Portrait in Progress - Almost Finished

Here is the portrait of this beautiful Rottweiler almost finished. She has the beach (one of her favorite places) behind her...it is time for a little fun in the sand.

Portrait in Progress - Adding Detail

Here is the dog portrait after I have added some detail to the fur. I still have quite a bit of detail work to do to the eyes, mouth, nose, and, yes, fur. As the dog starts coming alive, it actually starts talking to me in a way...telling me what is left to be done.

Portrait in Progress

I am currently working on a portrait of a Rottweiler...here is the underpainting with color. This is the stage where I block out simple shapes and colors. Next, I will add the details of the eyes, nose, mouth, and fur.

Featured Artist - Gallery North - October 2008

It has been several weeks since I last posted. I was getting ready for my featured artist's show at Gallery North (Edmonds, Wa) and the Celebration of Western and Wildlife Art at the Puyallup Fair Grounds (Puyallup, WA). It is wonderful to have such challenges ahead of me...I think I get a lot more work done when I have deadlines. Meanwhile, the featured artist's show will be going through the month of October. The next big challenge after that will be the Victorian Country Christmas, December 3-7, also at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.

Irises - Finished

Here is the finished painting. I am partial to irises...I hope I did these justice. I also added some smaller flowers for fun. Finally, here is the peaceful scene, something to slip into when tensions run high or the day seems bleak. Hope you enjoy it.

Irises - work in progress

This painting has an upside down feel at the beginning, but it should be a lot of fun to do. Perhaps it is my nod to Monet who was a master at it...where reflections turn the world upside down.

Garden Turtle - finished

Here is the turtle painting completed. The turtle looks pretty happy about having his portrait done...hope you enjoy the painting.

Garden Turtle - work in progress

Today the turtle cast off his ghostly appearance and looks like he is ready for a nap. There is vegetation yet to paint and lots of highlighting.

Garden Turtle - work in progress

The rocks and the lily pads are going in while the turtle remains a ghostly figure. This reveals my habit of working from background to foreground.

Garden Turtle - work in progress

This is a painting of a turtle just out of the water, sunning himself. In the background water lilies float peacefully. I am currently blocking in shapes and color.

Stone Bridge - finished

Hope you enjoy the finished painting. My photo is not the best, but it gives you a good idea as to the composition.

Stone Bridge - work in progress

The vegetation in the background is going in. I am trying to give a sense of warmth and light, although in the real garden the massive planting of vegetation often blocks the light. I guess I am using my artist's license.

Stone Bridge - work in progress

At the Japanese Garden in Seattle there is a stone bridge that visitors travel over to and from the main areas of interest. The bridge is amazing in its own way recalling structures from long ago when stone was often used to surface roads and bridges. There is a sense of permanence about it. Here in the painting I am trying to make that point...how hard it looks compared to the beautiful greenery that surrounds it.

Azalea - work in progress

The blossoms are going in...I need to clean up the edges and the background is still lacking. Well, it is late and I can't see anything clearly when I am tired...I will dream about these azaleas tonight.

Azalea - work in progress

Here is a flower composition, some azalea blooms from the Japanese Garden in Seattle, WA.

I am trying to get a handle on the flowers...they are an interesting shape or combination of shapes. I am using a new set of Golden Open Acrylics. This is as much as an experimentation as it is a painting.

White Heron - Work In Progress

The heron is coming alive...he is checking out a small garden on the beach.

White Heron - Work In Progress

I had a lot of fun doing the sand. Now I am putting in the vegetation. What do you think...flowers or just reeds?

White Heron - Work In Progress

I met this beautiful bird at Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary in Sarasota, Florida. He was not an inmate, but a visitor perhaps checking on friends who were recovering from injuries. Or perhaps not. The sanctuary guide said he was looking for a free meal. There will be no snacks in this painting...

Wysteria - Finished

This painting is pretty much finished. I may add a few more highlights, but I don't want to overwork it. Decisions, decisions! Hope you enjoy it.

Wysteria - Work in Progress

The painting is taking shape. Most of the vegetation is in and I am working one giving it dimension. The top of the wysteria needs work and some highlighting needs to be done.

Wysteria - Work in Progress

If you are lucky to visity the Japanese Garden at the University of Washington, you may have noticed the awesome wysteria feature that is near the northern part of the garden. The support for the mature wysteria vine was changed several years ago, a feat that was pretty amazing considering the weave of the wysteria. However, to a newcomer's eyes, the wysteria looks quite comfortable. This painting shows the southern side of the feature looking across the pond.

A Tiger in the Garden - (Almost) Finished

The tiger is now fully in command of the garden. As you round a turn in the pathway, you are greeted by his interested eyes. His whiskers pop to attention as you ask for directions to the exit. Hope you enjoy the adventure.

A Tiger in the Garden - Work in Progress

The tiger is patiently waiting to be completed, but there is plenty of work left to be done. His coat is looking softer...now it needs dimension.

A Tiger in the Garden - Work in Progress

A Tiger in the Garden - Work in Progress

I am now roughing in the tiger. This is an exciting step because the personality of the tiger begins to emerge...and playfully it hides and reveals itself. I can only hope to be alert enough to know when it is exposed.

