"Penny," 8" x 10", Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, commissioned Yorkshire Terrier portrait, private collection (THANK YOU!). I painted an earlier version of Penny a few weeks back, but afterwards we decided that portrait, while beautiful, was a bit too pensive.** My client wanted to remember her as a bright little spark, and the first painting was a bit too quiet. I was happy to give Penny another shot, and this version has gotten the two thumbs up. It'll get shipped home on Monday, and then carefully wrapped and held till Christmas. It's fascinating how color choice and body language can completely change a painting. These two pieces aren't quite so subtle, but sometimes it boils down to my minutely changing something and the expression is entirely transformed. So this little one ties up the Yorkie portraits for a bit. I've got a Havanese and a Boxer and a German Shorthaired Pointer and an equine and a few other faces lined up for this weekend and early next week. And then I get to do my own wrapping, baking, decorating, mailing and celebrating. Thank YOU for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Wishing you a very happy holiday season - Kim **I still haven't had a chance to download and edit the video footage I shot of Penny's first painting. Perhaps I'll have a chance to do that over the holiday break! However, if you are interested in purchasing the earlier version, let me know! I can get it to you in time for the holiday. |
The cover of "A Dog Named Blue," now available from Blurb publishers. When I first painted Amelia I never imagined that she would be re-christened "Blue" and inspire a book. In her defense, Amelia had a number of other partners in crime - animals who's portraits seemed to fall into a specific color category and prompt color-centric names. In typical ADD fashion, my brain started spinning 100mph. What if I turned those muses' paintings into a picture book for animal loving kids? I shared my idea with three friends in the industry, and they eagerly offered their expertise. I am truly indebted to them. Illustrator and author Matt Faulkner and children's book author and literacy expert Kristen Remenar edited an early version of the draft. They suggested key plot/conceptual changes that made it oodles better. Designer Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson worked her magic, pairing the images with perfectly color...
This painting of Penny makes her seem much more whimsical, though I think the stoic version of Penny is also lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Each version shares a different facet of her personality. :)
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