Felix

I wanted to try painting a dog in a different technique to my usual style - and my friend Hazel kindly volunteered a photo of her darling collie, Felix.

The technique I used was Pointillism... it takes probably three times as long to complete as my usual style, but its very calming to do.  The first is a close up and the second from a distance - as you would view if he was on the wall.

Felix

After Van Gogh

I've always liked Van Gogh.
So when he appeared in the Painting Friends Masters Challenge it wasn't long before I painted this one, after his Fishing Boats at Saintes-Marie.

The challenge, for those who don't know, is to paint a picture of the Master painter - trying to use their techniques. Sometimes this is difficult, because there are no instructions on how the artist did paint.. so you have to look, see and try.
That is what I did with this painting.  My watercolour version of a Van Gogh oil.

The Cowgirl Series .. Cowgirl IV: When Love is Gone

Fourth in the series, created using cling film and watercolour..

Called "When Love is Gone" because, when love has gone, we first of all go to pieces....

When Love is Gone

Will this be the last in the Series? Temporarily it is.. but I have a feeling I may well do one more...  where the Cowgirl will end up back on top of the world :)

Introducing...

I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Jackie.
She has started up her own blog, showcasing her handmade cards.

Jackie's Blog Crafti Cardz

She is taking part in a craft fair this weekend, full details on her blog!
She has some of my painted bookmarks to take to the fair also.

Would be great if any of you would visit her blog and offer some encouragement.
Thank you xx

The Cowgirl Series .. Cowgirl III: Dotty about Him

Here we are with the third in the Series.. all done in pointillism

after she's been kissed.. she is

Dotty about Him.

The Cowgirl Series .. Cowgirl II: After the Kiss

Here's my second cowgirl, painted using the techniques I learned when painting my Sargent :

She's called "After The Kiss" and there's a reason for this.
When I was painting the lips, I smudged the bottom one a little. Mostly the shadow covers it - but as the colour was permanent rose, I couldn't lift it. So I decided to make it part of a story.
And the story is, our Texan cowgirl has just been kissed..

After the Kiss

Five years ago today.

Five years ago today we adopted our darling Missy from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

There on Battersea's website, she has her own page as a "Happy Ending" 
If you click, you can read her story.

We are so pleased we adopted her.. we've given an older dog a second chance of a good life - and we are rewarded with the most darling companion.
That's a true win-win, then :)

Happy 5th Adoption Day, my darling girl.

has it been 5 years? Really? Its flown by...

The Cowgirl Series .. Cowgirl I: Pride of Texas

On the Painting Friends forum, we are currently having a portrait challenge.
Its such fun being in a community of painters and having challenges set. They're not compulsory of course, but joining in is, I find, a great way to stretch your capabilities.
In this one, we were given a picture of a tailor's dummy and asked to make her into a portrait. First picture is the dummy  - in case you can't tell :)
The painting is named Pride of Texas, because if you look very closely at the cheek in shadow, there's a star in there. A happy watercolour accident! 

I was so entranced by this painting, I decided to try it again - and again - using different techniques. So don't be surprised when you see more Cowgirls popping up on my blog :) 

Dummy

Cowgirl I :Pride of Texas

The Alphabet Paintings: I

This painting was inspired by this poem:

On Silent Paws.

On silent paws I will walk with you, through life every day
Did you think I would leave you alone and unloved, when there is another way?
Just close your eyes and you will see me, standing by your side
Just open your ears and listen, as through life's storms you ride

I am ever present, only a prayer away
Did you think I would leave you alone and unloved, when there is another way?
Just hold the love you held for me tightly to your heart
I shall never leave you, we will never be apart

I'm here just out of sight, I will never go astray
Did you think I would leave you alone and unloved, when there is another way?
There is no death when love is the link that bound your life to mine
Just close your eyes and think of me. Smile, and all will be fine.

On Silent Paws, I will walk with you, through life every day
Did you think I would leave you alone and unloved, when there is another way?
(author unknown)

Invisible Friend

The Alphabet Paintings: H

Morning everyone! Been a little busy round here, so I've fallen behind with reading blogs! Hope to catch up soon.
In the meantime, onwards with the alphabet paintings.
I'm finding a lot of inspiration in things around me.. this was a photo taken of my Hibiscus "Bluebird"  from my garden.

Hibiscus

Missy and the Meerkat

oh no... here comes Missy!

meet my teeth!

I'm quite sweet, really :)

The Alphabet Paintings: G

I'm back to my alphabet paintings.. and this one is of a piece that lives in my home and called George.. he's a Gryphon.  (also known as a Griffin)
I've painted him on top of a castle wall and in the open air...

If you would like to know the history of Gryphons.. click here

Here's Gryphon George

China

Here she is... the beautiful, loyal friend... she's a staffordshire bull terrier.

Like all my paintings, this will be added to my gallery site Pat Elliott Paintings, so she can be viewed at any time.

China 

Making of China

I had a dog painting to do for Alex.. of the rescue dog who stole her heart, China.

So here in these two stages you see  the drawing and the first washes of the sky and ground around China.

Then I have a confession to make! I got so engrossed in the painting, I forgot to take any more photos - and before I knew it I was finished!

So on Friday, you will see the finished picture.