away on vacation...

well here i am sitting on a beach in florida wearing nothing but a bathing suit top, short pants, no shoes or socks, large 'jackie o' sunglasses and tons of 60spf sunscreen and don't forget the glass filled with wine!...i guess you could say that i am on 'vacation'...we have been away for just over one week with one more to go and so far the weather has been just perfect!...

not much else to write at the moment, i'm going to head outside for a bit before the noonday sun...

almost there...

all right what is up with the sunshine and no snow?...it's almost chrismas!...

had a wonderful 'impromptu office party' yesterday courtesy of a really great client who has become a good friend...she brought her two dogs and some wine over and we spent the afternoon in the studio drinking and talking...just like jackson pollack...although neither of us were bleary-eyed by the end of the party like pollack would have been...it was such a nice feeling to have a couple of dogs hanging out in the studio...yogi was asleep on the couch while scully was huddled right up against my leg looking to be massaged...such a great feeling...i really wish i had a dog...someday i will...

today the owner from the gallery that reps me is coming over for a look at a couple of new paintings...i want to have a talk about the status of my other work in the gallery and what plans she has for boosting my presence...it's all part of my 'no non-sense' plan to advance my career as a painter of work other than animals...i'm looking for a gallery that is going to be excited about me and what i produce...i want to feel like they are truly earning their 50% commission (yes that's right 50%)...they are capable of creating a buzz about any artist in their gallery so why not me?...this new attitude is partially due to the excitement i feel for the upcoming studio show/sale i'm hosting sometime in march (?)...i think artists need to look at other venues and ways to sell their work without resorting to the gallery method...frankly which in my opinion doesn't really do much to rep an unknown or emerging artist and i'm not really sure why??...

enough of that for now, i have to go and sand the one hundred small boards and get them ready for gessoing...then the fun begins with the painting!...

as for the animal portraits, i'm finished with the painting schedule and will resume with a new one in january...i believe there are eighteen (?) portraits to get to...so enough chatter for now...

thinking festive thoughts...

'fidget and java'...

here is the painting of 'fidget and java'....

just a few more days left before we leave for florida...still have much work to do before leaving...it seems as though it doesn't matter how much i 'schedule' things, i'm still faced with working up to the very last minute before leaving on vacation...i never really get any time to just sit and stare at a blank wall or pack properly or just breathe...perhaps my new years' resolution will be, 'how to effectively learn to relax in the middle of chaos'...there must be a book 'for dummies' out there on the subject!...

today, i have one of my favourite clients coming over with her dogs and she is bringing festive drinks...i'm calling this my version of an 'office party'...although yesterday i had the christmas music on, a string of lights in the studio blinking away and my singing of those christmas song echoing about...nothing like the 'ella's swingin' christmas' cd to really bring the fun into the season!!...

we NEED snow!!...

back to work...

the saturday before christmas...

the saturday before christmas or if you prefer, the first day of hanukah that jewish holiday with a variable spelling and here i am in the studio at 4am!...why?...partly because i'm very thirsty, a garlicky pizza and bottle of wine for dinner will wake you with a thirst so strong that very little will quench!...the other reason i'm up so early is that i have still lots to do before i can leave on holiday and this is weighing heavily on my mind...

yesterday proved to be a bust in terms of work and life in general because no matter what i touched, i broke it, dropped it, tripped over it, turned it pink in the laundry or just was not in synch with the world around me and what others wanted...hence the bottle of wine and the bleary-eyed early to bed...

today we are having family over for a party this afternoon...lots of cheese and other food normally eaten at this time of year...

it's just after five and i think i'll head back to bed but first another glass of water...

comments on the portrait of 'mia'

from the gallery through with the portrait was commissioned:

"WOW
I loved it – it’s just amazing. Linda Kay came in yesterday afternoon to pick it up, and she was more than pleased. I think her husband will absolutely freak (in a good way).
Merry Christmas!

Jaime Light
Owner ~ The Huneck Gallery of Breckenridge, Inc."

and from linda kay, the owner of mia:

"Dear Lisa,

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You captured the personality of our Mia so perfectly in her portrait. I can't begin to tell you how happy I am with the painting...and can't wait for Christmas morning to give it to Pete. Jaime loved it also, and she told me it's her favorite work by you so far.

I will begin to look for the perfect picture of my sweet Angus; that will be next year's gift!

