The Red Series

"Red Series #1"
6" x 7" ~ Acrylic and collage on canvas
Available in my Etsy Shop here

Happy Tuesday! I've been busy working on dog commissions...but I needed to switch gears and paint a new abstract. The above painting is the first in a new series I'm calling, "The Red Series". The spiritual meaning of red really speaks to me with all that's going on in my life right now. The color red symbolizes energy, action, confidence, courage and change. It brings passion and strength to relationships, life and work. I would say that red packs a cosmic punch!

And yes, there is definitely change in the air. We're gearing up to make the big move to our new house in August...so there is lots to do to get ready. I'm trying to teach Maisie how to pack and clean...but she seems more interested in patrolling the backyard for bunnies and sleeping under my desk. The nerve!

Little Dog Tuffy

"Tuffy"
10" x 11" acrylic on canvas

Finally finished Tuffy!...and a big thank you goes out to his papa who was so patient and kind during my painting hiatus. This sweet ball of fluff was a pleasure to paint...I could tell he was a little dog with a BIG personality.

Now...I have a big surprise for you all...bigger surprise for me actually! I can't wait to share it with you...so I will be back tomorrow with the scoop. Can you guess what it is?

Swimming Upstream

Hi everyone, sorry for my long absence...the passing of our friend, Steve hit us all very hard. It's time to get back to things now though...and I know he would wants us to. I have to remember what he used to say...even on his hardest days..."It's all good".

Thanks to all of you for your kind and comforting words while we've been going through this. I apologize for not getting back to each of you personally. Please know though that I do cherish you...and feel so lucky to have met so many wonderful people through this blog. What a gift.

Now...let's talk about some art! Nothing like shoving me back to work!...I had to get three paintings up to Loveland, Colorado for a show last weekend. It was a juried canine art exhibit at the American Buckhorn Valley Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show. The paintings below were the ones accepted. It was a small show...but there was some exceptional dog art. The sculptural work blew me away...I wish I had pictures to show you.

Hope you all are doing well...I can't wait to catch up on your blogs this week. In the meantime...help me with one big collective sigh...and let's get that creative juju flowing again!

"Theo"

13" x 16" acrylic on canvas
2005

"Two Greyhounds"
20" x 22" acrylic on canvas
2005

"Guide Dogs"
20" x 24" acrylic on canvas
2006

Gushing about Gauguin!

"Arearea" (Joyousness)
by Paul Gauguin, 1892

"Pastorales Tahitiennes"
By Paul Gauguin, 1892

Oh yeah, she has the pre-travel jitters! I don't know about you, but I'm pretty much of a stress mess the days leading up to a long vacation. I'm not one who loves plane travel that's for sure...but more than that, it's leaving the comfort and loves of home and (DOG)...to venture out to places unknown. I always love it once we arrive at our destination...it's just the "before" and the "getting there" that kinda sucks!

One of the many reasons I'm excited to be going to Tahiti is because of Paul Gauguin...another one of my favorite Artists. Gauguin lived and painted in Tahiti during the last years of his life and produced some of his most beautiful works. I love the way he used bold color and primitive design to depict life on the Islands. He was truly a master and ahead of his time and I hope to see lots of his influence there.

Hope to be back here once more before we leave Wednesday afternoon.

Have a good Monday everyone!

It's Fabulous Friday!

"Inner Circle #8"
6" x 7" acrylic and collage on canvas
available here in my Etsy shop

And a happy fabulous Friday to you! Here's the latest in my Inner Circle Series. I've been working on dog paintings all week...but yesterday I needed to shift gears and work on something a little different. It always seems to help my brain re-focus...and then I can head back to work on the dogs with a fresh perspective.

Besides working hard this week...a miracle happened. I found a bathing suit for Tahiti! We all know how much fun it is for a woman to shop for a new suit. The flourescent lights always help too. Geeez, you might as well put us in front of one of those distorted circus mirrors, Mr. Nordstrom's! I find myself having to channel Stuart Smalley (the character Al Franken played on Saturday Night Live) afterwards and say this affirmation to myself..."I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and gosh darnit it...people like me!". I think I'm over the trauma now.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Going Tropical...

