Monhegan Roses (SOLD)

Here's another painting I have just completed of some gorgeous roses on Monhegan Island which is right off of the coast of Maine. Monhegan is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. My aunt had a home there for years. I wish it was still in the family but unfortunately it's not. I've always wanted to paint so many beautiful scenes I have seen on that island. Finally, I've got a little time now to fulfill that dream.

I'm also working on an 11x14 of the view of the island from the lighthouse, overlooking the graveyard, hotel and Manana Island.

"Monhegan Roses", 6x6, unframed oil on masonite, $375.00

Horse and mule in training

As many of you know, I train horses and dogs in addition to painting. Here is an Icelandic Horse and a mule that presently reside here for training.

More foxes

I think we're running a fox kit day care center. There were 7-8 kits in the backyard yesterday, all jumping, chasing, etc. Very entertaining. The cute girl on the top had her photo taken by Mary Fournier, a friend who is also a phenomenal professional photographer.

Henderson's Marsh, 11x14, oil on masonite (SOLD)

Here's a painting I've just completed of a beautiful view (with a little artistic license) down the road from our place. I see it when trail riding my horse and always think someday I need to paint that scene, it's so beautiful this time of year. I have it very reasonably priced unframed.

Foxes

We have a litter of seven fox kits nearby this year. They're about three to five weeks old now and just adorable. They live under a barn and come out to sun themselves in the middle of the day. This might have to be a future painting. Hmmmmmmmmm........

How to personalize your commissioned painting

Here is a perfect example of how to personalize your commissioned painting. My clients wanted portraits of both dogs and weren't sure what they wanted for a background. I suggested their yard or a favorite play spot . They take their dogs to a specific park for a daily run so I took photos of their dogs at their home and the park . When discussing the park photos with my clients I learned the pond, red barn and dogwoods were important to them. I took a bit of artistic license and composed the painting so that all of these were incorporated into the background with the dogs. Although it was an overcast and rainy February day when I took my reference photos I knew the client wanted more of a spring like painting so I added the daffodils, dogwood trees in bloom along with a sunny day.

Springer's Surprise has changed colors!

I decided I didn't want the Springer black and white so switched him to the more common colored Springer. I also took away the long tail of the "field" Springer and replaced it with a docked tail like those of the "bench" Springers.

American Kennel Club Museum

I just got word from a dear client who informed me she's made arrangements to donate her painting of her champion English Setter to the AKC Museum. I'm honored and thrilled to have this, my third, painting donated to such a prestigious museum (http://www.museumofthedog.org/). The other two paintings to be donated are of two champion Shetland Sheedogs which can be seen above.

Charcoal commission of "Cabot", better known as "Cabs"

For those of you not entirely familiar with my artwork, I also do charcoal portraits. I just finished this head portrait of "Cabs", who is a very handsome appaloosa horse. Oh, those spots! Every one of them has it's own place.

His owner, Nancy, tells me before she aquired him he had flunked out of "coon huntin' school" in Arkansas. (I can't stop giggling as I write this) I wonder what's required with the graduate program? He's older now and has been a reliable "steady Eddie" trail horse for Nancy for years. With increased bouts of colic and old age creeping in, Nancy was smart to call me when she did.

That's something for potential clients to always think about. Get those photographs and the artist out there before it's too late! People assume they have good reference photographs when they don't. Frequently, the portrait's quality will improve with better photos taken by the artist.

I just sent a photo of this to Nancy to make sure she was pleased with it before she paid the balance and she made my day with this response:

"I LOVE IT. You have captured his look, especially his eye perfectly. I am so happy I had you do his portrait, it's so much more personal than a photo, and I will treasure it and my memories of him every time I look at it, thank-you."