My Lucky Dog

Lucky, our new foster dog is demanding a walk. Actually he is just sitting there and I am feeling guilty that he needs a walk He walks pretty good on a leash. Luckyis black Shetland Sheep dog (Sheltie), you can see his herding traits.
7 years old timid, gentle dog loves to chase a ball and kill his stuffed toy. And Jerry has taught him 3 tricks already.

Here is slide show of Lucky killing the raccoon 

He will lick himself all over and then cough up fur. "Lucky" I say, "You are not a cat" I think he may have lived with a cat and picked up bad habits.

But back to the walk, I can imagine Lucky in the right place running free and going like the wind. I painted a little picture of him as I imagined.

I think I will paint a series of lucky as I imagine him.

Squares

This summer is all about squares. My art can be seen at "Sunday on the Square" http://www.coventmarket.com/art-on-the-square/ at the Covent Garden Market on some Sundays, this summer. I did this last year and had a blast meeting all the skateboarders, strollers, bikers, walkers and rummys who love London downtown. The market is open from 10am to 4pm. There are all kinds of artists, painters, sculpters, potters, photographers and jewelry makers.

My garden is in squares this year, We planted brussel sprouts, carrots, beans, tomatos, zuccinni and more. I love watching those tinny plant struggle up thru our clay based soil. We already had a feed of lettuce.

Speaking of squares, I am enjoying a book about the painter Chuck Close. by Christopher Finch. Chuck does portraits in a grid system. Tiny coloured blocks that when you stand back make a giant face.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Close

My friend John asked me to do a pastel portrait of him. His wife had her prtrait done in 1969 and John always regretted that he had not been painted as well. I used and old 4x5 black and white photo, just finished John. He is in his 60s now so it was fun painting him so young.

So as we said in the 60's be ther or be square...see you on Sunday

Diane Dobson's art blog

My friend Diane Dobson just started her first art blog at DianeDobsonsartblog.blogspot.com  I am so excited for her. She has three of her great paintings on the site already.  My favourite is miniature of a walk in the country.

Diane and her husband have gone camping with us several times over the years.  The painting reminds me of those vacations in Ontario's north.  We love to paint together and hike on the trails of places like Killarney Park.

Diane is a birder and is always pointing out this and that bird to me.  Our greatest find for me was the Sand Cranes in a field in Manitoulin Island.  Possible for their red crown but also becouse of their large size and funny walk.

Check out Dianes blog. Here is a photo of her at Bon Echo park painting in damp, cold,  weather. That's dedication!