Springtime

Spring has finally arrived here in the Cache Valley.

I love the way our mountains hold on to the snow while the fields are a study in abstract patterns.

There is never a lack of inspiration when you are living in a lush, green valley surrounded by mountains.

And spring is not spring without flower!!!!

Leaving the nest.

It was very hard for me to let some of my first paintings go to other homes.  Although most artists love seeing the red tag that marks a painting sold, it can also be like seeing your children grow up and leave the nest.  So much energy goes into a painting that there is a feeling of emptiness when they are sold or gifted to someone else.

Today I'm traveling down through memory lane recalling some of the paintings that are now in new homes.  Some have recently left and others have been gone for a while.  What helps ease the pain of separation is knowing these paintings are hopefully bringing others happiness.

Here are just some of my "children" that have left the nest.

Wait Before Posting

I am going to put a sign on my easel that reminds me to wait before I post a painting.  Two days ago I posted three paintings that I had just done of dogs.  My usual practice is to put paintings up on easels and sit with them awhile before I consider them finished.  I didn't do much of that with these three paintings.  Wouldn't you know it, I looked at the Trooper painting and realized that it not only looked flat in the photo, it looked flat in person, too.  So up onto the easel it went.

This is always a scary prospect but I figure "nothing ventured - nothing gained."  I started slapping new paint on the board.  A little ways into it I tried to avoid hitting the panic button thinking I had ruined it.  Oh no, I had already sent a photo of the painting to my brother and family and they loved it.  WHAT WAS I DOING??

Trooper

oil on panel 16x12

I've spent all day fiddling and I think it is an improvement over the original.  I think the first looked like a photo that had paint on it and this version looks more like a painting.  What do you think?  Much of a difference?

Since I didn't get to paint yesterday I decided to double up today.  Actually I couldn't wait to get started on my next painting.  After seeing the paintings I did for my brother and sister, Sara asked if she could commission me to paint Helen, her wonderful cocker spaniel.  The title of today's post is not to put anything on that was not totally finished but as my family will tell you, I'm not one to listen to my own advice.  Tomorrow I may kick myself but here's Helen before I fiddle with her.

Helen
oil on masonite 10x8

Going to the Dogs

Trooper

oil on panel 16x12

I have only painted a horse before and that was from a distance.  This painting is of Trooper, my brother Bob's dog.  Trooper passed away after having gotten a disease from a raccoon that ventured too close.  I wanted to give my brother and family a meaningful Christmas gift and thought a painting of Trooper appropriate.  Now after looking at this painting for a few days, I have decided to continue developing it.  I pray I don't ruin it but realize if I've painted it once, I can paint it again.

Ruggie

oil on masonite 8x10

I also wanted to give my sister, Dottie, and her husband a painting of their two dogs.  This is Ruggie. I thought I was done with this but again after looking at it for awhile, went back in and added a little blue to the background color.

Daisy

oil on masonite 10x8

Let me introduce Daisy.  Did I mention that my sister had two dogs?  Daisy is an American Staffordshire better known as a pit bull.  Although I've not met Daisy in person, is there anyone who cannot fall in love with that sweet face?  All three of these dog paintings were done in oil.