Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Painting of Killian - an Irish Setter

I had known Killian since he was a pup.   I watched him mature into a beautiful dog who graced the show ring as well as excel into a highly respected dog in the field.   I watched his muzzle develop the gray hairs that disclosed he is older than young.   While we don't want to think about our dogs aging, we don't really want to see it either.   The whiter faces on the Irish Setter are so heartwarming.    They also make us think of time....the dreaded time that passes like a vaper.   We don't see it but yet we do.

After Killian passed, When Killian's owner asked for a painting of Killian as a gift for his wife (Killian's human mom) I was thrilled.    For his painting, I used a number of photos to assist in the project.   There was a primary reference photo which showed his lovely head.  It was a bit shadowed so other photos were of paramount assistance with his coat and eye coloring.  It was an honor to paint him.

I asked Jen if she would share a little bit about Killian.   This is what she said:

Killian was an incredible hunting dog.      We know that this is what the Irish setter is bred to do and Killian did it with style and perfection.

We still think of him when we are with dogs in the field and a bird is “there somewhere” but the other dogs can’t find it.   

“Send Killian, he will !” 

 Killian at home was the rollicking, sweet, gentle Irish we all talk of as being the best characteristics of the breed.   Killian was sensitive; not in a timid way but in his connections.   He knew what each of the family members (humans and animals) wanted/needed, and was generous enough to give his best to all of us!

This painting is a very special gift to me.   CH Roclyn Killians Red MHA, 

With me always!🐾❤️




Tuesday, August 10, 2021

East Texas Afternoon - Pastel Society of the Southwest 4oth National Juried Exhibition

 There is an interesting story behind this painting, East Texas Afternoon.


Last  year, I was asked by a friend to do a real quick color sketch for a pond he was potentially expanding in East Texas.   There were two ponds, side by side, with one being at a slightly higher elevation.   One pond was on his property, the second pond on a neighbor's property.     There was an agreement that the neighbor's property was going to be sold and the two ponds would be merged at some point.    Merging the ponds would help stop drainage from one to the other while allowing the neighbor's grandchildren to fish in the ponds.

My task was to create a visual aid of the two ponds - apart and merged.   We drove out to East Texas and I photographed the ponds.   I did the following sketches and sent them off to my friend.




A few months later, I decided to do a painting of the ponds - not a sketch, but a true painting.   Well, I wasn't really happy with what I created so I trashed it.   Yep, gone, no more painting.   Sometimes that happens when I am doing something just to do it.   If I know what I am painting, it is different.   Very seldom do I feel the need to trash something.    This painting was the equivalent of a bad hair day.

I wanted a new painting to enter in art shows in 2021.   Most art shows will only accept work done in the last few years.  Doing so much commissioned work gives me little time to create paintings for other purposes.   I pulled out my photos of the ponds and sat down at my easel.   Instead of painting one pond this time - as I had done previously, I painted both ponds with one flowing into the other.   Of course, there was no reference photos for this as the ponds are still separate.   The painting is an artist's interpretation of what I envision the ponds to look like once they are merged.   I also added more color to the trees and water.   The reference photos were taken when it was late summer.  No leaves had really started changing color.   I love throwing color where I imagine it - finding that balance in a composition of color harmony.

Where am I going with all of this?   Well, the painting has just been accepted into a national juried show to my delight.   Will it win something - only the judge will determine that.  Though I questioned my trashing the original painting at the time it was trashed, I am so glad that I didn't trash the idea of the painting.   Thank you to the Pastel Society of the Southwest for sponsoring their 40th National Juried Exhibition.   I am thrilled and honored to be a part of it.  For those in North Texas, the exhibition will be in Grapevine, Texas from September 13, 2021 through November 1, 2021.


Thursday, August 5, 2021

A painting of Phoenix - Irish Setter

 This painting was a gift from one friend to another.   It is always so very exciting when a person approaches me to create a surprise for another.

The reference photos were a little difficult to acquire in this scenario.   Facebook can be friend and foe at times.   This time - a friend.   The recipient of the painting and owner of Phoenix had a number of photos on her page.    I felt like Goldilocks and the Three Bears- some photos were too far away, some photos were too blurry, this photo was just right!


Phoenix and his owner had gone on a trip across America starting at the East Coast and ending in Alaska.   The reference photo was from a selfie.   The background from the painting was from a scene photo taken on that trip.   

The gift exchange was made at the Irish Setter Club of America National Specialty - 2021.   Tears flowed as the gift giver gave the present and the recipient realized the painting on my easel in my art booth was her dog.   Okay - I shed a few tears too.   

I hope the painting will give Phoenix's mom many wonderful memories as she reflects on their journey while enjoying her painting.