Snow dog

Some one asked me once to not only post my paintings, but post the photos that I work the commissions from. So here's Dublin, the Snow dog!

Dublin

5x7 inches watercolor

Dublin's photo

the client had given me about 10 photos to choose from. After talking with the friend of Dublin's owner, he told me that a) this doggie is no longer with us and b) that he just loved being outside and was a big goofball. Typical golden, right? So I had to do the one with him in the snow. I didn't want to go overboard with the lattice on the porch, so I made it more of a pattern in the painting. And I didn't retort back to my pencils (trying to keep it strictly watercolor) so I had to break out the white watercolor to get the snow on the fur. There were many photos, like I said, and this photo with him in the snow didn't really capture his true golden color. This can show you how important to get more than one or two photos for reference!!!

I hope she loves it!

the Pendulum Swing

So here in New England, March is in full swing with days that start at 50 degrees F and by the time the sun goes down it's 25 degrees F. I'm afraid this post is going to be the same way so bear with me.

"Havanese"

8x10 inch watercolor, colored pencil

The results of the Art Show at the Dog Show came in and, alas, my pieces did not place. No cash prize for me. sigh. Well, they're still on exhibit until the 2nd week of April so if you are in Wichita, you should go check them out. It's still an honor to be a part of this show and it will definitely go on the artist's resume (which is something ELSE I need to get done.)

I have had a couple of inquiries about commissions and actually have a person who is interested in this Havenese painting. She then saw that I do commissions and now is deciding on one or the other. So now I'm wondering how I can push my portfolio pieces. I need to unload!! I was actually thinking of raising prices of commissioned pieces because that's where the action is. Then the originals would seem like a bargain in comparison... but I don't know. Jiminy crickets it's pretty quiet anyway so what difference would it make? And speaking of money, I finished doing my taxes yesterday. Death and taxes... yup.

Gut at the Middle East, Cambridge

July 2010

Photo by Julie Brennen

Don't you love it when your friends compliment you on how great you are at marketing and such and then finish it with "Oh you could set up a Facebook page for us" (eye roll here). That's what happened to me and the Gut boys. Don't get me wrong, I'll do anything to help the boys out but I did remind them that my stuff comes first! And after seeing them about 2 times and it kept coming up in conversation and I kept telling them how freakin' easy it is. But, did it anyway. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gut/193037427396129 and after all that. .... they only have 3 likes: me, Jason and my friend Andy. LOL. I'm sure there are ways to make it more fancy but I have yet to figure it out and like I said, my plate is pretty full with the art stuff and stuff! We saw them Friday at OBriens in Allston and gotta say they were the tightest that I've seen them in a while. Got to love that.

Another band that you all should check out is Taiwan Typhoon http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Taiwan-Typhoon/181262035237251 Especially if you like At the Drive In or Fugazi. They are having a CD release party at Great Scotts in Allston on the 24th of March. Hell, yes, I will be there.

So with the easing in of spring, the time is now to go shed hunting. Here's J with his latest find. He'd kill me if I told you were they were from, so sorry. But holy schmoly that's one big deer!

What did I say about a pendulum? Just got a possible gig for a flyer for a DJ in NYC. Literally. Just got a tweet. Sketches are being sent tomorrow.... Now go do stuff!

It's that time of year again!.

If you look around you can't help but notice the Christmas season is upon us. Whether you celebrate or not, this is a time of year that can be super stressful to some, and really depressing to others. Remember, that Christmas is not about how much you can save at the mall if you go there RIGHT NOW! It's the anniversary of the birth of Christ in the Christian calendar. Now, I'm not a religious person, so Christmas to me is about spending time with friends, family, drinks, good food and of course pet portraits ..