"Tropical"
8" x 8" acrylic and collage on canvas
2006

This is one of my earlier paintings...I thought it would set the mood for the day. James and I are leaving for vacation next week and we're going to Tahiti! He and I haven't been away on a nice, long vacation...just the two of us...in what seems like forever so we're putting that credit card to use and we're gonna skeddadle! A friend of a friend owns a house on the island of Moorea...so we are staying there for seven nights and then will go to Bora Bora for two nights. I'm excited to go somewhere I've never been before and am looking forward to being inspired by the color and beauty of the tropics.

I'm definitely feeling the pre-trip freak out this week! So much work left to do before we leave next Wednesday and of course, I'm stressing about leaving Maisie. At least she'll be in excellent hands with Mary again so I won't worry. I'll miss the heck out of her though and will probably have to look at her picture 20 times a day to get through. Talk about separation anxiety!...I'll probably start chewing on the sofa any moment now.

So please forgive me if I'm not more responsive to posting or commenting right now. I'm working hard to finish two dog commissions before we leave so am trying to stay disciplined and focused. Yeah right...I'm really dreaming of luscious flowers, the ocean and lots of naps on the beach!

Back soon...xox!

What's in an Abstract?

"Inner Circle #7"

6" x 7" acrylic and collage on canvas
available in my Etsy store here

Finally making an appearance today..."Inner Circle #7"! When people see one of my abstracts they will sometimes ask..."well what is it?" I have to laugh because I don't know quite what the heck it is either so it's a hard question to answer!

I came across a couple of great quotes that really seem to express (at least to me) what an abstract is all about ...

"You like it, that's all, whether it's a landscape or abstract. You like it. It hits you. You don't have to read it. The work of art - sculpture or painting - forces your eye." ~Clement Greenberg, Art Critic

"I'm not an abstractionist. I'm not interested in the relationship of color or form or anything else. I'm interested only in expressing basic human emotions: tragedy, ecstasy, doom and so on."
~Mark Rothko, Artist

"Vision at End of Day"
by Mark Rothko, 1946
oil on canvas, 40" x 50"

If YOU have a favorite Abstract Artist...do tell! I would love to know.

Open the Door...

"The Red Door"
acrylic on canvas
available for sale in my Etsy Shop

This is my latest painting...a little bit of a departure from what I've been doing recently. Good to stretch those painting bones though! This was done from a photograph of our front door as the light was shining on it late one afternoon last week. Our door is sort of a deep earthy red but the light made it look "spectacular red". It really caught my eye so I ran and got the camera. I love it when when a painting comes from a passing moment like that.

And what would a Friday be without a new picture of Maisie Mayhem O'Neill?! This was taken by James the other day when he was trying out our new ultra cool travel camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5. There is actually a "pet setting" that takes shots with a very light flash. I love this shot of our little big-eared baby!

Enjoy your weekend! xox

Chocolate Milk Anyone?

"Chocolate Milk"
8" x 8" acrylic and collage on canvas
available for purchase in my Etsy Shop here

This is a painting I just finished today in my "Milk" series? Not sure I will really continue with this series (a big series of two now)...but I will probably do a few more variations. Call me strange, but I find painting a glass of milk very soothing and somewhat nourishing. You can find my first milk painting if you look on the Other Art page of my website, second row...fifth painting.

Then there is this little beauty above, Miss Maisie Rose. What could she be standing in? If you guessed snow...you be right! It's been snowing here in Boulder today. They say if you don't like the weather in Boulder...you should just wait a minute because it takes about that long for it to change. That's good...because that's about how much patience I usually have for things. HA!

A Painting and a Playdate!

"Inner Circle #2"

6" x 6" acrylic, ink, collage on canvas

available on Etsy here

Here's the second installment of my "Inner Circle" series...this one, a little more bold and graphic than the first.

Below, we have a moment in history...Maisie's first playdate! We have been trying to hook her up with Lucy the Lab for four months now but something always got in the way. First it was the kennel cough, then it was the stomach surgery...then of course, the infamous cast. Well, Saturday...she had her day in the sun...and loved every minute of it. She and Lucy romped, rolled, tumbled and teased each other for a long, long time. Maisie was so tired the next day that she slept through most of it. It was the best tired she ever had though.

Aren't they ADORABLE?! Have a marvelous Monday! xox

New art and seven things

"Inner Circle #1"

6" x 6" acrylic and collage on canvas
available at my Etsy shop here

Finally a new painting...yay! This is the first of a series I'm going to be working on called, "Inner Circle". This one was painted to symbolize a return to joy and color as a release from the inner conflict and sadness I've been feeling the last few months. It's a return to spring...sort of a new beginning for James, Maisie and myself after all we've been through together.

