Penelope the Scottish Deerhound

 I also finished this portrait of a wonderful Scottish Deerhound named Penelope.  You don't come across this breed too often, and it is such an amazing experience to be around one of these dogs.  They are so gentle and sweet.  Penelope's owner told me her favorite activity was looking for food on the counter.  They love to play, eat and especially sleep!  I also finished a portrait of her housemate Henry, Angela has her hands and couches full with these two!

Henry

I just completed this watercolor portrait of Henry, a sweet and gentle Scottish Deerhound.  I met Angela at a barn where I used to ride in NC, and she has owned Deerhounds for years.  The deerhound was called "the most perfect creature" by Sir Walter Scott and I believe it is true.  I have always been partial to hounds as a Ridgeback owner, but when you meet a Deerhound you feel something special.  Henry loves to sleep on his favorite couch and I was able to capture that moment in my painting.  

Angela loved it, she said..."Fantastic, that is exactly the face I see in my mind when I think of Henry.  You really grasped the essential Henry."

Gail

www.gaildolphinart.com

Companions for Life

I just finished this large watercolor for a client in North Carolina of four horses dear to her heart.  Her request was to have them shown according to age.  Billy, a big handsome rescue Belgian is the "matriarch" of the group at age 25.  A retired Appaloosa show horse named Buddy is below him, still gorgeous at 22.  The handsome Bay Quarter horse is Willie who is 7, and finally Frankie at age 6.  It was a challenge but I am really happy with the painting.  I also decided to try some new watercolor paints called QoR produced by Golden.  They were advertised to have a stronger pigment, so I invested in about 28 colors.  I have been using the same Windsor and Newton watercolors for over 35 years, so it was a huge leap for me!  I really loved working with them.

  

Sweltering for Art

I did my first little show since moving here to Florida yesterday.  It just so happens, that the weather pattern changed and what used to be tolerable mornings turned into a sweltering day with 100% humidity.  I don't usually do too many outdoor shows and don't have a tent, so they kindly put me under cover in the mall.  Needless to say, setting up in the sun, rain, heat and humidity took it's toll.  I looked like I had a run a marathon by 10:00!  Thankfully, a good friend came to visit and she bought me a $2.00 t-shirt to change into.  I was also really worried because the sun was beating on my display when I first arrived, but thank god it slowly moved into shade as the sun came up.  Watercolors can develop moisture quickly under the glass, and hours of work could be easily destroyed.

I did have a new client visit me who has commissioned a painting, and a few others inquired about portraits.  I think most people were there at the mall for the "Back to School" event and not really looking at art.  Such is the life of an artist!  You just never know, but you have to get yourself out there.

Charlie

Watercolor of "Charlie"

I finally finished my first painting since moving here to our new home in Vero Beach, Florida.  It is always an adjustment for an artist to move their studio space, especially to a new state!  I chose a bright upstairs room that has a north light window with a beautiful palm tree outside.  I enjoy windows where I can see some activity, whether it is nature or human!  When you spend many hours alone painting, it is nice to have some "contact" with the outside world.  This is a watercolor of a sweet boy named "Charlie" who lives in North Carolina.  He has the unusual striping on his legs typical of dun colored horses.  The owner loved the painting and he is on his way home to North Carolina.

A Fresh New Start

Things are finally coming together after our big move to our new home in Vero Beach, Florida.  It seemed we would never get here, then all of a sudden the house sold and we were on our way!  We rented a townhome sight unseen, and the first thing to greet me at the door was a beautiful gardenia bush.  It has to be one of my all time favorite flowers with it's beautiful and heavenly scent.  It felt like a  fresh new start in our tropical home.

My husband and I missed the warm winters here in Florida and so far the summer has proved to be fine and the dogs have settled in.  I am already inspired by the moss laden live oak trees and beautiful tropical plants in abundance here.  Vero Beach is a big art community and I have joined a few groups and looking forward to meeting other artists and enjoying the Vero Beach Art Museum.  The Indian River will also provide many future kayak fishing and photo adventures for us.  The "Treasure Coast" is well known for it's natural beauty and the birds, manatee and dolphins that frequent the waters here.

New Paths

Sunday was such a beautiful day that I had to take a walk on the Tideland Trail in Cedar Point.  It is one of my favorite places and feels almost spiritual to me.  Walking the trails through the marsh really seems to bring me closer to God and my lost loved ones for some reason.  Being so lucky to see and smell the beauty there is more than I can explain.  I always come away so thankful and filled with enthusiasm to create something beautiful.  I will miss this place when we move to Florida, but am looking forward to finding new beautiful paths in my life...