Remembering the Fallen

The past few weeks have been filled with unrelenting docudramas about September 11, 2001. Only a few have moved me to tears- none faster than the sound of a search dog that found the four victims in the rubble of the WTC. They didn't build up to it...it just happened and my heart caught in my chest because I hadn't heard anything of "Cadaver Dogs" being brought in yet. That dog- which in the eyes of so many was "just another dog" became a hero in a single loud bark. It was solid, resilient and hopeful. And everyone stopped. The dog continues to bark (the dog is off camera so you don't see the dog- just the rescuers) and it gets louder and louder and people start shouting "Hey we found someone ALIVE DOWN HERE!!"  Hours and days of digging and hoping, searching and praying were found, received and acted upon by a well trained determined search dog.

I'm not a political person or an flag waving 4th of July Patriot. I don't agree with everything this county decides it needs to do or the things people think they need to get involved in on "behalf" of our country. I think sometimes it gets us into a hell of a lot of trouble. But this time trouble came to us. And it wasn't the politicians who paid the price- it was the citizens. And it was the CITIZENS who showed the POLITICIANS how it needed to be responded to and handled. It was the citizens who were the heroes of 9/11 not the military, and not the government. When you look out and you decide who you want your heroes to be- look in your own back yard- the police, firefighters, EMS: the first responders, & the search teams (including dogs). I watched that tragedy like everyone else in America- I cried till I was sick- I was scared, I have family in New York that worked at the WTC. It was personal for me too. But when I hung a flag that night it was not to support a military retaliation, or a patriotic need. Because NATIONWIDE it IS the first responders who are always there putting their lives on the line, and if it happens are the first to die- trying to save the lives of others. I hung a flag in honor of their bravery, selflessness and sacrifice. Not one rolling into Manhattan that day thought of anything more than how to save a life. They inspired and brought the best out of this nation. The moment I hung that flag I can say I was proud- for a grim while I was proud -Not of my country- but of my countrymen.

Thank You,

to all those 

Firefighters, EMTS, Police, and Search Teams

who stop and put their lives on the line

so that others may live.

The military have several holidays celebrating their heroism and devotion to duty and county.

Sept 11 is for those who aren't military who gave their lives and risk their lives on a daily basis.

It's not that I am not supporting the troops but let's recognize the everyday heroes too.

Summer is winding down

The sun sets a little earlier, it's cooler at night, and the geese are overhead again. Yup, summer is starting to wrap up but I still have a few weeks of fun and warmth before pulling out the fall and winter clothes. Participating in making the Sheboygan Dog Run a success is really giving me a lot of opportunities to meet people and see a lot of variety of dogs. Some really beautiful pictures to be had for sure.

But soon the golden color will be from the leaves and not from the setting sun. It will be too cold to paint outside. But hopefully I have done enough networking to keep the interest flowing throughout the winter season. Was down a vehicle for a little over a month and sadly my shoulder does not allow for me to ride my bike back and forth to work enough to go long without one. A new Dodge Dakota with enough horses to make Kodiak blush, is the new ride around town. It will be off again to the parks for some more pictures long before the snow flies.

 Have been working on a new complex piece called "The Breakout" 

Of the 9 horses I have 3 started. It will hopefully be finished before the horse show September 24th.

Dog Park Commissions

Here's the first of a few portraits for dogs from the dog park:

Who says they have to be girly?

These are the days of our lives

  Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later- my blazer died. Fuel Pump. Well to be honest it has 187K on it and it has been a good reliable piece of machinery, despite what others have said. So for now yours truly is on her bike, because apparently with the new economy you need to make 1800 a month to get a car loan (which is crap). But on a happier note, some tips from a friend in Australia is helping with my online marketing, and with the truck down I have had time to focus more on things around rather than my next adventure. I have had time to get rid of a bit more crap that I was holding onto and will make a few days of cleaning out hard drives of doubles, blurry and useless photographs that I have just thrown on them. Got a bit involved in the care and upkeep of the local dog park which earned me a free ride home and some new friends. I am also looking at getting my art hung up in a few local businesses to get the word out. Hopefully this will pull in a few sales to get me a new set of wheels. The being grounded part of all this is just that. I have no excuse for not getting things nailed down and rebuild new habits about organizing the studio. No more piles of receipts and gigs of reference photos that I didn't take time to file away properly. The one really bad thing about this is that no car means no shows. But honestly I did the one show I really wanted to do so I'm not out anything I committed to doing. And I have plenty of Reference pictures for more work. So here's to grounding and rethinking my habits for a better smoother way of operating.

