And lest you think I copped out on my weekly landscape committment, I will post this week's effort, even though it's not finished. This is 5 x 7 oil on canvas, tentatively called, "Keenland Quiet." I expect I'll have to pop a horse in there somewhere, though as someone who has worked on the backstretch, it does say something that there are no horses visible. I'll have to think about that one. Any comments?

Now Just a Memory....

We are officially on to rain and mud now. It rained again today - just a light rain, but persistent enough to keep me from getting straw. It better clear up tomorrow, because with them being in more than usual right now, I've gone through more straw than I would normally!

I was determined to get some serious work done on my painting of the two yearlings running through the snow. How nice and clean my paddock looked, not to mention the fillies! When I reached the point I thought I might well get this one finished, I persevered. It will hang around unsigned until it's dry (again with the Titanium White because of the snow, that will take a while) so if I see anything more that should be done, I can take care of it before it gets that final proclamation of abandonment! Paintings always look better in person - there's no way a jpeg viewed online has a chance of doing justice - but with this one it's especially true. The working title on this one has been "Fresh Snow" so we'll see if that sticks as it dries as well! Once again, this is 11 x 14 oil on Raphael linen panel.


I even started a new painting this afternoon. Other than the EAG pARTies, I tend to paint exclusively from my own photos. This one, however, shared by fellow EAG member Kat Moore, I found really appealing. Kat has some gorgeous Shire horses. I've always loved Shires, did a head study of one a couple of years ago, but this looked like a great opportunity to do another. This is just a little one, 5 x 7 on Raphael again, and if it turns out well enough it might be headed for a miniature art show in Kansas. So far, I've done just a very rough underpainting using Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber and Titanium White. The joy of working small, it came together very quickly!