ACEO - Papillon

SOLD "Papillon"
Original ACEO 3.5"x2.5" Watercoloured/Coloured Pencil on WC paper

I have been working on some larger paintings for 2 upcoming juried shows, but I'm not ready to share just yet....:-)
For a break, I did this ACEO of a real sweetie - a Papillon dog. This is a toy breed which was named after the French word for "Butterfly." Squint at this lovely face and you will see the butterfly wings that the ears, ear fringes and face make, with the white blaze as the body.
The painting itself is done as a drawing using a red/sepia and navy blue pencil crayon then the piece was glazed over with watercolours.

Welcome Spring!

I am very glad to see the arrival of spring! I have been down and out with yet another chest/head cold which is finally following winter out the door!

I have not been painting watercolours but did exchange my paintbrush for a kistka and managed to finish my first Ukrainian Easter Egg of 2009. (Okay, so I chose a fairly easy design for my first one, but I love the poppies)
These are traditionally called Pysanky (pronounced peh-san-keh with the emphasis on the "peh") and I have been making them every year since I was a a youngster. Taught by my grandmother, my mom and I now try to make them (although my mom seems to be practising secretly because her eggs are looking better and better every year!)

Basically, this craft is a dye and wax resist applied directly onto raw chicken eggs (or goose or ostrich etc) The designs are made up of various Ukrainian symbols and colours, all which carry different meanings; spirituality, life, health, prosperity, fertility etc.

Learn Pysanky does a great job explaining the basics and more. Much better than I could do here :-D Check it out!

What a Weekend!

It has been a wonderful weekend here, with great news to share...

I just received my official notification, so I can happily post that my painting, "A Regal Grace," was awarded third place in the Watercolour Division at the Art Show at the Dog Show!
It is always such a boost to be recognized like this, especially in a show with such a high calibre of work.
The show is now hanging in Kansas and will soon be on-line to view. You can take a sneak peek at the Best in Show, "Little Diva" which is an exquisite sculpture by Tammy Bality of Colorado-Congratulations to Tammy and all the ASATDS artists !

In addition, our wonderful Blue Picardy Spaniel Suede now has a new name: CHAMPION Brighthope Blue Suede Shoes!

Suede finished his Canadian Championship this weekend under breeder/handler Vicki Duncan and was a very good boy, behaving beautifully.

While there is no American title to aim for, as the breed is not recognized by the AKC, we're thinking of putting Suede's energy and atheltic ability into action....obedience, agility, tracking, hunt trials- haven't decide for sure yet, but whatever it is, I'm sure we'll have fun!

Many thanks to the Duncans for piloting Suede in the conformation ring, and to the Ratigan menfolk for their support and :-) happy :-) participation!!

Miniature-Cardinal Thicket

Cardinal Thicket
2.25"x4.25" (8"x10" framed) watercolour on HP paper

Here is the finished miniature that I posted as a WIP earlier this week.
This watercolour painting measures 2.25" x 4.25" and has been submitted for inclusion in the Dundas Valley School of Art 39th Annual Art Auction, a local fundraiser.
The auction will be held on Saturday, April 18th at 7:00p.m. Admission is $20.00 in advance, $25.00 at the door. Free previews will be held from 9 - 9 on Thursday, April 16th, Friday, April 17th and Saturday, April 18th (until 5:00 p.m.)
So, if you're in the area... :-)

Detail from Cardinal Thicket

Wigs-DSDF Challenge

"Wig Security"
Approx. 5"x6" Watercolour on hot-pressed WC paper

Well, I tried to get this week's challenge done...unfortunately, I blew the deadline....March 4th? Ha! I had down March 11th . So, while you won't be seeing this on Karin's blog, I will post it here.

Busy, colourful, exciting, this is a painting I wouldn't mind doing larger some day. And for those interested, the "security" in this painting is provided by a real dog.
Yep, that is what they look like :-)
Don't believe me? Check it out; The Chinese Crested Dog -- more pics from these breeders here and here.
With all those crazy wigs, the Chinese Crested unique "hairdo" is what I immediately thought of. Mind you , these are big dogs in little bodies and are hardier than they look!

Miniature-WIP

Here is a peek at what I am currently working on (sorry for the lousy scan...). A miniature painting, watercolour on hot pressed watercolor paper, measuring 2 5/8" x 4 5/8".

This differs from my recently posted ACEOs which are more like little studies, always measure 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" and don't have as much detail.

A true Miniature follows the following guidelines:
•Minute in scale vs. life sized. Following the general 1/6th scale.
•Delicate and painstaking technique that withstands magnification.
•Small in format and size. 25 inches or less for surface area.
•High in quality. The work should exemplify Fine Art ~ demonstrating a mastery of composition, color, values etc.

Additional info can be found here:
Association of Miniature Artists
Art in Miniature
Miniature Art History (Courtesy of Wes and Rachelle Siegrist)