New Work

A new drawing is ready.  I worked out this plan, on tracing paper, yesterday and began preparing the board.  I also put the final layer of medium on my last piece.  I had given it several days of rest so the oil bar I had applied could dry.  It worked and the last layer of medium didn’t disturb it.  

Late in the day I picked up two pugs from our shelter who are in a terrible state of neglect — this girl is HW postive and both dogs have advanced sarcoptic mange, bacterial infection, fungus, yeast, you name it.  Both went directly to the vet and are resting at Hotel Dana.  They’re heartbreaking now but will feel better, thanks to the financial support of www.FORrescue.net.  Support your rescue and spay/neuter groups — hard work is being done for those without a voice.  

Another Goodbye

Layla left me today!  I take a break from painting on Friday mornings to transport rescue dogs for Friends of Retrievers Rescue.  Today, my foster Layla along with five other dogs left Alabama — all headed to forever homes with approved adopters.  I cherish my time in the studio but I’ve learned to do other things that matter to me too.  Animal rescue is an important part of my life for so many reasons, but the number one reason today was the little dog you see here.  Layla.  She was in a high kill shelter with little chance of getting out.  Now she’s happy, healthy, and rolling down the interstate as I type….toward a lovely woman who will love her totally.  Have a wonderful life, little Layla.  

Under Repair

That may be the title of this piece, seriously.  I’ve learned more about “fixing things” on this one that I ever wanted to know!  My wax was too thin in one area and it didn’t become evident until my final four or five layers of “apply and scrape back”.  I learned a new use for a bamboo tool yesterday and the value of preserving a little of my base wax colors until I finish a piece (you never know if you’ll need them).  This has been a valuable learning piece and I’ve salvaged it so far.    I still have a day or so to go, so I won’t speak too soon.

And the studio was used this week for a Friends of Retrievers foster home meeting.  Our group gathered to discuss fostering, procedure, and get to know each other a little better.  I am BEYOND fortunate to have friends in two caring and forward thinking communities — artists and animal rescuers.  Both groups think outside the box and look for answers instead of excuses.  

Speaking of fosters, the third passenger on the way to the studio every morning is Dana.  She’s my current foster dog, a rescue from our local animal shelter.  Dana appeared basically healthy but I soon discovered she had severe allergies, digestive upset, two broken teeth, sores along the gum line, and she was very sad and depressed.  Our Dana is NOW on a grain free diet and feeling 100% better!!  She’s had a dental and those bad teeth are gone, and she’s skipping through her day like a happy little dog should.  Fostering is one of the most positive experiences of my life - next step for Dana…..her very own happy home :).