Both of these pieces were done using ball point pen. It is a .new medium to me but one I am finding extremely enjoyable to work with. 

Ballpoint Pen from my own reference

It has been a while since I posted on my blog. Hopefully I will be fixing that now!

This is a dressage competitor I photographed during a Longines Competition overseas. It was a lovely facility and the competition was exquisite.

Cow Horse Ball Point Pen

The reference photo actually has a rider in it but after quite some lengthy amount of time on such a small piece of paper I gave up and removed him entirely from the piece. I do not think it hurts the final one in any way.

Traveler- Ball Point Pen

My daughters pony Traveller was a welsh gelding who lived with us for many years teaching my Appaloosa mare "horsey" manners. He was such a grand old gentleman. AS you can imagine, with a mane like that, he got a few braids!!

Wild Stallion Ball Point Pen

I have been tinkering about using the simple ball point pen to create some new pieces. At first I started it on a whim as a challenge on a FB page I am part of, but I have to admit I am enjoying the challenge of the medium. Keep an eye out for new pieces as I am beginning to fill up my sketch book!

What you looking at? Acrylic Portrait

 Wanted to do something a little more flamboyant for a change so I used my pallet knife to liven up this portrait of a neighbors Holstein. I rather like the outcome!

Hamilton Jersey #2 Acrylic portrait

Another one of the beautiful Jersey from my neighbors pasture. Such a beautiful cow.

Hamilton's Holstein Portrait Acrylic

Another beautiful bovine gal from my stroll in my neighbors pasture. I have missed painting cows!

Benjamin Oil Portrait Private Collection

I enjoy doing commissions especially when they are remembrance pieces. I like being part of the story where a cherished companion gets immortalized in art. For me, learning the back story of my subject is important, just as important as doing the art itself. I also like the secrecy behind gifts and I find it humorous when the client tells me about trying to hack into the family computer and find the best possible photos without getting caught and ruining the surprise.

May all your surprises bring you happiness!

Hamilton's Jersey Oil- Private Collection

There was a time when I spent the majority of my time painting only bovine portraits. I enjoyed it but like all things, moved on to other subjects. I had been wanting to do a Jersey for a while and my neighbor had been increasing the number of them in her herd so I trundled down with my camera in hand and got inspired! This is my latest inspiration. I see a few more in my future!

Doha Souq Macaw - Gouache

I have been exceptionally busy lately and unable to paint as much as I would like but I have found the medium of gouache has been very accommodating of me and my time restraints. I generally hate water colours and was certain I would despise this medium but I have been very pleasantly surprised. It is a fun medium to work with, dries quickly and has an easy clean up when you are done. Plus I can do my layering which for me is the fun part. Should I find more hours in the day, I shall happily delve into this medium 

Jackson Square Horse Statute - Oil

Every now and then something different catches your attention. I personally love doing portrait work but this piece struck a cord in my creative little noggin.

We had gone to New Orleans a number of years ago and I had wanted to visit Jackson Square. It had featured prominently in a book series I had read so I went to see about art imitating life! Then I took it another step further! lol

I loved the photo so much I though it would make a striking painting so away I started. And then I stopped. Then a few years later started again and finally after 4 years of stopping and starting I finished it!

Hope you enjoy it!

Emmy- Gouache 

What's not to love about an adorable Basset Hound puppy?

The Haflinger 24"x 36" oil on stretch Canvas

Some paintings live in your studio in a perpetual state of incompletedness. This one was started about 4 years ago based on a photo I took of a covered wagon ride I visited about 3 years before that. I loved the team of haflingers and everything about the photo was appealing but for some reason I just could not muster the energy to finish it. The harness seemed daunting, then the mane seemed like the horse was being attacked by a ghostly bed sheet but I finally gathered up the courage to finish it. I actually really like how it turned out! Now I can hang it on the wall and use the easel space for another piece that hopefully won't take a decade to finish!!

Chloe - Gouache 

Still having fun with this new medium. I like that it is easy to set up, use and put away. Not sure if I am even using the paint properly but I am having fun with it.

What would a day be without painting my Chloe monster again? She is a constant muse for me and I enjoy the colour variations and challenge of her.

Beef Calf - Gouache 

I hate winter. I can't even fake a smile about it. I would rather have a few mosquitoes than snow. So  for me, the next best thing is to pretend it is not a blustry cold miserable freezing day outside and paint a picture of something that reminds me of spring!

Calves are cute and usually born in the spring when the ground is covered in green grass, therefore calves are a perfect tonic to the meteorological misery outside my door called winter.

Qatar Camel Watercolour pencil

It has been too long but I have been enjoying life and pursuing new and different mediums and subjects. A trip to the middle East has resulted in copious new pictures that are going to end up in canvas' and other substrates. 

A new attempt at water colour pencils was fun. Not sure I am as gungho to swap my oils for them but I did have fun with them. 

Yoli - Oil Portrait

My nephews dog is so photogenic. I couldn't resist doing a small one!

Throwback - Oil on board

A quick painting that gave me great pleasure to do as it started as a sketch I originally thought was wonderful and then when I returned to it a few months later questioned my intellect and fixed it before anyone could see it!

That is one of the great joys of art, we can re create at will!

#1 Oil Portrait

It's been a while since I have been able to stay for more than a few minutes in the heaven of my studio. Family obligations have been demanding, but it feels like we have some control over it all and I am looking forward to pushing paint across some neglected canvas'!

Stay tuned!