Bano - K9 with Portland Police Dept.

BANO - Donated K9 Portrait

4"x6" Oil on Panel

Portland Police Bureau

From his partner:

Bano is a German Shepherd trained to trail and alert on fresh human scent. We have worked together about 7 years and he is currently 8 1/2 years old. He is a powerful and sweet dog who really enjoys work. Throughout our time together, he has apprehended approximately 180 "bad guys." Bano has also located multiple articles such as firearms, knives, drugs, ETC. during his course of duties.

Thank you Officer Elias and Bano for all you do to keep us safe :)

If you are a member of K9 or Mounted patrols, please send me a photo of your animal so that I can donate a portrait to your Department. I also donate paintings to Search & Rescue handlers & Military dogs. There is absolutely no charge, so get in touch with me, or forward this to someone you know who would like a painting.

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Today, I received an interesting email from Jasmine Murray asking questions about my work. I thought I'd post them here.

The problem is that I truly love all kinds of art and all kinds of painting mediums, so most of my answers are pretty generic. I did go through and pick out a few examples, though, do I get points for that?

Here are the questions from the email:

What media do you like to use the best and why?

I have painted in just about all media at some time or another. I love them all, they are like people, each with their strong points and drawbacks. I love anything creative! Besides fine art, I make artisan jewelry & stained glass (WackyPup on Etsy) recently got a kiln so I can try my hand at some small sculptures, quilting, woodworking and even a vinyl cutter. Obviously hard for me to narrow down my choices for being creative :)

I don't use watercolor very often, but I love the way that the colors intermingle with each other of their own accord. This is the only medium that does this, and it's beautiful. Unfortunately, because of this, things don't always go the way you planned. Watercolor is the least forgiving medium.

English Bulldog in Watercolor - NFS - Privately Commissioned Portrait

Pastels are strong and bright and offer immediate gratification, but they're more difficult to frame, and more fragile if you leave them laying around :)

Tiger in Pastel - Ruby @ Roanoke, VA Zoo

Portrait in Pastel - NFS - Private Commission

Quick Plein Air Pastel Study - 5x7 or so - if you'd like to add it to your collection it's yours for $50

Occasionally, I use gouache, mostly when I travel. It is more durable and less variable than watercolor, and easier to travel with than oils. Some of my absolute favorite paintings are gouache.

Little China Doll

4" x 5.5"
Gouache on Illus Board
Sold

Orange Spice Tea

6" x 4" Gouache on Paper

Sold - Private Collection

I like acrylic, and I like the bright paintings that I create with them, but I'm terribly allergic to them, so I don't use them very often. Which is too bad because Chroma acrylics was going to sponsor my site, but I can't use their wonderful paints without being very careful.

Texas Spring

4" x 6" Acrylic on Panel

$100

This painting is unframed. If you would like it framed in a nice gold easel back frame, let me know and I will add it to your order for $25.

I guess my favorite medium is oil, mostly because it's totally forgiving. If things aren't going your way, you can just keep going until it submits LOL. Or even wipe it down completely and start over. Most of my portraits and paintings these days are in oils. It's also easy to frame. The drawback is that they're more expensive, and harder to travel with.

Bird on the Table

4" x 6" ~ Original Oil on Panel ~$100

What aspects of nature are your favourite to draw?

Faces without a doubt. I love faces of people and animals. There is so much in a face, memories, dreams, past experience, or hope for the future.

In landscape, the most interesting thing to me is shadows, especially the way tree shadows fall onto buildings.

Do you incorporate different media together in your work?

I don't do many mixed media pieces. Sometimes I underpaint in acrylic because it dries quickly, but usually, I like everything to run together and soften up a bit.

Where's your favourite place to create your artwork?

Hmm, I love camping, but I don't do much painting when I'm there. If I could make myself get out of the kayak and actually open up my art supply bag, I think I'd love it. At this point, most of my paintings are done in my beautiful (messy) studio that has just had two large skylights installed. My studio also has a small kiln, a bunch of clay, tons of stained glass, and oh yes, canvases, oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, panels, easels and my desk & files. Yup, it's a mess, and FULL!

Oddly enough, green is not one of my favorite colors, but going over paintings to see what to include in this post made me realize, I paint a lot of green!

Now, I must get off this computer and get some real creative work done! I'm working on Christmas quilts (plus a few portrait commissions)

Don't forget to LIVE CREATIVELY!

Liz

Please become a fan of my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liz-van-der-Werff/136309593758

Bluebonnet Shadows

Bluebonnet Shadows

4" x 5"
Acrylic on Panel

This year has been a fantastic year for bluebonnets, even in the woods. This is a painting of the bluebonnets in the evening in Meridian State Park.

This painting is framed in a vintage gold frame. If you would like it unframed, it is available for $99, just let me know..

Your satisfaction is guaranteed! My paintings hang in homes all over the world.

If you have any special requests or questions, please contact me.

Thank you for your interest in my artwork. 

Live Creatively!

Liz

Texas Spring Bluebonnet Painting

Texas Spring 

4" x 6"

Acrylic on Panel

This year has been a fantastic year for bluebonnets here in Texas. This is a scene of a live oak in a field full of flowers near my home.

