Base, in Uniform

Practically by the time I finished typing, I was sick! I didn't get out of bed for almost a week. Today was the first 'normal' day in the studio since my last post. I sure hope you don't get this, it's awful. I still have laryngitis, so my hubby is enjoying the peace LOL

On to today's painting

Allow me to introduce "Base" a beautiful English Bulldog. His owner admires Robert E. Lee and for a gift, his wife had Base painted in Lee's uniform. I do extensive research to make sure that I get the details accurate in these uniformed paintings.

Base
English Bulldog
Oil on Panel
5" x 7"
Private Commission

This is a very small one, only 5" x 7" - I never thought it would work out to do one this small, but it really turned out great! I'm enjoying doing the smaller paintings, and they are more affordable while the economy is so awful.

WIN A FREE 4" x 6" PORTRAIT!

Send me a photo of your choice - the photo that gets the most votes will win a free portrait! This will be a monthly contest. So find a great photo and send it in! Remember, the backgrounds can be changed.

Can't wait to see the photos!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's been a busy day - but for once, I am not the one cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I do have some homemade yeast rolls baking, cranberry sauce on the stove, and am trying to find an interesting recipe for a casserole from our garden's summer squash. As always, at this time of year, I reflect on all the reasons I have to be very thankful. First of all, I am glad that I was born in the greatest country on earth. Good health and talent wouldn't be worth much in some countries, where it is all you can do to survive. Right now, in 2008 - Albino people are being slaughtered in Tanzania and Barundi because it is believed their body parts are useful in "traditional medicine" Not all "traditions" are good ones.

I am thankful that God gave me talent to turn paint and cloth into portraits that keep loved ones close. I am thankful that after 50 years of looking, I found my soulmate. I am thankful that my kids are healthy, intelligent and self-supporting :) I am thankful that I do not have to wonder where my next meal is coming from or where I will sleep tonight. I am also thankful that I have a large and supportive group of people that write and encourage me and comment on my paintings! (That's you guys!) Thank you so much for being part of my world - and please feel free to write and comment on anything.

On a lesser note, I'm thankful that I have gotten a few Christmas commissions done, and am beginning to feel like there may be an end in sight :) and I got a good photo of the bulldog painting I posted yesterday. It still doesn't do justice to the actual painting.

NEW PHOTO - FINAL VERSION OF FINISHED PAINTING
(click on photo to see larger version)

CLICK HERE TO BID ON EBAY

Bulldog Charity Painting
11" x 14"
Oil on Canvas

Check back for link to auction - it should be starting this Sat/Sun

Close-ups of painting - click to see even larger!

NEW PHOTOS - FINAL VERSION OF FINISHED PAINTING
CLICK HERE TO BID ON EBAY


CLICK HERE TO BID ON EBAY

Congratulations to new collector Anne L. of Maine who is the happy owner of the Husky painting.
She wrote "The husky painting arrived today and it's even more beautiful than I anticipated! Thanks so much. It hasn't been out of my sight since it arrived!"
I'm glad you like it, Anne! And thanks so much for your emails.

Better go check those rolls . . .. .

Live Creatively!!! (and thankfully!)

Liz

Bulldog Charity Painting

I know it's been a while since I've posted, but most of the painting I've been doing are gifts, so I can't share them with you. Today I finished a painting for Bulldog Rescue - I need to get a better photo, but thought I'd post what I have for now. Please check back to get the link for the auction - remember this goes to help the dogs!

BULLDOG CHARITY PAINTING
(click to see larger)

12"x 16"
Oil on Canvas

(better photo to come soon)

This painting will be auctioned to raise money for The BCA Rescue Network, Inc - non-profit organization. There are many volunteers nationwide who love the Bulldog breed and are dedicated to its continued well-being. These volunteers find new homes for more than 1000 Bulldogs per year. Many thousands of dollars are spent to provide medical care, food, shelter, and training while the rescued Bulldogs are awaiting adoption.

Please check back to get the link to bid on this painting - remember 50% of the proceeds go to help support bulldog rescue!