Dog Days of Summer

We've had quite a scorcher the past few days with temps up to 102 degrees. I know for those in other areas that's nothing- but, I was a bit afraid to drive my truck in that heat for fear of a blowout, or overheating. But time inside has yielded and bit of marketing insight, a boost in my contacts on Facebook and the courage to jump out front and start up a group for the local dog park. After a long heartache and a very firm pooch kick from my social standing two years ago with my divorce I have summoned up the courage to try again. I have found a one hour trip to the dog park is now the better half of the evening. Which right now is probably a good thing, a nice boost to a broken ego, to talk with people who were once strangers and are becoming friends, Not a place I saw myself two years ago. Beaver Creek is pushing my professional people skills and paying off in wonderful reference pictures.

I was sad to see yet another childhood landmark close- Artist World Gallery and Supply Store has closed. A few moments in honor of my friend "Skip" who was my childhood hero and my driving target for me wanting to get into a Gallery. The originally gallery is an empty building and has been for years- nothing will fill the space with as much spirit as Skip and his collection of wildlife and Nature related prints and originals.I still remember seeing my first Carl Brenders- a wolf painting I held up to my own 24x36 wolf and wanting my work to look as sharp in focus, and full of emotion as his work. Skip set the bar for where I wanted to see my work and my ability- which is something I never had a chance to tell him.- Thank you Skip.

Happy Fourth of July

Well instead of spending hours along side strangers watching the fireworks I spent it with my best friend Kodiak. 

We went hiking down at Kohler-Andre State park and got a few interesting pictures. But instead of getting all loud and stupid I decided to get reflective about the 4th and mull over my blessings and quietly release some of my woes. One thing that I would like to remind people is that along with being thankful for the military which fights for our American rights abroad please be sure to give thanks for the police, firefighters, EMT's and other emergency personnel that give their days and nights and put their lives on the line on a daily basis to make sure you have your daily freedoms that so many take for granted every day. Happy 4th everyone.

TICA Show Summary and upcoming plans for July

Well it was an adventurous weekend. Got down to the show and back without an issue. Kodiak is a wonderful help with set up- could not have done it without him! There was a jumping horse show at the horse barn that weekend and when the gate was quiet I snuck over and got in some good ref shots! I finished "Plotting" 

 

and have subsequently gotten it framed and matted however; I left it at my parents with the rest of the setup from the weekend so I don't have pictures to share sorry. I decided to try the Beaver Creek Saddle and Bridle Club for their show July 8th, so I have a few horse pieces that I will be knocking out before I get back to working on the tigers. 

Off to do more art... Happy Friday!

Busy Memorial Day

Well a afternoon at Beaver Creek Saddle and Bridle Club has turned into a full evening of painting. Got some more work done on "Plotting" although I think I should really pound out work on "Origins of Balance" so it's done in time for the show. If I am lucky I will have enough time to start work on a few of the horses I saw that really got my blood boiling to do a few horses... I am so A.D.D. some days. I have 2 wolf pieces in the works, a Serval piece I have yet to get the final refs for, several SARS projects, at least one other ferret piece, refs for a rabbit piece, not including all the fantasy 2D and 3D art that's in the wings... My camera is starting to die. Today it couldn't decide which mode it wanted to be in, which made taking pictures very difficult. It has been doing that more and more often and I'm getting sick of it. I can't buy a camera out of pocket I have to earn it by selling art, those are the rules. That's the incentive. That's how you run a business..So if things don't go well I may be making art that I have waiting in the wings and will have pounded out work on a photography booth for nothing.

Missing My Little Ghost

Tonight I added in my albino boy Ghost to the "Plotting" piece. All was fine and going smooth until I managed to hit that one special point where I got his sleepy gaze just right and it was like I woke him in his hammie. I half expected a sleepy yawn to follow. But sadly it was not so. Tearfully I dragged out the painting of my boy because each stroke was like petting his small white head. Detailing his ears reminding me of his popcorn scent and his face of all the goofy stuff he used to do to make me laugh. For a few hours tonight I had my little boy back in my arms sleepily gazing back at me from ferret Heaven. A small reminder that he's OK and he and Odin and all the others are right here whenever I need them. For as the saying goes: they are never really gone as long as they have a place in my heart. And they always will.

Stubborn like bullheaded weasel

Yup that must be what I am sometimes because despite an upsetting day I plowed ahead and pushed into a piece anyway. With the regional show just around the bend I don't have time to fluff about how I feel right now. Switched to colored pencils with the ferrets on this because the detail is so fine.

