Very often my initial idea is transformed in the painting process. The painting takes over and starts telling me what to do. I have to just give up control and let it lead me. I don't know where this painting is going. It is suppose to be a double portrait, so Ron will reappear at some point, somewhere. I now just try to do what the painting tells me. Sometimes I never figure it out. Sometimes I am taken places I couldn't imagine. I am hoping this one continues to speak to me.
It may look like we are sunbathing on the deck of the studio, but I am, in fact, fiercely considering how to resolve some problems with a painting. Really. I mean it. Last sunny days of summer in Seattle. Rain in the forecast for tomorrow, and the next 7 months.
Now back to painting.
Seattle based pet care company "All the Best" is producing tote bags for the Christmas season with images from my paintings displayed on the sides- "Lindsey and Sydney" the cats on one side, and "Vincent" the Chow dog on the other. There will be a limited number of them available, and they will be given as gifts to the first customers during the Holiday season. You know what happens right after Thanksgiving- it all begins. Get in early!
I have donated to nine organizations in the last few months, and received the latest thank you from the Golden Retriever Foundation, located in Omaha, Nebraska, for the annual fundraiser at Purina Farms in St. Louis. I received a card featuring a pencil sketch by artist Kathy Hagerman, and a sweet thank you: "Thank you Nancy for your very generous donation to the Golden Retriever Art Auction. The auction raised over $106,000. Everyone loved your work! and we hope to feature it again next year. JL."
Other organizations to which I have donated this year: Moore Humane Society- NC
Greyhound Rescue of the Bluegrass- KY
Southern Nevada Beagle Rescue Foundation- NV
Salt Lake Animal Shelter- UT
Pit Bull Rescue Central- National Organization
Poochapalooza- Marysville, WA
National Mill Dog Rescue- CO
Mastiff Rescue- TX
While on vacation I find that, like anyone else, I don't really care to do what is my normal work. I do enjoy watching others do it however! A group of artists was attending a plein air workshop in Dubois while we were there, and our host invited them to Wagon Box Ranch to paint, as they do every September. I didn't set up an easel, but I had my phone and Instagram application handy to capture some of what they were doing. I must say, I found it so inspiring to watch them that I just may join them next year, and spend some part of vacation "working", and get some pointers from group leader Jeanne MacKenzie, pictured below.
"There's a lot to learn, from wasting time . . ." Neil Young My essay upon returning to home ground is about my summer vacation, as grade school traditions continue. Our annual pilgrimage to Dubois, Wyoming, is over now but my essay lives on about good times with good friends, too much good food and wine, spectacular scenery and activities, and plenty of "wasting time". Which is never a waste, but a renewal and preparation for the work ahead. The studio awaits, as always, but I must first re-live the art of doing nothing, which is the art of doing much.
Until next year, dreams of Wyoming may find their way into this year's paintings!
Our own little neighborhood newspaper placed a short article about my blog post from Aug. 6 regarding the Madrona Auto building, which was in the process of being torn down to make way for live/work lofts. We residents of Madrona love our little family oriented community, and know how special it is to live in a place with quiet streets, large green spaces, and the best restaurants in Seattle. Now one of the Madrona landmarks is gone, and a new four story complex is being built. It's a loss, but it makes sense. Madrona Auto has made way for new housing that will provide living space for many people, so there is the trade off. We keep the green spaces, and pack the people in the commercial area. Bye bye Madrona Auto. I used Madrona Auto as the backdrop for a painting of Duster, 17 years ago.
"Those were the days when parking was always available, The Doll House was the only restaurant in Madrona, and the door to the Hat Shop was always open."
Ah yes, those were the days, but so are these.
I had an interview appointment for a painting yesterday with Peapod and Bella. Bella is a youthful and somewhat goofy 9 year old Bernese Mountain Dog, and quite of inferior status to Peapod the cat, ruler of the home. Peapod, however, is 13 years old and suffering from blindness and loss of sense of smell, and has metastasized cancer. Peapod is still the boss, but everyone knows she will not be on this plane of existence much longer. She is still moving about, but is disoriented. She is so beloved, that her humans follow her around to ensure that she doesn't accidentally step off a stair and tumble, or hurt herself in some way. It is so hard to say goodbye, and her humans know that is coming very soon. I feel very grateful that I was able to meet her while she is still active, but it is obvious that Peapod is not herself. She only stopped pacing briefly for a short groom in the sunshine, but then returned to restless wandering. It was nearly impossible, as you can see, to sketch her. The final sketch in the group is for the painting idea, of both animals on the front porch, Peapod basking and Bella . . . deferring.
