Something extra

This lovely fellow was a gift I did for a friend for whom I did a large commission. I thought you would like to see it. It is just 5" x 7" and I used alkyd paint to get it done and dry in time.

My latest commission - Windy Hill

This painting was commissioned as a birthday gift. Three

family members got together to have me do this painting of

the home of the 'birthday girl'.

It was quite a project because while they wanted a springtime

scene, it was in snowy February that I was getting started on

it! So just a week ago, the fabulous cherry tree on the right

burst into bloom and I got the last part done in time for the

presentation.

Starting a commission

This is a gift commissioned by the family of someone who will

be celebrating a 'big' birthday! It took quite some time to get

the drawing done so very carefully. I went out to the house

and took lots of photographs so that I could suggest the best

angle. Seemed to me that the full house, full on, was the best

to do. The clouds were spectacular the day I went and so they

will be part of the drama of this early spring view of the home.

AND you get to see my loaded work area!

Cat commission full size!

OK folks, I just put up the previous post, and

then realized I hadn't put put a photograph that

shows you the whole painting!

Here it is! Those shadows are what attracted me

to doing this painting in the first place!

Cat commission completion!

You may recall having seen earlier posts on this painting.

They show you how I got started. You can go to those posts

for May, June and July 2010 to see them.

At one time there was a sky behind the cats, but in

discussing this with the client, she liked the idea of the

deck and plants being out there behind them.

I liked the sky idea, but now that I have done this the

way my client requested it, I am satisfied. One thing

it does which the sky didn't do....the warm yellow green

of the plants contrasts very well with the more shadowed

area where the cats are inside.

Click on the image if you want to see it larger!

It is oil on a panel and is 16" x 20".

Any ideas for a title? My client has one....

"Can we go out?"

The other cat commission all done!

If you scroll down to a May 3rd posting, you will see the sketch

for these two buddies. Originally it was to have been 11" x 14"

but it worked out to be better at 9" x 12". I loved doing the fur

on the tiger stripped cat, and the paw and pink pads of the

other snuggle bunny (kitty!).

Let me know what you think. And maybe you'll have me

paint one of your beloved companions!

Next commission

This painting is going to be on a 16 x 20 panel.

This is the beginning sketch to work out the

position. I want those shadow shapes just right!

The flower pot may or may not be in the final

version. Have to work out what looks right.

The other big part of this is that they will be on

an oriental carpet instead of the rag rug in the

photo. A challenge!

Those eyes!

Here you see the two photos my friend sent to help

me get Miss Jetta's eyes as close as possible to what

they are! Quite the trio, huh?

Cat commissions in progress

This little ol' miss is Jetta. She is owned

by a dear friend of mine who has asked me

to paint Jetta's portrait as well as her other

beloved kitty who has now moved on to

catnip heaven. This painting is mostly done

except for needing more precise information

about the color of her eyes. I will be receiving

some photos in the mail and then I will do

better by Jetta whose eyes are a bit stuck on

a stare and without proper shading.

This is a small piece, 5" x 7. It is on an Ampersand

gesso panel. Very smooth to paint on, and so you

can get more detail without the weave of canvas.

Commission arrives at its home!

So here it is, up close and on the wall as well! The

proud owner smiles beneath and I am so very

happy that it all turned out so well. Work that

is done long-distance can be really challenging!

Especially abstract pieces that take on a life of

their own. I look forward to hearing your comments

about how you think it looks in place at last!

Commission

Last year I completed this commission and shipped it rolled up in a very long mailing tube to Texas. It measures 36" x 60". My client took it to a frame shop where they stretched it and this is what it looks like now. I will post a few more shots of it in place over the next few days. But I thought you would like to see it at its destination! Tell me what you think!

In progress

This is the first day's color work on this

piece. A few hours of juggling to balance

the tones and general colors back and forth.

Figures are very rough and are the last

thing I work on. I am loving that sky and

the golden quality over the landscape in the

late autumn day. This is a commission as

you might realize.