Paintings update

Just stopping by to show that I have not been idle lately, the dogs take up more time than I ever imagined, excersizing ,training, grooming and generally running round in circles, I now realise that we had grown into a sedate, easy routine with our old boys Fred and Milo so young blood in the house is proving a whole new ball game!
Every now and again I succeed in wearing them out for long enough to settle to a painting and the fruits of my most recent labours are posted below for you to see.....hope you approve
Kay

Another long overdue update!

Looking back at my last few blogs (by now ancient history) I realised that I should update those of you who admired our latest family member Ruben..............there is an awful lot to tell about this special fella but it would take a month to do so, so here is the update in the form of his recent 1st birthday piccy, hope you can see how he has grown into a super handsome and much loved hooligan :-)

Long overdue update

Hello! if anyone is still watching this I will be absolutely amazed ......I really have been slack and am shocked at the passing of time since my last post here, so much has happened and changed that I will just have to move forward and show a few piccy's of what I've been up to since my last visit
These are a selection of my best portraits from 2011/12 and a couple of originals destined for exhibitions in the summer months hope you like them :-)

Trying to catch up!

Well thats Christmas over and done with for another year Phew!! don't think I have ever been so exhausted!
Since my last blog entry I have suffered the loss of our precious Jack Russell Milo and gained a ginger hooligan in the shape of Ruben (puppy pic in last blog entry) the chooks that were hatched in the summer by our broody turned out to be two hens and two roos.
Christmas bought a late flurry of commissions which kept me far too busy right up the the very last minute and beyond.
Time now to take a breather and work out how to get through another year battling the economic crisis.

Running on the spot

Hi all ......just lately I seem to pedalling like crazy and getting nowhere fast , not had any summer commissions and failed to sell anything at the first summer exhibition of the year :-( to keep myself busy I have started early on Christmas commissions but the nature of that beast is that I won't get paid till Christmas and I can't show any of the work online till then either.......Oh well my blog will just have to consist of the exciting prospect of our new arrivals, we should have some chicks hatching any day now as our broody hen has been sitting for 19 days she has six eggs so I am hoping for at least a couple of new hens!

We will also soon be welcoming a gorgeous HWV puppy into our fold....... this is him at 5weeks of age, cute or what?

"Doggie Doodles": Flaming June

"Doggie Doodles": Flaming June

Flaming June

Hi all, its been a tough few weeks health wise for me so the blog has been sadly neglected (along with lots of other things)

But excuses over I think I am back on track and my head is buzzing with ideas that need to be turned into art (as usual) so the summer should be a productive time, as always I have a few local summer art exhibitions to submit work to and I am working on a slow but steady flow of commissions too.

On a personal level we are busy again trying to think of names for a boy!

Here are some a couple of random, recent attempts at artwork to keep the picture hungry at bay.....hope you like them......back soon with more :-)

At the top is the finally complete graphite dawing of our dog "Kimba" this one has taken ages as it was always on the back burner while other work took priority so I am happy to be able to post it here at long last! On the left is a work in progress graphite drawing of my niece "Abigail" who I have often attempted to portray but just never seem to get "quite right" this one is heading in the right direction though so I am hopeful it will come good with a little more tweaking.And finally our puss "Maggie" painted in pastel, very inconvieniently she decided to sit like this in my studio window one morning while I should have been working on another painting.....however her pose was just too tempting and she stayed put for long enough to get the basics down so it just had to be done!

I took a back up photograph for good measure which I used to refer to when she inevitably spotted some birds outside and sloped off!
Thank you for looking.........come back soon xx

Have some old work up for grabs at the Rochester (New York) 6x6 global art event its a great exhibition and a brilliant idea for fundraising all works will be offered for sale at $20 http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2011.php?artwork_id=236

My painting "Evening light"is featured in the Love from me project 2011 which is a wonderful art book selling in aid of a special cancer charity copies are available here http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2085036/?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=140x240 from Blurb

Still here....and trying to keep up

Hi all, I know I have said it before but this year seems to be going past me at breakneck speed....so much to do , so little time so my apologies for my neglected blog.

The Big Easter Art Exhibition was a great success raising over £7,000 for our local (St Michaels) Hospice, I personally sold four paintings so it was a good weekend for me!

Just to prove that I've not been idle here are a selection of commissioned paintings that have been keeping me busy in recent weeks..Below are some images of the product of my labours, first is an A3 watercolour painting of "Themba" a beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback, then a graphite commission in memory of "Harry" a playful Jack Russell Terrier, the drawing is A3 size and I really enjoyed working on it....even those grasses!

