One More Mouth To Feed

Ok, this is not art related, but this little racoon will make a great miniature painting when my time frees up to start something new. Right now I have three projects going and new ideas daily.

The racoon is a very young one and showed up this weekend when my son came out for a visit with the old folks. He is definitely of my DNA. We both love all animals, art, Sci Fi and his father's world famous hamburgers.

My son called me the next day and just before he hung up he said, Don't forget to feed my new buddy. And so here he is, eating with one of our 5 cats. This grey cat was once feral and became a real gumby once we tamed him down. There is another feral cat hanging around and he has a date with the SPCA next week for neutering and shots, then we will release him. I wonder, How many cats before you become officially a crazy cat lady?

Further Progress on Re enactor Boy

I made lots of progress on the re enactor boy. Worked on blocking in the clothing and split rail fence. I have noticed that all my paints are drying very flat and dull to my eye. I am sure this is a result of not enough acrylic gel medium on top of the paper. My color pallet is usually very bright and I also have a very glossy finish on my art. I will rework the grassy areas as soon as they are dry enough that further work won't lift the colors as I apply the next layer. I build up my paintings very slowly.

Paper Question

I am still a novice at this computer and blog stuff and have not really figured out the reply process when someone leaves me a comment, so I will reply here .............Kim asked what paper the little boy is printed on. I am not really sure since the girl who helped me at Staples was a new employee. She did tell me that it is the paper that the contractors and architects use for the blueprints they get copied there. I will say this, it was much thinner than anything I would have normally used, but it held up pretty well during the mounting process.
I have another print order, stationery this time, at Staples and will try to find out what the paper actually is called.

Actor Sonny Shroyer Visits Ice House

The Dukes of Hazard reunion festival was held this weekend in Sperryville, just up the road from my little gallery. Actor, Sonny Shroyer who played Ennis in the Dukes TV series, came into my shop with his wife on Friday. I was working on the reenactor boy drawing, getting ready to start the painting and Mr. Shroyer was very complimentary. He really liked the reenactor boy. I am pleased to say that he also liked my Little Washington Notecard series and purchased a few.

Day 2 - Donato's Technique

I am finally trying out the technique that Donato Giancola demonstrated at the Illustration Master Class this past June. I previously posted the drawing of this young reenactor. This is the first painting session after mounting the drawing to the masonite board. I am very pleased with the background I have put in. It is based on a building just outside of town here.

Doug Hoppes is drawing great bugs

Hey guys. Check out Doug Hoppes site for some great bug drawings. Actually wasps and bees. Very well done!

Another Miniature Finished

I will be placing an ad in the Piedmont Virginian Magazine this month, to advertise the 3rd Annual Little Washington Miniatures Painting Exhibition. Most people are not familiar with miniatures and many artists claim to be miniatures painters, when in fact they are creating small works, not miniatures. As you can see in the photo, a miniature is extremely small compared to a small work. The image should be around 1/6 scale or smaller, in a petite frame and the image should stand up to scrutiny when viewed with a magnifing glass. This little portrait of John Adams is the same size as an egg. This is my second John Adams, created for my own personal collection.