Friends

9 x 12 | oil on panel

Both are good company and very fun to paint. The painting captures the feeling I wanted. As I was going thru my image files yesterday, I came across another painting from years ago. Thought it would be fun to post here, since it is the same person. 

12 x 9 | oil on panel

"Pixel"

14 x 11"

oil on panel

Pixel is the name of the little dog, an extremely well behaved pet. So well in fact he has been on stage in plays, doing exactly what was expected every night!

I usually don't shoot photos as the work progresses, but I always enjoy being able to look back after the work is finished and see how it began. By then the early sketches seem so alive and fresh. Perhaps that's because they are so quickly gone, and I have been looking at the later stages so long by the time the painting is finished.

Maybe I will stop early in the process, frame the panel and call it "finished" so I can enjoy the loose beginning for a while. Two of the early phase of this painting are below.

"Catch You Later"

8 x 6 inch

oil on wooden panel

The sun is out again and so are lots of us! This is on the corner of Lake Street in downtown Kirkland, very popular in good weather. Coffee shops, restaurants, cafes, art galleries and Lake Washington are just steps away.

Click on image to enlarge.

"Beach Roamers"

6 x 8 inches

oil on wooden panel

This was part of the view from my lunch stop at Mo’s along the Oregon coast. It was windy and cool on the beach but several blocks away it was warm enough to take off your jacket and enjoy the outside tables at the cafes and coffee shops, popular spots on this day. 

Click image to enlarge.

"Text Messaging"

6 x 8"

oil on wood panel

Another “Sunshine: Dog Days” painting. Here the man was so interested in his phone, nothing else seemed to exist for him. The dog, on the other hand, was interested in all the people walking by. Once again I wanted to paint the long shadows. I also wanted to paint the sunlight shining thru the dog’s tail and the hint of gold on his legs and along his back. 

"Sunshine: Dog Days"

8 x 6"

oil on wood panel

The sun is out in the Northwest again and it seems everyone who has a dog has been out on walks. This one was so good I had to paint it. The long shadows were as much fun as the light on the people and the shape of the dog just sitting there waiting for the conversation to finish.

"Another Delivery"

8 x 6"

oil on wood panel

This was just too good to pass up. The dog’s focus was totally on his master, who was making an early morning delivery to Pike Place Market in Seattle.

"Roxie"

6 x 8

oil on wood panel

Relaxing by the fire after a long walk through the neighborhood, I think we all were as comfortable as Roxie. The day was cold and windy, the walk - refreshing, the company - the best! Add hot coffee and tea in mugs to warm our hands, conversation and laughter to warm our hearts, and you have a perfect afternoon.