Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Mommy Baby Dog commission oil portrait done!

"J&H" 8"x10" oil on canvas
I call that part of the chest where loved ones feel they belong perfectly a personal parking space :) I rarely do a commission where I don't have the need to modify the poses before I paint it. Most of the time I have to combine at least 3 photos so the composition doesn't look like a collage when I paint it. **Dec.22, 2008 I've updated this image with the scanned version. Hope you like :)
"Zoey" oil on canvas
Incidentally, same client owns this portrait of sweet Snoot Girl Zoey who sadly passed away recently. This painting is from 2000 I think. I've seen this painting hanging on every wall H moves to and I see the images on the Internet, it's so cool so to see my art continued to be enjoyed through the years :)

At this point I feel good about meeting my professional deadlines and now I can do some personal art except there's a big piece I need to finish by end of the month and it's a private piece I can't share others. So if it seems I'm even more scarce online it's because of the holidays and that piece.

It's been brought to my attention that some people post comments and they disappear :( I'm so sorry to hear this - I DON'T DELETE comments unless it's completely offensive, and in which case I contact the poster and ask for their address so I can personally run over their toes. Please don't let the website's occasional burps discourage you from posting. I love comments and am always grateful for the time people take to make their thoughts known to me. :)

**update on commission: She cried! I'm so mean! :)

17 comments:

  1. I love the portrait of mom and baby. It's filled with love and peace. Erika, you are so talented! The painting of Zoey is also wonderful with her sweet look.
    Hope you will find some relaxing time for yourself and with your family!

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  2. Thanks Akiko. I enjoyed painting both subjects and feel very good about the outcome. It's odd to see I've basically used the same palette on those pieces though they're many years apart in creation. I'm so glad I've maintained a peaceful and quiet feeling on the "madonna and child".

    I actually played Scrabble and just now played with the wii and took the Mario Kart for a test drive, that was fun! :)

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  4. Really like this dog portrait, Erika--lots of feeling. It looks a bit like the dog is among Van Gogh's irises.

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  5. I LOVE Zoey! Such a nice combination for a pet portrait. I know you are glad to be about done...

    gonna blog and paint today if it hurts me!

    Red

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  6. just how are you managing to get all this wonderful work done? What is your mom feeding you!? Mom and baby are wonderfully serene. And I love the zoey piece which I'd never seen before!

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  7. Alice, I would actually delete some of my comments on people's blogs because I tend to be keyboard happy and click submit before I'm ready but some of them leave a trace that a post got deleted lol In the case of my blog - I haven't seen that happen. And I really don't monitor my blog all the closely aside from just responding to readers who do leave any comment (such sweet peeps!)

    How alarming about the gallery situation. I hope your show sails with sales and everybody will be happy happy. Such a beautiful collection you already have for the exhibit and so handsomely framed. Keeping fingers crossed for you!

    *pinch you* Why are you leaving me for 5 months???? What's up with that :( WAH I'm going to miss you!!! What is this job that will take you away? Alaska? It's visible from Russia so be careful! :) Ok I'll have to get more details. Thanks so much dear Alice.

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  8. Don thanks so much! You sure know your Old Masters, it's actually a reproduction of Van Gogh's irises for the background. I was matching her interior colors in her old house :) Zoey was so loved and will be missed.

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  9. Hillary you hit the nail right there - Mom is feeding me while I paint! I think it really helps when artists get to mainly focus on art and not have to figure out what to fix for dinner and other household chores!

    I guess I'm so prolific I actually have some art you haven't seen? I painted Zoey when I was working 7 days/week and averaged 13 hour days. I think each time I did commissions, I just about went beyond dead those days but I have to feed the soul, you know? And the "real job" fed the stomach ;)

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  10. Everybody loves Zoey! Thanks Red! I visited your blog - good girl!

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  11. Count me in. I love Zoey too! Those eyes got me! Like an arrow to my heart. You captured that special look.

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  12. I LOVE your portrait of Zoey, Erika - very whimsical and sweet - sorry to hear about her passing.

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  13. Thanks Tiglizzyclone Usually I offer to paint dog ears up rather than their shy position but Zoey's ears tucked like that was true to her personality. Happy it turned out ok :)

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  14. Hi Edward I was just admiring Karin's portrait of you which led me to your blog and I saw some of your wonderful works! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comment :)

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  15. Erika, count me in as one who also loves the Zoey painting. I like the photo of her proudly posing by her portrait. Way cool.

    Merry Christmas,

    Caren

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  16. Hi Caren Merry Christmas to you thanks for chiming in! xox

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  17. Well, I have to add myself in this bunch. The painting of Zoey is beautiful. I love the background you gave her. She is so sweet. Hope you enjoy your rest with your family. Can't wait to see more paintings though !

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Thank you for taking the time to comment ~Erika