September 9, Spring Again

Day 9

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

It's always this time of year, when the school buses are running, and the apple patch is open, that I have to remind myself that Fall is my favorite season. I suppose the problem is that winter is soon to follow. But being a painter, I'm enjoying winter much more than I ever did before. It's the time when schedules slow down and I can spend more time in my studio painting. Next summer I will be doing less shows. It's bitter sweat for me, less shows more classes.

If I could turn back time, I'd do the summer all over again. It was wonderful. I'd start with Spring and ease back into summer.

Today's pick is from the crab apple tree in the backyard. Every Spring there is one week where it is full of it's wonderful blossoms. I feel so lucky just to be able to witness it each year. But then, that's in the Spring...

Spring Again

Alcohol Ink and Pen on Yupo Paper

8" x 10"

$95

Buy Now

Cody is the Last DOG on MY BLOG

Here he is, Cody, the Last Dog on My Blog.

Cody's fur reflected  purple, blue, pink, brown, grey and black tones.

 I've enjoyed drawing these black dogs and adding the colors I see reflected in their fur. They're very difficult to photograph well. In fact, did you know that dog shelters put down more black dogs than any other color because they just can't take good pictures. Think about it, you want to adopt the "cute" dogs. So next time your at a shelter looking for a cat or dog - take a good long look at the cute ones with the black fur.




Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who sent in their dog pictures for this promotion. Each one of them was adorable and very special. We even had a rare Oscar Spaniel sent in from Columbus, Ohio. No one loves us quite like our dogs. I think one of the reasons they're on the planet is to teach us what unconditional love is.

So in celebration of the warm Spring weather, although today is rainy and cool, I'd like to send each dog owner the portrait I did as my thank-you gift to you for your support and encouragement through out the year. Your likes and comments on my blog and Facebook page have given me continued confidence to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. Please email me (moreart@jillraefinallyart.com)  the address I can send your picture to. I ask that when you get the picture you send me a photo of where you're putting the picture, or showing it to your dog. And thanks again for everything.

And for you patient cat owners I'm just waiting for the purrrrrrfect time to do a cat promotion.

Iris Work in Progress

The grass is green and the flowers are popping.  Work in progress.

Inspired By the Spring

Beth's Tulips

 Want to purchase a Giclee Print of this painting? http://www.jillraefinallyart.com/giclee-prints.php

My garden is my inspiration. First, it taunts me with a few pokes of bulb leaves reassuring me that warmer days are coming. Then I am enticed to go outside where the sun and wind clears my mind. I become further awakened by doing the physical activity required to clean-up the garden and prepare it for the season. Choosing the season's plants and flowers is like painting in 3-D as I combine colors and textures into a riot of living art. I photograph the garden as I walk around and pick out nature's masterpieces.  In the winter I am left with only the memories and the photographs as I paint, waiting patiently for the coming season to start again.