Gracy

Gracy

10x10, pastel

Pleased that now I can reveal this Christmas commission of Gracy. She was really fun to paint, those sparkling eyes! This was the first painting where I had to paint a tongue head on....somewhat tricky. But as always a great learning experience.

Hope you had a Blessed Christmas and looking forward to a wonderful New Year!

Spinner

Spinner

12" x 12", pastel

So this critter rules the house, well not really. He is just the sweetest, most fun dog we have had. So now I am out on the porch typing this and he is scratching on the windows, barking at me 'cause he wants to be out here too! And so what did I just do????? But......I put the leash on him, in no mood to chase after him.

This is his, "I may not be the most interesting dog.......but......" pose. We just love it. He strikes this pose often.

I truly enjoy painting animals. just finished a cat this afternoon. Really not a cat person, but those paintings seem to sell well!

Speaking of selling, if you are in the area of the Bijou Theater in San Antonio, the Texas Pastel Society is displaying art there through the month of May. Go by and check it out!

Baby Chi and Check Out my new website

 

Baby Chi

8" x 6", pastel
Click to Buy

A fabulous artist and friend, Gaye Sekula, posted the photo reference for this painting on Facebook earlier this week. I commented that I saw a painting there and she encouraged me to paint it. What a fun subject matter! Such sparkle in the eyes and that bottom lip...love it!

Many thanks to Jim Street for dragging me kicking and screaming into the 21st century! He set up my website for me. It is a beautiful site where you can see and purchase my recent art. The site address is:    www.denisebeardart.com    Hope you will visit often!

K-9 Kruisin'

K-9 Kruisin'

8" x 10", pastel
Click to Buy

When I pulled up behind this scene at a stop light, I was so hoping I could snap a photo before the light changed. This dog was so intent on the guy in the mirror. I felt he was trying to 'will' the guy to let him in the cab.

Occasionally, there will be a painting that just falls into place, 'paints itself' so to speak. This was one of those. Hadn't painted in awhile when I decided to give this one a try. It came together without major issues. The hardest part was coming up with a title!

Let's Play

Let's Play

12" x 12", pastel

Let's Play is a painting entered in the Austin Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition. It is one of three entries I am hoping will be accepted into the show. Mike Beeman is the juror and judge, so keep your fingers crossed. If it is accepted, it may show up again on this blog in February with the announcement.

Pancho--a Christmas Surprise

Pancho

10" x 10", pastel

Pancho was a commission that was to be given as a Christmas present. Pancho was a beloved pet that had died. I really wanted to capture his spirit and sweetness. Fortunately, Jan was able to tell me about him and I kept that in mind as the painting progressed. After Jan picked up Pancho, she told me that she had showed her grandchildren a photo of the painting and they recognized it as Pancho----a good sign!

But, as usual, I was sweating bullets until I heard if the recipient was pleased............... he was!! 

Santa Spinner

Santa Spinner

10 x 8, pastel

I know, I know it is not even Thanksgiving yet. Not a fan of the early Christmas commercials either, but one has to get a step ahead if one is painting their own Christmas cards!!

Was at a total loss for what to paint this year. Was thinking about a Santa and when going through photos on the internet, saw a cute photo of a dog in a Santa hat. Well, we have just about the cutest dog I know and we have a Santa hat! Soooooooooooooo!

I have since tweaked the painting but had to get the order for cards in ASAP. And it is a gray day, not a good one to take photos of paintings---so enjoy Santa Spinner! 

Waiting Patiently

Waiting Patiently

12 x 12, pastel

Click to see in Daily Paintworks

This pretty girl belongs to a friend, who decided she just had to have the painting. Thank you, Sharon. I took the reference photo a year or so ago and recently came across it. My dad had border collies, wonderful dogs, so intelligent and loving. He would give a one/two word command and they would bring the horses to the pen, amazing.

Patience and loyalty seem to exude from this painting.

Cow Dog

Cow Dog

8.5x11

Pastel on toned sanded paper

It has been a great day!!! I got to paint today. I applied the information learned from the D K Richardson workshop and painted Cow Dog. I hope to enter it in the Texas Show at the NBAL Gallery on Tuesday. There are a couple of areas that need to be tweaked, but all in all I am pleased.

I really do not think he is a cow dog, took his picture at the last Market Days I participated in. He was a sweet dog. In fact in one picture, he seemed to be smiling for the camera!

Sir Basset

Sir Basset

12 x 9, pastel

Click here to buy

Love basset hounds, those sad eyes and droopy ears.  I have been wanting to paint this guy since I saw him at a Farmers' Market. He had a buddy (another basset) but he just wouldn't cooperate with the camera.

I took a hint from Rita Kirkman and under painted the non-white areas of the dog with Azo Gold acrylic paint (diluted). You can see it peeking through on the body, ears and head. I tried really hard not to go heavy with the pastel and leave it showing through. Thanks, Rita. Without the under painting, I don't think I could have covered the Wallis white paper without using heavy pastel . You can see below that with the layers of gold acrylic, I had a head start on completing the painting.

I also added green and violet in the white shadows--who knew! What they say holds true--value is more important than color!  If the value is correct, almost any color will work and it is way more interesting than gray!!!

On Alert

On Alert

7 x 5, pastel

This dog had no clue I was interested in taking his picture. I discovered that is the key, plus a telephoto lens!! Other dogs I have attempted to photograph go bonkers whenever I aim the camera at them. The Lost Maples Dog really spoiled me!! 

Lost Maples Dog

Lost Maples Dog

7 x 5, Pastel  SOLD



This is the painting that started it all. It is the first painting I completed in Rita Kirkman's Miniature workshop last March. I enjoyed painting it in a stressful sort of way--if you know what I mean.

But----do you know how hard it is to get a good picture of a dog??? I snapped this photo at Lost Maples so easily---but I spent over an hour last March in Landa Park trying to get one good picture of all the dogs there that day. The only one I got was taken with the advantage of a long lens--I will post him tomorrow.

Feels So Good

Feels So Good

(10 x 14, watercolor)

Had to post this guy today, because I feel good too! It has finally rained !!! PTL!

You just know how good scratching that itch feels.

Today I've got to get on matting/framing my entries for the Artober Art Show down at the gallery--much rather be painting! Rainy days are great for creating-don't you think?