Next up is "Annie" another Jack Russell Terrier this one is an acrylic portrait on a 30x 30 square canvas

Then come Taitti the GSD x Dachshund and Zippy the JRT, both painted in pastels just slightly bigger than A4

I guess I just need an oil painting now to complete the set!

April news!

My apologies for the lack of updates here lately, 2011 is whizzing by and I am struggling to keep up!

I have just submitted some original paintings (see above) to our local Big Easter Art Exhibition which takes place over the next four days at Pett Village Hall Nr Hastings East Sussex (TN35 4HE) sales of paintings are in support of our local hospice and there are some wonderful works of art on display so well worth a visit if you are in the area.

This year I am proud to have been included in the "Love from me project" in which selected artists works have been compiled in a book to be sold to raise funds for a cancer charity my painting "Evening Light" is included in this inspirational publication which can be previewed and purchased via this link http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2085036

I am also trying to raise some money for Guide dogs by joining in a sponsored dog walk with my beautiful Kimba, we plan to walk Four miles in the company of many other dogs and walkers on 15th May if you would like to help by sponsoring us for a pound or two just follow this link http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Pettpaintings

Meanwhile I continue to work on my usual quota of pet portrait commissions and will try to post those completed in my next blog so prepare for a picture overload :-) in due course

Trompe L'oeil and other stuff

Blogging has had to take a back seat in February as I've been busy busy busy working on several projects all at once and of course Kimba has been keeping me occupied with muddy walks galore!

The bathroom Trompe L'oeil attempt is coming along and gradually taking shape visitors to the house have been quick to comment and so far comments have varied from "looks like something from Saving Nemo" to my favourite "I thought it was a real fish tank" yay!

I'm still prepared to paint over it with emulsion if it doesn't meet my intended idea but so far so good and to be honest it's great fun for me.

I have also been busy with a couple of commissions this is one I just completed of another gorgeous little JRT, I painted it in pastels on A3 pastelmat card

And finally I have started a graphite portrait of our gorgeous Kimba.....theres a long way to go on this one as she is a hairy beast and those curls will give me headaches for sure!

Trompe L'oeil

Wow, these last few weeks have whizzed by in a flash! I have not been idle though......busy with a couple of private commissions and some work destined for exhibition at Easter, I have also been painting (decorating) our bathroom and have begun a mural that I'm hoping to class as a Trompe L'oeil .......in order to qualify the painting needs to be realistic enough to "Trick the eye" so it will certainly be challenging but something I've always wanted to try.
I will try to post some pictures of my work as I progress.............. but admit that I have a large tub of emulsion on standby in case it all goes Pete Tong :-D

Art Swap

You may recall that late last year New Zealand artist Karen Neal http://www.wild-impressions.co.nz/and myself entered into an art swap together, this was a new idea for me and a great way to aquire an original work of art without parting with cash :-)
I had had my eye on Karens Little Kingfisher painting and she kindly agreed to swap it for a "commissioned" painting based on some photographs of her recent holiday in Wales...looking through her photographs I had difficulty choosing between the hills and valleys and a lovely wild meadow near to where she had stayed, so I have completed pastel paintings of both and she now has the job of choosing which she wants to hang on her wall.

2011 already

Well that crept up on us....I'm still reeling from all the changes in my life at the end of 2010 ;-)

and here we are already knocking on the door to the second week of 2011....so far things have been very busy for me............ Kimba has been keeping me on my toes and amazingly in spite of the vast amount of junk I consumed over Christmas I seem to have lost some weight :-)

On the work front I have had a small flurry of new portrait enquiries and a tempting proposition for a series of commissions so that is a very promising start to the year.

I have finally completed two commissions from the end of 2010 both depict JRT's one young smooth coated and two elderly rough coated but all exceptionally cute!

Here are Tracker & Poppy a really lovely old "couple" who I had the total pleasure of painting in pastels, the painting is A3 size and has now been safely delivered to their proud owners.

And below is Toby, a young Jrt full of character who's owners wanted a more contemporary style for their painting to suit their home so I painted Toby in an unusual composition using acrylics on a square 30 x 30 cm gallery wrap canvas

Phew!

Well there it was, been and gone...Christmas over for another year and time to breathe a sigh of relief I am all cooked and entertained out and in desperate need of some peace and tranquility.

