Finally finished the final painting of the dog trilogy!

Beau

What a great client!  She was so thrilled with her final painting that she actually gave me a bonus and immediately placed all three together on her mantle where they rule the room!

Chip...again

I think I am finished.  I've made some adjustments and added some "frosting on the cake" –– details like whiskers and highlights.  The photography is not accurate,  it looks so much better in real life!  I guess the camera has a hard time with the myriad of colors and the overhead lighting.

Chip

I just finished teaching 7 weeks of art camps which has fully occupied my attention.
Here's the painting of Chip which is mostly done. Today, I'm reorganizing my studio and will block in the background for the third painting in this series of Chip's buddy Summer. I can then turn this painting of Chip over to the wonderful woman who commissioned it and had been patiently waiting for it!

Back in the Studio!

I'm back in the studio!

On Tuesday, I laid my colors out onto my palette. I added the finishing touches to "Joey". I'll live with him for a few more days to make adjustments if needed. I sent Ruth , who requested this portrait, a preview and she loves it!

Donna popped in yesterday and said what I always hear about these paintings (but still love to hear again!): "you've really captured the essence of that dog..."

I also worked on the paintings of the two ponies, mainly blocking in the background and the dark values in the horses.

Remember these cats? I had left Tabu red for my recent show, but promised the owner I would make him look more like her cat once the show was over. It was difficult doing so since the reference photo she'd provided was rather washed out (and, frankly, I liked Tabu in a raw, RED state!).

Unfortunately, last week, the owner wrote me to tell me that her cat had just passed away. Am I a lagger or what! Anyway, that motivated me and I got him finished. I emailed a copy of the final work to the clients and they replied:

I love it, Susan. It captures his spirit. I can't tell you how glad I am we had you do this. As hard as it is to look at his spunky little face, and as much as we miss him, we will absolutely treasure this portrait. Some things
are just meant to be...

Art Show reception

We finally got around to posing for some photos after our show. That's Dianne on the right. Me and Tupac below.

Cat again

I've changed a few things.... this always happens until something sells.

Almost done!

This one I started a while back, working from a photo Marissa set up and had me take of her. I came up with the creepy composition. It's always saddened me and I never finished it....'til now.

And then there's Lucy....

Almost finished with her complicated mess of a face!

Done (for now!)

Zack/Venus

I've been working on my painting of Zack which will hang with the Venus painting I did a few years back. Venus has sold, but the owner said I can borrow it for my upcoming show. Zack is the one on the left....

Metamorph

I had an epiphany earlier this week and added a layer of rice paper over the background. I love how it creates a veil between the figure and her future and conversely it is a veil between Marissa as she is today and her past. Aaahhhhh, motherhood!