Not Your Average Goat

My recent painting commission of three Pygmy goats has been quite a challenge!  These three Pygmy Goats are not just your average goats.  They are the winners of the Pygmy Goat National Championship.  This buck, doe and wether are as close to "perfection" in the pygmy goat world as you can get.  So, suffice it to say I have been challenged to paint them perfectly and also please their owners!  Animals, like people, are complete individuals.  An ear or nose painted in the wrong way, can change the animal completely.  It was a fun project and I have learned so much about Pygmy Goats!  The finished watercolor painting image was 11" x 14".  The image is featured on the publication for the National Pygmy Goat Association.  Pictured are the Doe Burntwood Farms Annabelle Lee, the Buck Dream Catcher Little Wing and the Wether Rolling Meadows Eclipse.

First Stage of Suli and Alex

I have really become obsessed with following my favorite artists now that technology has allowed us to share with facebook, blogs, websites, youtube, and a host of other computer sites.  It has gotten in the way of my work at times and I am constantly trying to keep a balance.  But, I came to realize that artists and collectors love to see the progress of your art from start to finish.  I have written artist friends and discovered new materials and techniques that have enhanced my own art.

This is the beginning of my portrait of Suli and Alex...two very old pets.  I am working on my favorite Crescent Watercolor Board.  As you can see,  in this case I decided to "mask" out the animals and work on the background first.  I took about 80 photographs of the animals, but being indoors did not provide the natural light I prefer...as well as the challenge of two other dogs and "I think" three other cats tagging along with me.

Fear and Doubt

I have been painting for over thirty years and still have so many fears and doubts when it comes to my artwork.  I think this comes hand in hand with being a perfectionist and of course wanting to make my clients happy.  I have cleaned off my table from my last painting,  ready to tackle this new one with a fresh perspective.  But, I am easily overwhelmed by just starting it!  Sometimes, the client will give me the option to pick the size or medium, that only adds to my racing artistic brain!  In this case, the clients are a young couple who had already had these two pets painted by someone who did a terrible job.  I didn't see the final results, but they were so unhappy and the artist refused any kind of refund.  I went to their house and took photos of these two old pets.  The poor little dog is loosing his teeth, the cat is  going blind and has definitely lost the "lustre" of his youth!  It is only more pressure to make them look the best I am able with paint and a brush.  Once I put the water on the board, I hope I can breath life into them...