Day 1: Fluffy Dog Friday

It's Fluffy Dog Friday :) A fan favorite, it seemed only right to start this fundraiser with sweet Fluffy Dog.  I know most of you are familiar with her story but just in case you missed it here is Sandy's recounting of her rescue.

"Last summer I received calls from 2 different ladies who had followed this dog's plight for months. They both were asking for our help. I was touched by how desperately they wanted her rescued. At first it was just a challenge and I love a good challenge when it comes to rescuing a dog. Especially, when everyone else has been unsuccessful. But after that first night, when I laid eyes on this frightened dog, it became more than just a challenge. Getting Fluffy Dog to safety became part of my heart.

Melissa and I started our quest for Fluffy on a Monday night. It was raining so hard that night, we ended up in a Pizza Parlor, waiting for the rain to subside. We thought we would have some fun and make a few videos about our efforts that first night. When those videos hit our Facebook page, it seemed the whole world got on the Operation Fluffy Dog bandwagon.

By Tuesday night, most of the people in Southaven knew we were trying to capture the big fluffy dog and everything turned into a circus. Cars parked across the street observing as we tried desperately to bond with the dog, people waving as they went by, shouting and wishing us luck, even a shrine of toys appeared at the car wash where Fluffy liked to hang out. By Wednesday, I was really feeling the pressure because there were others that had entered the quest for Fluffy. She was being followed at every corner. I suddenly became very concerned for this terrified dog because so many people were pursuing her. That's when I called in Pat Hissong to join Melissa and I in our mission to bring Fluffy to safety. It became very urgent to me at that point because I didn't want to see Fluffy hurt in any way.

We took Thursday night off, to let the fluffy dog frenzy die down. And we made a commitment that we were going to capture Fluffy on Friday night, regardless of how long it took. The plan was to get her while she was sleeping. I had been feeding her out of my hand all week so she was comfortable staying in the same area with us. We just had to wait till she got tired enough, to lay down close by. It finally happened at about 2 am, in the grass by the bank. The plan was to throw a blanket over her, wrap her up and throw in my car. Problem was, she woke up just before Pat got to her. That didn't stop Pat Hissong, she just threw herself on top of the dog and pinned her to the ground. Melissa and I rushed in, threw the blanket over Fluffy and tossed her in a kennel. We had her and what was surprising was how calm she was, once we loaded her up. I think Fluffy Dog was as relieved as we were. She was finally safe and she knew her struggles were over."

CLICK HERE to here to purchase this painting. Half of sale price will be donated to Tunica Humane Society. 

Preparing

Portrait of Puddin' from last year's challenge

For many people, December is a great time for reflection and goal-setting. And although January 1 isn't really any different than any other day, it does provide the opportunity for a (perceived) fresh start. A clean slate. A renewed sense resolve and focus for the future and I believe there is great value in reviewing and learning from the successes, failures, and experiences of the previous year.  

The past 12 months have been pretty great and 2016 is already shaping up to be one of enormous (and slightly terrifying) changes for me. More about that later, right now I am frantically preparing for my second '30 Dogs in 30 Days' painting challenge. I love to start new paintings but actually finishing has always been one of the hardest things for me. How do you know for sure when it's really done? Is it ever really finished? Doesn't feel like it because I can always see something I would like to change or improve. But tackling a painting a day doesn't really leave much time for nit picking.

So here I am, only a few days out from my 2016 challenge and I feel pretty much the same as I did last year. (If you weren't able to follow along last January you can read more below, after this post.) Except now I know I can do it. I can actually paint 30 paintings in 30 days and (probably more importantly) I have a better idea of just how much time and energy it will really take. Something I grossly underestimated last year. 

So, in the spirit of learning from previous experiences, I've spent the past several weeks preparing. I've reviewed the Tunica Humane Society's entire year on Facebook. If you follow them you know just how much information is posted on their wall and if you don't trust me when I say it's a lot. After hours pouring over their feed, pulling images, and copying stories I created a spreadsheet with over 70 possible subjects.

Quick screenshot of some of the planning and prep work...

From there I spent another full day narrowing down the number of possible dogs to 38, building a tentative calendar, with the extras pups as backup, and physically preparing my studio. The afternoon was spent trying to determine the best canvas size, shape, and orientation based on the images I selected and making sure I have all the necessary supplies ready to go. Which is crucial because last year, I spent an average of 8-10 hours a day on this project; from drawing, blocking in the underpainting, reworking, adding details to photographing, uploading and editing images, writing blog posts, to packing and shipping paintings.  That all work leaves little time for emergency runs to the art supply store.

So while I finish getting my ducks in a row, I hope you will share this post with any animal or art lover you think might be interested in following along. The more people who know about this fundraiser the more money we can raise.

And if you are worried about missing out on a chance to purchase, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and blog because I will always post there first :)

Happy New Year everyone!

xo.

