After spending a couple of months working on my newer collection utilizing concentric rings and linear brush strokes to evoke dimension and an evolutionary timeline, I felt myself sort-of... well... stuck. My latest piece didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. The colors felt bland, and the composition was off-kilter. I felt like it needed repair, and I was having trouble getting beyond it. 

 

Then at an art hanging at the local BMV (Westerville @ Shrock Rd), I found myself in conversation with one of my favorite local Westerville artists, Don Wilkins (@donwilkart). Now, Don isn't only a favorite because of his wonderful, whimsical, creative pieces, but he's also one of my favorite artists to sit and chat with. He is positive, humble, enthusiastic, and supportive. Whenever I talk to Don, I feel like I'm talking to my "Art Uncle" -- someone who brings a lighthearted and cheerful wisdom to each conversation.

 

So, I mentioned to Don my predicament, and he told me the thing that all artists need to hear every once in a while... "Just start something." I had recently been perusing images of elephants and goats because... well, I just love elephants and goats! (And yes, I'm a veterinarian; and yes, animals are my "thing".) You see, elephants are loving, brilliant, family oriented, wise, and stoic... and goats are well, just hilarious! So, anyway, I was perusing images of elephants and goats (how many times can I say elephants and goats in a single blog?) and I stumbled upon a few aerial photos of herds of goats, and families of elephants. Suddenly I was struck and I knew what I needed to paint! I clipped a couple of photos and saved them to my phone... and 3 days later, Aerial View emerged. I have to say I just love it. Everything except for the fact that the texture made it really hard to sign. So I did sign it... but it's less of a perfect signature than I would want it to be. Ah well, c'est la vie.

 

Of course, with this latest piece in the so-called books, I am now inspired to keep going! I am working on a piece using similar imagery as my inspiration. It's coming along very differently, in a really cool way. I'm very excited to see what will come of it.

 

For the time being, however, I'm sitting on the couch hip-to-hip with my newly-adoped Great Dane, Nova, who just had gastropexy and episioplasty surgery by the illustrious Shawn Kennedy, DVM, DACVS (thank you again Shawn!). She's the kindest and gentlest dog I've ever had. And, rather than putting her in a crate to rest and walking away during her post-op days, my husband and I have decided to just sit on the couch with her and keep her calm. (Who doesn't want an excuse to cuddle with dogs all day, right?!). She'd rather be doing this anyway. So for now, it's my turn. Couch, dog, blog.

 

Until next time, friends!