Now...on to seven things about myself that Miss Karine tagged me to do the other day (I think Pono put you up to this?) hee hee.

1) I used to be a real hippy chick in my early 20's...I wore feather earrings, knee high Native American Yeti boots and all clothing had to be purple.

2) I love watching the Food Channel. My foodie dream is to eat at one of Mario Batali's restaurants in New York.

3) I don't like shopping for clothes. I would rather do anything else.

4) A Psychic told me many years ago that I had two German angels watching over me. Years later I was befriended by two elderly sisters. They're German, in their 90's now...and they definitely ARE my guardian angels.

5) Old antique dolls give me the willies.

6) I love pastry. I ask you...is there anything better than a really good croissant?!

7) One of my very favorite Artist's is Amadeo Modigliani. I always wished that I could paint people like he did.

I'm being lazy now and won't tag anyone else this time but next time around...look out!

Gotta go check on Maisie now...she's getting to like her new found toe freedom but I need to keep the reins on her for a few more days. Little bundle of energy that she is!

Two Wonderful Artists

"The Gift"
by Shari Beaubien

I have two beautiful new art pieces that grace my house now. The above print was a gift from my friend, Shari Beaubien...from her original 22" x 28" painting, "The Gift". Shari is such a sweet person and sent me this to cheer me up knowing the Maisie Mayhem I've been going through. What a smile it brought to my face and what a talent she is. Thank you, Shari!

"Another Year"
5.5" x 6.5"
paint, collage, paper, graphite, beeswax on wood
by Michele Maule

I recently purchased this beautiful painting above on Etsy from another amazing Artist, Michele Maule. I did a blog post awhile back on Michele's work and when I saw this chair painting I just had to have it. What she wrote about it really spoke to me...

"Since moving to Michigan, and the few months before our move, I felt, and feel, like I am just waiting. Waiting for certain events to happen before I can move to the next step. I suppose most of life is like this..."

This is SO my life the last two months; waiting for Maisie to heal, waiting and hoping for a friend's recovery from cancer, waiting to have the time to do the work I need to do, waiting...waiting...WAITING! Besides all that though, I just think it's such a cool painting.

So did you see the Academy Awards last night? I was a little disappointed that Julie Christie didn't win Best Actress. Her performance in "Away From Her" was really stunning. We usually have some champagne on Oscar night...but this year we're saving that very special bottle for Friday when Maisie gets her cast off. She's gonna get some too! Cheers to Maisie girl!

Spooning

"Spoon"
6" x 6" acrylic and collage on canvas
available in my Etsy shop here

I can't believe I've let another week go by without posting. Geez! These last seven weeks with Maisie in her cast have been sort of surreal. Seems as though all my energy is going into her right now and my creative drive has taken a beating. I know it will all be worth it in the end...and I will have learned another cosmic lesson in patience. All I can say is that James and I will be bringing a bottle of champagne with us when we take this dang cast off next week! Seven days to go and counting!

What IS amazing at this point is that even though Maisie has driven me half crazy, chewed holes in most of my clothes and taken all my time and energy...I love her even more. This accident prone, goofy, silly, high strung dog has dug her way right down to the core of my heart.

"All my dogs have been scamps and thieves and troublemakers and I've adored them all." ~Helen Hayes

Friday Art

"Golden Apple"
6" x 6" acrylic and collage on canvas
available on Etsy here

I just finished this painting using more of Ro Bruhn's beautiful paper for the collage base. I should call it the "Ro Series" to give credit to the wonderful Artist who has graciously let me use her gorgeous paper. Thank you again, Ro!

I visited Rebecca Collin's blog today and read a post she recently did on "Who are your Mentors". It inspired me to write something about mine (thanks Becca!). I had two amazing Professors of Art at Dominican University in San Rafael, California where I received my BFA. One was Edythe Bresnahan and the other, Foad Satterfield. They taught me so many things about being an Artist and I am forever thankful for their dedication and talent. They made me think seriously about a full-time career in art and gave me the confidence to pursue it. They are both incredible Artists in their own right and you can see some of their work (Edythe)here and (Foad)here. Now...who are YOUR mentors?

Have a great weekend! Send good juju to Maisie's toe...it's x-ray day!

