Back to the future...

Just when I got my head around having time for painting... the Census called me back!

It was only for a few days, however, and I finished my assignment today, so tomorrow it's back to working on the shop/studio in the morning, and then spending the afternoon on my next large canvas.

In the short time I had between Census gigs, I did complete one small painting as well as making numerous drawings and getting that large painting started. So - all in all, a very good week!

Distant Rain, 10 x 14, acrylic on panel $125.

While I was out and about, small storms were springing up all round, with very scattered showers. Since my pastures were parched, I tried to capture the rain and carry it home to paint. In the past, I've had some pretty good success conjuring up a downpour by painting the rain to come (heh). If I continue to be successful in this endeavor, I shall have to patent my "rainpainter" process...

And for a heartwarmer - this is Lorelei, one of the amazing four-horned Jacob ewes who was part of my foundation flock years ago when I raised these wonderful wool sheep. I apologize for the photo quality, as my scanner doesn't work and I photographed the photograph. Lorelei struck up an amazing bond with a blind Giant Leghorn hen that I found bleeding and near death in the middle of the highway. She'd fallen from one of the coops used to transport these longsuffering creatures to the packing plant in Gainesville.

Did you know chickens don't qualify under cruelty to animals protection laws because they are designated as "produce" or a "crop" rather than animals? The coops - piled six to ten high - on huge flatbed trucks are in such poor repair that the roads into Gainesville are littered with the bodies of chickens who fall through broken and bent bars. It's horrible - but probably no worse a death than they would experience at the processing plant.
"Lulu" had been caged all of her brief life and didn't seem to know how to walk once her injuries appeared healed. She had such a serious head injury that she was blinded permanently. I used to keep her in a large pen that could be moved about the yard. I often let some of the older sheep graze the yard and one day I noticed Lorelei standing head to beak with Lulu. They stayed that way for a long, long, time - seeming somehow to be calmed by one another. It was uncanny. It was as if they somehow communicated with one another. Perhaps Lulu followed the sounds Lorelei made as she walked around, or maybe she could discern her presence by other means. All I know is that they were pals until Lulu passed on.

This is Chaps

This memorial portrait was painted for a wonderful animal loving couple who've commissioned several other pieces from me and other artists.

Chaps, 12 x 12 acrylic on canvas (commission)

Though Chaps is no longer with us, he had, for a brief time, the best home a rescued weimeraner could hope for. We'll miss you, Chaps...

I finished Chaps portrait a few days ago, and had to take some time off from painting to work on getting the shop/studio going. My artist friend Carol and I slaved all weekend (and Friday, too) schlepping furniture, wood and lumber, tons of boxes, trash, collections and assorted crap/junque just to make room to work.

We've a long way to go (as is obvious from this "before" photograph) but the plan is to be open sometime in September. By utilizing a building right here on the property, we can save enough to afford some advertising.
The first load of trash and recyclables went off this morning! That big tangle of vines on the electric pole is yellow jasmine - I hate to do it, but I'll have to cut it back. I'll keep posting our progress.

Jeepers creepers, where'd she get those peepers? Yes - once again h-e-e-e-r-e 's Molly! I just love this photo of her sweet tabby face. Molly has the biggest eyes of any cat I've ever seen. And if you think is something, you should see her impression of Yoda (coming soon in a future blogpost...)

Please don't hate me...

I am but a lowly artist jus' tryin' to survive...

Okay that's all the whining you're gonna get for today.

So Fragile A Fire, 30 x 20 x 3, mixed media, $365

Not much time for making art the past several weeks. I had to count all those peeps... but now the Census is finished and it's back to seeking commissions and work, work, work of any kind... and ... getting the work out there.

A Singular Path sold at the "Appalachian Life" show at Sautee and went off to Virginia to its forever home. Coincidentally, the photograph that inspired the painting of the meandering pathway through the woods was of the Appalachian Trail. I was struck by the twists and turns of the path which seemed to be arbitrary and very indirect. I thought: why doesn't that path take a more direct route? But then - who wouldn't want to spend as much time as possible in the Appalachian Mountains?

And here is one of my studio assistants: the fabulous Molly Flopover. Molly came to me many years ago via the local farm feed store. The last of a "wild" litter, Molly walked over to me one day as I was loading horse feed and made it clear she was ready for a change. Her name comes from her habit of walking just ahead of me and then kerrrrr - flop! Right down she goes, seeking attention, praise and a tummy scratch (for which she bites). Her record is seven flopovers between the grain shed and the house. And when she goes for it, there's no hesitation. You can hear a thump and oomph as the air is expelled!