"Hard Act to Follow"

9 x 12"

oil on panel
sold

I spotted this painting on Instagram and recognized it as one of the popular prints I used to frame for customers back in the day.  People commonly referred to it as "the goose girl", its real title is To Pastures New by Sir James Guthrie.  The painting has traveled all over the globe but does reside at the Aberdeen Art Museum in the UK.

James Guthrie was a Scottish painter during the late 1800's - early 1900's, during the Victorian era and what is called the Gilded Age.  The wealthy commissioned portrait artists - think John Singer Sargent and others, including Guthrie, to paint large, elaborate portraits of their patriarchs, wives and children to adorn their mansion walls.  It was all the craze.

The young group of Scottish artists, the Glasgow Boys, who Guthrie was associated with, considered themselves rebellious, rejecting the older generation of artists and declared themselves to be anti-establishment.  Other groups, like the union of newspaper illustrators with members such as Winslow Homer, grew tired of the upper crust being depicted in popular art and felt the need to portray the working class and African-Americans who were experiencing prolonged lives of enslavement during Reconstruction.  They felt an obligation to show their dignity and contributions despite their suppression.

To Pastures New is a perfect example of Guthrie's commitment and sense of pride painting directly from nature and his surroundings in Scotland, portraying a young, hard-working peasant girl filling the canvas like a giant shepherding her animals through the field on a normal workday.  

Please click here for a larger view.

"Puppy Zen"

12 x 12"

oil on panel

These are my darling pups, Zac and Joey, when they were about four months old.  

I know, it's out there for me.

"Dog Show No. 8"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Carrying on with my ode to dogs,  inspired by the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show starting tonight.  

My aim is to take my reference photos and invent an unexpected surrounding, playing with color as I like to do with my mugshot portraits in BUST-ED.  

These are two graceful Whippets - wonderful curves and lumps and form.

Some have asked where the previous 'Dog Show' paintings were - here's the first six and here's more creatures I've painted in the past.

"Rafters"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
nfs

In between painting, I am occasionally lured into a swim at my good neighbor's pool. The reward goes without saying, added to that, it rejuvenates me enough to continue painting longer into the evening. Gotta love that.

My neighbor poms - Taz and Ginger floating on a raft in the sunshine. A gift to my friends.

A Benefit For Animal Lovers

The Howard/Mandville Gallery is hosting Art To The Rescue - a Benefit for Pasado's Safe Haven, an animal rescue outside of Seattle. This organization saves and rehabs dogs, cats and farm animals, most who have been neglected or abused. Three of my paintings will be included in the show - a portion of the sales will be donated to those animals in need. Hats off to them.

Companions For Life
sold

Rescued For Life
sold

Pampered For Life
sold


For a larger view of these paintings,
click on the title below each image.

For information regarding this Benefit Event - please click here.

"Dog Show"

each is 6 x 6"

Real quick....... before I hit the road....... here's a couple of little dogs I bumped into at a local dog show. I hope to have a set of six, for an upcoming group show at 16 Patton, in Asheville.
Even more will be going in a few other galleries. Hope you enjoy them.

Please click here and here for a larger view and purchase information.

Happy Trails - I'll be back with something new Monday night.