Fun with Missy, one last time.

In my art folder, I had a drawing of Missy that I had wanted to paint for a little while.
Then she passed away and I couldn't bring myself to paint it.
After visiting the All About Art show in Islington, and falling in love with Derwent Line Painters, I decided to use them to paint Missy's drawing.

So off I went to the summerhouse and took the drawing with me.
My new little companion, Paddy, came too, but for some reason, he left me to it, coming back into the house.
So I had fun with Missy. Just me, her and the paint, in the summerhouse, one last time.
It did me good. The Line Painters are such fun; while I painted, I remembered the fun times the Chief and I had together.

Here we are then,

Fun with Missy

and little Paddy, here he is -

The summerhouse is getting a remodel - to go with this new chapter in our lives. When it's finished, I'll post some pics.
Hubby is almost back to his old self - and I hope to return to regular blogging in September.
For all those who've stuck with me on the blog - and kept us close in thought and prayer - Thank You.

Picking up a brush again - at It's All About Art

Since we lost our darling Missy, I hadn't picked a brush up at all.
There was no joy in painting for me, as my heart grieved for my faithful companion.

A good friend, Sara, had asked if I'd like to go to the It's All About Art show. I was hoping it would give me some inspiration.

We perused the shopping experience, stood and watched some demos - and then found ourselves at the Derwent trade stand.
They had these new products, called Line Painters. We watched as the man showed a few techniques, had a wee scribble with some - and promptly fell in love with them.
The man pointed out the artist next to him, who was demonstrating in a mini workshop, just how these Line Painters worked.

That artist was Sharon Hurst. She kindly agreed to us playing with the LPs, while she was at lunch. While she was away, I painted this feather, using her drawing as inspiration:

I called it 'The Lightening Feather', because it lightened the grief and let me enjoy painting again.

When Sharon returned from lunch, she started demonstrating again  - and most voted to be shown the feather, though I asked for the drawing of the lady.

I got this far, while the demo was playing out

I thanked Sharon for her skill at teaching and for making it enjoyable for me to paint again. She was most kind and gracious, giving me a blessing.

I purchased the LPs - and a couple of days later, picked them up to finish
'The Painted Lady'

If you would like to see some of Sharon's work, or find out about her painting holidays, please go HERE

And if you'd like to meet our new companion - go take a look HERE

MissyChief

Yesterday, we lost our darling girl, Missy.
See you again in Heaven, sweetheart.

Love is a magical potion, the antidote to evil.
Treasure Love, wherever you find it.
RIP, MissyChief.
Xmas 1997- June 2014

MissyCard

Good morning friends!
It's the time of year to be painting my Christmas cards, which means there isn't a lot of painting to show you!

But, I can show you one - that's because it's going to be the card for my OH.

Here it is - loosely based on our darling Missy

MissyCard

Our Autumn Years

When I was looking for something to paint a little while ago, I took out my phone and browsed the pictures on there. Sometimes you see, when I'm taking Missy for a walk, I see something that makes me think - that'll make a painting!

This particular  photo was taken on one of our walks and it was a door in a wall that backed onto a green. The door led, who knows where?

But, I thought, that'll make an interesting painting.
So here it is:

Our Autumn Years

saunders waterford 140 rough

11" x 8"

I hope you enjoyed seeing it :)

Where the Heart is.

I think the title of this, my latest portrait, speaks for itself..

Where the Heart is

Hope you've enjoyed watching me try out this new technique.

I will definitely be adopting it and combining it into my usual style.

and I just had to show you this darling picture of my two sitting next to me on the sofa..

Missy's slot and an intro

Good morning all.

Never far from my side is the faithful Missy.
Here she is, wanting to be near whilst I had the easel set up indoors and made a start on a waterlily painting. She's just adorable and I feel blessed that she shares my life.

This is what the painting looks like, close up.

No drawing at this point, and no masking either. Just a white space in the shape of a lily, left unpainted. More progress paintings next week :)


and then I wanted to introduce you to a painter you may not have come across before. His name is Ross Lynem and he paints the most beautiful, colourful art. Take a look at his blog HERE .

He is a North Light featured artist - and every brush stroke shows me why!  One day, when finances allow, I'd love to own a piece of his work. Do go over and take a look, you'll enjoy his painting, I'm sure.

Two Surprises!

I have two surprises to share in this post.

The first was I was fortunate to be one of the recipients of a small painting by Judy of De Draad Aquarellen.

This is it:

Isn't it gorgeous?

If you haven't seen Judy's wonderful watercolours, you will be in for a rare treat if you go to view her blog HERE 

You won't regret it - I love her style, its so beautiful.
Thank you Judy, for my gift. It will be framed, hung and treasured forever. 


and the second surprise?
I was searching to find what would make a garden interesting to a dog, to stimulate them. I found there should be paths for them to patrol, and different levels in the garden, including a spot they could sun themselves and view their domain!
So we made a surprise build for Missy :)

What's this for, daddy?

Its for viewing my domain?

And for sunning myself?

I like it, I do!

I hope your days are also filled with lovely surprises.

Year of Painting, Self Portrait.

Over at Painting Friends, its the last of the Year of Painting - 

Number Twelve, Self Portrait

Personal Goals for this Painting:

The goals were for me to make four thumbnails again and paint all four, finishing this year of painting with a flourish.

Here are the four thumbs.

After I finished these, I thought I'd start with the pencil portrait as that would undoubtedly take the longest. The basic shapes were there when I thought, ah, go on, paint this one. So I did.

When it was finished I called it “Prime Time”

Prime Time

Challenges Faced

Painting the portrait came quite easily, especially because I had chosen to be quite kind in my depiction. Near the end I started to get emotional, as I always do with my dog portraits when I think I have the likeness. 

