Me and my Best Friend

This is a portrait of me and my best friend of old, Beezil, done several years ago. I loved painting that dog and really still do every time I paint Celli in Signore Greve's basket.  She was my inspiration.  Her unflinching expression made her a great subject that proved to be irresistible to me and those that saw her in art. This print and note card continue to be good sellers. 

 This simple style concept brought on commissions.

This commission was placed by a woman who also wanted her and her best friend sealed in time.  I loved the pink trench coat and striped boots.  Her dog seems unconcerned with her fabulous fashion sense, just poised and ready for his portrait.  His bandanna is accepted as his contribution to the style of the scene.

Recently I got my first cat to take the stage.  Peanut Kane, also known as Leo the Lion, posed in this kingly stance with his owner.  She wanted to be sure we got the attitude that has been part of Peanut for the last 16 years.  She teared a little when she said his age.  I understood completely.  I too have a 16 year old cat.  It blows my mind to think how many chapters in my life she has been with me. I get a lump in my throat whenever I think of her not being with me.  I was happy Brenda will always have Peanut with her, even if it is only in his royal painting.

Here is to our furry friends.  They don't realize how much they make us laugh, drive us crazy, comfort us when no one else can and cost us untold amounts of money.  It's is worth it to have such a great best friend.

Bless the Cell Phone

"Exotic Drink" is currently hanging on the wall at the Huffman Kaladi. Seeing they were without an artist for the month I offered my services and they accepted.

This morning my first phone call of the day was from a stranger. No, that's not right. It was an admirer. She was sitting having her coffee at Kaladi while gazing at the art. She decided she loved "Exotic Drink". She didn't have the wall space or the money for it but she sure liked it. So what did she do she took 2 minutes out of her morning coffee to call me and tell me so. Wow.

I love my ipad. I regularly take advantage of texting and today's technology makes being a profitable artist much easier. But most of the time it drives me crazy. Sitting in the passenger seat of the car and counting how many people pass us texting terrorizes me. Having many conversations with my friends while staring at the top of their heads while they are texting makes me want to strangle them. But today was different.

Having her cell phone handy she decided to call me and tell me, " good job". Before she hung up she said, " Keep painting". Thank you stranger, you made my day brighter.

International Language of Art

I visited Vancouver B.C. this weekend. Wonderful city, except for one glaring travesty.

The above is a sample of international art symbols we all know. The international symbol for dead? X eyes of course. We all know the steaming anger from the top of the head, the light bulb of an idea. You may not even have been aware of this language but yet we see it all the time. There is the sweat from exertion and of course the stink lines with the token fly. The whoosh of speed is one of my favorites. When I am skiing and biking I wish I could have them streaming out from my back showing the world how fast I am.

So we all agree that these drawings we see in every day life warn and inform us. Where did Vancouver go wrong? The walking man.

Standing at a street light on a lightly raining afternoon I obeyed the big red hand that says, "For cripes sake don't cross now!" Then came up the 'walking man'. I didn't walk I gasped, who was this walking man? We had never met! He had feet, his arms weren't at the correct angle. He was a bit jaunty and confident as he assured me I could cross the street. What are those crazy Canadians up to?

Now I confess their man has a bit of an appealing air about him but that is not the POINT! He is NOT the international symbol for "now proceed with caution and cross the street". He said," Yo babe, head on over this way!" I was shocked.

What's next Canada? Horizontal stink lines? Circle with a slash eyes for the dead/danger symbol? An anvil to show a new idea?

I thought we were friends.