April Shower & May Flowers

Well the Waukesha show is fast approaching and the booth is ready to go, finished the rest of the sewing last night. Spent the past few days running promotional material around, and prioritizing my lists of activities that have to be finished before the show. Amid all the chaos I found a growing pit of anxiety and dispair in my gut and purged that from my already overloaded system. These shows will be much easier and less stress when I figure out the small details of the booth and how much display space it provides and how many of the extra pieces I will or will not need. Going to see If I can find a cheaper and easier way to run off my sympathy cards....I would really like to offer them this year. Until then it's back to the grindstone...

Working Despite the Rain

One of the things I don't think many people understand when they start something as large as "their own company" is that emancipation from an employer also means you have to be self supportive, self driven, and be able to adapt to many different scenarios that your main talent does not support. I am an artist- not a seamstress. Yet today I will be sewing and framing. Some of the finer points to saving money is to be a bit of a Jack-of-all- Trades. Being able to overcome obstacles by working through them even if it is just a bit at a time. But on a sunnier note it is Spring and the flowers have arrived:

Somewhere between the streets of civilization and the wilderness of the untamed is the imagination and the beauty of the rebirth of the Spirit. Be brave enough to find it and bask in it's glory. Happy Spring Equinox to all those reading.

First Time Out With the Search Team...Dog Park Day 1

Whew! It only took me a few minutes to get set up and then a few more to realize I somehow had set and invisible "Do Not Disturb" sign around my neck.  I got bothered by a small black lab mix who was convinced that I had a plate of food not a pallet of paint in my hand and leaped several times in an effort to get to it. Kodiak however was a pro and body blocked the lab every time until there was no room to work and I went around the canvas to the other side coaxing the dog along till his owner came and wrangled him claiming that I "look like I had a treat".  what ever didn't let it bother me took it in good stride I got this expensive easel with spikes so that if it gets bumped the painting doesn't go flying... (except the painting is too deep and won't clip to the stand  )
Then I got rushed by two little girls asking questions, they later brought a mom who apparently was not phased by the LARGE search and rescue painting and has Julie train and boards her dog so that was entertaining. The girls wanted to watch me paint which I didn't mind and was hoping would invite more people over but no such luck...After and hour and a half I had done a decent base coat on dog 1 (Navi). The temp had dropped and I started to pack it in. Two trips back accounted for all the stuff but it wasn't until it was all back in the car that people came to talk...And it wasn't even about the painting or the search team...sigh oh well better luck next time..

 Kodiak did a wonderful diligent job protecting the painting while I was working on it and to prove it here's him posing with his charge- a 2ft x4ft painting.. such a good boy!

My How Time Has Flown

It amuses me how I manage to get myself all tangled up on the small details of things when the bigger picture is right there in front of me, cheering me on. I just spent a few minutes going through some old entries in the Pet Forum and was amazed how far I have really come and how much of that seemed so incredibly impossible at the time. From the idea of selling my art, to starting a business, to doing shows on my own it's almost as though each step has been like pulling teeth. Me admittedly being too frightened of making mistakes or failing, but now being too bull headed to give up. I can remember the arguments about doing my art; both with my parents and my in laws..  Ironically arguing both sides of the story. By the time my in laws got involved I had given up wanting to do anything with my art believing what I had been told too often : I wasn't good enough. If another kid is never told those words it will be too soon. I hope there is never another kid that is ever told that (I know that's not true and will never happen but why not?) I still find it hard sometimes to believe in myself. I let me talk myself out of things that are very reachable, and very realistic. The biggest thing holding me down some days is me. But I am getting better. And I am starting to allow myself to be me no matter what other people think... But like the song says :Some days are better than others. And if you ever think you aren't making progress- keep a journal of yourself as you go down your road- you will surprise yourself at how strong you really are.

More Work On the Tigers

Have gotten some more work done on the tigers. I am hoping it will be done for Waukesha, but I am starting to have my doubts. Still have to get out the the SARS project, and finish "Plotting" So much to do so little time. Am pondering having "Plotting" be the cover for an encouragement card as well as a sympathy card. May will be the month I order all the merchandise for the show in. Here's to hoping I don't over extend myself, but I have a wonderful coach who makes sure I get out of bed and get my work done - Love you Kodiak!

