hummingbird . ruby throated male

It has been a BIG month for me as far as starting my business. I have begun the website (with some help, finally, after many false starts and loss of funds), registered my business name, license  and started “the books.” Though I am not on my blog very often, it seems the learning process of creating the blog has helped me to know how to impliment some of the website. Took 2 years — who is counting? All I can say is, what a journey! This is another step, a page turning, into being able to share my work and sell my prints. For now, I am keeping the originals and having professional scans & prints made by Craig & Thomas of  Media Specialties (soon to be “ROOTS”) in Meridian, Idaho. When I look back, it is obvious that all is going as it should be, not necessarily as I thought it would be.

b l u e

BLUE was created with a sense of glee, because I set out to drop a part of my education, which was, “never paint with straight up WHITE!” It was absolutely an adventure of painting with white, disregarding what I was taught. I love the outcome. Now, I will make my own rules. Happily.

finished koi

Sometimes I just don’t know when a painting is done. I can ponder over a piece for months before I figure it out. Today I decided this one is. These KOI were inspired by an Asian painting, which I adore. Painting is 12″ x 24″ x 1.5″ on stretched canvas.

my real work

It has been a long time since I have been on this blog (thank you, Karen). Been busy building an Etsy shop (artdogartwork.etsy.com), and a shop on Facebook (artdogartwork.myshopify.com). So much work! The Etsy shop is mostly animals and the Shopify site is for other large and non-animal paintings (who knows, I may add animals in the future). All the while working a regular job, almost full time. My goal is to cut down on “regular work” and get more into my “real work” — drawing, painting, making cards, and delivering my work to people who need it! This is my DREAM and it is what I DO. Every once in awhile, I buy a lottery ticket as well. ha. Have not won YET.

Happy Autumn!

painting a black french bulldog

The process of painting a black dog is definitely a huge challenge for me. It is so tempting to just use black and try to paint what you see. However, if you really look, there are multiple layer of light, shade, and texture that create black. Finally, I had to use my imagination to help with the final painting. Am enclosing here the process, that took weeks of “seeing” and that meant leaving it alone for a week so I could see with “fresh eyes.” Then, at some point, one has to really finish. This painting is finished now because I deem it so — and I am ready, so ready, to go onto another piece! 

p l e n t y

This work is titled, “Plenty.” Collage on handmade paper, acrylic, prismacolor pencil and cutouts. Ample acid free mat, and maple frame. I just entered it into a juried show. Loved making this piece, as it is all about love cycles and what is important. The little girl on the right is holding a hen — and everything is connected.

award

Thank you so much, Karen (http://idoartkarenrobinson.com) for nominating me for this award! I am also going to nominate 15 bloggers, who have inspired me, because what they are doing (writing/painting/photographing/creating) makes the world a BETTER place:

SHARING THE COMPLIMENT

To help share this compliment throughout the blogosphere, the rules for the award are:

• Thank the person who nominated you and add a link to their blog
• Display the award on your post
• List award rules so your nominee’s will know what to do
• State 7 things about yourself
• Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award
• Contact your nominees to let them know you have nominated them and provide a link to your post
• Proudly display the award logo (or buttons) on your blog, whether in your side bar, ABOUT page or a special page for award’s

7  THINGS ABOUT ME

1.  Am almost 70 years old and have always been an artist.

2.  Am starting a new career with my artwork — blogging is the place where I write about that journey. Started blogging 7 months ago.

3.  Enjoy blogging, Facebook, and am trudging through learning how to do eCommerce.

4.  Have a passion for dogs, film and nature.

5.  Am fortunate to live in Boise, Idaho near one of my daughters & family — so much fun.

6.  Have a passion for other cultures.

7.   Deep concern for preserving our planet for the next generation

BLOGOSPHERE NOMINEES

These are my 15 nominees:

1.  Karen Robinson (http://idoartkarenrobinson.com)

2.  Heidi Vormer (https://remrov.wordpress.com)

3.  Tim Livingston (http://theforesterartist.com)

4.  jocmckin (https://somebadplankton.wordpress.com)

5.  Kenton Lewis (https://jitterygt.wordpress.com)

6.  Kendall F. Person (http://thepublicblogger.com)

7.  Norbet Haupt (http://norberthaupt.com)

8.  Tom (http://catsatthebar.org)

9.  Mike (https://m5son.wordpress.com)

10. Traveler (http://leblogdupigeonvoyageur.com)

11. Micky & Nikolay (http://lordsofthedrinks.com)

12. David Nikias (http://davidnikias.com)

13. Simon (https://simontocclo.wordpress.com)

14. Jasmine Tutton (https://milkshakesinspring.wordpress.com)

15. Amy Saab (http://2me4art.com)

Well, I thought that would be difficult (to find 15 inspiring blogs), but it was not! There was one (spanishwoods), who does not want awards, but my, her posts are just lovely. Will honor that, of course — just wanted to say how much I enjoy the beauty of her site.

Okay, now to the bigger task of notifying these 15 bloggers of my nomination! Thanks again, Karen and will visit you soon! Christina

 

learning

A lot has happened since I last wrote. Finished a drawing that I had worked on for eight years (THAT is a very long time), entered it into a show through the Treasure Valley Artists Alliance (Boise, Idaho), found a wonderful shop in Meridian that does scans, framing and printing — found out it was accepted, named the drawing (“Transcendence”) and will soon go to the reception on Friday evening (in two days). Seeing the work framed was just a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. Love the framing and pretty darn proud of the drawing. It has been twenty years since I have been in the art world. That is an even longer time. In some ways it is like getting back on a bicycle and in another it is like coming home. There have been quite a few people in my life recently who have been beyond supportive toward this re-entry. Makes me incredibly grateful (will be even more grateful when I am over the virus I have had for the last 5 -6 days!) My next goal is to learn more about marketing and building a body of work. One foot in front of the other. The caption below is pretty inspiring to me at the moment, so am including in the post.  

m y c a r d s

They are postcard size, and so much fun — matching envelopes. Fun to write on, include in mailings, or just to give out.

shell falls away

 

23″ x 23″    prismacolor pencil, 400 lb. BFK Rives printmaking paper

“And The Shell Falls Away”