I just finished this fellow last evening.  It's done in casein on white clayboard.  3.5" x 4".

A "miniature" wall and some new work

I ran across some small plate holders at a huge discount and thought they would work well for my miniatures when they are home between shows and for my tiny new miniature art collection. It will grow. :-) We had the eagle all alone above the couch and he's HUGE, but that wall still needed more. He always looked forlorn and lonely. I am much happier now. I think I will go and see if they still have any long ones left and put up 2 more. :-)


I've also been working on a couple of other new pieces. This eagle has been sold to a collector but he's still with me waiting to finish curing so he can be varnished and go to his new home.

Another eagle...

A miniature raccoon done in casein and scratch on white clayboard (WIP)

I also finished the garden scene a few days ago. Again, color isn't quite correct. The rocks are a bit darker in the shadow areas, and appear "brighter" along the sunlit tops. It is actually prettier than this, but this will have to do...

Chihuahua puppies, mini painting updates

Chillin' Acrylic 3"x5"


Here's the latest painting, unvarnished yet. I loved painting this guy. I LOVE pugs- they have so much character!
I'm reposting my rabbit- I just wasn't happy with him so painted some more on his body, it's softer now. Hope you can see the difference. Hard with computers...
Rabbit (Untitled yet) casein



Evening Stroll Acrylic
I also did a tiny bit of work on this piece and managed to scan it- I think the color is truer, so decided to re-post it as well.

This past weekend we had a really nice get-away in Galena, visiting BRIO gallery where my artwork is represented, meeting and lunching with another gallery artist from that area, and on Sat. we went for a motorcycle ride. It was very hot and humid the whole time we were there, but even so I managed to find some cattle out enjoying themselves- so ofcourse, heat or no- I HAD to get some photos. I've only managed to download a few. I have some really cute shots with my telephoto lense I have to download yet. The one group we found were in a gorgeous field with a beautiful stream so I got some shots with lovely reflections. Can't wait to paint some cattle! I love to watch cattle being cattle- I'm sure for most folks it would be a bit like watching paint dry. Poor Robert- he has to put up with my foolishness!




And finally- the puppies. I've sold 2 and (so mad at myself) the first went so quickly- they were going to come back that evening to pick her up, couldn't wait and arrived hours early!- so I didn't get an updated photo of my little black girl. My other two I will have through the weekend then one of them will be gone as well. I've been taking them outside to have some romps and fun. As you can see, the family is all having a great time in the sun! The puppies just love it- so much fun to watch them leap into the air and sometimes toddle over!

The Moms






Dad!





PLAYTIME!!!












SO LONG!!!

Puppies and Bunnies

Here's the latest...
I just love to paint "soft-fuzzies"- the cute little animals. Here's a rabbit I just finished this past week. I had my mom here so it was a bit difficult to focus which gave me a few "moments" of frustration (with myself). But it finally pulled itself together. :-)

"The Local Guy" 3"x2" Casein on board

Here's the latest update on my new babies. They are all 4+ weeks old now. Getting cuter by the day. The sisters play together, wag their tails (which just sends me to giggling- soooo cute). They dream- what on EARTH are they dreaming about? They've seen nothing but mama and the 4 walls of a box, with now and then a look at me! But they "bark" in their sleep!

This girl is Pooka's baby- she is going to be just like mama- lazy, lazy! She has no one to play with (yet- I'll put her in with the other 2 soon for some fun). But every puppy I've ever had when you take them out of their box they are either frightened, worried, curious- something. Not her. She looks around, decides it's too much trouble and just lays down for a nap!!! VERY laid back personality. She is 3 days younger than the other 2, so she will get more active and playful- that may not seem like alot of time, but at this age can make a big difference. The other 2 just started to wag their tails a couple of days ago.

Widget's babies are more active- ofcourse 2 of them together makes a difference. The tan one is laid back- a bit like Pooka's baby, but not quite that lazy! The black one is going to be like her mama, Widget. Active, curious. She was my "complainer", now she's just looking, looking. I'm sure it will soon be- how do I get out of my box to go explore?! I think the photos actually show you their personalities a bit- you can see the "action" in little miss blacky's eyes!

In The Heartland and in my heart.

Summer is here and that means BUSY! I've been away visiting my aunt, visiting BRIO, my gallery in Galena, camping with my family, etc. Been trying to fit in some painting around all this! Galena was beautiful and the gallery is filled with wonderful things- a number of which I'd have liked to bring home! I look forward to another visit hopefully before summer is over. Marsha, the owner is such a warm and friendly person. It was just a joy to get to meet her. I wish we had more time to visit and get to know each other. I am honored to be among her artists.
Here's what I've been working on lately...
Colored pencil, 2.5" x 6.5" Title: I'm Outta Here!
I finally got this piece photographed- it's been sitting around waiting... I learned alot working on this- my second piece in colored pencils. These are my "evening when I'm not too tired" pieces so they don't happen much or fast! But I really do enjoy the colored pencils. Had several people very surprised when I told them what the medium was. I intend to keep working and learning with these. It's a fun medium and very "transportable".

This next piece is casein, 2.5" x 6.5" Title: Summer in the Heartland
I just finished this piece this afternoon. I am feeling more comfortable with the landscapes and really, really enjoy doing them, although the buildings can give me "fits" at times- getting the lines right! These pieces of farm and country scenes are so nostalgic for me, and make me feel very peaceful. I love farm country- I don't think there's anything prettier than rich farmland filled with bounty. The midwest landscape speaks to my soul.