Past clients have told me that there is some way that the painting keeps their beloved animals with them, even after the goodbyes. This is the happy part of what I do, capturing the spirit of the animals, forever.
"We are there in sadness. We are there for happy times. We are there for loving. We are there to share life. " PETS (by Ron Henry for one of my early business cards)
And then there is Bella . . .
Proposed sketch for large painting of Peapod and Bella on the front porch.
Many people think that being an artist is relaxing. Maybe for some, but most of the time it's not true for me. It can be very stressful with a client waiting and a painting unresolved and not knowing where to take it next- nothing is working and I can't figure out why. There are times when the solution is to leave, put one's mind and body in a different environment, and stop thinking about the problem that needs solving. Much to be said for breaks, or as Neil Young says, "There's a lot to learn from wasting time."Since when is yoga on the beach a waste of time? Pablo seems to think it is.
We were visiting friends on Whidbey Island last week, and brought a couple of bottles of Out of Reach Muttitage wine. We all enjoyed dinner and wine on the deck, and their pup Bandit, wanted to be part of the action (and steal some snap peas as well.) We saw Bandit going after a pea, or was it the salami?, just "Out of Reach", and just HAD to capture these photos of him mimicking my painting on the bottle! (the wine label with my painting won "Best Wine Label" at the San Francisco Chronicle's 2012 Wine Competition of over 5000 wines)
(Thank you Anita Nowacka for the photos!)
Chroma Interactive artist's acrylic paints in 12 colors of my choice will be the medium I use on the next batch of paintings. Chroma wants feedback from artists on the product. They ask in return for an image of a painting I create that they may use for marketing the paints. I am quite happy to be a product tester for these paints. The colors are vivid and the paint has a consistency of extremely thick cream- and is just as luscious. I am going to try using the paints right from the jars and mixing colors directly on the painting surface rather than on palettes, as the consistency lends itself to that technique. I have been using Golden Paints, which are thicker and must be scooped out of the jars with a palette knife. I have loved my Goldens, but am very excited to be trying out paints that will change my painting technique. End results coming soon!
At a party last night on the Island of Laid Back, that is, Vashon, I had a forty minute conversation with another painter about the colors blue and red. She has trouble using blue, I have difficulty with red. I feel that there are qualities inherent in colors- red screams out and blue soothes and settles. She felt the opposite about them- for her red is grounding, and blue kicks up uncomfortable emotions. It finally became the age old question of whether anything exists apart from our perception of it, and are the qualities we think belong to something just installed by us? Is blue always cool, and red always warm? For me, red jumps out and blue settles back, but uh . . . maybe that's just me!
I gave a private painting lesson to 8 and 10 year old girls in my studio. Before the lesson I had them do homework involving some research and deep thought. Here are some of their answers: Favorite artists? (I sent a list of some artist's names they might like to check out, but they also had their own favorites).
1. David Hockney, David Wyse. (8 year old)
2. Matisse, Jennifer Mumford. (10 year old)
Favorite quote?
1. "I know it's hard but never give up." from a teacher at school (8 year old)
2. "A good friend is never forgotten but is always in the heart." from her mother (10 year old)
Most awesome goal as an artist? 1. To teach drawing to preschoolers. (8 year old)
2. To become a world famous artist. (10 year old)
Keep that vision!
I had an interview with Ron and Woofie last week, the interview being the first step for me in creating a custom painting. Ron is the founder of Black Rapid company which produces camera accessories, including the now famous R-strap, "the original camera sling". He designed the R-strap to make handling a camera easier and faster for the user. It is now considered to be an essential tool for many professional photographers, and non-pros as well. Ron loves dogs, and supports a number of dog rescue organizations. Woofie is his companion and consultant, who communicates to him valuable dog-sense business advice, opinions about who to hire, and whether a song Ron is composing has potential. (Ron is also a musician and composer). We were laughing at the Woofie stories, but Woofie has been right enough times that his suggestions are taken seriously!
