Another Stray Finds Western View Studio

If you live in the country at a crossroads, you are most likely going to end up with unscrupulous petowners dropping off their unwanted pets at that crossroads.  And if your name is Lawler, they always find their way to your back porch.  This is our latest arrival.  He showed up at my back door about a week and a half ago, half starved and filthy.  He wandered about our yard and porch, just mewing and crying out in desperation and bewilderment.  He was definitely missing his home and food dish. 
He is a loveable kitty.  Wants to have his belly rubbed or sit in your lap constantly.  Ferals don't behave that way, pets DO!  I have put up posters and called the SPCA.  No one is looking for him.  SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic will neuter him and give him a free Rabies shot if he is feral, but they also require I let them clip off a corner from his ear, to mark him as feral.  We did this with Conan, but I knew that Conan would always be feral and although he tolerates me petting him occasionally, he will not allow us to hold him or bring him indoors.  I just can't bring myself to allow this PET to have his ear clipped.  I know he will make someone a wonderful pet.  SO, HERE IS MY OFFER.  If you adopt him, I will pay for the neutering and rabies vaccine.  Please spread the word.......Cats can NOT survive on their own in the wild.  They WILL starve.  If you know of anyone who wants a really sweet cat, give me a call or e-mail me at sha45rps@starpower.net.  I now have one cat of my own and 8 strays who have wandered in.  I am at my limit. 

Tarzan Nears Completion

I almost have Tarzan finished.  It always helps me to see mistakes, by photographing the piece I am working on and then to view it on my computer.  I can see today, I need to strengthen my contrast of values on Tarzan himself.  This is something Donato showed me on the Lion while I was working on it at the Illustration Master Class.  Notice how strong the darks are on the lion's armpit and under his chin and jaw.  Tarzan is still pretty much the same value.  The same with Jane.  I will do this tomorrow, I hope!

IMC Lion

Here is the Lion!  This is as far as I got on him while at the IMC.  I have been working on the Tarzan figure and foreground, since returning home.  I am still doing battle with the chest cold I got while in Amherst.  This is a hard one to shake.  I will post another picture as soon as I get it at a presentable stage of development. 

Gorillas

As Promised, Gorillas

Artist At Work on The Gorillas

Some photos from the Illustration Master Class as promised

IMC Update

Just a quick update before turning in for the night.  I had a fantastic day today.  The cold is finally getting better.  I actually started getting some paint on the panel.  My background sky and three gorillas.  This is a Tarzan painting!  Well,  I was really pleased with the gorillas I drew back home when preparing for the IMC.  Remember how I gloated, but just knew they would require changes.  Well, first thing this morning Marc Scheff, an illustrator I admire, came around and told me the apes were great, even from across the room.  OK, so a  little bit later, Boris Vallejo (superstar artist) came around and commented on how good the painting was looking, especially the apes.  So now I am on a real high.  OK,  later in the day, Julie Bell (another superstar artist I admire) comes around and said my gorillas were looking great and she loved the colors in my background sky.  Well, by now I am needing oxygen, because I have left the atmosphere and am floating in space.  I am thinking that this day just could not get any better.  But wait, it did!  Irene Gallo, Art Director at Tor Books, came around and just smiled and smiled and said my gorilla was fantastic.  I can't believe all the complements I got on the apes today.  I will photograph them tomorrow and post them when I get back.
Goodnight

James Gurney Demo

I just watched James Gurney do a portrait demo in watercolor.  The little portrait was approximately 4 1/2 x 4.  All my miniatures friends would love this demo.  He used a few, maybe four or five basic colors, watercolor pencils and something called waterpens.  The pens hold water and have a brush tip.  I was amazed at how accurate the likeness was and the detail and refined finish of the painting.  I must get these waterpens and give this a try.  I follow his blog, Gurney's Journey, and I bet he will post this little painting tonight or tomorrow.  I am now turning in, the head cold has beat me back down.