Since the big day has now passed and all surprises should be out of the bag I can reveal some of the work I have been doing in recent weeks, above are "Barney" (pastel) and "Benson" (graphite).

And below are "Lulu" (pastel) and "Arthur" (also Pastel)

Tomorrow is back to the drawing board for a marathon session to complete a couple of overdue commissions and start a new project that will hopefully bring me some work in the new year.

If I don't manage to get an update on this blog in the next week I would like to wish all my followers and fellow artists a very happy and prosperous 2011 xxx

New beginnings

Hi all , I am still working through my Christmas commission list and it feels like time is rushing by at full speed ahead, my Graphite boxer client requires the dogs name added to the picture so that has to be my priority this week as he's hoping to deliver it to the framers midweek, I hope I don't mess anything up. I am looking forward to being able to post pictures of these latest works as soon as the Christmas surprises are revealed ;-)

As you know the loss of my beloved Fred has left a dog shaped void in our home, so I am proud to introduce the new girl in our lives "Kimba" she is settling in nicely and once again our house feels more like a home

So much to do so little time!

Hi all, sorry to have been erratic with the blogging (as usual) am busy making sure that these Christmas orders will all be done on time, first one was to go to the states so was prioritised and happily sent off at the start of the week...phew! luckily I have a couple of local commissions this year so they will be deliverable and not dependent on the postal service which will help!
I am getting a slight sweat on as we hit December but I think I will get there if I work hard and keep away from distractions (like Facebook).
Have finished the large graphite Boxer dog portrait which I really enjoyed doing but the client would like dogs name on the drawing so I hope I don't mess it up as lettering is not really my forte.
Since losing our Freddie the house has been seriously empty Milo and I have been ratting around deafened by the silence so we are about to embark on a dog hunt to find him a new pal.
Over the last few days I have been watching (in horror) Maggie's girth expanding, and although I am firmly "in denial" I suspect that sometime around Christmas she is planning on presenting us with a present ..............or maybe she just has wind?

Christmas rush!

What a difference a week makes!

I have been commission free for the last four months and have been spending my time leisurely working on some originals for exhibition next year in a fairly relaxed fashion.

If you follow my blog you will know that my dog Fred fell ill and had to be PTS last weekend which hit me for six,and left me spinning.

I now have to get a grip.... as in the space of the four days of Fred's illness I received six Christmas commission enquiries!

So it looks as if I am going to be extremely busy in the lead up to Christmas this year....I do wish people wouldn't leave it to the last minute but it seems they always do, I just hope I can come up with the goods..........some daylight wouldn't go amiss right now!

Of course surprise commissions can't be shown on 'tinternet until they are no longer "a surprise" so in the meantime all I can offer in the way of piccy's to illustrate the blog is the next mini offering on e-bay. .....this is a little 7" x 5" graphite drawing of a black faced sheep which will be listed this weekend, other mini's destined for e-bay can be previewed on my website

http://www.pettpaintings.com/NEWMini-originals-on-ebay(2166528).htm

Fred June 1997~ Nov 2010

I have been dreading this for quite a while, my beloved Fred had to be PTS on monday this week he had a short and sudden illness and I couldn't bear to see him suffer any longer, he was the sweetest, kindest, most loyal friend and my constant companion for the last 13 years.
Words cannot convey how much I miss him and I am the luckiest person alive to have been his adopted Mum.....I'm sure he will be happy chasing those pesky Squidgels in some heavenly wood

"The Power of the Dog""

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie --
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find -- it's your own affair --
But . . . you've given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit hat answered your every mood
Is gone -- wherever it goes -- for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept'em, the more do we grieve;
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long --
So why in -- Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Thought it was about time I updated the blog, The little originals on e-bay are still selling for peanuts but at least they are selling :-) (could be worse) currently on offer is the little Mute Swan and bids are just starting to come in with just one day to go, the funny thing is I never thought I would get so excited by such silly little amounts of money but every little bid seems to make me smile, clearly e-bay is in itself addictive!
The painting that should have been listed next this weekend has been snapped up already from the preview on my website so the Labradors have jumped a place and will be next.
Behind the scenes I have embarked on an art swap with New Zealand artist Karen Neal we have not yet decided on specific pieces or if we will each "commission" a new work from each other but however it turns out I am excited about the prospect of owning one of Karens beautiful paintings!
It seems she has done several art swaps with other artists and has enjoyed the experience totally so I am relying on her to make sure it all goes without a hitch.
To me it feels like buying myself an expensive present without parting with any cash.....got to be a bonus in this economic mess!