Inspiration From You- March 2009

Wilson
8"x 10" acrylic on masonite

Here is the "Inspiration From You" painting for March. I asked the person who submitted this photo to tell us the story about Wilson:

"I really wanted a Chihuahua. My husband kept saying how much responsibility a dog was. One weekend I found some Chihuahuas listed in the paper and asked if we could "just look". We met a breeder at a McDonalds. He had two male puppies in a crate, one short hair and one white long hair. I pulled out the short hair (I had never planned on a long hair) and the long hair jumped into my husband's hands....when I saw the puppy's little face and the look on my husband's face, I knew I had won....we got a dog that day.
We went straight to PetSmart for "supplies". We went from being dogless to being "those people". We were looking at dog clothes, dog toys, cooing at our puppy and holding him wrapped in a light blue fleece blanket.
The first name we picked was "Livingston", because that is my home town. Well, "Livingston" lasted about 6 hours; it was just too cumbersome to say. My husband said he had an idea but I probably would not like it, "Wilson". It was a perfect fit. We call Wilson "The Baby". Yes, we are "those people"!"

Inspiration From You - February 2009 & What Do You Do When You Get Stuck?

Adam The Altar Boy
5"x 7"
acrylic on masonite

First of all, meet Adam the altar boy! Adam loves going to church and asked if he could help serve in some way and was given the honor of assisting on Sundays by lighting candles and carrying the cross, etc. This painting is from a photo of Adam's very first time serving as an altar boy!
Now, it is March 3rd and I just posted the February painting!? I must tell you that this is the THIRD painting that I have started in the last week and a half. I haven't given up on the other two, they just weren't working. Which leads me to my question to you. What do you do when something isn't working? I have a tendency to expect each painting to work on the first try AND in a timely manner! If it isn't working, I want to ignore everything else until I get it to work or just finish it! Not very realistic! I am realizing (at least for today) that it is sometimes helpful to leave a painting for a while and come back to it with fresh eyes and attitude! I also find it helpful if I'm struggling with a piece to find something different that I can finish. This gives me a sense of accomplishment and more confidence. Going for a run also helps! So what do you do when something isn't working?

"Inspiration From You" Painting : "Getting Ready To Ride"

8"x 8"
acrylic on masonite

At the end of October I asked for "Inspiration From You" and received several wonderful photos and quotes. My hope was to pick a photo or quote and paint or draw one a month and give the gift of a print or note cards of the artwork to the person who provided the inspiration. Obviously, I didn't meet the one-a-month goal.....yet(!)....but now that the busyness of the holidays is over, I should be able to stay on track!
This is a photo from a couple who have 78 beautiful acres in Elk, Washington. Jo & Steve have 12 horses and 5 Labradors. Their animals are their children and they treat them with the utmost love, care and respect. In this painting, Steve is adjusting the stirrups for Thomas to take a ride on Buck.
Please continue to send in photos or other ideas and any kind of story to go along with it. The story gives the painting more meaning!
Click on image for larger view.