Ruffled Feathers

Happy New Year!

This little gull was basking in the sun in the Atlantic ocean about a year ago of Hilton Head, S.C. Birds are so appealing, and all the colours of nature are so harmonious. I guess that is why artists have been attracted to it since they depicted animals and their relationship to nature on cave walls millennia ago. I'm no exception.
I love the reflections in the water. I struggled with it for quite a while before I got was I was after.

6x6" Oil on cradled panel

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My Best Friend Jade

I got Jade 7 years ago from another dog walker, who's client had brought her to Toronto from Mexico. She was 5 months old at the time. She was a street dog (puppy!) and already had battle scars from I would imagine was a rough environment - as you can see, part of her left ear is missing, although most people don't notice it., Despite this, she has a gentle nature (unless you are a squirrel!), and asks for cuddles from everyone she meets. She is a leaner.
I got her from April the dogwalker who had been fostering her. The woman who brought her back was unable to keep her, and April was charged with finding her a new home. She knew that I was "dogless"at the time having lost my previous dog Jessie about a year before. April told me she was special, and she certainly is. We are both lucky.
This is also a challenge from Daily Paintworks.

6x6" Oil on gessoboard

Not for Sale

Silver Coffee Pot

This is an exercise in reflection, which I did for the Daily Paintworks Challenge. I love doing these challenges, and since I haven't painted as often as I would have liked this year, a good challenge is in order! This challenge was posted in July, so I am going to work my way through them, they all have merit.

It is a great artist's community, thank you Carol and David Marine.

8x8" oil on Raymar cotton panel

$125 + shipping

Antique Mug

This is my contribution to a Daily Paintworks Challenge entitled Paint Your Mug. I actually don't drink out of this mug because it is from the late 1700's and it would cause me too much stress, but I have it in a cabinet and can see it any time I want.

I did this from a photo that I took using natural window light. I am going to do another version of it using a studio light and painting from "life", something I became more interested in when I took part in a Peggi Kroll Roberts workshop. (She is an amazing teacher!!)

6x6" Oil on gessoboard
NFS

Martini

This is a commissioned (Thank you!) portrait of a beautiful spaniel named Martini.

8x10 Oil on canvas panel
Private collection

Ready to Go

Really, it doesn't look like it is going to rush off any time soon! It was a placid, still morning, a great time to walk my dog Jade, and contemplate a nice little rowboat before having morning coffee.

5x7"
Oil on gessoboard
$75 & shipping


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Sailing

All summer I got to spend time at the dog park that backs onto Lake Ontario, where I walk dogs. I couldn't resist visually drinking in the lake and taking some photos. This is from one I took on my iphone! Love that thing!

There are several yacht and sailing clubs in the area, and they sail past the dog park all the time.

The colors of the lake change with the weather, and the blues seemed infinite.

5x7" Oil on Gessoboard
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