From Start to Finish

watercolour, 8 x 10

Earlier I wrote about a very regal looking dog whose portrait I was painting for a very nice lady I met at the St. Paul's Market in Dundas. I finished the painting on Monday and on the right is the final result. This dog is so stately. As I was working on the watercolour painting, I imagined the dog thinking to herself, "well, I suppose you can paint my portrait, if you like."

I've included the photograph that I worked from, as well as the preliminary sketches that brought me to the finished painting. I love seeing artist's process work so I thought I'd show this painting from start to finish.

Christmas Makers' Market!

Tomorrow there's a Christmas Makers' Market happening in Westdale, Hamilton. I'm going to be a part of it. Here are the deets:  

Holiday Edition of the Makers' Market
November 26, 2011 at St.Paul's Anglican Church, 1140 King Street West, Hamilton 
from 10am - 4pm

Items as original as the person you are gifting them to:

original art, stationery, jewellery, toys, clothing, knitted goods, accessories, bath and beauty products and 

homemade baked goods.

Free admission. For more info: www.makersmarket.ca 

email themakersmarket@gmail.com or call 905-527-1316

Rib-bit Rib-bit

These two froggy fellows were commissioned for a little boy's bedroom and I have it on good authority that they're a hit with the little mister. This was such a fun project. There's nothing like overcoming the greyness of November days with saturated hues of  watercolour.

Alrighty, I should head to bed. Yesterday's indication that I need to get some more zzzzs came in the late afternoon, that's when I noticed I was wearing mismatching earrings!

Christmas Gift and Vendor Fair

     

It’s starting to feel like that time of year again...like Christmas is on its way. This feeling is partly attributable to the fact that there was a bit of snow this past week, but other reason is that I’m doing my first Christmas Market of the season today. If you’re in the neighbourhood, come check out Providence Church at 582 Southcote Road from 9AM -12PM this morning. There’s going to be free coffee and a boat load of vendors (over 15). 

The Regal Canine

 Yesterday I did some preliminary work for a dog portrait. I like to start with doing some rough sketches of different poses so that's the story behind these drawings. I'm working from photographs, and man, does this dog photograph well. She looks so dignified. There's something kind of regal about this animal.

Today I wanted to get done a little watercolour sketch, which is the next step before I start on the final painting, but I just don't have it in me tonight. I fell asleep listening to my husband reading bedtime stories to our son. Curious George really numbs the senses. The other reason for my grogginess was today's unexpected supply teaching. I do enjoy the occasional classroom experience but tomorrow I plan on sleeping in!

Framed (and loving it)

I found a frame for my orange leaf watercolour painting and, as it happens, came across a frame that I thought would be nice for a giclee of my blue jay printing. Since doing two leaf paintings last month, I can't seem to walk across my driveway without seeing a leaf I want to paint. I think I'll do one more watercolour of a leaf as my farewell to fall. Without looking at the calender, I know fall is on its way out because today it was cold enough outside to make me wear my puffy, feather-filled winter coat. Gulp!

These two will be for sale at a Christmas Market I'm doing which is Nov 19 in Hamilton. More on that to come!