The Exhibit is Up!

My solo exhibit is finally up! James and I hung the show on Monday...took us about six hours and all went very smoothly. There are 33 paintings stretching all the way down both sides of the Hall. These pictures are not the best but I'm glad we took a few of "the day" the show went up. I'll be going down to the University of Denver this weekend to spend more time taking better ones.

Hope you can stop by and see the show if you live in the area. It will be up until May 31st. Check out my last post for more information and the address.

My incredible exhibit manager and husband, James
putting final touches on the hanging wires.

Cluster of paintings at the end of the Hall.

Paintings are hung all the way to the front entrance on both sides.

Our car in front of The Chambers Center Building
( I can't believe we squeezed 33 paintings into one car!)

I'll be back tomorrow with more good news!

Hello 2010!

Hi everyone...hope your New Year is starting off great! Thanks to all who sent me those wonderful New Year wishes...I hope the very same for you. I'm banking on 2010 being a winner!

The first week of January turned out to be doozy cold here. I took the picture above last week from just outside my studio. This is my favorite view from our yard...I love that sweet white barn. Below is my little snow bunny...on patrol...keeper of the peace.

By the way...have you all seen the movie, Herb and Dorothy? I watched it last week...it's about a married couple of very modest means that, over the years, built one of the largest collections of Contemporary Art in history. It's a fascinating and uplifting film...and a story about this couple's love for art that is extraordinary. It's available on DVD.

Looking forward to catching up on your blogs. I'll be back soon with some new work!

Happy Friday!

"Two Pears en Rouge"

24" x 24" acrylic and collage on canvas
available for sale in my Etsy shop

Hey there! Just finished this new still life...let me know what you think!

I was going to post it earlier this week but I got a little sidelined by a sore throat and a hurt back. As you've probably heard, it's been FREEZING here in Colorado the past few days. Thanks to the icy roads, Miss Graceful here slipped walking Maisie and threw my back out. Anyway...doing much better now which is a good thing since I've hardly done any Christmas shopping at all. Every year I promise myself I will get things done earlier...but does that ever happen? Looks like James and I will juuuuuust make that shipping deadline again. Yikes!

Hope you're all doing well and that you have a very fun and festive holiday weekend! xox

Juicy Fruit

"An Apple a Day"
12" x 12" acrylic and fabric on canvas
available in my Etsy Shop here

Here's a new Still Life...apples and pears are my favorites to paint. I think I'm feeling a fruit painting frenzy coming on!

Below is a picture of my little snow baby from yesterday. This is a rare shot when her face isn't buried in the white stuff. Sweet girl!

Miss Maisie

One more Christmas card!

Cards available here in my Etsy Dog Shop

Here's one more new Christmas card for 2009! Rosie, the Black Lab just screamed to be a Santa this year...so here she is. You can purchase cards of this sweetie pie in my Etsy Dog Shop. Shipping on holiday cards and my new calendar are still free until November 15th.

It's snowing like buckets here in Boulder today! Time for some hot soup!

New Christmas Card!

You can purchase these cards here.

Here's a new Abby Creek Christmas card...for all you Puggie lovers out there! You can purchase these in my Etsy Dog Shop...with free shipping until November 15th.

Hey...have you seen this great new book, "To the Rescue"? Check out some of the photos here. I think this would make a wonderful gift for someone this holiday season.

It's a beautiful, soggy Fall day here in Colorado. Winter is coming early this year though because the leaves are dropping fast. :(
Why can't it be Fall all year long?!

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
~ Albert Camus

Look at Lucy!

"Lucy"

10" x 11" acrylic on canvas

Here's the final result of the "it's yellow and it sniffs" hint I was talking about the other day...the lovely Miss Lucy, a yellow Lab from Denver. Lucy's favorite thing to do is go for hikes in the beautiful hills of Colorado. This bundle of energy was a pure joy to paint!

For a little inspiration today, head to Susan Tuttle's blog...it's one of my favorites. I love her photographs, her words and her views on life.

And lastly...here's a pretty cool artsy quote to fill your day...

"The word composition moved me spiritually
and I made it my aim in life to paint a composition.
It affected me like a prayer and filled me with awe."
~ Wassily Kandinsky

Have a good Tuesday!

Spring has sprung

"First Signs of Spring"

8" x 8" x 1.5" acrylic, collage, ink on canvas
available in my Etsy shop here

I'm feelin' a little spring here in Colorado...it's 74 degrees today! Some green is starting to return to the lawn, the iris bulbs are popping up and James and I started preparing the soil in our vegetable garden yesterday. Now I know winter isn't over here yet...but I think I'll ignore that right now and continue on my merry spring way.

