Best of Worldwide Animal and Wildlife Artists Book

A few months ago I was surprised to learn I had been accepted and pre-juried into an upcoming book, with all my fees paid by a sponsor (I believe Dick Blick- I was not told who, but I know they were a sponsor). All I had to do was submit up to 9 pieces and up to 4 would be chosen. After checking to see that this wasn't just a "vanity" book I did submit. I was lucky enough to have the total of 4 accepted.

I can't seem to link here, but if you click on the title of this post it will take you to the book.

Then Sat. came the BIG shocker- one of my pieces made the COVER!!!!! There are a total of 101 artists in the book with somewhere around 350-375 works of art, so to be one of 7 to make the cover (and the front cover as well) is truely a HUGE honor. (My piece is the Great Blue Heron at the top under the title). I was walking on air all day. :-) If you click the link you will not only be able to see the cover but also by clicking the arrows you can see all of the artists and their work. It will be a gorgeous book and needless to say I am really looking forward to seeing it.

The Latest Minis

I've been working on a couple of very dark background pieces, hoping to bring out the light on these white birds. I find working this way intriguing.

I've also been working on a couple of scratch art miniatures.

This one has been completed and will soon be going off to a show.
Now for the hard part- titles!

Puppy update

This fellow is a bit younger in this photo, need to get an updated one.

I'm a bit slow at updating since I'm so lost on this new computer, but... they're worth waiting for!!! Here they are at 4 wks old. They are getting to be little lovers, licky, licky! 2 are long coats, my very first ones. The personalities are coming out now, and the tails, they are a-waggin'. SO CUTE...

There's a painting in here somewhere- I just know it!

This last puppy is also a bit younger, again need to update. It's difficult to get a good photo sometimes, they just WON'T hold still!

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...

New puppies and art

I have a very difficult time getting photos of this miniature in focus. I did the best I could for now. I will have to try again and will repost/redo these if I get better ones. For now though, at least you can see the results of alot of hours. The feet always give me fits. They are about the size of a small flat pea to give you some idea of size. I plan to send him off to a show, just not sure yet which one. :-) He is sculpted in tupelo, painted in acrylics. Unfortunately the colors are washed out as well. I have a new computer and just have no idea how to "fix" things at all.
(I've reposted, they are somewhat better photos.) :-)



We've also had some excitement the past 2 weeks. Snuggles had puppies and they are so much fun to watch growing. She had FIVE!!! What a shock that was! Mama and babies are all doing well so far and I am having fun watching them grow.

New Puppies!!!

2 weeks old- well fed and comfy. :-D

I HAVE been working!!!

I have been busy so between that and my issues with getting onto blogger and also not knowing how to crop a photo with the new computer I have alot of problems posting lately!!! But I thought I'd at least drop in (while I can) and post some of what I've been up to. Hopefully I'll soon have some finished pieces to show you and also be able to find some time to learn how to do what I need to with the photos for posting properly.

I'm doing this fox in oils which is new for me. I haven't decided if I love them or hate them!!! Time will tell. He has alot of work yet to be done, but he's drying for now...


Next is the pelican carving I've been working on sporadically- I have the "posts" carved and burned now. Nothing like making round pegs from square blocks! I've also done a bit more painting on the pelican.

You can see how he will look to some extent now once he is completed.

This last piece is done in casein. It may look "finished" to you, although you might wonder at the very WHITE flowers! LOL...

I am letting it cure before I finish it up. That way I can wash the flowers, etc. that I still want to work on without having to worry about picking up the paint.

Blogger doesn't like me!!!

It has been quite awhile since I've posted. Some of that is my fault (and Christmas), but I have difficulties getting on blogger sometimes. It asks me to sign in, I do, it asks again, over and over, never accepting me in. Then a different day I get right in!!! Very strange.

I want to wish everyone a Happy, if belated, New Year as well. Here's hoping the new year will bring us into better times.

OK, here is what I've been working on: finishing a fish carving for my daughter. Painting the pelican, touching up a couple of pieces that I'd done awhile back, decided I wasn't happy with.

Now I'm painting a new piece, but no photos of it yet. I'll post the fish carving (not mounted yet unfortunately). I have to wait for my husband's help to drill out the base before I can mount the fish. Am afraid of slipping doing it alone and ruining the piece that's carved for the base.




Here's the pelican wip - painting the back feathers, the breast and belly are also painted, just no photo...




This is a princess parrotfish. This is NOT a miniature. They are rather strange looking fish (parrotfish). They also do something rather unusual when they sleep- they form a "bubble" around themselves of a clear substance. I imagine it is a form of "early warning" protection. But if something gets that close... But then, perhaps the bubble "stuff" would confuse the predator. There are alot of different ones. I chose this one because of the colors and subtleties of color change. You can see a bit of it in the photos if you look closely. There is a light, soft blue, turquoise, green over turquoise (just barely hinted at), orangey-salmon going into purple-pink, etc. He was a challenge to find reference for, and then to paint. I will be glad when he's finished and sitting in his new home!