December 2015

Thirty paintings in thirty days. Sounds like a lot. A whole lot. Probably more than any sane person should attempt while working multiple jobs. And as confirmation of my diminished sanity, I’m going to try it.  The 30 in 30 challenge is something I’ve considered (and thought better of) doing for several months now. In order to alleviate excuses not to participate, I thought I would try to give myself a purpose. Find a reason. Maybe try to do some good. It would be much harder to back out or quit halfway through if I knew someone was counting on me. 

Finding a cause was the easy part because, as many of you know, the Tunica Humane Society is an organization I support and feel strongly about. So when I was brainstorming ways to make this challenge meaningful to someone other than myself, it only seemed natural to build it around these special animals and the people who work tirelessly to care for them.

But I was still worried. Outside of the time and cost (paint, canvas, and brushes aren’t cheap) I had (and still have) other concerns. What if I can’t do it? What if the paintings are terrible? Not just a little terrible but really awful? Or a day isn’t long enough to finish? What if they don’t sell?  What if they’re just bad? I mean, embarrassingly bad? What if I get bored, lose steam, or life happens and I miss a day (or more)? What if the whole thing is an epic failure? I could go on… Yes, all these things might happen but what did I really have to lose? Pride? Sleep? I think I can live with that. So there it is, I won’t let myself be scared, selfish, or lazy. I have a purpose. I’m committed. But seriously, what if the paintings suck? 

Worry be damned, beginning January first, I will paint 30 Dogs in 30 Days and donate half of all the sales to shelter. (Yes, I know there are 31 days in January but just play along for now.) I will feature a new dog each day and post the painting on my blog, website, Facebook page and the challenge host’s blog (Artist Helping Artists.) All sales will be handled via my website.

My goal is not only to improve my painting and drawing skills but more importantly to raise money and awareness for a worthy cause. I hope you will join me on this journey and invite others. Please share my post, blog and website with everyone you think might be interested in buying a painting, adopting a dog, volunteering, donating or just following along. 

Happy New Year everyone!

Here a few more of my favorites from last year :)

See you in few days. 

The Week All Was Right In My World

I have always been cognizant of those rare magical moments in my life when everything is exactly as it should be. It’s only happened a handful of times (usually while I'm traveling) but when it does, there isn't any mistaking it. I feel it in my soul.

I remember acknowledging that feeling to a dear friend years ago. We were circling the Island of Capri on a random stranger’s tiny boat. Yes, I know how dangerous and dumb that was but I also knew that (assuming we didn't end up on the news)  “this would be the best time in my life.”  It was perfect. Every sense was heightened. Every detail intensified. I can still see the sparkling turquoise water, the stunning rock formations, and the beautiful city on the cliffs. I remember being overwhelmed with joy and filled with gratitude for our Italian summer. There was nothing in the moment I would have changed. I was at peace.

I had that feeling again last week at Zapata Ranch. For Christmas this past year, Stephen surprised me with a trip to a Jill Soukup workshop. Jill is one of my all time favorite horse painters and I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was. Or how especially grateful I was on that day that my husband isn’t as cheap as I am. This was an actual dream come true. To have the opportunity to meet and study with her in such an idyllic setting was beyond anything I could have imagined. So much so, I had (and still have) some guilt about it. The entire perfect experience made me feel incredibly selfish and self indulgent. 

But how could I pass up an opportunity like this? A week in the mountains? In the middle a 102,000 acre ranch? Studying horses with a group of talented artists? I’m convinced this workshop was designed specifically just for me. But as it turns out, there are more of me. I think I have found my people.

I was joined by a diverse group of women, united by a love of horses and passion for creating art. Ranging in age from 35-85 they were some of the most inspiring, supportive, open, wise, and caring people I’ve ever met. I’ve tried multiple times to articulate the experience in a way that does these women justice but quite honestly, I lack the vocabulary. 

This was my first workshop so I don’t have anything to compare it with but this was a surprisingly intense experience. I was anxious and excited. I felt vulnerable and exposed. And I’m certain all my fellow workshop participants sensed my insecurities along with my desperate desire to improve because each one made an effort to try ‘settle my crazy’ just a bit. They were nurturing and tough, brilliant and empathetic. They offered professional counsel while understanding and maintaining the inherent joy that comes from making.

Now a week removed and forced back to daily life, my time there seems like a dream. A fuzzy, nebulous memory I’m afraid will eventually fade. But for now I’m holding this experience close. Trying desperately to remember all the details from the week I finally felt like myself again. I had forgotten how good I could feel. For five days I was able to breathe a little easier, focus a little better and see my world a little more clearly.

Yes, I learned a lot about art during my week at Zapata but the real value is in what I learned about myself. 

My First Art Fair

Photo from Day 2

This past weekend I participated in my first "Art Fair." Three days later, I'm still recovering and possess a newfound respect for people who do this every weekend. Because holy cow it's a lot of work. Fun? Sure. But a lot of work. 

Here are a few of my initial takeaways:

1. You (okay, I) need a lot of help. Help from really great friends. Like the kind of friends who will show up to help you move. On a Saturday. In the middle of the day. In the middle of July. Thankfully, I have several of those in my life and there is no way this past weekend would have happened without them. I owe you all a move one summer ;)

2. Good weather makes everything better. Memphis heat and humidity can be oppressive. Fortunately, the weather cooperated and with the exception of Friday night's downpour, the weather was nearly perfect.

