About Me

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I have been creating things since I was old enough to hold a pencil, a crayon or a needle. You may be surprised what you find here.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Obsessions



This blog post is definitely off topic and not about what I am painting today.  Rest assured I am still painting and will try to get back to blogging about it soon.

I recently read an article entitled “Summer of Love” by Steve Rushkin in the 8-25-14 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine.  In it he writes about his current obsession with tennis which follows his other sports obsessions of skiing, swimming, ping pong, etc.  You get the picture.  Every new obsession requires special equipment (racquets, shoes, clubs, balls….) and skill sets that need to be learned. 

Although I am not into sports at all, this article struck a chord with me.  In nearly 60 years of life I have had many obsessions.  When I was a teenager they included writing, drawing, sewing and crotcheting.  In my early adulthood, I was hooked on macramé and counted cross stitch with forays into needlepoint and embroidery.  Later I got into quilting and doll making.  And more recently I took up knitting, making 6 sweaters in five months and gaining an awesome case of carpel tunnel in both hands!

As in the sports analogy, each endeavor required special equipment and a learned skill set.  Lots of dollars were spent acquiring both.  To this day, I have three boxes of wound embroidery floss containing every color that DMC made in that era.  I have knitting needles and crotchet hooks in all the sizes, two very expensive sewing machines and boxes of mohair for doll hair, as well as lots of tiny things to be used as accessories.  And we won’t even talk about all the fabric…

So, as any of you know, who read my blog, my current obsession is painting.  This means I have lots of brushes, paints in oils, water soluble oils, water colors and acrylics (although I generally only paint in oils).  I have canvases, framing tools and two pretty nice easels. And since we moved, I have a great studio to paint in. 

How long will this obsession last? Who knows, it’s been going for 7 years so far.  In fact, I have been painting more than I have been blogging about it, having painted nearly 50 canvases so far this year in an attempt to improve my skill set.


So what is the point of this blog? In Steve Rushkin’s article, it was a commentary on human nature and thwarted ambition, about who he wanted to be but would never become.  For me, I think it’s recognizing that our needs and wants change as we grow.  I don’t feel guilty when I open a closet and see fabric or floss or unused quilting tools because I know that I will do these things again.  My sewing machine has been put to good use in the past year making drapes, pillows and other things for our new home.  I have worked on some unfinished quilts and even completed one in the past year.  Some projects take longer than others, that’s all.  And unlike sports, my skill sets aren’t as dependent on being physically fit. I write this blog post about obsessions because I think many of us go through this in various aspects of our life, and it’s normal. So feel free to enjoy yours for as long as it strikes you.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

American Bulldogs

Wow!  It's been a year since I blogged anything.  And what a busy year it has been, we sold our home in New Hampshire, packed up nearly 30 years of stuff and moved 1000 miles to upstate South Carolina.  Selling, buying, moving out and moving in is quite an enterprise and not for the faint of heart.  But we did it and are in a really good place.  Life if starting to get back to normal, and although I have been painting (quite a lot actually), I haven't been very good at sharing.  That (hopefully) ends now.



Oil on stretched canvas16"x20"SOLD

American Bulldogs was a commissioned piece that arrived on my doorstep last October. Someone I had met in 2011 and shared a business card with, contacted me and needed this before Thanksgiving.  It was to be a gift for her nephew, a 3 time Iraqi war vet, who served as an EMT.  He is home now, thankfully, but does suffer from PTSD.  These dogs and cooking serve as his therapy.  What an honor to paint these happy delightful creatures.

I am happy to report that the end product was very well received and is hanging in a place of honor in his home.

Can I paint something for you?  If so, just contact me at PetPortraitsbyWendy@gmail.com.

Monday, March 11, 2013

FAT SQUIRREL

This fat squirrel was too irresistible not to paint.

Oil on canvas panel
11"x14"
$75

If you are interested in this or any painting shown on this blog, please contact me. PayPal is accepted.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Study "Apples Falling from a Basket"


Oil on canvas panel
9"x12"
NFS

Recently I received a complimentary copy of Art Review Magazine.  Although it had a few good articles, mostly it contained paintings for sale by various galleries. One of the paintings advertised for sale was "Apples Spilling From a Basket" by Adam Lehr, painted in 1903.  I decided to do a study.  Not too bad if I do say so myself.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Wolf


Oil on canvas panel
11"x14"
$50 (unframed)

This painting was done several years ago but I have always loved it.  It was the first animal painting that I ever did.  I used a photo from a calendar as a reference.  The photo (from 1991) is long gone.

If you wish to purchase this or any of my paintings, please contact me through the comments section of this blog.  Any communications around purchases will remain private.


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Holstein Cow


Oil on canvas panel
11"x14"
$75 framed 

While on vacation in Maine this past summer, I had the occasion to photograph some cows.  I had wanted to paint a  cow for years.  I sense more cows in my future.

If you are interested in purchasing this or any of my paintings, please feel free to contact me through the comments section.  It will remain private.

Friday, February 15, 2013

A Guernsey Cow Portrait


A Guernsey Cow
11"x14"
Oil on canvas panel
$75  Feramed

I have had a love affair with cows for the past 20 or more years, so it's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I have finally painted one.  The real mystery is why it has taken so long.  I suspect that  more cow paintings will show up in the coming year.

If you are interested in purchasing this or any of my paintings, please contact me through the comments section of this blog.