Charlie

sketch for finished painting

This is Charlie.
Charlie is a rescued beagle mix owned by my next door neighbors.  The first time I met Charlie he lifted his leg on my foot!  I thought my neighbor would die!  Dogs do that, usually not on my foot, but I was not put off. Since then I have built a relationship with Charlie. I watch Charlie when his owners go out of town.  Charlie and I chat when I garden.  Charlie comes to the fence to visit my menagerie of dogs and flaunt his freedom.  

Charlie has a blanket he throws up in the air and runs under when he wants to nap!  Once, while watching him, I came over to let him out.  He was under his blanket and never even moved when I called his name!  I confess to panicking and pulling up the blanket to see if he was alive.  Never even lifting his head or opening his eyes, Charlie merely wagged his tail, thump, thump against his bed! The little devil!  Charlie is a character and a half! 

This is a painting my neighbor commissioned for her husbands birthday.  It's always easier painting a face (or dog) you are familiar with. We included his blanket and name tag with his "cute" ears and tilted head!  

Happy Birthday neighbor!  

Latest Empty Easel Watercolor Tutorial

I forgot to publish the latest in my Watercolor tutorial series!  For those who are interested, here is that link:

How to Mount Watercolor Paper (and when you don't need to)

Art as a Way

Raven

This year has barely begun and I'm already behind by my usual standards!  Last year I started the year off with 30 paintings in the 30 days of January.  It was so much fun, but a lot of work!  This year I decided to take stock of my artistic ambitions and goals.  Basically, I decided not to have any.  No pressure.  Just art and creativity for the sake of the art and creativity!

I've been pondering this for some time now.  What if...no one saw my art?  Would I still make it?  What if...selling my art or winning awards didn't validate my art?  Would I still create it and work so hard at it?  And what if, I could do anything I wanted with my life, my time and my money?  Would I still make art?  I bet you can guess the answer.  How would you answer?  

For my first post of the New Year on my Facebook page, I posted the quote that sums it up.  I'm making that my mantra this year.  To create for the sake of creating.  It's been a recurring topic of conversation for some reason.  Maybe God is reinforcing something in me?  When we remove the need to have an "acceptable" finished work of art we can focus on the process.  If we let go of our judgement of the end product and just enjoy the creative flow while we make art, the art itself is not the focus.  What??  Take the focus off the end result?  Sort of like living in the here and now---you've heard the phrase "living in the moment"?  Well, create in and for, the moment!  What a concept! :)

 What would happen if this year you painted for the joy of it and did not to judge the outcome.  What if you kept the value in the doing, in the act of creation.  My best work always has an element of excitement and wonder during its making.   What if we shift the focus to the joy, beauty, motion-- and all the other things that happen as you create? And what if, we let the art become...a way?
  

I think its a plan.  I'm pretty sure it's going to be a good year!  

Remembering the Snowman

For about ten years now I have used my own art for Christmas cards.  It's one of the traditions I enjoy most.  Its a labor of love and I keep a card from every year.  It's great to look back at them all and remember the inspiration.  I've painted poinsettias, cardinals, pine cones, snow scenes, holly and so much more.  It's a challenge and lots of fun to hunt for the next idea to turn into a card.  This year I find myself behind the eight ball.  Something has to give.  And I think, it's the card...

It's not that I didn't create the art.  I did that last year!  But in the rush of things to do I waited too long and the shipping to get them here on time is outrageous!  Reluctantly, I decided to send just the Christmas letter with the art at the top. Sometimes we have to make concessions.  This will be the first time in many years that friends and family wont get a card from us along with the letter.  

Before trying to order cards, I put up the tree and got out the decorations. I was late getting out the Christmas decorations too!  Let's blame it on a late Thanksgiving, shall we?  While I was setting out my small group of snowmen, my favorite snowman fell to his death!  I was surprised it upset me so much.  I try not to get to attached to "things".  In fact, over the last few years I've culled my Christmas chotchkies down to a lesser cast of overkill.  Every year as I pack them away I ask, did I LOVE seeing this and is it worth packing up this year and unpacking next?  It's made a difference in helping me keep only what has real meaning, a memory or just brings me joy.  

Back to the point.  The snowman causality upset me, until...I remembered I
had immortalized him in a painting!  The painting I created last year for this years card (that will not make an appearance), is in fact a still life grouping of my snowman chotchkies, with the now shattered favorite -- front and center! 

Maybe I should rethink getting rid of the cast of characters I store for Christmas?   They have been a source of wonderful inspiration for my cards.  

Now...to keep my eye out for next years subject!  

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas!
Have you made your list and checked it twice?
Need some ideas?  
I'm SURE you've been nice!

 If your like me, you have lots to do right now.  I hope you have a quick minute to read the latest installment in the "tools" series for Watercolor 101 on Empty Easel.  (Click the highlighted text to read the article)  This series has detailed all the tools you need to start painting in watercolor.  Make that list and give it to Santa--then paint with me!

 Beginning in January I will begin a series on basic watercolor technique to get us started painting.  They are perfect for the beginner or those who need a refresher.  If you know anyone who might be interested in these upcoming articles, please share them with your friends!

 I also have some fun exciting things planned in the New Year for my faithful blog readers--yes that's YOU!--so stay tuned!  I will roll them out beginning the first week of January.  As always, I hope you enjoy it and thanks for reading!