Wire Fox Terrier and Commissions

My commissions are gone, all winging their way to their new homes. I learned a lesson while working on these. An artist is always learning, changing. I took nearly a year to do these and my style changed, subtly, but it changed. It left me not as pleased with my art as I originally had planned. I couldn't put my finger on what I disliked and another artist said something about dusting off a two year old board and it came to me, your style is still there, but you change.

Anyway, I got to meet one of the dogs that I had drawn. Her name is Molly and she is a 17 year old Wire Fox Terrier. I love this piece, but did spend every spare moment (and a few not so spare moments) on it this week. I'm very happy with it and am gifting the original to the owners for Christmas. Prints will be available for sale.

Emma

Just a few more tweaks and she's done. It's been a long time since I blogged, life has been lobbing cannon balls at me. My little store is hanging in there and all I can say is I have a multitude of wonderful people that I can call friends, who show interest and support in what I do...more than I can say of family.

I recieved a personal invitation to participate in the Boomer Bash. It's a fund-raiser for medical expenses of the local shelter animals. It's quite the event. I've never been able to afford to attend. This time, I'm an invited artist.

Emma is the first of a bunch I'm going to make for the Bash and have available for sale. She's the neighbor's cat, quite a looker and very communicative. I also have prints available. She's an 8x10 and the only things colored are her eyes and nose. Everything else is pure scratchboard.

Karen

Toby The West Highland White Terrier

Toby brought his owners into the shop today. He's a "first" dog for them. What a champ and ambassador for the breed. He was so friendly and outgoing and so absolutely adorable for a four month old puppy. I got some great photos and hope his owners contact me for high resolution copies. Not soon, but this year, I'm sure he'll be a portrait.

Karen

Lion Fish wip 6

Lion Fish Wip 4

Lion Fish

The Lion Fish

I have a commission to finish up, but have been captivated by these guys at the Aquarium. 12 x12 board.

The Aquarium

I also managed to get a summer job (on top of everything else...when you're starving, ya know) at the Oregon Coast Aquarium Gift Shop. I spend every spare minute taking photos. Right now, the main exhibit is Oddwater. This is an exhibit of all the strange underwater animals you can find in the ocean. I'm taking loads of pictures.

Karen

Cash

Starting an Aussie picture. I was not happy with the initial start on this one. It's hard to explain but it was not exciting me, and when a piece does not get me excited, it can take a long time. So I had some free time last night to really sit and analyze what was not reaching me. I may finish it at some time as an exercise to stretch my imagination, but not right now. I started a new picture of Cash, one that focuses on his face and especially his eyes. Eyes are extremely important to me. So here is the first work in progress and I can't wait to work on him tonight.

Karen

Lion and a Dime

Here's another ATC I just finished. I have prints of this one and the original is available.

Pattie Playpal

I drew a good name for my ATC exchange. I know Jen's likes and dislikes and I know she has co-authored a book on this doll. I googled until I found a picture I could work with. This ATC is 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches.

Dean Johnson Gallery

It's finally happening. "Scratching the Surface" is opening March 6 at the Dean Johnson Gallery. I really appreciate the group on Wet Canvas for all their efforts to make this happen. I really hope all three of my pieces are hung and sell. I could really use the money. I will be working larger for the next show, though.
Karen

"The Sign"

I hope this works. This is the sign for the International show in Chicago. I'm the Nautilus. I'm so excited to be included in a show with this quality.

Karen

The Blankie

This one is for Charles and Kara in Oregon. They won the donation I gave to Pug Rescue. They're actually going to end up with two pieces instead of one with both of their dogs on it. This one came out beautifully. Not my usual style and I really agonized over the image to start with. Now, I'm very thrilled with it and will be making cards and prints out of it, please contact me for prices and sizes.

Karen

English Robin, Revisited, I think

I tweaked the color a bit and here (s)he is again.

Karen

Pug Picture

Here's a Pug picture I've been working on. Different composition than what I'm used to, but I'm liking it a lot. 5x7, #11 exacto knife, although tonight, I'm getting out the scoop for the design of the spread around the muzzle.

Karen

Baby and Parents

Not the best photo, not completely done, but will be done by Tuesday.

Karen

English Robin

I'm getting stuff ready for a show in Chicago. It really shows how disorganized I am, I have information I need to send off and cannot find it, so have to re-do it again. I also need to get my artist statement and biography written, and find myself procrastinating. Well, I actually put laundry away, so that's a step in the right direction. I'll also get on this blog more. This is important to me.

Here's a little one that just begged to be done so rather than work on something more tedious I worked on this the other evening. It probably took me about two hours to do. It's an English Robin. The photo was taken by the spectacular pencil/graphite artist Nigel Fuller, from England. It's always wonderful to get a photo from an artist, they know what you're looking for when you start to draw something, no black blob areas or indistinct little fuzzies.

Thanks for looking, he is available for $100 to the first bidder. This includes shipping.

Karen

The Nautilus

A new piece that is on it's way to Ohio for inclusion in a show in Chicago.

New Day, New Year

At last, 2008 is over. I'm so glad. I will not dwell on what has past, but what is going to happen in the future. I've got lots of things planned, all of them concerning art or scratchboard. I need to create, create, and create and celebrate Red and Parker and the job they bring into my life. There's a wonderful winter storm outside, gale force winds and buckets of rain, but it's warmer than it has been and the waves are so beautiful....difficult to photo, but beautiful. I and friends went to the Adobe for lunch, my neighbor has trouble doing dinner meals (it's past her bedtime) but this worked out perfectly. I was given a huge steel table which has occupied my whole afternoon. I'm throwing stuff out and rearranging what I do have for ease of use and practicality.
Until tomorrow,
Karen