Thank you again.....it is so perfect.

lkp"

'mia'...

and here is what she's smiling about....good girl...

studio food

i already covered the 'studio fashion' now let me mention a bit about 'studio food'...basically, chocolate and coffee with the occasional meal thrown in the mix...pretty simple...

the portrait 'mia' leaves tomorrow for her home in colorado and i'll post it online here and on the website on wednesday during early evening, once i'm sure it has arrived safely...i may have already mentioned this, but this portrait is such a joyful one because of the expression on 'mia's' face...it's one of sheer satisfaction that she has reached her destination, the countertop...i think more humans should climb up on a counter and experience the feeling that mia did, perhaps we'd be a much happier society...

the current painting i'm working on 'two dogs in a boat (aka the portrait of tobi and murphy)' is another one of those 'joie de vie' type portraits...it's really invoking many smiles...

coffee in hand along with a small kahlua filled chocolate i'll head to work once i climb down from this counter...

one year...

i know i haven't posted anything in a couple of days but there hasn't been much going on...just steadily working away on the last two paintings of this schedule, making gift lists, writing out christmas cards and adminstrative stuff...

i'll be starting work in the studio later today than usual because i'm making the trip back home to guelph to visit the grave of my aunt, today marks the first anniversary of her death...funny how time flies...i'll visit the grave that contains the remains of the three people that made a huge impact on my life and now living without them, i feel rather 'lost'...i won't write more on this at the moment...

well, i'd better find my winter hat and head out the door...

life is strange that way...

last night i found out that a close family friend has a rare form of cancer...news of this has really put me in a bit of a funk, as she was the best friend of my aunt donna who died at the age of 49 a year ago this saturday...i somehow find it very strange that almost a year later sheela (aka dr. basrur) has cancer...she is currently at her parents' home recovering from the surgery which discovered this disease...the weird thing is, her dad was a cancer research doctor of some stature in his day and now he is faced with his daughter falling ill to something he dedicated part of his career trying to find a cure for...life is strange that way...

the photo is one that was taken during one summer at the cottage my grandfather rented located on lake huron...the summers spent on the lake are my most precious and often relived memories...my aunt is on the left, me in the middle and sheela on the right wearing the life jacket (her mum was a tad over-protective!)...it was during that summer that i remember sheela and i colouring during a rainy day...she taught me the finer points of 'blending colours with a crayon'...not sure why i recall this so distinctively but i even remember to object we were colouring in my book, a trumpet...she was amazing at staying in the lines...her daughter simone visited my studio last year and told me of her plans to be an artist when graduates high school...i guess her mum spent time colouring with her also!...

my thoughts are with sheela today and will be everyday...she rushed to the hospital the day my aunt died to lend her shoulder in support, i hope that i can provide the same support for her family in this time of uncertainty...

well, i'm going to try and take my mind off of things for a while and continue working...

'tobi and murphy'

not much to report...the portrait coming along fine...

perhaps i'll write more later...

studio fashion...

my attire for work consists of the following:

one pair of black adidas tear-away track pants-paint splattered
one pair of overalls-paint splattered
a short sleeved tshirt-little paint spots
one long sleeved tshirt, both paint splattered
shoes that have paint on them
one black vest-paint splattered
one black scarf-paint free
one plaid 'farmer's jacket'-also paint free

i alternate the pants/overalls, but generally wear all of the remainder listed...

most days i have my hair pulled up and if painting outside i wear a hat-usually cowboy...

just lipgloss, you know the kind that is supposed to 'moisturise' your lips, but usually dries them out so you'll buy more thinking the weather is reeking havoc on your lips, so you better protect them by buying this product...

no wonder, i'm not on the cover of vogue!

every day at 330pm, i head out for a coffee with joel to the same spot dressed in my studio attire...they recognise me there as a 'regular' so they pretty much have the coffee and cookies ready when we walk in the door...i wonder if the two women who serve the coffee think i work at the construction site across the street?...if they ask, i'll tell them i'm the crane operator!

just in case you're interested in...

monday...

time is ticking and i hear those sleigh bells ringing...i'm trying not to rush through these two paintings...the two dogs in the boat painting is coming along...it's been drawn on the canvas...today's step will be applying a 'wash' of paint that will let me see where the highlights and shadows are going to be, as well i'll be able to see how the palette i've chosen will look...

starting a painting is both exciting and anxious...exciting because in front of me is a new creation that has never been seen before...anxious because i sometimes feel that i just don't know what the heck i'm doing!!!...i've read that this is a common feeling among artists...it really isn't until the muse participates that we are completely as ease with the work at hand and are able to just play and let the work happen...

off to grab a coffee and get down to it...

is it december already?...

nothing really mind-altering to report thus far today...just got in the studio after doing some chores around the house...i wonder if i'm the only one outside a family from iowa that uses the word 'chores'?...

oh well, things are moving along here with the work at hand...i can't slow my thoughts down with regards to the '100 for $100 each' show/sale...many, many ideas are circulating and this is starting to interfere with my sleep...i'm excited to start working on these paintings as they will provide me with a mental break from the animal portraits...not that i don't enjoy the animal work, i do, i just need to 'play' for a bit...

