Coloured Pencil Portrait - Jaida

Beautiful Jaida, finished a few days ago. This is an 8"x10" coloured pencil piece that was an absolute pleasure to complete. 

I have been in the process of returning to 8"x10" pieces, instead of the 9"x12" pieces listed on my web site. For some reason, frames for 9"x12"s are almost non-existent now in the retail stores, and I prefer to create pieces that are ready to frame for my clients so that it is not necessary for them to go out and pay 100's of dollars for custom framing. Many of the frames that can be purchased through retail outlets are quite nice, and there is a large variety to choose from in the 8"x10" size.

It is a shame, because the 9"x12" is a really nice size, and the paper is readily available at art supply stores, but I would like to stick with a size that makes life easier for my clients. So there will be a small price adjustment to reflect the smaller size on my pricing page.

Busy Time of Year

This is the time of year that commissions always pick up. Of course, they make great gifts at Christmas, but that means I have much less free time - no complaints here though, I love doing portraits!

Tequila, the adorable little Chihuahua, is almost complete. A few more area's to darken here and there, plus an addition of some memorial text and the the portrait will be finished. I've added the other half of the portrait below, and will post the full image once all the bits and pieces are done.

I am also currently working on a beautiful, male Husky for a client, in coloured pencil. This portrait is coming along nicely, and I'm really pleased with the textures and tones that I am able to create with the pencil crayons. This portrait will be completed as  9"x12", and is also a gift for my clients other half. A small sample below of the portrait progression so far.

In the mean time, Brandy has managed to pick up two, yes that's TWO qualifying runs in Steeplechase. A class that we always had difficulty with, and I can not count the number we've taken a stab at it and failed. We have always used the class as a warm-up, something that I didn't overly care about, and it gave her a chance to wind up before the rest of the runs. Steeplechase is always first where I trial, so it was perfect warm-up run. Never in a million years did I think that these "warm-up" runs would amount to anything, but they certainly have now. Our goal, 8 more qualifying runs next year to obtain her Steeplechase title. Lofty? Perhaps. Is she capable? Most definitely. Am I capable? Sometimes I wonder, but we're going for it anyway.

The Dogs of Moron are complete

Ahhhh, the revelation! These are the "Dogs of Moron". Snippets of these pieces have been posted previously as the images progressed.

All these pieces are 4"x6" created on Strathmore Smooth bristol with a mechanical pencil.

I am very pleased with how these turned out. I'm not a background type person (I'm too impatient most of the time), but was determined, with these (and the man and bull piece), to create the right background to make these images whole.

I may be adding these pieces, plus the man and bull piece to my Imagekind site for prints. I will post further details later.

A man and his bull

Finally! I've finished one of my Cuban inspired pieces.

This gentleman was at the crocodile farm that we visited during our excursion over the cos way from Cayo Coco, to the main island of Cuba. You could ride on the beast for a tip ... I was encouraged, but decided against it. Me, I'd just rather take pictures and watch the other peoples faces when the bull begins his stroll around the dirt parking lot. Hilarious.

5"x7" - Mechanical pencil on Strathmore smooth bristol paper. I haven't come up with a title yet ... it eludes me for the time being.

Queen of Multi-tasking

I suppose that you could call me that. I have a hard time just working or concentrating on one thing ... I like to keep busy, so I end up having 20 things going on at once, though sometimes I would prefer to be the laid back, one at a time type person. Alas, I doubt that will ever happen.

So, here is yet another sneak peak of a piece that I am working on. This one is for myself and my hubby - a wedding creation in coloured pencil. So far so good, my only complaint, or perhaps I should say critique (just to be more professional) is the faces. Not sure how I'm going to go about finishing them off yet. This is my first human coloured pencil piece ... and therein lies the challenge.

The "Dogs of Moron" are coming along and are very close to the completion stage (whew). I am also working on some jobs for clients, so all these side drawings may be taking a back seat for a while.

The Third...

...and final. This is a peak at the third drawing in my "Dogs of Moron" series. A little female having a siesta in some shade on the crocodile farm that we visited.

The drawings are coming along...though not one is finished yet - not to worry, I'm still working on them, they are my "lunch-time" projects. Something to keep me occupied while I sit in my four-wheeled, automatic, air-conditioned lunch room, passing the time, and hoping the afternoon will go faster than the morning did. I don't like to wish time away, it's sad somehow, but I do like to wish work time away, it seems appropriate enough.

And this little bugger wowed me on Saturday with her performance at her first AAC agility trial back since her knee surgery in December.

She ran fast, accurately and hung on to my every word. 2 out of 4 qualifying runs is more than ample for me, especially since she is running on a "home-made" knee.

My vet did a fantastic job, and I really couldn't be happier with how things have turned out so far.

So now, after another massage for the little dog - yes you heard right, this little JRT is spoiled I will definitely admit that (and her massage therapist is wonderful - even if Brandy isn't happy being rubbed), we are looking forward to the upcoming JRTRO trial in June and another AAC/CPE agility trial following that.

She's a busy little dog, what can I say?

Another Sneak Peak...

These April showers better bring some May flowers, or I'm going to be sorely disappointed with all of this rain. Once again, the sky's open and the afternoon is full of drops from the heavens. Although, I've been noticing that the temperature is slowly rising...odd
Another piece of the puzzle, a quick look at a portion of another piece from "The Dogs of Moron". This guy, as seen in the photos from a previous post, had what looked like mange, was very scraggly and seemed not to have a human friend anywhere in sight, but sported some of the kindest eyes I've ever seen on a dog.

More to come as the pieces progress.

Just a Taste

I was inspired by some of the pictures that I took down in Cayo Coco, Cuba. So I have decided to do a 4x6 graphite pencil trilogy, a 5x7 graphite pencil piece, and blow up some of the really good photos for possible sale as prints. Will this all get done? - I ask myself...yes, in time, for sure, I'm definitely motivated for this project.

I've started on the 4x6 trilogy, entitled none other than "The Dogs of Moron". I will post bits and pieces as I progress through the work, and I will announce anything that will be available for sale as prints. Once the trilogy and the lone 5x7 are complete, I may also offer a small amount of prints for these as well.

I will also be embarking on a butterfly 4x6 trilogy in coloured pencil, though this has nothing to do with my trip to Cuba. Reference photos for this series were taken at the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory, and I will post bits and pieces on these as well.

A first glimpse at the initial drawing in the "Dogs of Moron" series. This guys lounges quietly on the tiled sidewalk, an air of dignity surrounds him as he rests in the shade beside a man who may or may not be "his" man.