Paint Pony #51

 
Last fall I started my somewhat daily paintings with horses.  I counted up to the high 40s, then sort of lost my way with dogs and cats and commissions and gifts, and stopped numbering them, even though I'm sure I was well over 50.  So I get this free Monday holiday with just housework to do, so how could I resist?  I'm calling this new album on my Facebook page 'Reboot' to remind me that sometime you need a rest before the next phase can begin.
This is a watercolor from an image I found on Morguefile.  I had already painted a large acrylic painting from it, but I just love this pose and the light on this horse so much, that I had to try to do a watercolor from it. 
It was a nice way to spend a couple of hours on Monday.

Paint Pony #51
10"x8"
Watercolor on 140# Fabriano paper

Resting Gull

I painted this little gull for the DPW challenge.  I took the photo about a month ago, when this little guy started hanging out near my pier.  He was there all day, but by the next morning he was gone.  From what I can tell, he is a juvenile laughing gull. 

"Resting"

6"x6"

Acrylic on Canvas Panel



Copper Kitten

Yes, I have been long away from my blog, but not my paintbrush!  My day job has taken a healthy chunk of my time lately and I just couldn't find the time to get on the computer to write about what I love - I barely have time to do what I love - paint! 
I was inspired by this kitten's photo and could not resist painting her in shades of orange and purple!  She has such a sweet, slightly inquisitive expression!  I also wanted to continue my experiments with hardboard panels as a support.
Let me know what you think!


Copper
6"x6"
Acrylic on Masonite panel

Gray tabby kitten

I thought I'd try the gray kitten again.  I like this one better!

6"x6"
Acrylic on canvas panel

Rough start

Good news is, I found some time to paint on Monday.  Bad news is, boy am I rusty.  I repainted the eyes on this kitty twice, and I still don't like them.  That's what happens when you don't practice, kids!
I may have to redo this one.  Not sure yet.  But I hope to be practicing more this summer!

June Kitty #1
6"x6"
Acrylic on canvas panel

Painting time... I've missed you...

Not much time to paint lately.  It has made me a very unhappy camper.  Was hoping to do more this summer, but I ended up having to work full-time.  I will be showing some of my completed works on Friday evening, hope at least one of them goes home with someone who appreciates it!  The Iris painting is one I did at a workshop this spring, and I love it.  I don't know if anyone will love it more than me though!

White Iris

22"x15"

Watercolor on 140# Arches paper

Bruno's Story

Bruno is a young dog living outside of Chicago, IL.  He was abandoned as a very young puppy because of his physical disability - he was unable to use his back legs.  He was rescued and placed into a foster home where he has been able to receive intensive physical therapy, which has enabled him to regain some use of his back end.  Every day is a small victory for this baby, and even a day in the sunshine is a gift. 
I hope to auction this painting to support some of Bruno's therapy.  For more about Bruno, visit his Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/BrunosStory
To participate in the auction that will help with his therapy, visit the auction page at Dailypaintworks:  http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/42630

Bruno thanks you!
Bruno in Sunshine
14"x11"
Acrylic on Canvas

Sarah's Chula

At 16 years young, this Lady is the Queen of her Domain, which consists of quite a few rescued cats and dogs.  Her quiet demeanor screamed at me to paint her!  So here she is!

Cattitude - Chula
6"x6"
Acrylic on Canvas Panel

Horse Challenge!

I awoke early this Sunday morning to find that Carol Marine had posted a photo of a horse in a grassy field as the DPW Challenge photo for the week!  Imagine my delight!  And then the dilemma - stay true to the photo, or experiment?  I decided to stay close this time and use acrylics - I can always do another version!  Since I posted my version this morning, two more have posted with watercolor versions, which is what I want to try next.  Maybe later.  I have something else on my easel right now I need to finish!

Misty Morning
6"x6"
Acrylic on Canvas panel

I've been long away...

It has been an incredibly hectic month since I last posted.  Very little painting got done, with the exception of this one post-Christmas commission.  Well, at least it got done.  I am not fond of painting from photos I didn't take myself.  I usually have to do a lot of manipulation with the contrast in order to see some of the details.  Such was the case with the reference photo for this painting.  Additionally, the eyes on both dogs were barely visible, and that's usually my favorite part to paint.  It's done, so now I need to move on to something new!

