Gallery 215 entry

Training Day at Truro 20x16 oil $280

Today was the grand opening of Gallery 215 for the 2011 season. I really enjoyed looking at all the fantastic work that was displayed and more than one piece called my name! Nova Scotia certainly has a depth of talent and being able to see such a wide variety of subject matter, styles and mediums was inspiring.

I have to admit being able to talk to a number of fellow artists was really pleasurable especially since I rarely get out into the "artistic" social scene. Even though our styles varied it was very relaxing to discuss different pros and cons of our "love". I was pretty much the only equine artist there and my Standardbreds certainly caught alot of attention.

Seriously, how could you blame anyone? Isn't it every little girls dream to have a horse? :)

Gallery 215 entry

The Shore Road oil 20x16 $250

Just one more day before the grand opening of Gallery 215!

This is a view from the shore road not far from home. It borders the Cobequid Bay which is the smaller mouth of the world Famous Bay of Fundy. We get some absolutely fantastic sunsets here and the addition of some storm clouds make it stunning.

Gallery 215 entry

No Waiting 16x20 oil $585

The weather here can't seem to decide if it should be nice or cruddy. In typical Canadian fashion it has choosen in between meaning we have kinda nice/ kinda cruddy. If you have to wqork outside like I do I enjoy not being burnt to a crisp. If you like to wear shorts and enjoy a few brewskis beside a campfire, while your likely going to be alone as all other life forms will remain in the confines of their comfy homes!

Here's hoping we see some blue sky this year!

Todays painting is another in the series that is part of the Gallery 215 display. We are fortunate enough to have the Truro Raceway close to home and I enjoy scouting out the track for new subject matter.

The Grand opening is this weekend and there is a promise of fine weather and blue sky on the horizon. Hope to see you there!

Gallery 215 entry

Busch Garden Meerkat 7x5 $210

Another entry for Gallery 215 which has its grand opening this weekend. Check it out at http://nsnet.ca/gallery215/index.php

We are very busy here. David, Connor and I weighed the lambs last night which was an expereince to say the least! Everyone is getting very large so I rigged up a sling to hold the lambs while they were suspended from the scale. Purchashing a full sized scale for my tiny flock is rather counter productive so it means I have to come up with other ideas on how to accurately weigh the woolie beasties. Even Garnet our runt is doing really well.

Compared to a feedlot situation we are a bit behind growth wise but my focus is on grass fed lamb and boy do they like the grass! By the time the fall comes my fields will have been harvested via woolie munchers and my freezer will be full!

Gallery 215 entry

Peggy's Cove oil 20x10 $295

The sun has finally decided to make an appearance here after almost six weeks of cloudy drizzle and on many occasions outright downpours. I estimate the grass will grow about 6 inches in the pursuant sunshine and the OPEC dealers will find a shortfall in their reserves all due to Maritimers mowing their lawns!

The above painting is another entry at the Gallery 215 which has its grand opening this weekend. If you are looking for something to do on your days off after a few hours of lawn maintenance check it out!

http://nsnet.ca/gallery215/index.php

Gallery 215 entry

Lotsa Go 30x15 oil $350

A quick blog tody to announce that I am actually going to have work displayed and in an actual gallery.

After an unpleasant encounter with a gallery over a decade ago I have avoided them ever since and have finally decided to have a go at it again. It also helps that many of the people participating are like minded artsists that I feel quite comfortable around.

If you are in the area you should drop in for a visit. The link for the Gallery is
http://nsnet.ca/gallery215/index.php

The above painting is one of the pieces I have entered in the Gallery.

Have a great day!

Burmese Mountain Dogs

Cher and Molly Oil Portrait Sold

Yes I have been tardy in my blogging. Life has been brisk and I make no excuses for that as it is all good. Besides, no one wants to listen to me crank on about life's injustices anyways!

Today's painting is one that was commissioned by a husband for his wife of their family dogs. A few curious things happened during the creation on this painting and I have to share as some are funny while others are sad.

The husbands plan was to surprise the wife and he had given me several photos of this pair (which are a mother/ daughter duo) and asked me to sketch suitable ideas for his spouse to choose from.

While sketching I noticed that the dogs were remarkably similar but the photos were never very clear and so I began guessing on some of the markings. When the wife finally received her "gift " she promptly called me and informed me that her hubby had mislabeled all the photos and we had a good laugh at his expense. Since they lived near by I went to their home and photographed their dogs so I could have my own reference photos to work from. I made sure I knew one dog from the other...no more artistic interpretation!

While there I got to interact with the dogs. Patting these lovable dogs was a requirement and as I was rubbing the thick luscious coat of the older dog I remarked on the rather sizable lump on her ribcage. As a trained animal technician I was concerned but left the matter in the owners hands. My camera had many good shots of the dogs and I now knew who was who in this canine family.

It took a bit longer than expected to finish this piece as my life has had several major life changes in the past months. I also struggled with the original concept of the piece and in the end went with my gut and opted for the above head shot which shows the ladies off, up close and personal which is how I found their personalities to be when I photographed them.

When I presented the painting to the wife she was pleased and told me of how the older female (the mother with the lump) had been found to have cancer and had been put down only a few weeks earlier. The Daughter (above) had just given birth to a litter of pups.

As I held the adorable little puppies in my arms I was amazed at how the cycle of life continues on regardless of what happens. Life, death and rebirth is gloriously ignorant of personal life events and it felt rather poignant to know that I was able to see and capture in paint an ancestor of this new life that felt so small in my hands.

Cherish what you have, life is constantly evolving.