Then the name popped into my head “Prime Time” and I got really upset. 

 I'd chosen a double portrait, me and my dog, because I am really uncomfortable with painting myself alone. 

It struck me then that this photo was taken in our prime time, that for both of us there was more behind than there was ahead. 

That realisation brought me up short and I was choked.

I put the painting in my folder and I couldn't paint any more of the thumbs.

Share Personal Goals and whether you felt you Met Them

My goal was to make all four thumbs into paintings.

The emotion of painting Prime Time put paid to that, so no, I didn't meet my goals.

How I created the Painting.

I had a line drawing to begin with.

Then I started by painting myself as the background figure, followed by Missy in the foreground.

Not photorealistic, but reasonably realistic. I didn't bother with wrinkles, sure I didn't see any!

Size of Painting, Medium, Palette and Brushes.

The painting is on Arches 140 Rough 11” x 8”

The medium is pencil for the under drawing and watercolour for the painting.

W&N artists quality paint.

Palette colours used : yellow ochre, aliz crimson, permanent rose, french ultramarine, sepia, burnt sienna, cad red.

Brushes: round 12, round 6, round 2.

Missy and her 6th Anniversary!

The 18th March 2006 was the day we adopted our darling Missy from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
She was approximately 8 years old at the time.

A great day for all of us.

Here she is, the gorgeous Missy

and we had to buy a couple of toys and some chewy shoeys, didn't we?

Let me at him!

Straight for the jugular!

enjoying the shoe chew :)

Happy Adoption Day, our darling girl. :)
You've brought so much joy, laughter and love into our lives.

Thank you, Battersea, for keeping Missy safe in your love for two whole years, while she waited for us. We can't thank you enough.

xx

More sketching

Over in our Painting Friends forum, we're having a daily sketch challenge.
So far, I am enjoying the discipline of knowing I ought to pick up the sketchbook every day and do something!
Some will be whimsical and some more traditional, whatever takes my fancy on the day.

I am approaching this with the idea that it should be fun and not a chore.
Yes, we could all do with improving - me included- but I don't want to do that at the expense of losing the joy.
Surely joy was the reason we all came to painting and drawing anyway - wasn't it? 

What brought me to drawing and painting? I can't remember if I told  you.  In a nutshell, I had started a new business, wasn't very busy and looked to drawing and painting to fill my time because I loved art at school. So I took a class and off I went. I'm still going :) 
How about you? What made you decide to pick a brush or a pencil up?

The journey continues

As my sub heading to the blog says, " a journey with watercolour and my dog"
I thought to show you a little more "journey" work today.


Yesterday was a foul day with storms and high winds, so we didn't go anywhere for fresh air and sketching possibilities, we stayed indoors!

These are my sketches, the first in my new journal book, a present from Beryl at Christmas - and the others are two painted sketches of the same subject.

What started me off on pears again was an informative technique post on Painting Friends, by Mollie Jones.
Mollie is very generous in sharing her knowledge. 
She even does so on her blog!
So for those of you who haven't seen it, her blog is HERE
Scroll down from the first post - and there is the technique "smushing"
You're in for a treat :)

a very happy Missy

Christmas Eve Missy had an end of year check at the vet's surgery.
Everything was well, she's in fine physical shape, with only the beginning of slow growing cataracts. That's probably due to her age - she's 14 now!
But, they show no signs of stopping our darling girl enjoying life - as you can now see :)

Here's my Christmas goodies!

I particularly like that one - there!

How did mummy miss the hedgehog out?

wrapping paper's all mine too!

You're not tidying my hedgie away!

All that playing makes a girl hungry!

After a good lunch comes a snooze! 

We're fortunate to be off work now until the New Year, when we'll be back and ready to resume normal blogging. Have a great time all, til then xx

Ding Dong, Merrily on High

 Ding Dong, Merrily on High

In Heaven the bells are ringing

Ding Dong, verily the sky

Is riven with angels singing

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis

A very Merry Christmas 

to all our friends

much love

Pat and Missy

xx

The Night Before Christmas

Did I ever tell you how fortunate I am to know some wonderful dogs and their owners?
Kendi is another jack russell who has beaten cancer, just like my Missy.
I have a very soft spot for her - even though her mom Michelle does dress her up!

Of course, if she hadn't, I could never have painted this picture :)
and between you and I, Kendi enjoys it! Soppy dog ...

The Night Before Christmas

Celebrating Kendi and Missy, the dogs who lived!
Merry Christmas, Michelle and Kendi
Love, Pat and Missy xx

Now we can relax!

 Here I am drawing in my sketchbook, with a very intent audience!

Was I drawing something so very fascinating to a dog? I don't think so.. just a negative drawing  ( where you put graphite all over the paper and draw your shapes with the eraser)

and a Christmas bauble

ah yes, Christmas bauble.. now I know why so intent..  because I mustn't forget a certain stocking...

and now its hanging in the fireplace a certain little dog can relax! :)

Missy and the Pink Piggy

Its piggy time here !
Not only did we have Oscar who I painted, but we had a surprise gift in the mail of a little pink piggy for Missy.

It came with a card from the lovely Nicola and a photo of the diamond Roxy, who we met recently at Discover Dogs. See HERE

Missy was intrigued by the smells in the padded envelope

She was a good girl as I asked her to "Wait" after I placed the pig on the floor.
Oh but those eyes! She can certainly plead with them :)

Then I told her "go on then" and she got stuck straight in!

After ten minutes or so, she decided to it might be more relaxing to lie down and chew on piggy :)

and when she was done, what a self satisfied look!

Missy really enjoyed playing with Piggy  -she has so far taken the label off, but left the stuffing intact! Which is quite something for a russell. Piggy could be the new favourite :)  Thanks, Nic! xx