A New Belgian Painting And More

As I sit at my drawing board now I can not only look up and see my back gardens..but I can also look up and see my purple orchid sitting on the window sill. And not only am I happy in the new studio space, but I am joined by my orchid that is so happy it is blossoming and throwing out new buds. The casein on the drawing board is done...two big Belgians....I loved the lighting and shadows in this piece and the tails swishing. It was one of those painting that 'painted it's self". I love it when that happens. I will be putting up on my website.

With my mulch spread, and with the lovely spring weather we have been having, we got the veggie garden tilled and ready to start some seeds in....lettuce and spinach..the curly garlic are already up and green! I so enjoy having the gardens to work in...a quick break from painting and easily accessible now. Gardening is good exercise...stretching and bending!  The pups are loving the gardening time too. An excuse for playtime outside! 

And basking in the spring sunshine...the two black geldings.........muddy black Tennessee Walkers....we are ALL enjoying the coming of spring on the farm. Winters last a long time in Maine.

For Chip

I have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi....Our Sweet Adeline has often been an artist's model for me in my studio.......but I am always happy to paint more Corgis.

Yet sometimes it is sad to have to paint a "fur kid" after they have past. This is the situation with this handsome Corgi boy. Chip was a 'more than handsome' fellow.. and now is missed by his human mom and feline siblings. I hope this casein will help them to re-live good memories of better times and Corgi kisses.

BT Raspberry

Today is too cold. The sun shines bright in the studio, but it was deceiving...It is a bone chilling 9 degrees out with a windchill that makes the horses very frisky and "playful". I guess it is not a good day to ride!!! ;-)

So I have finished this 6 x8" casein of a Boston Terrier who was blowing a raspberry at the camera. This little guy is a spitting-image of the actor/comedian Marty Feldman. "Frankie" has a wall eye....and every time I look at Frankie's photo, I see Mr. Feldman. I have some other shots of dear Frankie that I will be doing in the near future....but now I need to finish the small casein of an Italian Greyhound. This is as close to Italy as I will get this week!

And I have managed to get some new works up onto my website for viewing. This is a good thing.

Old Horse - Old Barn

The rain is coming down at a steady clip today. From my studio window I watch the horses as they seek the shelter of their run-out sheds at our barn… and then as they trudge out between rain deluges to eat the new grass shots in their pastures. The fruit trees in our orchard are decorated in their spring cloaks of blossoms…white, pink and red. Everything is wearing green.

I have started a casein painting of an old horse and barn from a photo given to me by a new friend. Tim wrote, ”It is a photo of the barn, and one of the horses, on my Aunt and Uncle's farm, where I spent my summers growing up as a child. Maybe it will be of some inspiration to you.” Well, Tim…It is an inspiration to me… and I will be sending healing thoughts your way as I paint it. Thank you for your confidence in my portraying a part of your world that you grew up in. I think many folks can relate to this scene from the south.

I have started the painting with a chiaroscuro and this will dry enough to get into it with color in a few days…[or longer if it doesn’t stop raining!] I have attached it to today’s blog.
And now I will get back to finishing second watercolor of harness racing horses for Equidea Gallery in Saratoga, for the summer season.

What Happens When Your Studio Is Small

With four horses to care for, a Corgi to walk, perennial gardens [that surround our cottage] that need spring cleaning and getting all details put together for a museum art exhibit I am curating……..Life has been a bit of a jumble lately. I do manage to get into my studio each day and work. The above image is a casein just finished……..”Penned #1” is one of two caseins finished of the same subject matter. In fact the second is a continuation of the first. Thus it is appropriately named “Penned #2”. These are small, 5 x 7”, but a number three will be coming soon and it will be bigger!
I have come to the conclusion that I do small works because my studio is small………the old ‘bell jar’ theory. That is why I am planning on working outside more this summer. With the sky above me, I shouldn't be hitting my head as I often do in my loft studio!Stay tuned!

Just Busy Working

This week has gone by quickly. My days have been spent in the studio, or down at the barn. I have finished the above watercolor portrait of a certain black Tenn. Walker gelding , [who just so happens to live at our farm] and have started a painting of a local house .........sounds boring? Wait until you see it! This house has a story!!!

The next few days promise to be dreadful weather. So I am sure I will be staying in, working. I have two portrait commissions to work on and some writing that needs to be done. I am so grateful I don't have to travel far to go to work!

Painting

The sun shines into the studio. and our horses feed on hay on top of the snow in their paddocks. I look down on them from my 3rd floor loft studio.What a great sight to be able to constantly look at. I have a great job!!

The 3 caseins of Hunter- Jumpers are almost done...but today I will give a preview of a watercolor completed. This work is of a driver [whip] as she bridles her gray pony for their drive. They make a great pair.

I surely feel blessed to be able to do what I do , love what I do ... and to still be able to do it!!