Sammy, a pet portrait

I finished Sammy up and got him all framed, etc. He went home today with a happy couple to "meet" his mirror image. :-) Here he is in progress...

And all completed...

Arthur and Guinevere

You've met Arthur nearly 2 years ago, but now he has a "mate". Ofcourse who else could it be but Guinevere?

I carved the callas for her over the summer and a luthier in Kentucky then built her for me. He did an absolutely amazing, gorgeous job. She is just beautiful- and her finish is just so smooth, you want to keep stroking her! Her sound is sweet and lovely as well. I couldn't be more pleased.


Here is one of the carvings ready to be sent off. I did a large calla and a smaller one for the other side. The body is quilted maple and the neck and pillar are birds eye maple.


Here are the two sides so you can see the 2 callas, and the Truitt levers on her.





Some close-ups of the carvings...


And here they are together... Arthur and Guinevere!

A Sammy Jr. portrait

This little fellow was one of my "babies"- all grown up now. He looks almost like his daddy, just in a new color- especially his body- it is a carbon copy of my Sammie who died before he was born (the baby!) The folks who bought him didn't know about Daddy, nor his name. I was SHOCKED when they emailed "hello from Sammy"!!! Just a different spelling. Gave me goose bumps.

At any rate, they've decided to have his portrait done, so I've been working away at it. I'm loving every minute I spend with this special boy.

This was the pose they chose. I had gone over and photographed him one day before it got too cold.




Here's an "in progress" photo.

I can't believe the holidays are upon us! Time to get ready for the Christmas season. I hope it's a wonderful one for all my readers. :-)

I'm BACK!!!!

I've been MIA for quite awhile now. Life isn't always kind, gentle, or undemanding! We managed a trip to Ohio and TN in May- attended a harp gathering and then spent alot of time in the Great Smokies enjoying the scenery, the people, motorcycing, etc. Also got to enjoy dinner and conversation with friends and fellow miniature artists Wes and Rachelle Siegrist while in Townsend. Our garden was in late, and then cool weather, so now it has been keeping me busy freezing and canning, while I also try to help my dad out with my mom 3 days a week (alzheimers). That has eaten up a huge amount of my time- thus no blogging...
We did get to have a quick family campout which was a wonderful time.

I hope to get back on track, posting weekly or so again. I promise to have more art to post soon. The harp and the art have taken quite a beating this summer, sadly.

Our family campout in Aug. Love our time together.
I absolutely love this photo...
Toenail polish?







This was the miniature show at Brio gallery in Galena, IL in Aug.



I am fascinated by all things nature... this is a TN beetle.





A few IL cattle. I love cattle- their faces are so cute!



A harp "tasting" (you get to listen to a bunch of them!)

Twins!With our harp twins...

Great fun at the harp gathering.



Dinner and good company with our friends, Wes and Rachelle Siegrist in TN.








Robert- relaxing, waiting, waiting for me to finish photographing - he does this alot with great patience. :-)

On one of our bike rides in the Great Smokies...

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.