Sunday, August 08, 2010

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...)

6 comments:

DJ said...

A beautiful tribute to Chaps...
and Molly by Golly is adorable!

Please fill us in on the details of the studio space you're working on! Has it been on your property? What made you decide to use it now? Etc...?
I don't remember you discussing it before...enquiring minds (who think you're wonderful) want to know. :-)
Perhaps the remnants of the yellow jasmine can be nurtured and trained on a nice lattice support?
What an opportunity...

Anonymous said...

Hi DJ... Ummm yeah - I kinda forgot to say how and why I decided to open a studio/shop on my property... next post will splain it!

Thanks for reminding me of how insulated I've been lately. So busy trying to survive, I forget that my friends may not know what's going on!

And don't worry, I won't cut all the Jasmine down, just the part that's making that huge "ball" on the electric pole. I like the trellis idea - and it's now part of the plan.
I shall have "trained" jasmine.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see how you and Carol get that cute building in shape!

Love ya,
Linda

Sharmon Davidson said...

Chaps is beautiful... I can see his spirit shining through in this portrait. Your new studio looks great (I love old buildings); can't wait to see what it turns into!

Crazy RAvens Studio said...

Chaps is a dignified and eloquent portrait. I wish I was there to help scrub the intriguing, old building. I am experienced you know ! I think I could be a certified squirrel trash remover at this point. Please send out blog updates regarding the developments.

Amit Sadik said...

hehe the dog make me laugh ^^
great paintings!