A Tiger in the Garden - Work in Progress

Most of the vegetation is now in...it still may need some work, but it is time to bring the tiger to life. Notice that the path to the gate is just visible...no longer a good escape route, but then again, this tiger is friendly.

It is time to put in some trees and plant...they look somewhat surrealistic with grass or shading, but you can see where I am going.

A Tiger in the Garden - Work in Progress

The painting is beginning to come to life with the garden wall and gate more distinct. I glazed the tiger with a little color to get an idea as to what I want the background colors to be.

Tiger in the Garden - Work in Progress

I am now roughing out the background. I have put in some mountains and clouds as well as the garden gate and wall. I wonder if the wall is tall enough to keep the tiger in (or out).

Garden Charm - Finished

I am just catching up on scanning several small paintings that I have finished. This one is another scene from the Japanese Garden.

A Tiger in the Garden - Work in Progress

This is indeed a fantasy painting...the viewer is strolling through a beautiful garden and suddenly is met by another stroller...this one has big teeth and claws and a hypnotic stare.

Garden Jewel - Finished

I needed a little rest, so I hid out in this garden painting...just me and the Koi.

Andy Barker Dreams - Finished

Well, the painting sure has changed since its beginning. Andy Barker, the dog, has remained pretty much the same, but the sky features have dramatically changed as I tried to find an even balance between fantasy and landscape painting. This painting has a peaceful soft feel about it...I guess you could say it is dreamy. It is late afternoon moving into early evening. Andy has found a resting place on a high ridge and is relaxing before returning home. His thoughts turn to something playful.

The painting idea came from the person who commissioned this painting for a charity event for a wonderful local animal shelter. Hopefully it will sell and benefit many Andy Barkers.

Work In Progress - Andy Barker Dreams

I am now working on the cloud feature...the dogs are playing with the moon.

Work In Progress - Andy Barker Dreams

The trees are taking shape along with the low lying clouds. Andy Barker is now more established. The next challenge is the sky.

Work In Progress - Andy Barker Dreams

As the painting progresses, the composition tightens. Andy Barker (the dog) now has been fully roughed in. The trees and the ridgelines are taking shape.

Work In Progress - Andy Barker Dreams

This is a new painting that tells a story of a beautiful dog, Andy Barker, enjoying an early evening dream. He is laying on a ridge, taking a few minutes to rest and relax before running off to his next adventure. I am roughing out the elements of the painting...Andy is barely there, while Mt. Rainier is firmly planted in the background. It will be fun to see how this evolves.

Garden Dream - Completed

Here is the painting pretty much complete. It probably could use a few coats of varnish, but I think it is finished...for now. I will put it aside and look at it in a few days. Hope you enjoy it.

Garden Dream - Work In Progress

The garden now has water! I am starting to picture myself laying by this beautiful pool and throwing breadcrumbs to the duck.

Garden Dream - Work In Progress

I am still building the elements of the composition...but it is getting there.

Garden Dream - Work In Progress

The painting is taking shape, but still needs so much more light brought in. There is also a major tree that is missing on the left and of course the water surrounding the lantern.

Garden Dream - Work In Progress

This painting is the same size as the previous one, 20 x 16 inches. I started it the same way by loading color on to the canvas and then firming up the composition. This will be a lot of fun...and it will have a dreamy feel.

Garden Ornament - At the Finish Line

I am pretty much at the finish line for this painting. I will let the painting sit for a few days and then look at it again for corrections/additions. It will be one of a series of garden paintings that I am doing in preparation for the summer and fall shows. Hope you enjoy it.

Garden Ornament In Progress

The rhody is in along with some small flowers. I need to give more life to the lantern. I don't want it running off, but I want it to be lively.

Garden Ornament In Progress - It's Getting There

The painting is coming along. I am trying to bring the trees to life and bring some more light into the painting. Behind the lantern will be a rhody bush with light pink blooms...and of course, we need leaves on that naked tree.

Garden Ornament In Progress

The lantern is beginning to take shape. I need to work on the lantern texture which will be important since it is a major point of interest of this painting.

Garden Ornament In Progress

The composition is now coming to life on the canvas, but there is a lot of painting ahead. I am trying for a very soft look with some harder edges at the focal point...we shall see. Meanwhile, it is Friday. I hope I don't get distracted.

Beginning A New Painting - Garden Ornament

Here we are again...starting a new painting. This time I am starting a series of garden paintings. I have quickly added some color to the canvas to help in the composition process. The paint is pretty thin at this time, but many more layers will be added as the composition takes shape.

What's Happening With JR

Well, a lot has happened in the last few months since I have posted to my blog...just not a lot of painting. However, I am now back on track and working on those things I love best: painting and glass work. Of course, that is after Dan and the kids.

Today was a signature day for me...I was accepted by Seattle Co-Arts as a full member after jurying in with five of my paintings, one of them Pondering a Memory (left).

I am also taking care of some important painting commissions that will be finished soon.

Stay tuned for lots of painting to follow...