Fish pate is the only wet food my cat prefers.

 Creating something that’s unlike what I normally create because it’s important to take a step back and look at your progress as an artist and see where it is you are heading towards and also mixing up the subjects. I could sit and study draw some animal anatomy all day and wish I could be better at drawing painting environments. All I need is motivation to keep me going. Practice makes progress right? I sat down and thought for a while about various types of foods. I drew human food and in particular I of course zoned in on the pet food. Cat food. Drew some cat paws. Lynx point Siamese paws. Sketched a silly drawing of Razzy the black cat because she always has a mad look on her face. And then the fish. But only pate variety. Cats are finicky about there wet food. I love graphic design and really cool product labels so this is what o came up with. I’ll turn it into a series of pet food because it’s fun. Simple as that. Fish pate for cats. Nutritious and simply meow-velous. 

October Kitty cats

  

September and October have been the month for kitty cat art. Cute and fat and simply adorable cats (in this case kittens) I found for reference from Pinterest have been my art project lately. This fall like weather creates a mood like no other and totally inspires me to practice cat anatomy. Most of these are painted with the oil paint (In procreate) because that’s what I’m currently obsessed with and it brings an Alla Prima impressionist vibe which I absolutely love. Loose and quick paint strokes using a minimal palette and no black. Soft edges and little detail. Just enough for the eyes and fur. The series has also an 80’s vibe with the spatter/grid background. Which is a look I’m improving on. Because I can’t draw backgrounds. Yet. This is my solution for now. Impressionist 1880’s meets retro 1980’s. Absolutely.

 

Doug. Dougie. Douglas.

This month last year Leia rescued a 2 year old dog for herself because she was lonely and knew that she would be able to exercise more because of him. 3 weeks later he ended up being too much work and she didn’t have anytime for him. Living in a small kennel all day and all night is probably worse than being trapped in a shelter for a month.

 Furby had passed a month earlier so I had the space and time to commit to him. I did not ask for a dog so my energy towards him was pretty negative and it was a struggle to discipline him. I guess maybe I was still grieving over furby. A new young puppy dog is hard to train and dedicating time is difficult. Planning for a dog has to be well thought out. My motivation was just not there. I would say it took about 4 months for me to finally feel like I could actually bond with him. My habits now are not only brushing my teeth and going to work but walking every day for 30-45 minutes. And playing skeeball in the house. My life with Dougie/Doug/Douglas has taught me patience and commitment. I’m a dog mom. After a long day at work I look forward to spending time with him and creating art at home. I’m pretty content with that routine. Doug is 3 years young this month. Next year we’ll celebrate at my new home. Backyard and all. Happy birthday Doug Dougie Douglas. 

 

August (Doggust) month is for the dogs!

  

Hello. It’s Doggust 16 and over half way through this month of dogs! I’m taking on the create/draw one dog per day for this month on instagram challenge. That means 31 dogs total. Every day is a new dog prompt and I’m following it to some degree. Most people follow this and I’m bending it a bit with adding some different dogs that are not included in the list. Although all the dogs-and they are mostly wackadoodle looking dogs-I plan to draw with some spilling over into September. Oh well. Supposed to have fun with art and not be serious. The dog illustrations above are some faves using different mediums-acrylics, oil pastels, watercolors and ink. I can’t pick a favorite yet but I will say that some of these are created within a half hour or less and some took as much as three hours to complete. I don’t want to fuss too much over them and just draw loose and lovely. Creating every day is very freeing and therapeutic. Most of the dogs are from an original pet portrait session I’ve taken in the past but others I’ve borrowed reference photos from Pinterest. Also the process of learning dog anatomy is key. Dog bodies and fur are silly as much as they are beautiful. Like I said the dog breeds in this Doggust 2020 dog prompt are all pure breeds that look kinda funny. Love them all but, is it ok to admit that I’m more of a mutt-mongrel-mix kind of a person?

 

 

Happy birthday Leia!

For Leias birthday today I painted a portrait of our dear cat who passed away a few years back named Spooky. Spooky was adopted at five weeks which is a wee bit too early to leave momma. He was a stray from her auntie Lucy and the day he arrived at our house back in 1997 he was planted in the shirt pocket of her dad. Cute as a button. Who could say no to that? Through the years he was a big part of Leias life and almost treated like a brother. Well, he was a part of the family. Carted round in a toy doll carriage regularly and appeared at show and tell in grade school. Spooky lived a long 17 loving years with us. He is forever stamped in my memory bank and appears in the occasional dream. This painting captures his personality of a family cat. Happy birthday Leia. 