3. "Selling" your own art is weird. This was the most difficult part for me and probably deserves further exploration and its own post.

4. I had a surprisingly good time talking with people and learning about their lives, their horses, pets and experiences. It is refreshing to realize most people are incredibly kind and supportive (even if they don't want to buy your work.)

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, bought work, or helped in any number of ways. I appreciate you all so much! xo

Prepping.

Packaging. 

Boxing.

Day 1 setup.

I've been working on this portrait for a while now and look who stopped by to see me. Couldn't have planned it any better :)

Setting up while the sun was coming up.

And packing everything back up.

America's Horse in Art

     This past weekend Stephen and I flew to Amarillo for the opening of the America's Horse in Art exhibit. I've wanted to visit the American Quarter Horse Museum since I was a kid, so I was thrilled when I was invited to participate in the show. It was humbling to realize the first time I would be able to visit the museum, I would have artwork hanging in it. 

     Amarillo was smaller than I expected but we managed to fill our three days there with surprisingly good food, semi-cheesy tourist attractions, and a wide range of art.

     But the highlight of the trip was learning my dearest friend from college would be driving through Amarillo with her family on their way to Colorado. What are odds? I'm so grateful we were able to spend the morning with them. 

     The exhibit is online and all work is available for purchase. If you have a minute, click over and check it out.

If You Build It... Part 2

*if you haven't read Part 1, you can do so here.

Standing on the warehouse loading ramp, my excitement over the elusive 'used flat file' discovery was tempered slightly as I watched three men struggle to load the beast into the back of my truck.

Fifteen minutes later, dripping with sweat (it was almost a hundred degrees already and so humid it felt like you were drowning) the men had successfully loaded the files. They shuffled towards the building, muttering to themselves (what I'm certain were swear words) in Spanish. All I could think was, how in the world am I going to get this upstairs to the new storage/shipping/photo studio? Well, that and why the strip club was so busy mid-morning on a Wednesday? I decided both were questions for later, hopped in my truck and went back to silently congratulating myself for my find.

My helpers :)

I arrived  home and still didn't have a solid plan for moving my treasure. Fortunately I have a hardworking, problem-solving friend who was up for the challenge (thanks Hudd.) We decided taking her apart was the best plan and went to work dismantling the cabinet.  Weather in Memphis during late summer is particularly unforgiving but piece by piece we carried her upstairs to her new home.

Then came the fun (translation: air-conditioned) part: planning the room layout and reassembling. 

....to be continued.

If You Build It... Part 1

I've been looking for a proper set of flat files forever. Well at least for the last couple years since I've moved into my new studio. But man they are expensive. Crazy expensive. I need flat files that aren't 2K or 3K or more. I check Craigslist, Ebay, FB, office furniture resale sites, etc. regularly with no luck. I had resigned myself to creating/building my own. Google and Pinterest provide lots of studio and storage "hacks" but my problem has been size. The paintings I need to store are (on average) are 30" x 40" so even the Ikea Table Top hack wasn't big enough. But a little patience sometimes pays off...

Earlier this week, I found a blurb online about a local surplus store that had recently acquired used office furniture including "architects files."

So the next morning I headed to south Memphis. Certainly not the best area of town but I'll be brave for a deal. The building was located across across the street from a, surprisingly busy, strip club (maybe they serve brunch?) and the man behind the counter did little to conceal the handgun in his waistband. Undeterred, I began to weave my way through the jam-packed warehouse in search of the elusive "architect files." 

Buried below a mountain of office chairs I found this beauty. Perfect for my soon-to-be storage/shipping room...

An Introvert Goes Painting (with a group)

I started this entry several weeks ago but as many of you know, I had to say goodbye to my sweet Sophie last month so blogging fell by the wayside. Here's what I learned/can remember from my first official 'paint out' -

1. Artists (well, at least this group) are really lovely people.

2. Memphis bugs scoff at bug spray. All natural, deet-free, deet-full, doesn't matter, there were swarms of biblical proportions.

3. There are a surprising number of people in Shelby Park at 9 am on a random Thursday. Seriously, do people not have jobs?

4. This is way harder than it looks. There is a clear disconnect between what I know the painting should be and the physical execution (if you've ever seen me play tennis, it's similar.)

Cicada vs Cad Red

I loved the shadows 

In Progress

Finished?

Herds of Gratitude

Three more "thankfulness" paintings. This batch is from my observations of small herds of horses; the mare who chose to graze alone and two sets of pasture mates who elect to spend their days side by side. For these paintings I experimented with working on a dark ground/base.

Click Here to purchase this painting

Click Here to purchase this painting

Click Here to purchase this painting

Beach Babies

In keeping with my "theme" for this month, there is nothing I am more thankful for than my family. We recently took a trip to Hawaii and this is part of my documentation process. A perfect afternoon watching my niece pretend to surf and my nephews build sandcastles and swim.