Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Kat - day 24




Kat 
6x6in oil on canvas panel. Gifted to self!


This is my dear companion, Kat. A Blue Heeler.
She died a year ago and I have tried to paint her
several times. This is how this one came about.
It caught her anxious look perfectly

After making an abstract gesso 
mono printing on my canvas
I turned it around looking for an image to
appear...something...anything.
The one below said waterfall!
Done that already.




This one said dark stream, snow 
and shadows


In this one you can clearly see a 
Native American's head in the middle 
with outstretched arm

and then this one...
I could clearly see the dogs eyes and nose
in the middle especially the nose.
Can you see it?
(click to enlarge.)

It inspired me to paint my
beloved dog in a way I had not done before
-  it was more about my memory
I am very happy with the results. I have had too
many failed results going from a photo.

If you are interested
Here is a previous Utube
video gesso demo

I showed some examples on my blog of painting
in color over abstract mono printing on canvas.
See back post gesso mono printing
and this post gesso mono waterfall

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39 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 24, 2015 at 10:55 AM

    Love how you "found" this painting. It is just wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 24, 2015 at 12:36 PM

      Thanks, Helen. I have tried so many times to paint her but they turned out too stiff. This seemed like a gift.

      Delete
  2. Roseanne CampagnaJanuary 24, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    How wonderful to have a loved companion come to life in a painting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 24, 2015 at 1:02 PM

      It is indeed. Thank you Roseanne.
      Your two single lemons have a beautiful range of yellow.
      I find that color hard to work so good for you!

      Delete
  3. martine paquetJanuary 24, 2015 at 11:20 AM

    This is magic, Julie.
    I enjoy both the painting and your gesso mono printing explanations!
    Will try it sometimes...

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 24, 2015 at 1:25 PM

      Thank you Martine... it can be liberating.
      What wonderful sketches on your blog. The one of you and your sister is especially memorable.

      Delete
  4. c.dingmanJanuary 24, 2015 at 11:35 AM

    I loved the demo. I have a beginning student who wants to do abstracts. This would be great for inspiring her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 24, 2015 at 1:28 PM

      I agree with it being a way to start on abstracts. Glazing it can lead to interesting results.
      Your portrait is amazing and also your willingness to participate in such an event. I admire that.

      Delete
  5. Lisa Graham January 24, 2015 at 11:51 AM

    Oh Julie, she turned out just wonderful! Her eyes are so expressive, soulful and heart-warming. You deserve this beautiful gift to yourself!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 24, 2015 at 1:30 PM

      Hi friend...I do don't I...being a pet lover you understand. Your painting of
      Hurley in the shaft of light warmed my heart.

      Delete
  6. Phyllis DavisJanuary 24, 2015 at 1:32 PM

    I love the way it turned out! You left so much of the mono print but still captured Kat beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 24, 2015 at 4:25 PM

      Thanks, Phyllis.
      What a wonderful job you did with your Rooster painting. Love the title too.

      Delete
  7. hmuxoJanuary 24, 2015 at 3:27 PM

    A beautiful portrait of Kat, Julie. His eyes are amazing...the perfect gift for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 24, 2015 at 4:28 PM

      Her eyes always looked for me and always had a slightly anxious expression in case I was leaving.
      Heelers are a one-person dog and although she loved the family it was clear she was my constant friend and companion. I was lucky to have had her so long.

      Delete
    2. Pointy Bird Studio - Leesa PadgetJanuary 24, 2015 at 6:02 PM

      What a lovely portrait of your friend, I am lost for words :)

      Delete
    3. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 25, 2015 at 8:21 AM

      Is it your dog you use as a banner on you google + page. It is wonderful.
      Thanks for the visit, lisa.

      Delete
    4. Pointy Bird Studio - Leesa PadgetJanuary 26, 2015 at 4:45 AM

      Hi Julie :) It isn't my dog, I can't seem to paint my own (I have three!), only other peoples. Doesn't matter though I love them all!

