thursday...again...

ok, i just looked at my calendar and realised that i don't have as much time as my 'wishful' brain thought i did to finish up the remaining two paintings BEFORE december 15th!...yikes!...

work schedule breaks down like this:

two paintings for a client (remaining on fall schedule)
sand and gesso almost 400 small boards; have some ready to work on in florida
print one photograph of newfounland for a client
start to prepare sketches for 25 small paintings for colorado gallery
start working on '100 for $100 each' show (see florida reference)

then there are the holidays and our christmashanukah get together...presents and gefilte fish!

stop thinking about the 'giant rat infestation' happening in florida...these little guys are responsible for the outbreak of small pox which i have never had...great!...although i wonder, seeing as how these rats were found in florida, which i understand is a leading state in botox injections and fake breasts, if these rats are not just 'cosmetically enhanced'?...

coffee is on and i have a couple of new cds to listen to...

'100 for $100 each' studio show/sale update...

i'll be having a one day studio show/sale of small paintings, non-animal themed held sometime in late march....'100 for $100 each'...details of that show are found on the 'thehowlingcanvas.com' site as well, i'll be posting updates here...

so, if you have any friends in your rolodex who are art collectors or keen on starting a collection, you might want to let them know about this bargain sale!...

after the one day show, i'll be posting the remnants of the show for sale online on a new blog dedicated to the small paintings...the details of the new blog and paintings will be announced on both the the howling canvas site as well as here...

keep checking in for updates...

'java and fidget'

the portrait of 'java and fidget' should be completed today...i feel like a machine as i just keep cranking these paintings out...what if i run out of ideas?...what if i run out of paint?...what if i run out of coffee?...

the upcoming portrait of the two dogs in a boat makes me laugh...the composition and story behind this is hilarious!...these two dogs love going for a boat ride...i wonder what the other dogs at neighbouring cottages who don't have boats think when these two speed past them?...are they jealous that their owners only have an air mattress?...

off to the easel...

tuesday and where's the snow?

once again not much to report...'java and fidget' are 50% completed and the painting is beginning to look like a cross between a 19th century british portrait and something from the 'group of seven'...it's really interesting to see what how the mind mixes up things to create something 'new'...

i wonder if politicians are paying attention to the strange weather patterns we are experiencing while they are standing in line at the atm machines checking up on the balances of their bribed-filled bank accounts courtesy of oil/gas companies?

monday

not much to report from the studio...the work continues to move along at a steady pace...the muse seems to have returned from where ever she was and is happy to be here...

this post is rather short and not very interesting but then again 'the day in the life of an animal portraitist' can't all be clowns and rollercoasters!...

stay tuned, something interesting might just occurr...

'mia' and a foggy in day in the big smoke

stayed in the studio until late last night to finish the portrait of 'mia'...it's done and it is a beautiful painting...i'm planning on shipping it to the client in about a week...

not much to write about today as i have yet to start work...

friday...

the portrait of 'mia' has taken a turn for the better!...i decided i needed to clear out some of the weird and negative energy in the studio, so i 'smudged' the place...shortly there after, i was back in the saddle with some major progression on the piece...

the next paintings on the schedule, are two dogs in a speed-boat and one wet dog on the beach...it's part of a series i have been working on for a client who just this summer rescued a dog from jamaica!...the dog's name is marley...hmmm, i hope to have the opportunity to work on his portrait as there is so much to work with given his history...

with coffee in hand i'll head to the the post...

thursday...

the painting i'm currently working on is giving me a bit of a struggle...it is taking me longer than i had anticipated to finish...my mind is having a hard time focusing on the task at hand...not sure if it's the time of year, the colour of the fur, ideas for the upcoming '100 for $100 each' show, the colorado show, the approaching new season of 'american idol' or '24'...in either case, i'm working slower than i normally do...i think the muse is out christmas shopping or at the very least trying to find parking at yorkdale!...so i'll work slower, slightly 'out of focus' and wait for the muse to return...

three more portraits to go before the holidays...coffee and spiked eggnog should help me through...

becky has arrived!...

happy to report that the portrait of 'becky' has arrived in victoria safely...phew...it's always a tense time here in the studio until a piece of work arrives safely, unharmed at its' destination...

here is the portrait of 'becky' along with shannan's response...

"Hi Lisa,
Finally, the wait is over! "Becky" arrived safe and sound today, and all I can say is WOW. I am speachless (well, not really, but I was when I openend the package). You have an incredible gift! I was in tears when I saw the portrait. I can't believe how much it looks like our old girl. I knew the painting would be beautiful having seen your work, but I was not prepared for how well you have captured her spirit. This is what drew our attention to your work in the first place, and you have definitely proven us right! I couldn't be happier, and I can't wait to have portraits of our other pets done. In a way I am glad that it arrived a bit later than expected, because I don't know how I am going to keep it hidden for another 2 weeks. I can't wait to show Gary - I know he will love it. Thank you so much for taking the time to do such a wonderful job, and to keep me informed and patient. Your professionalism and sense of humour have made the wait bearable. This has been the best experience I have ever had when it comes to selecting art. I wish you could know the happiness you have created with this piece! I'll let you know what Gary thinks when he sees it.
Yours,
Shannan"

monday

ok after a day off i'm back to work...today is the day that shannan should receive her painting that was shipped via 'overnight' service seven days ago!...good job purolator!...