My Champion, My Hero and a Change to the 2011 line up

On Friday March 18, 2011 at 2pm we put my best friend, my inspiration, my little Roo to sleep. She was 14. I will miss her dearly. A short wake was held at Peaceful Pets before she was cremated. Two Socks is home now, up on the shelf with Ghost and Odin. She was the rock I held onto when there was no one else. I have many fond memories and several songs that remind me of our friendship. But Roo would not want me dwelling on her passing crying for hours on end. On that note Monday I received a notice from TICA that the Tosa show would be no more and would be replaced by the Annual show which is in June not July. As if sent by the Roo herself I no longer have time to mope as I now have one month less and WAY TOO much that I want to get done! Tonight was 6 hours of work on the Tigers, and earlier I got paperwork done...Tomorrow the truck goes in to get the brakes looked at and a tune up. I am renting a trailer this year because of the addition of the set up from Banner Crafts.

Work on "Plotting"

There's nothing like learning your ferret got stuck in the tub after figuring out how to get out of her cage to inspire you to continue working on a piece with her in it.. Lily would be the ferret on all fours in the foreground of the stained glass. Ghost would be on top the rock and Pandora is on her tip toes with her face in  a flower. But center stage in the pile of ferrets Archimedes looks up ready to start all new versions of havoc.. I love my little clowns and I miss some of my former fur babies terribly some days...So another installment of "Plotting"

some childhood finds

In finding out an old craft and art store was going out of business I went in lamenting the slow destruction of yet another personal childhood icon; but, in this I found it held out one last gift to my art. The store was selling it's fixtures which is to say everything that is for sale on any day sits on a display and those displays were for sale- any very cheap. For one of the hand crafted headache inducing walls I picked up 3 store quality walls and displays with shelves and endcaps. I am not sure what headache I have set up for myself yet but it seems a wise investment....for now. Sadly I have been posting here and in the facebook group and I have had not input in the past few weeks which is disheartening. But I will press on for it seems the fates have deemed it so. Thus is the trials of growing up. Things must change.

ferrets in stained glass

In my adventuring today I picked up two tiny stained glass pieces to hang in the window while I am working on my ferret piece. Seems to be a really good idea as there are a few aspects of how the light plays with the glass that I forgot about and only remembered while I was looking at it. Picked up two new art books to help with the wildlife pieces and the dark fantasy. Finally have some body shots to start those just have to work out the kinks in the layout :) and of course there are my Christmas Kittens which I didn't get done before the holidays... So many pieces so little time...

New Work

Am working on 3 pieces right now; Tigers and Ferrets.
The tiger piece is being Titled "The Origins of Balance"
The ferret piece is simply "Plotting"
I am posting work as I go pictures on the facebook group and in the Pet and Wildlife Forum, and will post the finished piece here.

The S.A.R.S. piece has not title yet and I am still hunting locations to work on it to raise awareness and money for the search team. (Which is privately funded and non-profit)

Facebook

So it would seem that Facebook has changed it's format again to edit items viewed on your wall to only include "friends most recently interacted with". Which means I have no idea if any of the members of my group are even able to read the notification I posted and therefore have to message all members in order to get the word out. Well, blissfully that will not be the case here as I get to be in compete control ((yea!))

Kodiak Waits for us to go to the Dog Park

Spring is Coming

Today was a trip to the local dog park something Kodiak truly enjoys. I can't say the back of my blazer enjoys all the water and mud he tracks all over the back seat but such is the trials of owning a dog in Spring. I've gotten more work done on my tigers and fear I must get a second job in order to afford showing and merchandising investments for this year.. But for now it's sloping through yards and yards of flooded grass and melting snow to find today's great adventure. A few days ago was more brushing and the collecting of the vast majority of his under coat...Unfortunately Lily and Archie thought the container of fur which is a 15 gallon trash can would make an awesome play spot...I see I have more cleaning in my future thanks guys...

Also started a membership and profile with SmallAnimalNetwork.com spending time adding all the kids...

February's gift to myself

So with so much going on I am taking on the task of adding a Blog to the Website and the Facebook page. I am not sure how well this will work or how it will be accepted but hopefully better than the first.
Tonight was the first fundraiser for the Great Lakes Search and Rescue Team for 2011. Got more ideas for the first of what I imagine will be a few ideas along with a souvenir bottle of "Big Dog Brutus" named after the search dog who I have done who helped in retrieving the remains of Tracy Hollbach so many years ago. Got a few good ideas for more pieces after this initial piece so hopefully I will be able to stay focused enough to get all these pieces done before I burn myself out.