"Wait, Come Back!" (Portrait of Blue)

 

 

Blue is a mostly-Arabian gelding who's one of the herd where my mare lives. He's a bright, sensible fellow with one of the most endearing quirks I've ever seen: When he wants his person to stick around, play with him or just hang out and pay attention to him, this is how he asks. The turned head and the one front foot picked up daintily.

It's so characteristic that I was asked to use it for a portrait, so we got some snapshots and this is the result.  I couldn't be happier; I love adding something so unusual -- and so charming -- to my portfolio.

Goldfish at FK Art Glass, Minneapolis

Both 6 x 9", sketched last night at FK Art Glass during Art-A-Whirl. The studio is a charming old house and one room includes a tub full of fish, which provided the model for this pair of sketches.

These are available unframed at $45 each.

Marmalade Cat

Royal Eli Jake, 10 x 8" mixed media on paper

I had such a blast with this kitty. I was working from a black and white snapshot for the pose, with a few color pics so I could see just how red this cat really was. I loved the angle and the graphic striped cushion.

Just don't let him get too close to the goldfish from yesterday.

Spring Goldfish

Spring Goldfish, 7 x 11" watercolor on Stonehenge paper. I took the photo for this last fall, and for months it's been one of those pictures I look at and think it's lovely and I ought to use it eventually.

Lately I've been printing some of those and carrying them with me. Yesterday, when I needed a break from the two horse commissions I was working on, I started sketching this. 

A Cat named Monkey

Monkey got her name for her habit, as a kitten, of climbing on everything in sight. She grew up to be a soft, kind, patient soul who is now much missed.

At the Goldfish Pond

Koi Pond at Josie's, 9 x 12" oil on panel. Click to enlarge. Available, $145.

The ice has finally melted here. Finally, finally, finally.

One of the things I look forward to is painting sessions at my friend's charming little goldfish pond. The fish are soothing to watch, challenging to paint, and generally good to have around.