i'll write more this afternoon and hopefully post the portrait of 'becky'...

off to continue working on 'mia'...

should i take sunday off?

the painting of mia is looking good...pots are done, sandwich (roast beef) is done...the subject has been blocked in and partially worked on...now the question for today is as i sit here in my jammees (yes i know it's almost 11am) is, should i get my studio uniform on and get to work?...or should i go out to see a movie this afternoon?...i know that i mentioned in an earlier entry that i wanted to get this painting finished before the end of the weekend and i have been working at doing that but the new james bond is out...

hmmm...maybe i should have a coffee before i decide...

saturday...'zoe'

today zoe and her mum came over to pick up their long awaited painting...they loved it!...zoe is such a sweet dog...when i look into her eyes i see a very old and wise soul...i was also happy to notice that the chicken and rice 'diet' that angie put her on has improved her health and 'collar line'...she no longer looks like a 'supermodel...

it has been a slow moving day here at the jobsite, as i feel somewhat scattered...my mind is trying to come up with ways to generate interest and make 'collectors' of my 'non-animal' work...i am beginning to see that the gallery route isn't necessary the 'be all to end all' route...giving up 50% of my income to a gallery owner who doesn't really treat me and my work as a possible commodity is not worth it...i mean if someone happens to walk into the gallery and see my work there and buys it, why should i have to give out half of the income from the sale to the gallery owner?...they really didn't do much to earn the 50% except for putting a nail in the wall to hang the painting...i don't want to really get on a rant about this now, i'll save that for another day when i have pms and really need to bitch...right now i need to concentrate on working out new methods of drawing the public out to see my work and to convince them that it is a good thing to invest in virtual 'unknown'...someday, i will be known!...

off to continue working on mia...

think happy thoughts...

friday...

here is the painting of 'kelsey'....last night she came over with her mum to pick up her portrait...i have to say that she is one of the nicest dogs i have met...such a sweet disposition and apparently she can beat a border collie at flyball!...so, she's sweet and can kick ass when need be!...

as for the portrait of 'mia', it's coming along...still hoping to complete it sometime this weekend...

hang in there shannan, the painting is on it's way...who knew that when purlolator means ' air overnight' service they really mean that the 'truck driver' spends a few 'overnights' with the package...terribly sorry for the mistake of canada's largest courier...

also sorry for the woes of bell sympatico...apparently they don't know how to really make their email service work efficiently...for those who have received an email from me 'several' times and for those who still 'haven't heard' from me despite me sending you a note...sorry...

enough chatter, back to the pots...

it's raining and it's thursday

the sandwich is finished, looks great...i hope mia likes roast beef...i'm still hoping for the finish date to be sometime this weekend as things are going along smoothly...

the portrait of 'becky' is still en route to victoria and if mother nature is kind, it should be there sometime today...after the wicked storms of yesterday, i had envisioned the package in the arms of the purolator courier guy being swept out to sea!...it's a really tense time whenever my work is in transit...i can't rest easy until the package arrives safely, unharmed at its' destination...

well back to the easel...

2sday...

thanks to my 'hip' friend for breaking down the cool spelling of a day of the week...keeping with the times...keeping with the times...

the word on the portrait of 'mia', is that it will be finished by the weekend...i have to say again how much the sandwich adds that something special to the composition...

back to work...or outside to get a tan as the weather is very screwed up...

it's tuesday...

the background on the portrait of 'mia' is looking good...the pots and sandwich so far are taking shape nicely...i'm anxious to see what this piece will look like when finished...sometimes, i just can't paint fast enough...

tomorrow 'becky' arrives in victoria and i imagine sometime shortly thereafter a 'cry' will be heard all over the west as shannan finally can see what her painting looks like...i just hope the 'cry' is good and not bad!...

off to the easel...

'mia', 'kelsey' and miscalculations...

back in the studio today after a day and a half off...look at me lounging like a millionairess!...both 'kelsey' and 'mia' were waiting for me when i entered the darkened studio this morning...i am about to lay the foundation on mia's portrait and sketch in a sandwich...why?...it's the reason she climbed onto the counter!...this composition is on it's way to becoming a classic much along the same lines of 'dog humour' as 'max' and his chicken or 'goodfellow' and his empty dish...

'kelsey' has an uncanny resemblance to my dog dylan..working on this portrait brings back many memories of my wonderful boy who was always at my side helping me out...it's all good though...such a sweet sweet dog...

today i have to prepare the wood for the '100 for 100 show' upcoming in the studio in a few months...now i ask, how difficult a request is it to have wood cut into three equal measurements?...apparently, very...despite the huge, fancy automated saw they have at home depot, the fella managed to miscalculate the three equal measurements into two that are pretty close and one that isn't...hmmm?...

off to grab a cup of java and continue working...

friday...

