#5 Cat Wars

To the Victor, uh, I mean Mickey, go the Spoils – 6 x 9″ Watercolor/Sticks

Couldn’t get into the studio last night. Henri le chat rouge (the orange guy on the left) was treed again, and he’s delicate, and I could not lock myself up until he was down and in the house, safe and sound. Mickey (the black and white giant big fat monstah Tomcat) is at war with Henri le chat rouge. It is, as it often goes, a one-sided war.

So, I sat in the living room with cats all round, cats on the back of my chair, three in my lap, one who insisted on climbing my leg – pajamas are so clawsome, and I fretted and fretted, pulling drawers out, looking for something to draw on and with. I found an old watercolor block and my ancient Winsor Newton watercolour field box and some watercolor sticks et voila! I had me something to work with without disturbizing the chats. I even had a glass of water. (I have to admit, there is still water in the little field kit water bottle, but it must be 10 years old, so, I was afraid it might have transmogrified into something other than plain old H2O.)

As Mickey was providing us with wholly terror, and Henri was up in the air, I figured…and well…Pinetop was back with Dobie on the porch, but feeling skeered, and layin’ low…well, you can see where my mind went.

Alas. I’m determined to get studio time today. Laaaaaa!

#4 – Two Ewes (in progress)

When they were Lambs – Holly & Sally – Acrylic/Canvas 9 x 12″ (IP)

This is the sketch so far. Just roughed in the girls last night. My hour was spent going through lamb photos trying to pick who would be immortalized. Sheep Butts was a 2014 painting – of Holly and Sally from the rear. Made sense to my tired head to paint them now, face first. This painting is just a study for an oil.

#4 Two Young Ewes

Yep. You can’t see them. True. I have been very very dissatisfied with my nighttime photos, so, I will get a picture tomorrow. I am painting Holly and Sally from an old photo. This is a study for a “sheep faces” painting. I’m painting this one in acrylic. The official one will be in oils. That’s all folks. Oh – and the moon is huge tonight, and thin clouds are racing from the northwest, making every star appear to be moving to the nw, but it’s just an illusion. Kinda gorgeous. The air has that feel to it…you can feel it smell it taste it…you know the way the air feels after a big hard rain? Yes.

#3 Hole in the Sky

Hole in the Sky – Acrylic/Canvas 9 x 12″

Weather is changing. Alright, I exaggerated a little. Ahem. The sky was pretty intense. I’ll photograph this painting in daylight, for a truer representation of the color.

#2 Night to the West

Gilco Night, Looking West – acrylic/canvas 9 x 12″

Half done? I don’t know. Cat fights. Henry at the tip top of the birch tree. I thought, “THAT’S what I’ll paint!” But I didn’t. Too dark to stand out there at the foot of the birch surrounded by the black of the night oaks. Wish I didn’t need to use the flash. Makes sparkles out of just ol’ texture. Enough, me.

Happy New Year from Dove’s Roost Farm!

A Few of the Ladies, Enjoying a Mid-Morning Cud Chew

What a splendid morning! The ewes are happy, the rams aren’t grumpy, the house smells so good! Ham, turnips and collards, and black-eyed peas are just about ready to be served. 2014 was one of the hardest years of my life. This New Year brings hope and love and plenty to look forward to! May your day be lovely!

30 Paintings in 30 Days – #1

Rose Bowl 2015 – Acrylic on Acrylmalpapier No 4, 24 x 32cm

First painting of the challenge. Had other ideas, but then, I started watching the game. FSU & Oregon. Oh. Those. Ducks.