'mia' is still slightly wet, so i won't be shipping this out until perhaps later on next week but definitely before december 15th...

i'm wondering how shannan's wedding is going and what her husband thought of his gift, the portrait of 'becky'?...

the weather outside today is stormy but not in a 'december' kinda way...more like april...it's the type of day that you spend in bed reading self-help books and drinking hot chocolate...

off to the easel...

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...

hallowe'en

the greatest 'holiday' ever!...what other day can you walk up to a complete stranger's house, ring the doorbell, scare them with some freaky mask you are wearing and they freely hand you candy?...

the portrait of 'kelsey' is coming along so far without any 'complications'...i use the word 'complications' to help define what would happen if my muse suddenly went to the mall and left me alone in the studio...the muse is an intricate part of being a creative person and without 'her' we are lost...as well, this dog has such a fantastic expression on it's face that it make me laugh and i do enjoy laughing...

speaking of hallowe'en, i think there is a bowl of chocolate upstairs that is just waiting for a taste test...

off to the easel...

monday and 'kelsey'

after the most rewarding hour of massage this morning (thanks to the magic hands of my rmt, murray) i am sitting like a bowl of jello in the studio 'wanting' to work but 'wanting' to fall asleep from being so mellow...the challenge today for me is to try and work on two paintings at once....what's that noise i hear?...my muscles tightening from stress?...no it's a 'challenge'...it's all good...

the two portraits on the easel are 'zoe' and 'kelsey'...

the race is on, which one will be finished first?....

it's sunday, what time is it?...

after yesterday's late start and today's surprisingly early one (thanks to the clock change and not knowing what the real time was when i woke up) i can now report that the portrait of 'becky' is done...what's that i hear?...is that shannan smiling?...yup, it's done and it looks amazing...i think becky will certainly be bragging about this at the dog park...

not much else to report...this afternoon i'll start work again on 'zoe'...

in desparate need of some coffee...

friday update...

shannan will be happy when she reads this posting...the portrait of 'becky' should be done by tomorrow...

wow, that was fast you might be asking yourself...it certainly was...coffee, chocolate, lack of sleep and tons of creative energy flowing through me is to credit for the quick completion of the painting...i used to rely on elves sneaking into the studio while i slept to finish work...however, i seriously think they are now working the late shift at 7-11 because they haven't been around in a very long time...

if all goes well shannan, you should have the painting in your hands sometime during the week of november 13th...

today's work-day is going to be cut short, as i am going out for dinner and a concert...

up before the birds...

today's studio adventure began at 530am with a coffee in one hand, chocolate (courtesy of my chocolate pimp) in the other and vitamins in my shirt pocket...i am working hard to finish 'becky's' portrait by the weekend and at this rate i might just be able to accomplish it...did you read that shannan?...shannan is becky's mum and has commissioned this portrait as a wedding gift for her husband to be...how sweet is that?..the wedding is at the end of november so that's why the rush is on...i wonder though how his present will top this one?...

the background of the painting is beautiful but then again how can a view of vancouver looking west from the mountains not be?...and of course the subject is one of the sweetest cocker spaniels ever!...

hang in there shannan, soon it will be hanging in the perfect spot you found for it...

'abby'

here is 'abby'...her portrait is ready to ship...as for 'becky' and 'zoe', they are coming along nicely...i'll post the portrait of 'fox' once the client comes to pick it up...

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'neegee' and massages

'ahhhhhh'...would be an odd way to begin a blog entry, but is the best way to describe how i feel right now....just returned from my massage guy who managed to put my spine in an upright, mobile position once again...today also was the day that he received his portrait of his dog neegee....happy to report that both owner and subject were very pleased with the piece...but i think i am more pleased by the outcome of the massage!...

back to work...

'becky'

'becky' is on the easel today...not much to report at the moment...

drinking coffee, listening to jazz and thinking about..............

'zoe' still on working on it..

i can't help but wonder as i work on 'zoe's' portrait, the sights, smells and sounds she must have experienced in her life as she has lead a rather eventful and exciting one...her mum once worked with dolphins on a caribbean island as well in louisiana...so the life of zoe has been that of exotic beaches, salt water, good food and great sunsets...the background for her portrait however, is a winter scene with a chewed soccer ball!...a dog of many collars!...

the look in her eyes is that of one who has been around and seen plenty....

back to the easel...

the urban pet-is the end in sight??

ok...after a few more phone calls and finding a new cell phone listing for laurie i managed to call her several times today in ten minute intervals...leaving messages and pages along the way...once the calls were made, i decided to head out of the studio to get a fresh perspective on things...so, tonight i sat in the audience during a taping of one of my favourite tv shows...went out to dinner with my best friend, where i had to send back my dinner as it wasn't fit for a dog!...but happy to report that after a few grande margaritas, the world looks like a brighter place....