I was over at Wendy Crumbley's 2DogStudio blog the other day and saw a couple of things I wanted to share with you. First, check out this wonderful painting she did titled, "Bath Time". Besides the fact that it's a beautiful painting...her use of texture is just awesome!

"Bath Time" by Wendy Crumbley

Wendy also finds the most wonderful dog quotes...and this one reminds me of how I feel about Maisie...

"My sunshine doesn't come from the skies,

it comes from the love in my dog's eyes." ~unknown

Thanks for your inspiration, Wendy!

Two Peas in a POD

Go ahead...you can say it, Linda is a blog slacker! I've been trying to keep caught up with things...but I forgot how time consuming it is to move! I've been swept up in a vortex of change and movement this past year, so landing on my feet in our new home will surely feel good.

This past week, our main goal was to unload our basement and some large furniture pieces into the wicked POD (as we call it now!). There was a lot of lifting, carrying, loading and cleaning (oh and a little cussing too)...during the hottest few days we've had here in Boulder! We did it though and made our deadline...the house went on the market yesterday. The POD is now back in POD-land and will re-appear when we move. What a great invention. Bless the POD.

I'm trying to focus on some painting the next few days so I hope to have something to show you very soon. In the meantime...enjoy the work of Timothy Chapman, an Artist from this area I truly admire. His animal paintings are amazing...check more of them out at Visions West Gallery of Denver.

"Equus Elegans"
36" x 48" acrylic on canvas
By Timothy Chapman

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

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!

SNOW!!!

Maisie's wish came through and we finally had our first big snowstorm of the year! It snowed about 8-10 inches on Saturday and it's been cold. I love this picture of her...she was fascinated with my snow boot and was chasing me up and down the yard trying to get a piece of it. Her ears are so sweet here...kind of like a donkey (Amy, Katherine...are you smiling yet?).

And speaking of donkey ears...we're having a DNA test done on Maisie to find out exactly what this little girl is made of. James and I think she's German Shepherd/Whippet/Donkey/Tiger but we shall actually find out in three short weeks. Our Vet suggested we do it...not only because Maisie is a very unusual looking dog and it will be fun to know...but also because it will help with her training and with future medical care.

I'll have some art to show you soon...I'm trying to finish everything up by the end of this week so that it all gets where it needs to go by Christmas. Time to get to work...get me my turbo tea!

Have a good Monday! xoxo

More Holiday Spirit!

Maisie wants to be in the Christmas spirit but is feeling a little blue without her snow to romp in. It was 72 degrees here in Colorado on Tuesday! What's a snow lovin' dog to do?

It's a little frantic and busy here in Santa's Dog workshop this week. Dog painting commisssions must be done and sent out in just over a week so I am panting and pacing a little. Everything always works out though so I just need to take a little breath, have a little kibble to keep my energy up and keep that paintbrush in hand!

Here's a little holiday cheer for you from Maisie, James and Myself. My step-sister sent this link to me the other day and it really had my laughing. Hope you enjoy our performance! Click here to view!

First Snow!

Finally had our first real snow the other day! And look who was lovin' it...Maisie couldn't wait to get out and run around the yard like a little pony. I wish I could have really let her run run RUN...but she's not supposed to yet with the kennel cough. She's getting better but we need to baby her for about another week. We are having a ball with her...she is just the sweetest girl.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday! Maisie and I are heading to the airport soon to pick up my brother who will stay with us through the weekend. We're actually having our Thanksgiving dinner tonight with him.

Sorry for the lack of posting lately...and the lack of art! This little girl dog is keeping me very busy...and I'm concentrating mostly on dog portraits now until Christmas. I hope to have one to show you next week though. If I can get Maisie to come down the long flight of stairs to my studio in the basement that will help. For now...she's afraid of them, poor baby.

Have a great weekend everyone. xoxo

Two Cutie Pie Dogs

"Tycho and Zeus" 13" x 16" acrylic on canvas

This is my latest painting of two adorable Shepherd mixes, Tycho (left) and Zeus. They are both rescue dogs and live with their mom, Jessica up in beautiful Vancouver. Jessica won this commission in an auction to raise money for one of my very favorite places, SAINTS which is a sanctuary for senior and special needs animals.

