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