"Schuster"

5"x7"

watercolor and Prisma color pencils

Schuster's owner, Kristin, won my gift certificate that I donated to the PBRC (Pit Bull Rescue Central http://www.pbrc.net/ ) I actually got most of this painting done when I was sitting at Allston Open Studios so not only was it for a good cause, but brought attention to my work as well as the fact - yes, I do donate! and yes, I do commissions! I apologize for the poor photo, my regular 35mm camera is broken! I guess it was bumped around one too many times and now the back door that holds the film won't 'click' shut .. I'm not sure it can even be fixed. So Santa, if you're reading this :)

"Look Who's 10"

watercolor and ink

November 30th was my nephew's 10th birthday! The big 1-0!! Of course I had to make him a card. He's been taking drumming lessons and I think it's time to start introducing him to a little rock n' roll. In fact, I think the first time I heard Led Zeppelin I was 10... I remember my friend sat me down to listen to "Stairway to Heaven" because she thought it was SO cool that it started slow, got faster and harder and ended being slow again. It wasn't til high school that I realized how truly amazing this band was.... "Gallows Pole" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I5WU8r9Uj8 being a particular favorite

Then last week the girls and I had a creative Wednesday making Christmas cards. I normally do a winter/themed watercolor and have it printed out. But this year I wanted to break out of the box, so to speak, but that's what creative Wednesday is all about. So I went back to one of my first loves: Collage. When I was a little girl, my sister did a collage in her bedroom of cut outs from fashion mags and such. Funny sayings - mostly about flirting. I wanted so much to be like her that I then did the same thing, but with pictures of animals. In fact, she would bring a Vogue or something home and I'd start cutting it up before she even looked at it. Later, when I took an oil painting class in college, the professor had us make our own still life with found objects and make a collage out of it. I still remember mine had an orange nerf ball. But this was an assignment to teach about color. ... So for Creative Wednesday, I found a bunch of magazines, a photo promo book and lots of old Christmas cards to cut away at (I never throw anything away!) Anyway, with out further ado, here are this years 2010 Christmas cards:

"Underwater Christmas"

6"x9"

paper & rubber cement

"Snowball Fight"

6"x9"

paper & rubber cement

"Santa Baby"

6"x9"

paper & rubber cement

"The Reverend Jackson Dreams of Christmas"

6"x9"

paper & rubber cement

"Pear Tree Christmas"

4"x 8"

paper & rubber cement




"Money Owl"

6" x 9"

paper & rubber cement

So there you go. The JP Christmas fair is tomorrow. This is the last fair that I will be doing for the year. I will need to start focusing my attention on Christmas commissions and then its on to 2011!

the aftermath

Well, another Heritage days is back of our minds. It was a pretty good weekend over all with the weather. There's no doubt that people are feeling a pinch in economy. There were a lot of people walking around but not much spending going on. The weather was gorgeous! My friend Dave (the Potter Stone - a ceramic artist) was able to make his booth and all from repeat customers in his first 3 sales! Myself, well, I came back negative $25.50. Poo.

Jason continues to ask me why I keep doing this. I guess it's an obsession? I don't know. I mean, I missed one of the biggest cookouts of the summer to go do this show. (but I think my liver is thankful for that one). And I slept on an air mattress on Saturday night; ugh so uncomfortable. And then we're looking for blankets (we stayed at his dad's condo) and Dave said, "Well, there's a couple of big towels here!" I said, "Really, Dave, I'm not that drunk" lol. I had a repeat customer come and visit me on Saturday. I had done a pet portrait for her back in '03(?) and since then, that dog has died. It was her sister's dog and sister has a new dog now and she was saying that she was going to come back on Sunday and give me a picture and a deposit and have one done for her sister's birthday which is at the end of August. I did see her on Sunday, but my booth was full of people and I was talking to some when I saw her walk by. We made eye contact and gave each other a friendly wave but that's it. Okay - so these are the downsides.

the Upside: People love my work. I get such a good feeling when people tell me I have incredible talent. "oh my god, these are water colors??? You're GOOD!" I did have a pair of women comment on my "Girls and Horses" painting. She really wanted it because it reminded her of herself and her sister. I don't have any prints (just too big to make the simple ones.) So it's a one of a kind piece for a mere $300. But alas, too much for a compulsive buy? I don't know. Hopefully someone will call me for a commission. I haven't had one since Christmas.

And congradulations to Mary Fisher of Cohasset on being the winner of the gift certificate for a 5x7" painting!!