If you have a charity to which you would like me to donate a painting, please let me know!

Scroll down to see the steps to this beautiful portrait!

Step #1 - Beginning the portrait - a very blurry photo. This actually isn't the VERY first step, but it's the first time that I took a break to take a photograph. I started by painting in the basic shape of the dog with burnt sienna paint.

Then I blocked in the darks and lights on his body. I like to use very colorful underpainting on animals, I think it gives more of a sense of the life and vibrancy of their being.

Close-up of Step 1 You can see his face starting to emerge from the shadows.

Step 2 - Now I'm adding the details and the actual coloring of the dog - this appears to bring him out of the shadows.

Step 3 - I now have just about all his body in basically the correct coloration. I will now refine areas and model the muscles and bones of his structure to make sure he is anatomically accurate.

Step 4 - Just about done! I will probably make a few adjustments - but basically he is finished. I have modeled his muscles, and adjusted the balance between light and dark. This is not a very good photo as it was 11:00 p.m when I stopped painting. I will try to get a better photo in the daylight.

Thank you again for your interest in my artwork, and for your patience :)

Live Creatively!!!

Liz

Square Tomato - Bulldog Pub Sign

Italian Slice
9" x 9"
Oil on Reclaimed Panel with painted sides
$225
one of a set of 6 kitchen paintings - contact me to see all 6
They are available as a group for $950 with free shipping.

Or click here to email me about Italian Slice.

This was painted LIVE on UStream - start to finish.
Come by tomorrow and watch! This video was not recorded so you can't go see it now :(

This is another of my square 'kitchen' paintings. I had no idea what I wanted to paint so I grabbed the tomato that my husband had left over from his salad. I really enjoyed painting it.

Today I painted a GORGEOUS German Shepherd Police Dog live on UStream I did record that session and you can see it if you go to my show page.

BONUS PAINTING

(click to enlarge)

30" x 22" Pub Sign

This is a pub sign that I just finished. This is not a REAL pub sign, it was a wedding gift - I could hardly wait for the wedding day so I could show you! I absolutely love the way it turned out. The internet, as usual, does not do justice to itl And it was a lot of fun to paint!

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It was great to see my 'fan club' today in my studio, and please come back! I will be broadcasting LIVE on UStream while I paint Monday through Thursday, and weekends on occasion. If you're at all interested in my techniques and style, or just my fantastic wit - make sure you're signed up on my notification list so you can actually watch me paint. I will be narrating every move I make, along with the colors and any tips I think of during the sessions. Please join me :)

Click here to get an email notice when I will be online painting LIVE

Charity Auction for Lone Star Bulldog Rescue & Great Art Book on eBay

Charity Painting to benefit Lone Star Bulldog Rescue
and check out "Computer Tools for Artists" on eBay

Original Watercolor Painting - click here to bid
11" x 14"

This is a watercolor painting that I did a few years ago. I am auctioning it off to generate funds for Lone Star Bulldog Rescue

From the Lone Star Bulldog site: Here at Lone Star Bulldog Rescue we accept Bulldogs whose owners can no longer keep them, and retrieve Bulldogs from shelters and undesirable situations. We then rehabilitate them before placement by providing necessary medical treatment, as well as spaying and neutering all dogs that come into our care.At this point we thoroughly screen applicants before making placement decisions, as well as informing interested adopters about rescue and our requirements. Then we place Bulldogs in suitable homes as soon as reasonably possible, so they can start their "new lives" quickly.While these Bulldogs are waiting for their new homes they are fostered in the home of someone in our rescue.

Any of you artists out there will be interested in the book I have on ebay - there are only a few hours left - check it out - Creative Computer Tools for Artists - it shows you how to use your computer to help with compositional decisions, color choices, lots of great ideas for using the power of your computer to help you make better art! I really learned a lot from it. You might be interested in looking at it - click here to view the auction for the book, or search for aportraitforyou on eBay.

Thanks again for your interest and emails!

Liz