Jazz was an untrusting and aggressive dog when he was rescued.The rescuer wondered at her own sanity for giving him a second change, but she continued to work with him. The Journey was a long one, but Jazz finally learned the ropes so well, that he now works as a therapy dog! Patience sometimes rules the day! (By the way, I’m very close to completing paintings and stories for a 2nd “Give Me That Dog” book.)
I received this great story from a couple who only adopt older dogs they find in shelters. Our 2nd “give Me that Dog” book will be published this fall. Many of the stories sent to me were a little more difficult to paint for one reason or another. As in any great dog story, many of these 2nd edition stories have brought sadness and joy into my studio. People who work to make a dogs life better, are an inspiration and have some amazing stories to tell. It is an honor to share their stories.
Give Me That Dog story painted and written. This long hot summer has been a great encouragement for staying in my studio and painting more of the great dog stories we received last year. We hope to publish another small book this fall.
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Sometimes a visual idea, when transferred from the brain to the canvas, can go south! I’ve been gazing at this one “leaping” dog painting I did last year. Everyday when I come into my studio…there it is on the wall. And, every time I’d focus on it, I felt that it needed work but could never come up with a solution. Sometimes, the only solution is just paint over an idea that doesn’t work… and sometimes there is just a small clue that spurs me on to make a change. And, as in any change one makes, all changes require faith, courage, disappointment and finally, a solution that works! so, here is “Dogs in Tall Grass” acrylic on canvas. Enjoy
The more I paint, the more I paint. I’m loving winter. It’s quiet. There is time to think and enjoy the quiet of leafless trees and no yard work to do. The new pup and I can spend lots of time in my studio and we both can walk out into the seemingly lifeless back yard. Before long, there will be all that comes with spring. Meanwhile, here is a new canvas called “leaping dog”. I think it is an expression of joy. The joy is not about anything or anybody….just that feeling that arrives out of nowhere for no particular reason!
Every day is a new day. What was on the easel yesterday, doesn’t work today or certainly could use some work. Finding some time today to just wrestle with an idea about our close relationship with the dogs we live with….that doesn’t even really cover it, but I think the painting shows our relationship in the universe ….I can’t say more…let the painting speak.
Every time I attempt to organize my studio a little more, I find some painting that I think someone else might enjoy! I have worked with the MOKan Border Collie group in Kansas City for several years. They usually have a get together in the spring…or is it fall? I’ve designed t-shirts for them from time to time. The leaping dog has not made it to a t-shirt yet, but I think it’s worth sharing here. It’s great to watch these border collies in action. They really do float above the ground.
As I have started to paint on canvas again, I realize how addictive painting on paper can be. Canvas work just takes much longer to build the paint on to get the rich painted feel. Paper is more absorbent and can suffer from overwork.
Agility dog
