Thinking of Emmitt

"Emmitt"

I wanted to write a tribute today to Emmitt, a most precious pug who passed over to the Rainbow Bridge last weekend. His people, Melissa and Fred were the most wonderful pug parents and I know they are missing him terribly.

I had the pleasure of knowing Emmitt and of being the recipient of many of his puggie kisses, hugs and howls of happiness when I visited. He was pure joy wrapped in a little pug package. We all will miss him dearly.

Thank you, Emmitt...for bringing so much sweetness to the world. We love you, little man!

"When a dog first arrives in Heaven
he just runs.

Dog Heaven has clear, wide lakes
filled with geese who honk and flap
and tease. The dogs love this.

They run beside the water and bark
and bark and God watches them
from behind a tree and smiles."

~ Cynthia Rylant

Art Sanctuary

"Sanctuary"
30" x 30" acrylic and collage on canvas

February 2011

ART SANCTUARY

I would always choose to be the person running
rather than the mob chasing
I would prefer to be the person laughed at
rather than the teenagers laughing
I always admired the men and women who sat down
for their rights
And held in disdain the men and women who spat
on them
Everyone deserves Sanctuary a place to go where you are
safe
Art offers Sanctuary to everyone willing
to open their hearts as well as their eyes

~Nikki Giovanni

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New Dog on the Block

"Chico"
16" x 20" acrylic on canvas

Taking a step aside from all the abstract work, here's a new painting of Chico...a sweet and sassy boy from Denver. Chico was the only dog commission I accepted early on last year after discovering I was going to have a solo show of my abstract paintings.

I have to thank my client, Sue...who was so very nice and patient during the process. We agreed that I would work on Chico when I had the time but that I needed to devote most of my time to the show. I have to say, it wasn't as easy as I thought to shift mental gears back and forth from abstracts to doggies. Having as much time as I needed though made all the difference so when I worked on Chico...I was able to give him my full love and attention.

By the way...it was Maisie's fourth birthday on Monday (Valentine's Day)! I love this picture of her in front of my studio...it's her "vogue" pose. Really though...she was following a Bee.

Yummy!

The yum yum cake

Hope you all had a very special Valentine's Day!

So to begin, I have to take a minute to brag about my husband. Yesterday he made me this cake...three-layer poppyseed white cake with strawberries and a white chocolate whip cream frosting. James amazes me with his cooking and baking skills...he can pretty much make anything with one hand behind his back and his eyes closed. He's kind of a male Martha Stewart in the kitchen...which is why I often call him that. Thank you, Martha...for a truly special Valentine's Day! xox

I have four new paintings that are almost finished and ready to show you. The countdown is on for my solo show coming up April 1st at the University of Denver!

Stuff 'n things

Hope you're all doing well out there and not experiencing the arctic chill we're having here in Boulder. Yesterday it didn't get above 3 degrees! Ack!

I took this photo in my studio this morning. There's some collage material, new brushes, paint, etc. in usual disarray and a canvas in the upper right corner just waiting for attention. I tweaked the picture a little in Photoshop with the poster edge filter.

Last weekend we went to an art opening at a new gallery just north of here called Rabid Rabits Galeria. I especially enjoyed seeing the work of Colorado Artist, Anthony Grant. Anthony had a series of Hummingbird paintings that were so beautiful. The example below doesn't do them justice because in person, they almost glowed with color and energy. Check out Anthony's website when you get a chance.

Hummingbird #2
12x12 Acrylic on Canvas
Anthony Grant

I've been painting all week in the studio so hope to have a few things to show you soon. I like to photograph my finished pieces outside but it's been too dang cold to do that this week!

Happy Groundhog Day by the way!