"Izzy"

"Mali"

This is Mali. She is a recent commission from a lady who wanted to give Mali's owner, her sister, a special gift for Christmas. I very much enjoyed painting this beautiful pup and had a real a sense of her spirit as we worked. She is most likely a gentle sweet girl, I believe. When doing a dog commission, I like to paint the eyes first.
This way, Mali could participate in the process and keep me company as we worked.
I love my job. :)
This is watercolour on Arches 300lb. CP paper. 19" X 27". 

"Mirabelle"

Okay, time for one more cow. I just cannot resist these guys. I have many more on the go but will put them aside and try something else for a bit. Perhaps more villages. Have not done any of those for a long, long time and love them equally. Thanks for visiting. 

This is watercolour on 300lb. Arches CP paper. 12.5" X 18.5"

"Splash 14"

I am so excited, "Splash 14" finally arrived at my door.  It was the most amazing thing to receive my copy of this beautiful book and see my painting, "Meana" side by side with some of the best watercolorists around.  Ones i have been admiring for a very long time. It was a dream come true for this artist as i had submitted once before and did not get accepted. Hooray! I've scoured these books end to end for years. To finally see this with one of my paintings was crazy. I am still gobsmacked. If you would like a copy of your own, here is a link to Northlight publishing. It is really well done with over 100 artists represented. 

www.northlightshop.com/splash-14-best-of-watercolor-w7951?lid=SLarnbl081213

"Eddie the Third"

This would be the 3rd version of this fabulous animal. I painted him facing the other way in watercolour and then in acrylic and now watercolour again. Each version is quite different. I suppose it would be safe to say this is my favourite model thus far. Transparent watercolour on Arches 300lb. cold pressed. 

"Jenny"

This is Jenny. A new puppy portrait of a lovely girl. Sadly Jenny passed on just a short time ago. I'm hopeful this painting captures Jenny's personality and will be forever a gentle reminder of a loving companion. 

"Ivan and Reba"

A new puppy portrait of two cuddly Boxers,
loving their time together.

Watercolour on Arches CP 300 lb. paper. 

12" X 16" 

"Eddie"

Meet Eddie. I had done one of her earlier in watercolour but thought her to be such a good model i had to paint her in acrylic. I lover her expression. Cows are still a favourite subject for me. I love their quirkiness and find them to be quite comical in a way. Much like my Boxers. There is a resemblance. Perhaps that is why. This is acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 20" X 24".

"Reading Week"

I thought it might be time for another village. These are such fun to do. I've been very busy with commissions lately and had spent a great deal of time on cow and barnyard paintings forgetting about the whimsical side of things. There is a freedom when it is all made up which does not exist while making a picture for someone. Rather refreshing i think and a bit of a breather. Watercolor on Arches 300lb. Cold pressed paper. Approximately 11" X 30".

"Bronte"

This is Bronte. A lovely Beagle belonging to a fellow in Australia.  I've been fairly busy lately with dog portraits and have a few more to finish, hopefully before August. This little girl sat nearly finished for the longest time because i was just not able to see a final image clearly for some reason. Today it happened and we had a grand time together. I asked little Bronte to lead the way and she did! The rest as they say is, "history". Watercolor on Arches 300 lb. cold pressed paper. 18" X 18".

"Tyra"

A wee Boxer pup i did for a friend who does great and wonderful work for Boxer Rescue Canada.

She does not have this little girl anymore as she has already lived her life and left a lot of broken hearts behind as is often the case. Watercolor, on Arches, 300lb. CP paper. approximately 10" X 14".

"Deja"

I painted this little girl for a friend. Sadly she is no longer with us. In memory of Deja. 

Watercolour on Arches C/P paper. 10" X 14".

"Boomer"

What a great name for a dog, especially a Bernese Mountain dog. This fine fellow is a commission requested by the dog owner's Mother for her birthday. Hope she likes it! Acrylic on canvas. 18" X 24".

"Tega"

I had donated a pet portrait to "Boxer Rescue Canada" for their Fall auction fundraiser and the winning bidder receives a portrait of their beloved dog. This boy belonged to the lady who won the auction. He is a pure bread male Boxer named Tega. Sadly he is no longer with us. This is watercolour on 300 lb. Arches C/P paper approximately 18" X 22" .

"Victoria Street:

I spent part of October last year in Nelson B.C. taking care of someone's home and had some pleasant moments sketching in and around town. This painting is from a sketch i did of Victoria Street in Nelson. Nelson is a picturesque little town in the Kootenays. A beautiful spot to visit if in the area. Some great local restaurants too! I was house sitting for a lady who had a cattery. 

There were 19 of the little critters. 

An uncommon breed called "Siberians' because they originate from Siberia and resemble small lions. Some good sketching was had with them as well! 

This is watercolour on Arches C/P paper.   

20 X 27" .

"Lo Bello" (Beautiful)

This girl was too hard to resist and needed to be painted. She has also been selected to be in the 8th Calgary Timeraiser. 

This will be the second time i have had the good fortune of being selected for this gala event which is an art related endeavour to raise volunteer hours for select charities. People bid on the paintings using hours which are then directed toward the charity of their choosing. Once the volunteer hours have been completed the winning bidder gets to painting. They have one year to complete the task. The artists are paid ahead of time for the artwork. Everyone benefits. 

This is an acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. 

"Bonhomme Deneige"

A wee watercolour, approximately 15 X 22. My but it has been a long while since last i posted. Got busy with preparations for an exhibition in March and time goes by. Had a successful show with some acrylics even. New directions ahead! Must build a website i think. Try new things and continue exploring. There is not enough time in this old life to learn all there is to learn about watercolour or to experience all the wonderful things possible with this most beautiful of mediums. Acrylics are fun but watercolour is a passion. Or an obsession! Both i suppose. Hope all are well there in blogger land.

"Pequito 2"

This is a new version of Pequito. I did not think the bedroom was quite in line with the pup on the first version. Sorry Vincent but i had to take some liberties with your beautiful work and jam up the colours a wee bit. I'm feeling much better about it now as there is a unity that was lacking in version 1.
Oh, but acrylic is just so much fun.

"Pequito 1"

Here is my first foray into the world of "acrylic". I have to admit it was a lot of fun and cannot wait to begin another. I like the fact you can correct things and move them around as you go. Not so with watercolour of course.  I loved the freedom it affords.
This little guy is a Christmas gift for his master. I need to put the finishing touches on him soon as the 25th is coming fast! 24" X 24"

"Beau"

I think the name may be short for beautiful which is so appropriate. Sadly he is no longer here. I know first hand how a dog can occupy our hearts filling every crevice of our homes with their special love. Loosing them becomes so difficult then. I love this poem by Gene Hill.

"When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself.

He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.

His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever—in case I need him. And I expect I will—as I always have. He is just my dog."

Gene Hill

This painting is a commissioned piece as a gift for Christmas for the owner. I do hope to have captured the personality of their beloved companion. This is my hope when doing these.

I so enjoy painting dog portraits and found that to be especially so for "Beau".

Watercolour on 300lb. Arches cold pressed paper. 24" X 24".