i just returned to the studio at this moment to find a message on my answering machine...who from?...the illusive laurie martin!!!....it seems that the help of the great folks on the message board, my persistence and my terse but firm email to her associate, rive nestor drew her from hiding....the message stated that she had sent me 'several emails regarding my work' but none were responded to ( i never received one of the said emails) and that my work has been sitting with her all packaged up waiting for me to show up...hmmm?...all she needs is a mailing address to sent the package to(which by the way, is written on the contract, my business cards and inside my portfolio all of which she has) and could i call her back with the details....the absolute best part of this entire message was her asking me if i would like to 'sign up to advertise' on her latest website project!!!....this made my slightly inebriated self laugh a good one!...

so there you have it, my work is coming home or at least that is what was said....fingers crossed...time will tell...

it has been a very interesting two days that's for sure...i have learned that despite the fact that there are people in the world who think they have power, such as laurie martin, owner of a gallery, possessor of no integrity...the power lies within the goodness of the masses who offer help to someone they don't even know...i can't thank the people who have come to my aid enough...again i will say, that the next time i'm in san francisco, i will buy everyone drinks!....

thank you....

i'll let you know when they are sitting in my studio safe and sound...

stolen artwork update

last night i found the number of the artist that was associated with the urban pet gallery so i gave her a call...unfortunately, she was driving to los angeles when i called so the phone reception wasn't that great, i was dropped three times...i told ms. nestor about my situation and was looking for a way to contact laurie martin...she was sort of shocked to hear that my work is missing and before i was dropped a third time, she asked for my number...through the garbled transmission, i heard 'i'll see if i can find her number' and then she was gone...i am hoping that this woman will be able to locate laurie and my missing work because three calls to a cell phone is a lot cheaper than a flight to san fransisco...

so the saga begins...

i am not really that mad, just amazed that this woman laurie has absolutely no consideration for others...

STOLEN ARTWORK!!

ok, so i made a check up call to a store that represents me in san fran...i dialed the number only to find that it is no longer in service as was the cell number of the owner, laurie martin...so i checked online for their website, not there, no cyber memory of it exists!...i did a search on the shop and found a website that once rated it so i joined up to post a note asking for info on this shop...very kind and helpful people responded immediately...the shop is no longer open...ok, great now where the hell are my paintings, portfolio and giclees?????....so the search was on...after one person suggested that i call the local police i did...but to no luck the officer could not help out...it is a civil case and that is if i can find the scoundrels!...

yes i am mad...

here are photos of the paintings that i desperately want returned...anyone with information about the urban pet or the owner, laurie martin aka 'queen scoundrel'...the painting is a triptych 'the philosopher dogs-aristotle, socrates and plato'

i think the cocktail hour is going to be early today....

'fox' is finished...

the portrait is done and it looks good!...i think the client will be pleased..short coffee break before i start work on 'zoe'....

i'll post the painting of 'fox' after the client views it...

another day, another cup of java

a little late in starting the day as i had to get my hair cut...so, after four cups of espresso straight up at the salon, i am now back in the studio ready to begin work...i have a good feeling that the portrait will be done today or at least that is what i am convincing myself of...not much left to work on really so i just might do it...such a positive kinda gal...

thanks to the makers of lavazza, i'm off and running to the easel!....

funny who becomes the muse....

while working on the portrait of 'fox' i can't help but think about the saddest portrait i have done to date, a border collie named 'zack' and his owner...the client contacted me regarding a portrait of her border collie...she told me that her and her husband had been interested in commissioning a portrait for some time...nothing unusual about that except that she told me that her husband had died suddenly a couple of weeks prior to her call...the portrait was to commemorate her husband and his dog...while she was telling the story about how he died, i had a flash of what the painting would look like...it's funny because all the while i was working on the painting, i felt the presence of her husband next to me...kind of eerie and reassuring at the same time...i feel the same presence while working on my current painting of 'fox' which could explain why the work is going along at a quick pace...

here's the painting of 'zack'...his dad is the in the photo under his paw...

'fox' day two

after spending thirteen hours straight in the studio yesterday, i managed to finish the background for 'fox's' portrait...today i start the figure...let's see if i can complete this by the end of the day...

with coffee in hand, i'm armed and ready to face the day...

'fox' day one...

ok, up at 5:30 am after working in the studio for almost twelve hours straight yesterday completing a portrait for client in erie pennsylvania...my mind is working overtime these days as this is my 'busy season'...lots of clients want paintings for christmas gifts, so there is little time for me to get outside to 'play'...

today i begin a portrait of a chihuahua named 'fox'...i have been mulling this composition over in my mind for a few days and not sure why?...it is a pretty straightforward piece but i am thinking about the subject, fox...this poor sweet fella had his life cut short this summer when he was struck by a car...his mum commissioned this piece to remember him by, as well this is a gift for her boyfriend...whenever i work on a piece that has a tragic history attached to it, the mood i'm in is mixed...

off to the easel....let's see what today produces...