Dog Art is not real art.

When I first saw Francisco Goya's Dog painting I felt like crying. Goya was an often violent man and this painting for me shows that trait. The little dog is cowering in the shadow of a figure you can almost see looming over him. Goya painted this on the wall of his home in the plaster. Was the dog right in front of him with the fire light catching the his outline? See for yourself in the photo attached.

I love painting dogs. Capturing their personallity is a challenge just as are portraits of humans. The gestures they make with their bodys tell quite a tale.

Today I was taking video of the Jack Russel we are fostering. I was trying to capture her running gate. Her legs fly every which way when she runs. I hope to make a painting of her later.

Here is one of Mama a chihuahua we had for a while. She loved to lie on her back and get a belly rub.

Will my personality show in my art as did Goyas?

Attention to Detail

Looking at Andrew Wyeth and Robert Batemen books on art always inspire me. To see their paintings up close is to see such attention to detail. And yet I long for the ability to rip one off like Van Gogh or Tom Thompson. Those artist make it look so easy.

I suspect it is somewhere in the middle for both styles of painting.

I once saw Robert Bateman mix up a cup of white acrylic paint and throw it on what I would have thought was a finished painting. It gave the raging elephant a look of kicking up dusty. It was perfect.

While painting with my friend S’ine and Diane at Waterworks Park in St Thomas on Thursday I felts the excitement of painting en plain air. Rushing the work, I forgot about detail and thought only about capturing the colour before the light changed. It was exhilarating

Here is the finish sketch and a photo of the place. How did I do?

Becoming an old fart

How to become an old fart

Tomorrow is my 65th birthday. It is a time to become a senior citizen. But what does that mean for my art. Will I suddenly start painting like Romance or Kincade. Old fashion paintings with sentimental themes.

My friend Sandy says she changed after 65, not taking any guff from people and standing up for herself in difficult situations. I think I will follow that path. no more excuses for my art. Love it of leave it, it is what it is.


I like dogs so I paint dogs. I like people for the most part so I paint people. I like realism and old masters and Harley Brown. I will do commissions my way from now on.

Tell me what you think of my art but don’t be surprised if I tell you what I think of your comments.

So move over Romance and Kincade here comes Cutting.

Becoming an old fart