Febrary 30 in 30, Day #4

30 paintings in 30 days

I had a freebee with my newsletter this last month.
If you sent me a picture of your pet and I would randomly choose one of those to paint.  Pat Bryan's name was chosen. She submitted a cat.

 

Pat's Cat

Alcohol Inks and Pen

8" x 10" on Yupo

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More info on pet commissions here.

Looking Back on 2016 With a Quick Glimse Forward

It's already New Years Eve, the family has gone, the parties are over - except for tonight. All I really want to do is run up to my studio, plug in my head phones and get lost in some painting. There will be time for that later, first a check in.

I have heard so many times that 2016 sucked. Really? Admittedly, we lost what seems like a large number of celebrities which is very sad. Truly, any year we make it through is a good year. Right? There were losses; the last aunt on my side, the neighbor's daughter, Spike, our much loved lab of 15 years. And I don't think anyone, no matter which side you were on, would look at that election and feel good. It was the year of Michael Phelps at the Olympics becoming the most metaled Olympian of all time. My daughter got engaged, my other two children got new jobs, Mark finished renovating his 160 year old Italianate home, we took a family trip to Savannah, Georgia then got to spent another week all together Up North 6 months later.

I'm excited to start 2017 at Finally Art but feel the need to just breath and enjoy 2016 for a moment. 2016 was my biggest year so far. I continued doing shows and classes in local galleries. I even went out and started doing my own classes which is so enjoyable. The mess walls of my new booth makes set up and take down are much easier.  Art Leagues have asked me to demonstrate alcohol inks, I've started doing workshops. My husband and I bought a building that will become my studio in 2017. Fall brought my biggest commission season yet. The best gifts of the year were the new friends that I made. Who knew how incredibly social and fun art could be?

Tomorrow is the first day of the January 30 paintings in 30 days. 
I haven't started any paintings, I haven't made any plans. In fact, I can't find my camera, which may be a bit of a problem. My plan for January is to paint more. Instead of 30 paintings I'm going for 100 hours. That doesn't sound like much but after the marketing, bookkeeping etc. that art takes it comes to about 4.5 hours each week day. Easy right? Not always, with classes, emails and blogging. 100 hours in January, we'll see where that leads me.

As I post my works I will be reflecting on my goals for 2017. 
 I hope to spend time  with one of my biggest goals: To Make Bad Art. I'll explain more later.

January also brings a special this month, $75 for a one day, 8"x 10" pet portrait in alcohol inks. The price includes all taxes, shipping and handling.

So here's to 2017! Let the fun begin!

Commissions and classes

Taking a bit of a break from blogging 
after doing the 30 in 30?

Yes, I guess so. But mostly I've been busy with some commission and classes. I keep on expecting things to slow down but they haven't. Who am I kidding, I don't want them to. Do I really want to clean out my closet anyway? No, believe me I don't no matter how badly it needs it. And it needs it! My goal of loosing 1000 pounds in 2016 is not going so well. Several cookbooks - probably 20 pounds and a very stuffed bag of clothing... 40 pounds? I also know that one very productive weekend in the basement could mean a lot of pounds.

Now that the show season has slowed down a bit, the commission season is picking up. I've been busy with pet portraits and house paintings for birthday presents and I'm starting to work on Christmas commissions. I never feel good about sharing these picks in a timely manor on the off chance that one of the recipients may come across the photo on social media.

If you are interested in commissioning your own piece

click here for more info. 

There are only 6 more weeks left for commissions that will be delivered in time for Christmas. If you mention this blog post I'll give you 

$10 off any commissioned piece.

 

Classes have been 

going wonderful. 

  

We've painted sunflowers on plates, irises, Gerbera daisies, witches and more.

My next class is with Cristi Kniess at 

the Art Nook on November the 7th 6 to 8:30pm.

We'll be painting pumpkin plates and we still have a few spots open. 

If you'd like to reserve a spot click here

Coco and Teddy, a Commission

Commissions can be stressful. 

They're an exercise in communication, patience and skill. I always want the client to be happy and input their vision into the painting. There's a fine line between  doing a good piece of work and spending too much time on one project. 

My commission of Coco and Teddy is going well. I've spent too much time on the background but I couldn't resist it. I was drawn to the colorful quilt as a backdrop against the white dogs.

So here they are Coco and Teddy a Work in Progress.

I used a lot of masking fluid on the dogs. I'm not sure that it's entirely necessary. When painting the quilt, the masking fluid caused more problems then it solved.

Work in Progress - Scottie in Alcohol Inks

I'm working on a few dog commissions I have this weekend.

White and black dogs are always a bit more challenging. They also allow
more opportunity to add color. The challenge with this Scottie is to add color but still have the fur read as white.

Scottie before masking fluid is removed.

I spend a lot of time working through the colors using a small brush with just a bit of alcohol on it so I could get the effect of fur by wiping off some color and stinging it along into new areas.

Scottie without masking fluid.

Now to go back paint some more fur and to paint in the eyes and nose. Then to ink it up a bit for more definition.


For more information about pet portraits visit my web at http://www.jillraefinallyart.com/pet-portraits.php

Commissioned Pet Portrait of a Pug

Today, I needed to be loose and easy.

 

After finishing my coy watercolor, which took a long time, I needed something a little more free spirited. I decided to work on my Pug commission. I wanted this piece to be more about the colors interacting with each other than just a picture of a cute pup. I admit to struggling when I went too blue and green with he face but I got it back okay.

This picture is a hostess gift. Pet portraits are unique and thoughtful gifts for birthdays, graduation, Mothers or Fathers day.  If you'd like to commission a pet portrait visit my web page at
 http://www.jillraefinallyart.com/pet-portraits.php for details and order information.