'zoe' is finished and on to another piece...

once again i am going to attempt to work on two pieces at once...'kelsey' and 'mia'...kelsey looks almost identical to my dog dylan who passed away several years ago...he is actually part of the reason i started working in the area of 'animal portraiture'...kelsey's portrait is part of a growing series of paintings already commissioned by this client...the background of the series is 'the cottage life' where the dogs spent lots of time and by the looks of the photos, enjoyed every minute of their time there!...

the other dog, mia is a sweet faced girl that lives in colorado...the composition for her portrait is inspired by the photo the client provided and the story that goes along with the photo...the photo is of mia sitting on the counter top underneath a string of copper pots...apparently she wanted to get a better view of my client's lunch that was sitting up there...the expression on her face is hilarious as she is just grinning proudly at the camera...should make for a good painting...

tomorrow is an non-working day as i'll be out of town...and sunday will be spent investigating new ways to sell my work...

back to the easel...in desparate need of chocolate!

thursday...

looks like 'zoe' will be finished sometime today....nice looking painting...she has one of those 'old soul' faces...

the rest of today will be spent preparing canvases for the next lot of portraits...i think i'll be able to fit in four more before my december 15th deadline...after that and until the second week in january, i'll be working on the small paintings for the 100 for $100 each studio show...i'll be working on some of these paintings while sitting near the gulf of mexico...i know, why don't i just read a book or rest while away?...painting is a habit and if i am not painting i'm photographing...i just have to do something creative every day...although, i suppose arranging the little umbrellas and fruit on toothpicks in some tropical drink can be very fulfilling, creatively speaking...

back to work...

the missing paintings...

the missing paintings from the urban pet gallery just arrived...slight bumped and nicked...at least they are now back in my possession...

as for 'zoe', she's almost done...

that's all to report for now...

'fox'...

here is the portrait of 'fox'...

sorry for the delay in posting, but i never put the image of a portrait online until after the client comes to pick it up...

off to the easel...

it sunny, so it must be monday...

after taking the day off yesterday from doing anything work related, i am back in the studio refreshed and humming along...'zoe' is back up on the easel...

off to make coffee, turn the music up loud and carry on working...

saturday in the big smoke

first of all let me say that the portrait of 'kelsey' is finished and it looks beautiful!...i'm looking forward to showing my client what it looks like...

you might have noticed that today's blog entry is being posted much later than usual...this is because i took a brief break from working to meet with a friend for coffee downtown...we did our usual routine of visiting a few galleries near the coffee shop...well, i must say that i was amazed to find in one gallery a showing some pretty nasty abstract work...messy, uninspiring and absolutely no point to it whatsoever, unless of course you have a huge rat hole that needs covering up...along with the abstrat work, the gallery had devoted a big space to a brand new wheelbarrow...hmmm?...i wondered, what would happen if i took this wheelbarrow around the gallery and hauled out the ugly paintings to the trash?...would the gallery thank me or ban me?...and if the work wasn't shocking enough there were first year art students sitting on a bench in front of one large piece studying the work before them as though it was an aparition of salvador dali...to accompany their serious gawking,they were taking notes and making sketches of the painting...if there was enough room in the wheelbarrow for all of them, i would have hauled them out to the street...they should be directed to a gallery is showing really interesting, thought provoking work and not someone's idea of a joke!....

and so i sit here in my studio wondering, 'why do i spend so much time on a painting, when i can go out to the garage and pull out that rusty rake, prop it up in a gallery, slap a price tag of $13,000 on it and call it art?'...do you think art students would feel compelled to sit there and sketch it??

tomorrow, i start again on 'zoe'...unless i visit that undiscovered bevy of art, the home depot...

it's friday and things are looking good...

i know that i might have mentioned earlier this week that i was going to work on 'two portraits' at once...well, i am sad to have report that i am not a superwoman-painter...yes, it seems that this girl's cape is just big and powerful enough to work on one painting at a time...perhaps, i'll attempt that science experiment at a later date with work that doesn't require too much specific concentration...

on a happier note, it looks like the portrait of 'kelsey' will be done by tomorrow...i noticed on the commission form that the client filled out that i wrote that the work would be done by 'late october', not that far off in my 'estimation'...usually, i am right on with the time frame that i quote my clients but not lately...

lately, my mind has been filled with upcoming projects that are really exciting to me (not that portrait work isn't exciting, it's just that this is different stuff)...i have a new show in the planning stages for the huneck gallery in colorado that will be opening in the summer...25 small painting of dogs in a circus theme...as well i am also planning to have a studio show sometime late february/spring-ish where i'll be selling 100 small works for $100 each....plus putting together another show that will be paintings of the small semi-deserted towns across the mid-west/western states...lots on my mind...

anyway, back to 'kelsey'...

'kelsey'

the colours i am using on this painting are rather lovely...it's a simple composition...really draws the viewer in...fingers crossed, it should be completed by sunday...

all out of chocolate and hallowe'en candy...what now??

mid week update...

things are coming along nicely with the portrait of 'kelsey'...the background in this portrait is slightly different than others i have done...different in the sense of colours i'm using and very fitting for this dog...not much else to report at the moment...

back to the easel...