A Tribute to a Faithful Friend...

Gus
Oil on Canvas 
(16"x20")

"Dogs' lives are too short.  Their only fault, really.  "

~Agnes Sligh Turnbull



Gus was a commissioned piece I did for a former co-worker... If you are interested in commissioning your own special portrait of your favorite furry friend, please contact me.

Hope you're having a lovely week...

Etsy Update!

Just added all of these to my Etsy shop...

I've added some pendants featuring my Proverbs 31 Woman series...

"Proverbs 31 Woman - Italy"

...and my watercolors...

"Wisteria"

"Busy Bee"

"Koi Pond"

"Abandoned Nest"

"Autumn Road"

"Harvey"

"Deliver Us"

...and oil paintings...

"The Golden Hour"

...and my doggie...

"Harvey"

...and my hymn collage series...

"Be Thou My Vision"

....plus many more!

Please stop by the shop and check them out!

Artsy Wednesday - Reepicheep, My Hero...

Even if you've never read the books, you're probably at least familiar with the new-ish films based on The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. My favorite character from the series and from literature in general is Reepicheep, the valiant mouse...

Reepicheep

(11"x14," oil on canvas panel, in my private collection)

This is an oil portrait of Reepicheep which I did several years ago. (Incidentally, this is NOT Despereaux.) I have prints and greeting cards of this painting available for purchase in my SHOP and on ETSY. One would look great in a child's room or even in a playfully-pompous library or den. It would also make a great gift for a fan of the books or movies.

If I tried to summarize Reepicheep's character or key passages including him from the books, I would do him and Lewis an injustice. So, let me just say, you NEED to read the books (which are excellent over all), if only to meet this little-BIG guy.  (The films are okay as movies go, but they don't compare to the books - read the books!). (Reepicheep appears in Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Last Battle). 

*** Interesting (maybe) Fact Regarding This Painting***

This piece has remained one of my most popular works of art. In fact, Reepicheep has been so popular amongst my friends and family that I have painted 4 other versions of  this painting. One of these paintings, a gift to my Dad, was stolen out of the frame from one of his exam rooms in his pediatrics office. So if you see a small version of this painting with my signature hanging in someone's home or office and they are not one of my relatives or close friends, it is stolen property, and you should contact the authorities (or me). So, I suppose I have joined in the ranks of the likes of Vincent Van Gogh, who has had his paintings stolen too. The only difference would be that his other paintings sell for millions and mine for gobs slightly less than that. And I'm hoping not to starve to death or go crazy. And I have no immediate plans to cut off either of my ears..... At any rate, it's a little bit flattering to have had something I painted stolen - that means at least they LIKED it - but I feel violated too..... rather like being whistled at. So there's my story.

Happy Wednesday....

Cigar Pochade Boxes

...finally finished!

I found three cigar boxes at an antique store...
The large one didn't have any logos or labels,

so I jazzed it up with some nifty travel labels I had.

I added new hinges a rectangular dowel to the back

to support it when propped open.

Then inside, I outfitted each of them to hold a painting kit!

This one is set up for watercolors.
The dowels inside hold up an acrylic palette,
The ribbons on the back hold a plate-holder
that holds a canvas or board in place.

This one is outfitted for oils.
The white box is a pill organizer
that will soon hold several paint colors.
Shelf brackets slide in between dowels on the side
to hold brushes.
Maple syrup bottles from Cracker Barrel
hold turpenoid and medium.
The third one is a gift... :)

The bottom is fitted with a nut
that fits a universal tripod mount
for plein air painting.
Acrylic stick-on feet protect table tops.

Can't wait for my next market day!

Hope you're having
a happy weekend!