The subject for the painting will be both Ron and Woofie, a double portrait. I will start the painting and rough-in the composition then have Ron come for a sitting. I can paint dogs from referring to a collection of photos, but for a human, an in-person sitting is almost always necessary. Painting a human from a photo looks like a photo, but painting from life somehow actually injects life into the portrait.
These are the photos of the interview- many thanks to photographer Anita Nowacka. An interview usually lasts about an hour, during which I sketch the subjects, take some photos, and interview both to learn more about what they would like for the painting.
There is quite a bit of new construction going on in Seattle, and in my own Madrona neighborhood. Madrona Auto was a landmark in this neighborhood, a vintage building that was loved by residents, and is now gone, being replaced by much more lucrative condos. 17 years ago I used the old building as backdrop for a painting of Duster. I was just starting to paint dogs, and Duster, the dog of a friend, volunteered to be a model. I wandered the neighborhood looking for a backdrop for Duster, and decided upon the famous garage, three blocks from my home. It's a loss to the neighborhood and to the historical record when such landmarks must give way to duplicate condos.
Alas, those were the days when parking was always available, the Doll House greasy spoon was the only restaurant in Madrona, and the door to the Hat Shop was always open.
Yesterday I received a prank call from a voice that sounded to be about eight years old. "Hello, this is Nancy." "Do you like cats?" "Yes, I like cats." "Do you paint cats too or only dogs?
"I paint both dogs and cats." "Have you ever painted a goldfish?" "No, I've never painted a goldfish."
"Well you should!!!"
click
So I did.
I have decided to add a new category of commissioned portraits, small head and shoulders of dogs on single color backgrounds. These are much less expensive than a full color composition in a setting, as I can do them fairly quickly. Great as a gift for someone you know is in love with their dog! Which just might be you . . . This is my Monster Chihuahua, Ruler of the Universe. Ours anyway.
Call my studio at: 206 324 1855 and mention this post for more information on pricing.
Demo July 22 on Pet Portrait Painting at Daniel Smith Artist's Supplies in Seattle, WA. I was the presenter, and I must say, I learned a lot! It really is hard to walk and chew gum at the same time, that is, paint while talking about painting. Next one, I will paint quietly and talk about it during the pauses. Thank you to those who came and stayed afterwards to talk. One of the main comments was- "Wow, the painting viewed directly looks really different from the mirror image!"
I have aspired for years to come even remotely close to what David Hockney has achieved. His use of courageous colors, freedom with manipulating composition to suit the needs of the painting, and ability to paint directly without revisions and editing, is fearlessness itself. He grabs the essence of a subject, simplifies it even more, and screams it out with fantastical colors that make it as feral and alive as the living/breathing thing itself. This is a goal I keep reaching for, but compared to Hockney, I am but a mere mortal. Hockney, native of England, lived in Hollywood for many years, but moved back to Yorkshire in 2005, to return to his roots and paint the English countryside. He continues to paint at an alarming rate, and continues to be, to me, the most awesome artist ever.
The demo at Daniel Smith is called "Pet Portrait Painting", but I will as much time talking about how to start from zero and build a composition, and how color interactions create the pulse of the painting, and make it alive. I will use color squares to demonstrate how colors move forward and backwards in a painting and create an illusion of movement and depth, simply by their interaction with each other. Here are the sample color squares I created and will use. Can you see how in each image, the color squares on the left create the illusion of each color moving backwards in the painting, like looking down a funnel, and each color square on the right side moves forward, like a pyramid building upwards?
This color theory is not my invention, it belongs to Joseph Albers. I was lucky enough to be studio mates at my first studio in Seattle in Fremont with Charles Emerson, who was a student of Albers. Charles kindly shared this knowledge with all of us occupying the Red Door Tavern upstairs studios before the building was moved to make room for Pete's Coffee.
nancy@dogloverart.com 206 941 9663
