The Making of "Paint What You Love" (my theme painting)

Time span - 2007.  I am still yearning to paint animals, pets, dogs, and especially my dogs(there are a lot of referance photos).  So, I get out my photos and start looking.  When I think back on how "Paint What You Love" first came into mind, I really can't come up with an answer.  It seems like it just fell into place.  Especially when you turn off the left side of your brain.  One idea brought on another, etc., etc..  Of course, there were changes along the way, but still the same idea.  I do remember taking a book off the shelf that I had, for about a year, but had not really looked through it thoroughly.  The book is "Painting Animals That Touch The Heart", by Lesley Harrison(in my list of Favorite Links and Books).  One of my prized book possessions.  It totally got my creative thinking stimulated!!  She had done a painting of a young wolf, and put a daisy in its mouth.  That gave me the idea of a paintbrush.  Then I found a photo of Fancy(my border collie), sitting on my husband's lap.  Perfect!!

I have a stuffed dog toy that is about the same size as Fancy was in the photo, so I started setting up my still life.  Meanwhile, I also had my husband paint a dog bone(she,(Fancy), is going to paint what she loves).  The Cool Whip container was put in the set-up at first, but I decided something taller was needed.  I found an old paint can in my husband's workshop, and it was perfect.  There was paint already on it, and I could just add some color to match the paint Fancy was going to use for the bone.

I always do a drawing on tracing paper to see if I like my idea.  Plus, if you have another idea, you can do it on a separate piece and place it on top to get an idea if you are going to like it or not.  Then I copied the sketch on my printer(card stock), and did several rough color schemes with colored pencils.

Before I get around to the final painting, sometimes I end up with more than one "practice" painting.  That is my way of telling my brain(left side) it doesn't matter if I make mistakes, plus I might still change my mind on doing something(a woman's and artist's perogative--right?!).  Also, this painting (and more afterwards) was done on velour(and don't even think velvet--completely different!).  Velour is not real forgiving, but I discovered it isn't all that frightening, either.  Now, I am going to toot my horn!  Not only did I receive my first award for a painting, it was a 1st. place award in the drawing/pastel category.  During the reception of the awards, I was told to do a sequel from it.  I did, and currently working on a third, with a fourth in mind.  Will post the second one, soon.  Pay attention to what your fellow artists and friends suggest--you never know what good may come of it.