Mixed Media Dogs

Process:  For the background, I began with a selection of favorite colors which I randomly applied to Arches 140 lb (300 gsm) watercolor paper that had been gessoed on both sides.  When the paper was completely dry, I gathered up ink, charcoal, soft lead pencils, fat graphite sticks, and pastels and let my imagination take over.

I <3 dogs.

Word art - possibly inspired by the cool, rainy weather of a few days ago:

Green, inky goodness :-)

And a quote from Agnes Repplier:

First thing in the morning...

a nice steaming cup of java :-)

Mug of  hot coffee...thank you, Michael!

Pleasant start to the day.  On some mornings the coffee is so exceptionally smooth and caramel-y that I have to sit and drink the entire mug while I look out the window, perhaps daydream.  Ah-h-h.

Here's a visual:

Positive is better :-)

And something about a favored subject - dogs:

Our furry buddies <3

From my art journal today

While working in my art journal this morning, my suddenly empty mug inspired this MOOdle:

I have to admit that I only captured the idea before I was compelled to brew a fresh mug of coffee - the refining and coloring came after :-)

I have a part of each journal page set off for images.  I like doing quick sketches of animals, imaginary things, and lately emotional faces.  This face sketch prompted me to hand letter a funny quote by Yogi Berra:

Time to head back into the studio for some mixed media i.e. messy creativity :-)

Puppy Remy and lettering

Remy and I were on walkies today: it's so enjoyable.  I love it when he turns to look at me with what looks like a smile on his face, his tail wagging because we are out and about and there is SO much that he finds to sniff...and sniff...and sniff. 


I found this photo of Remy where he's a little over 3 months of age:

O my goodness, so-o-o adorable <3

This was taken last summer:

XOXOXO

I guess it's easy to figure out why so much of what I create has a dog theme somewhere in it - such as this one:

Have you hugged your dog today? :-)

Positivity is a Word

I like it.  I don't know where I have been but I just discovered this :-)
Fortuitous, fortuitous - because positivity is the thought/word that came to me in wondering how to describe the subject of this post.  Here we go.

One positive thing:

And another one:

Positivity feels pretty good :-)

Ever have the feeling you are being watched?

Hm-m-m...

O-o-oh.

I have passed by this tree with Remy an uncounted number of times - more than many - and Tuesday was the first time I noticed the eyeballs/face thing happening on this tree trunk.

I have another quote that I think is funny (attributed to Albert Einstein):

And from my art journal, some word art:

Scribbling away

Every day begins with a warm up, usually an entry in my art journal.  It's an easy way for me to get over the perfection/judgment thoughts because in my journal I view my mistakes in a new way.

A mistake can be a challenge - can I learn from it? save it?  A mistake can be a test of my ego, in other words, am I able to accept that it truly is a mess? that it is not "fixable" and I am okay to move on.  If not, well that's just the ego at work. Oy.

Recent scribbles -

A rufous rat-kangaroo (long hind legs for hopping about):

Platinum carbon ink sketch

Remy inspired this MOOdle.  He snoozes in my studio, a lot.  Suddenly he will wake up, find a toy and come over and sit next to me.  He looks at me until I look at him.  He has that doggie smile and a waggy tail.  How could I not respond  :-)

Ink, Copic markers

And a bit of word art:

Some days...

Friday's dog and words, words :-)

A dog's face -

Graphite

A funny MOO that came to me as I pondered :-)

And then this one -

A lab face and more

Drawing dogs is just something I love to do.  Dogs have expressive faces and I just love their muzzles, the way they "pooch" out over their teeth :-)

Ink, graphite and pastel

Here's a quote from a favorite theoretical physicist and cosmologist -

And a MOO -

Little fox and MOOs

This little fox is from my art journal:

Ink and Copic markers

And what would my post be without a few MOOs?

:-)

I ask myself this at the end of the day.

Busy sketching and pondering

Recent  graphite sketches -

Sheepdog

Head of a gull

Sketchy bird

Word art -

Cardinal - desert version

MOO -

Active lines and a MOO

I like to sketch every day.  Sometimes these sketches are quick line drawings straight from my head.  My favorite subject is the dog :-)

I drew a series of three:

Maybe a little sad?

Wow, wired :-)

Ready to play!

And I drew a cat:

Alarmed??

MOO:

 I had no idea that there is such a thing as a witches' door, but in any case, my word art isn't one of them.  It's just word play :-)

More than one kind of MOO :-)

The first kind is a highland cow "moo" :-)

ink and brush pen

This first time I ever saw highland cows it was in real life in a field in Scotland.  Incredibly wonderful looking animals. 


My usual kind of MOO:

Ink, Copic markers, Sharpie pens

And a MOO variation -  the MOOdle:

Ink, Copic markers