This painting is unframed. If you would like it framed in a nice gold frame, let me know and I will add it to your order for $25. 

Your satisfaction is guaranteed! My paintings hang in homes all over the world. If you have any special requests or questions, please contact me. Thank you for your interest in my artwork. 

Remember to Live Creatively!

Liz

Dublin Dr. Pepper

Dublin Dr. Pepper I

4" x 6"
Acrylic on Panel
$99

The small town of Dublin, Texas has been making Dr. Pepper using cane sugar instead of corn syrup for many years. Recently, the big bad Dr. Pepper company put a stop to it. There is no more Dublin Dr. Pepper. This is a memorial painting :( in honor of small towns, and real cane sugar :)

This painting is unframed. If you would like it framed in a nice gold frame, let me know and I will add it to your order for $25.

Your satisfaction is guaranteed! My paintings hang in homes all over the world.

If you have any special requests or questions, please contact me.

Thank you for your interest in my artwork.

Live Creatively!

Liz

Mermaid Mural

Just a quick post to share a mural I completed yesterday -


The Mermaid is on one wall and over the door is this coral scene - it spells out a name, can you see it?

Live Creatively!

Liz

Pop In! Hico Popcorn Shop

Pop In!

Hico Popcorn Shop
4" x 5"
Acrylic
$100

SOLD

This is one of Hico's fun places to shop! I swear I think they have a hundred different types of popcorn . . .ok maybe only 20-30. Steve and Donna are always coming up with new types of popcorn - this weekend they had "Holiday Spice" which is kind of cinnamony. Yumm!

This is another painting done with Chroma's Interactive Acrylics. These are wonderful paints. You can use them like traditional acrylics, but more importantly to me is that you can use them like oils. They will dry quickly or you can stretch the drying time out. You can even 'rewet' them with a special unlocking medium.

Live Creatively!

Liz

Hey There! Texas Cougar in a Tree

Hey There!

Texas Mountain Lion (Cougar)
Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
24" x 30"
$1800

Or click here to email me about Hey There - Mountain Lion in Tree.

This painting is based on a photo that Jeff Heinatz took out in west Texas. Thanks Jeff!

The art show is over, and I really enjoyed it. I think I'm going to do that a bit more often! Be sure to check out my paintings for sale, I have more than usual since I was so productive for the show - you can see the available paintings here

(If you can call a mountain lion adorable LOL)
This painting is available as a canvas print as well! It's difficult to navigate the print page, but look for the "Photo Prints" for the most economical version.

I've been working on an interesting Scottie portrait for my number one collector. I can't wait to show you!

Live Creatively!
Liz

Princess Zora & Chico Dog Donation #28

Long day today - finished up the portrait of the German Shepherd and completed a K9 donation painting.

First up, here's Zora, the princess - delicately gnawing on her bone -

Zora
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
Private Commission
NFS

You can see how her portrait coordinates with the painting of Indigo

Indigo
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
Private Commission NFS

I wasn't able to take very good photos for some reason. I really need to work out a trade with someone that's good at photos!

Now, allow me to introduce a hard-working dog - Chico

K9 ChicoDog
Donation #28
Oil on Panel
4" x 6"

• Underwater Detection – International Police Work Dog Association, August 2009
• DHS/FEMA Canine Search Specialist October 2006, re-cert June 2009

He and his human partner, Susan, are affiliated with:

• FEMA USAR - Missouri Task Force One, Boone County Missouri: 2006 to present
• Illinois Search Dogs, Bloomington, IL: 2003 – present

Thank you ChicoDog and Susan! You are appreciated - and please explain how he does underwater detection? does he have scuba gear?

Now I'm going to go eat a slice of homemade custard pie with fresh strawberries and get to bed - another long day tomorrow!

Live Creatively!
Liz

Spring

Just Chillin'

8" x 10"
Oil on Panel
Tarleton State University Gate
$275

Or click here to email me about this painting.

These girls were enjoying the spring evening with deep conversation. The painting is not quite as bright as it appears here.

Working on my last large painting for the show. Whew!

Live Creatively!
Liz

American Dreams

American Dreams
Texas Bison
20" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
$1080

Or click here to email me about this painting.

There are bison within a few miles of here. I love seeing them in the fields, although they have just a tiny fence between them and us so I'm a bit hesitant to get too close.


In Virginia, they have 4x4 posts with huge logs on them to fence them in. Around here, they use little metal stakes and goat fencing LOL . . .

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Limon II

Lymon II
Citrus Tea

8"x10"
$275 - Framed

Or click here to email me about this painting.

This is the companion piece to the first painting of lemons & a lime. I had fun with the reflections on the pot. It was a challenge differentiating between the bluish green of the pot and the green of the lime.

Limon I
Sprite
8"x10"
$275 - Framed

Or click here to email me about this painting.

The paintings are framed in matching frames. If you'd like to see a photo of the framed paintings, just let me know. If you're interested in the pair, the cost if $500 with free shipping.