Mountain Dog Portrait

My painting marathon continues with this handsome mountain dog dude. I’m challenging myself to complete a bunch of animal paintings such as 💯 by the end of the year.  I’ve never taken something like this on but it’s so incredibly rewarding. I feel the more I complete a portrait the better they turn out. I see the progress and I’m learning new bits and pieces every day with using this amazingly sophisticated software called procreate. I haven’t really begun to utilize the tools properly. I do know there is so much more to learn and I am by no means near what I want to be as an artist but I feel good about where I’m at now and that the future goal of an art career is possible. I work. And then I walk the dog. And then I paint. That is my life.  

Dog portrait series!

I’m creating a series of dog portraits and then a series of cat portraits. This one of chihuahua ChiChi is a current favorite of mine. Abstract and expressive with pops of warm and cool colors. Love💗

From traditional to digital painting developing my style

Wet acrylic using procreate 300dpi 2020

Acrylic on board 12x12 2017

A month ago it was official. The world was experiencing a pandemic. The virus was infecting thousands and killing anyone in its path. Regardless if you are old or young. Black or white. The invisible enemy doesn’t give a shit. Toilet paper and hand sanitizer was sold out! (I found some) Most people in the world are able to telework and stay safe at home for weeks. And weeks. Fortunately most people infected have recovered. My awesome job has provided us with a 2 week paid sick vaycay. This is my second week at home in isolation and I believe my dog and cat love me more than the world now. Truly not sick of me. More time to play and cuddle and walk(safe distance)and just hang safely in my cozy pad. The time spent I’ve used towards honing my painting skills. I like traditional messy painting. But I love digital painting. So after a year of practice on the iPad Pro Ive been able to focus intensely and immerse myself completely. The style I’ve developed over the few years is the same yet more refined. Some days I just never know what I will paint in procreate or where it will take me. I’m pleased the beagle jojo took me on a lovely journey for the latest.

An artists best tool-grip case for iPad Pro painting

I sent Leia to the grocery store to shop for a few things. One will not be toilet paper. Hope the trucks will have a shelf to pick from next week bc I have five good rolls left and I’ve resorted to rationing to 7-9 squares. No one has a square to spare!

Oh yes, lately these past few weeks life in this world has been uneasy to say the least. Most ppl are panicking over food and tp. The virus known as corona aka covid19 has infected and killed thousands. We are experiencing a worldwide pandemic. I am keeping my cool and trying to force myself to NOT Read any news today.

So I made a very good purchase for my iPad Pro. It’s for kids! Of course it is. It came in a variety of rainbow colors so I chose black. FINTIE caseBot kiddie. It is literally the ONLY case for comfortable drawing on the iPad Pro. You can grip it and hold it nicely in your hannies without your hannies falling off while you draw/paint/type. The perfect artists tablet holder. This past year has frustrated me to the core bc I normally sit on the couch and draw. Ugh. That hurts. This is beautiful. OMG and it costs $15 on eBay . Wtf. And it has a pen holder space!  CaseBot Kiddie for iPad Pro A1980
This has saved my poor suffering hannies.
What am I doing to get me through these terrible times? Painting things I love: pets, plants and painting I guess. The 3 p’s. Ok whatever never mind.
Rummy is my subject and he is our special lynxpoint Siamese big baby. Since Leia has a lot of time off from where she works-Apple-she is going to take him to her studio apartment and spend all this quarantine time with hims. This will be very helpful and therapeutic for her. She actually has permission from her doc to keep a cat at her place. Doctors orders. Btw I want to thank her fantastic company Apple for taking care of her! They are taking very good care of ALL of there employees at this time. I am grateful!!!!!
Painting. Pets. Plants. That’s my therapy right now. And forever! You betcha.

Glasshouse cats

Fur family pet portrait

Gracie & April

A series of pet portraits I’m working on in procreate. Current favorite inking pen is the mercurybrush.  I wanted a inky cartoony look with a bit of loose watercolor strokes. Simple design with some lovely details in the fur and flowers. When I began painting this I fell in love with my photography portraits I took of the cute couple of fur babies last September. I had nearly completed this painting when I received a sad text from my dear friend saying that she had to put Gracie to sleep that same day. I cried. And I feel so blessed to have spent time with her to get the perfect photos that will be cherished forever. This is why I do what I do. ❤️
We’ll just see how many I can produce for this particular project I’m in love with.