      Delete
  8. padmajaJanuary 24, 2015 at 9:45 PM

    I love the way this beautiful portrait evolved, the strong emotions connected to it with in, I guess felicitated the flow fabulously.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:23 PM

      You are right about the how the magic of emotional connections made a difference here. You must have enjoyed a similar experience.
      Like with your visit to Jordan.

      Delete
  9. SMVJanuary 24, 2015 at 11:22 PM

    What a truly lovely tribute to Kat and the gentle additions of colour are so appropriate. Thanks for re-posting those articles as they are so useful for eliminating artist's block.
    Thanks also for visiting my blog, Julie, and for your kind comments. Yes, Tom was at the Mall Galleries for a day - he is a true gentleman and an incredibly talented artist.
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:26 PM

      My comments on your blog are true. I enjoyed reading how you read about Cezanne's way to solve the problem. it was a great post.
      That's what I like about blogging versus Facebook.it is more about the actual love and sharing of the act of painting as much as the end result.

      Delete
  10. UnknownJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:36 AM

    just beautifull...really not easy subject...thanks also for sharing the steps !

    ReplyDelete
  11. RolinaJanuary 25, 2015 at 5:31 AM

    This brought tears to my eyes, it is so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:33 PM

      I had a lump in my throat too.
      Your new abstraction with the circle repeat design is very appealing.

      Delete
  12. Wendy BarrettJanuary 25, 2015 at 6:56 AM

    Julie, you have captured a lovely ethereal quality through painting from a beloved memory. A wonderful gift to yourself! I enjoyed seeing how you arrived at the subject matter. I have just been cruising through your blog throughout January - having gotten behind on my blog visiting - and have thoroughly enjoyed seeing your beautiful and varied works over that time.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:41 PM

      Thanks Wendy. Good to hear from you "down under."
      Lovely pics on your blog. Gosh how beautiful it is where you live.

      Delete
  13. Joan TavolottJanuary 25, 2015 at 8:24 AM

    Thanks for showing us the mono prints so we can "see" a bit of what you do. I love this with all the texture to it...perfect for your sweet dog's face. I'll have to go check out the Utube video.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:44 PM

      Thanks Joan. Glad you like it.
      Your sunset on lake Como is very beautiful.

      Delete
  14. Linda RothJanuary 25, 2015 at 12:58 PM

    Wonderful exercises that inspired a wonderful result! Did you cry as you painted your dog? I would have.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:47 PM

      Had a lump in my throat and a warm, warm heart!
      That is a very good sketch of your father-in-law you did on today's post.. Quite a man from what you said.
      Ellis takes after his dad I am sure. You would not marry someone who was not amazing in some way.

      Delete
  15. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:36 PM

    You are generous and I really appreciate it, Ashok.
    Your photos of Dubai are great...or extra great!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lorraine BrownJanuary 25, 2015 at 7:07 PM

    Having this mono print speak to you and your amazing sensitive capture of your dog
    is what creating art from the heart is all about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 26, 2015 at 9:43 AM

      Thanks Lorraine, Your new painting is responding to what takes place as each brushmark is made.. Watercolor or oil -it is one of the wonders we love.

      Delete
  17. MYSTELIOS January 26, 2015 at 12:17 AM

    Very wonderful painting !!!
    Have a nice and creative week !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 26, 2015 at 9:44 AM

      Thank you - I will. Have you any more Aegean Sea paintings coming up?

      Delete
  18. Debbie NolanJanuary 26, 2015 at 4:30 AM

    Ah Julie - Kat is wonderful. Amazing how you pulled your sweet one out of this mono print. Your gift is not only in the art itself but in the inner seeing and it comes straight from the heart in this piece. Will check out your you tube site. Have a special day friend. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJanuary 26, 2015 at 9:46 AM

      Hello ,dear friend, Your post made me realize how good it is to have a companion to take for walks and be at your side. I am so happy you have Shelby.

      Delete
  19. Midori YoshinoJanuary 26, 2015 at 7:04 AM

    Wow very touching.

    ReplyDelete

I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie

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