A Little Rain Storm

"Rain Storm"
6" x 7" acrylic on canvas
available on Etsy here

You should SEE my studio right now...if you could call it that! With Maisie needing a whole lot of attention and unable to do the stairs these next few weeks...I've had to move my studio up to the living room. Let's just say that it's not a pretty picture trying to live and work in one small room! We also had to store our dining room table for now and move the TV down from the loft into the living room. James carries Maisie upstairs at night when it's bedtime...but aside from that, the three of us are sharing a very small space. It's been pretty difficult to get a good block of time to paint...but I'm managing to squeeze in a half hour here and there during the day. I just finished the above piece.

James took the below picture over the weekend. Of course, I had to fool with it digitally so this is the result. As you can probably see, I have a treat in my hand that Miss Maisie the food monger is pretty interested in. We are trying to take a good photo (not so easy!) for a book I'm going to be in later this year. Can't tell you much about it yet until the publishing dates are set...but it's about people who devote their lives to dogs in some way. It's being written by two very talented women who live on the East Coast. I can't wait to see the final results!


I've got Maisie chewing on a bully stick right now...let's see how long that keeps her occupied this morning! Any bets?!

A little bit 'a butter

"Butter"
6" x 7" acrylic on canvas
available here at my Etsy Shop

Ahhh, my love for butter is never ending. Add a little bread...and what more could you ask for. One of the best food combinations ever invented!

So I have a question for you. If you had only four days to fly somewhere for a little r&r...where would it be? James and I want to head out for a little getaway before the end of the year...but it can only be a short trip this time. We don't want to spend much time in route...just want to get somewhere quickly where we can rest and rejuvenate and eat lots of things with butter. If you have any favorite destinations...please spill!

And I feel a TGIF coming on...:)

Perdy Pear

"Red Pear"
6" x 7" acrylic and collage on canvas
available in my Etsy Shop

Just finished this perdy pear last night. There's an abundance of lovely little pears in the stores right now...so many different colors and shapes. Uh oh...I feel a pear painting frenzy coming on!
Hey Ro...I used yet another one of your incredible papers in this one. I love them!

And when you have a moment...pop on over to Michele Maule's blog. Besides the fact that she just got a new Boston Terrier puppy (cutie pie!)...she's an amazing Artist. Her mixed media paintings incorporating graphite, paint, handmade gesso, collage and wax are just beautiful. Really nice work, Michele!

"Little Bottles" 3" x 3" by Michele Maule

paint, collage, beeswax, graphite and gesso on panel

Abstract Aberration!

"The Dress"
5" x 6.5" acrylic and collage on paper

This is my third and last abstract piece for the week. As I was painting it...an orange dress appeared in the middle! Must have been Halloween spooks still lurking in my studio.

I painted it on a paper surface I had prepared in Shari Beaubien's workshop a couple of months ago. I loved the textures that developed using her techniques. Hope I did ya proud, Shari!

Have a great weekend everyone! xo

Another Painting and a White Dog Christmas!

"Moonrise"
3.5" x 5" acrylic on paper
available at my Etsy shop

Above is another new abstract. Do YOU see a Moonrise too? I don't know...could just be me!

As for the image below...it's another Christmas Card created from the "Bianca" painting I did this year. They are available at my Etsy shop too. The message on the card says, "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas!".

And be sure to check back tomorrow for the scariest Halloween picture ever! If you DARE!!

New Abstract Painting

"Sprout"
6" x 7" acrylic and collage on canvas
available at my Etsy Store

I felt the need to head back to some abstract work for a couple of days so the above piece is a result of that. (Hey Ro...I used your paper again here!)

I really enjoy the variety of switching back and forth from painting dogs...to still lifes...to abstracts. There is something about it that really works for me. What I learn each time from doing the abstracts helps with the dog art which helps with the still lifes and so on and so on. It also gives me the chance to express myself in three very different ways. I sometimes wonder though if I stretch myself too thin by doing this ...and that maybe I should focus on one specific subject matter to produce a more cohesive body of work. Then again...maybe this is just the way I need to work to get where I'm going.

On another subject...I have a Halloween movie recommendation for you. If you haven't seen "Freaks"...it's the perfect creepy movie to watch! We're taking it over to some friends to watch on Wednesday night after all the kiddies come. It's a classic and surely one of the strangest movies ever to come out of Hollywood. Get it!