It was a cool, rainy day here in Boulder yesterday. The higher elevations had a foot of snow! Since the temps dipped so much over the weekend...I had to pick the last of our basil and unripe tomatoes off the vine. My sweet friend and 86 year old neighbor, Dorothy told me to put the tomatoes in the basement under newspaper and that would ripen them right up. I hope it works because I'm not ready to be done with my tasty sweet tomatoes yet!

Below...a splash of beautiful fall color from one of our backyard trees.
And thanks for all of your uplifting thoughts about our losing the house. You guys are the best!

No house...sad girl

"Bummersville"
image from Cuteoverload.com

The title of the above image "Bummersville" pretty much describes my mood today! We didn't get the house. Let's just say the bank really screwed us over by accepting another offer without even addressing our counter offer. And we were the first people to be under contract with them. All in all...I can honestly say that it's been a very negative experience so if you are thinking of buying a foreclosed on home...run the other way! The good thing is that this is over now so James and I do feel relief. We just have to get up and dust off our real estate pants and start over again. We know that eventually we will find something right for us...and even better! Thanks to all of you who have been so thoughtful with your support through this. It has meant so much to me.

On a more pleasant note...James and I went to the new Anthropologie store in Boulder the other day and it was a real feast for the eyes! I saw the below Greyhound print there. It was very large and commanding hanging on the wall...and really beautiful. It was printed on hand woven paper. I'm starting my Christmas list now.

Pastel Painting Award

Yipdeedoodaday...I have some mondo cool news! I am one of the Artists featured in the "Best of America, Pastel Artists and Artisans" new book. This was a national competition and my oil pastel paintings, "Teapot" and "Ball Jar" were chosen to be included. The book (along with other books in the series) is available online and will be available at bookstores across the country including Borders Books. Thank you, Kennedy Promotions!

"Teapot" ~sold
6.5" x 8" oil pastel on paper

"Ball Jar" ~sold
5" x 7" oil pastel on paper

And on another note...I'm really excited because I just signed up to take Shari Beaubien's "Mixed Media Collage" class at the Creative Underground in Fort Collins. If any of you live in close proximity to Fort Collins, Colorado...please join us. Shari is a wonderful friend and excellent Artist. You won't want to miss out on this one!

Little Red Wagon

"Little Red Wagon"
6" x 7" acrylic and collage on canvas

Seems I'm on a retro kick lately...but I'm having fun! This is the latest in the series. It's available at my Etsy shop here.

We're having a blissful day here in Colorado. Compared to the 90-100 degree temps we've had lately...it has been cool, windy and rainy this morning. I headed out for an early walk and let the chilliness of it all fall over me. What a welcome relief.

By the way, if you haven't yet read about artist, Katherine Dunn's idea for "Pino's Pies"...you should check out her blog "Apifera Farm" today. Also head to her new blog, Donkey Dreams and Pino's Pies. There is a wonderful post "The Beginning of a Dream" that will surely bring a tear to your eye and warm your heart.

Monday stuff 'n things

"Frustration"
by Christine Humphries
9" x 12" Etching

Has it been hot where you live? Geez, it's been hot here!...100 degrees yesterday and I think again today with no real relief in sight. I might as well be joining my friend and fellow artist, Karine Swenson in her new home in Palm Springs! (Hi Karine!) And I'm trying to be GREEN but thank god for air conditioning!

The above etching was just sent to me as a gift by another wonderful Artist and friend, Christine Humphries (thank you, Christine!) from I Heart Dogs Studio. She and I share a printmaking past so this beautiful etching is especially dear to me. I just love it. You should check out her dog portraits and other work too...she's a very talented Artist. Christine even creates dog tile mosaics which are so cool!

Having lunch today with my friend, Kathleen and Mary who was Abby's dog sitter...at the Boulder Dushanbe Tea House. Mary was "dog sitter extaordinaire" and Abby just loved her. It will be nice to see her again and I know Abby will be watching over us and listening in...and having her own bowl of iced chai.

Have a nice Monday, everyone. Back in touch soon with Hopey the Cat!

New Abstract

"Jumping Off"
3.5" x 4.5" acrylic and collage on paper

So I'm thinking of starting to offer some of these smaller prints and paintings on Etsy. I haven't had any experience with Etsy yet so if any of you have some fabulous advice...please do tell! It would be so appreciated.

It's beautiful and bright here in Colorado today. The birds are out singing away...maybe a little too much so for me. Alright already! hee hee.

"The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place; from the sky, from the earth, from a passing shape, from a spider's web." ~Pablo Picasso