Buddies

20"x16"

Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

White on White Challenge

Had to try the DPW Challenge this week because it was a white challenge.  I love to paint white things - flowers, dogs, and now a cat.  Found this image on Morgue File, and did the painting on a canvas board that had been toned a mid-blue, then went back and added the light color over the blue.  I really tried to use lots of different colors in my whites, but after the first pass, it looked splotchy.  I just put some more light whites on the kitty, and that's where I am now.
We've had a tough week.  Lost a friend and former student who was only 25 years old to a rare form of cancer.  Painting helped me take my mind off of it for a minute.  And as white symbolizes hope, this one's for you, BobbiJo.

Angel
6"x6"
Acrylic on Canvas Panel

Play, NOW!

A quick painting of a pup I've been meaning to do for a while!
I like how the turquoise-y purples play against the oranges of the pup's fur!  That white, though, was tough!




Melinda's Pup
10"x8"
Acrylic on stretched canvas

Meesey, Siamese-y

I mentioned in my last post that I had never 'rescued' a cat.  Until now.  The calico that I painted was from the photo of a cat while she was in Animal Control in Gaston County, NC.  Those nice ladies I mentioned  have now rescued her, and transported her from NC to south Alabama, where I live.  But I have barely seen her, as she is currently hiding behind the freezer.
The lady that transported her has several Siamese cats of her own.  I found an appealing photo from her collection and cropped it to paint.  When she saw it, she said she was in tears, as it was her favorite kitty.  I was able to give it to her when she delivered my new kitty today after driving over six hours to get her here!

Meesey, If you please...
6"x6"
Acrylic on canvas panel

Calico Kitty

This never happens to me.  But it did today.  I could not say no to this face.  I had to paint her.  And... I had to have her.  I am Facebook friends with some tenderhearted folk who work hard trying to get homes for shelter animals.  This kitty was in a shelter in NC, which is about 9 hours away from where I live in south Alabama.  When I saw this beautiful face, I couldn't believe someone had given up this beautiful cat, who is supposedly very sweet in the pound.  I said yes, if you can get her to me, I will take her. 
Now I just have to break it to my husband...

Calico Kitty
6"x6"
Acrylic on Canvas Board

Mable in Mauve

Mable posed for me one day not long ago in her second favorite sunspot, and I was able to get several photos.  She looks so tranquil here, just about to close her eyes. 

I was working with a range of brownish mauves in this painting, using mostly the cad red left on my palette from the previous day's Tangerine Tango challenge painting, and ultramarine and prussian blues, mixed with unbleached titanium.  I especially like the more intense pinky-mauve around her nose, and the one brilliant highlight in the lower part of her right eye.

Mable in Mauve
6"x6"
Acrylic on canvas panel

Tangerine Tango Challenge 2!

This was the second painting I did for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge.  When I uploaded the first, Zuka Tango!, the color of Zuka just didn't appear the same intensity as the sample color.  So for the background on this one, I used mostly Cadmium Red with just a touch of Unbleached Titanium to tone it down.  It comes a little closer to the Tangerine Tango color chip. 

The reference photo is a gray and white kitten, which I interpreted with Cobalt Turquoise and various blues and lavenders.  I'm pretty happy with this one, and I think Parker's grandmother is too!

Parker on Tango

6" x 6"

Acrylic on canvas panel

Zuka Tango!

I decided to paint Zuka for his alert expression and because he was a vivid orange color.  I used Australian Sienna, Cad Red, Cad Yellow Light and Transparent Red Oxide to get the range of oranges I needed. 
He was a challenge in more ways than one - the angle of his head proved to be harder than I thought it would be - but I am pleased with the results!  I especially love the intensity of the colors, and his expression!






Zuka
14"x11"
Acrylic on stretched canvas

Prancer 2

This girl was painted from the same reference photo I used yesterday, just a little closer in.  She is certainly very vibrant!  I am warming back up to the ponies with small paintings, but I'm about ready to get a little larger!

Paint Pony 41

7" x 5"

Watercolor on 140# paper

Back to the Ponies!

Perhaps I am an addict, but I feel most liberated when I'm painting the ponies just for me!  This one was from a sketch I did for one of the Christmas commissions, I just never did a practice painting for the commission on it.  So I decided that I would give it some happy colors in a pretty loose style.  I like her, even though she's small, at just 5"x7"!  I'm still trying to meet my goal of 100 ponies in a year, so I'll take it, even if it's small. 

Paint Pony 40

7"x5"

Watercolor on 140# paper

Sandy Mater

My sister's dog, and my dog's best friend.  Such a sweet girl (the dog, but the sister's not bad either)!

Sandy
14" x 11"
Acrylic on Canvas