The very large cougar painting is just about ready to share! I haven't gotten his whiskers painted yet, but I will have it to show in a couple days. I want to make sure the rest of the painting is pretty dry so that I have a little leeway in fixing the whiskers if they don't land in the right places.

Live Creatively!

Liz

Hot Summer Day at the Pond

Summer Sunning
Turtles at Fort Worth Botanical Gardens
8" x 10"
Oil on Panel - Framed
$275

Or click here to email me about this painting.

Fort Worth has beautiful Botanical Gardens. In one of the many ponds these turtles caught my eye as they were sunning on some rocks last summer.

I have submitted the list of paintings for the artshow. Whew! Now all I have to do is finish painting 3 of them, and frame them all LOL Maybe I'll decide I actually like this and enter more shows, instead of waiting for people to find me and convince me to do a show.

I really probably won't do more shows, but I am planning to hang in a couple galleries that have approached me. I used to be in galleries in 4 states, but it was a hassle, and I really like dealing directly with my collectors. I'm debating the ebay route or the gallery route. . .. I also like to keep my prices reasonable and galleries cost between 30% and 60% of the sales price. (yes! some galleries take 60%)

In any case, after the show, I will be offering most of the paintings on ebay, so keep an eye out.

Live Creatively!

Liz

Get Along Girls

Get Along Girls

8" x 20"
Oil on Panel
SOLD
 

As I was driving through the hill country one evening, I happened upon a beautiful herd of Longhorns. I stopped to take some photos, but I made them uncomfortable, so mostly I got shots of them going away :)

This is a painting that looks MUCH better in person, I wasn't able to get a good photo. Partly because it's a lovely drizzly day here. Sometimes I think I should live in Oregon, I love rain!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Limon I

Limon I
Sprite
8"x10"
$275 - Framed

Or click here to email me about this painting.

This is one of two coordinating paintings that are framed in matching frames. If you'd like to see a photo of the framed paintings, just let me know. If you buy both, the total is $500 with free shipping.
If you're interested in the pair you can see the second painting here

I have a larger painting that I've been fussing with for two days - but decided to take a break. My husband went out and got me fruit to paint :)

Hope you're enjoying your day!

Live Creatively!
Liz

Relic I

Relic I
Six-Shooter Cylinder
8"x 10"
Oil on Panel
$250

Or click here to email me about Six Gun Relic I

The other day when my husband was tilling the garden, he turned up an old revolver cylinder. We live in a tiny town south and a bit west of Fort Worth, Texas. When he brought it in to me, I imagined who the original owner of the gun was. I thought denim jeans would make the perfect background for this painting. What do you think?

$223,000,000 in Milk

$223,000,000 in Milk I
8"x 10"
Oil on Panel
$275 framed

Or click here to email me about 223,000,000 in Milk Cow Shadow 1.

In the town square in Stevenville, the nearest town to me, is a giant cow on a stick . . . I love this cow. In the evening, she also casts a really neat cow-type shadow which is the subject of today's painting.

Busy busy busy . . . piling up paintings for the show. Let me know what you think of my cow shadow - might be a series??

Live Creatively!

Liz

Bird Watching

Here is another painting from my backyard. It's not painted from life, though the scene did happen. Three pairs of cardinals have been stuffing themselves on our birdseed all winter. I think there's only one pair now, because it's probably breeding season, and they drew the lucky straw that let them have the territory with the bird feeders. So, this guy is probably the biggest fattest cardinal in the group. We have a silly Sylvester-looking wooden cat that holds a hose. I put him next to the bird feeding area and one fat little cardinal found him rather intriguing.

Bird Watching
Oil on Panel
8" x 10"
$275

It's a very bright painting and doesn't translate well to the internet.

I've been looking around at the paintings for my show, and I think I need to find a color other than green :) Even the fabric that I was going to use for a still life is green. I don't even LIKE green.

Let me know what you think!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Angel & Shadows

This is another plein air painting I did - the weather is too beautiful to be inside. I've been working on paintings for my upcoming solo show in Stephenville, Texas. Hope you can make it here if you're in the neighborhood. I have some interesting paintings to show you!

Sorry I've not been posting, but I've been so exhausted at the end of the day that I keep putting it off. I do have quite a bit to show you.

Angel & Shadows
6" x 6"
$150 Framed

Or click here to email me about this painting.

I don't generally frame my work, I like unframed paintings. This was a problem with this show, they require all paintings framed, but didn't tell me until just now. They are going to let me hang my unframed paintings, though :)

Here is a good start on a painting of a cougar in a tree. I really went too far with his face, but he is so cute! He is a young mountain lion that Jeff Heinatz photographed. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Hey There!
Texas Mountain Lion
24" x 36"
Oil on Canvas

Now I've got to get out of here - it's another long day tomorrow!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Spring Day I

Spring Day I
Oil on Panel
4" x 5"
$100

It was a beautiful day today. My oldest son came out and painted plein air in the yard with me. He painted abstracts, and I painted the view :) In case you're wondering, that is a bronze fish in the bird bath. I've been busy with paintings for the show, I'll have some finished paintings to show you soon.

Live Creatively!
Liz