Number 3
Mood:  a-ok

Number three in my coloured pencil series - "Ghost". A weimeraner watching the AAC Ontario Agility Regionals (yes, I got lots of photos from the event). I choose a blue background for this piece (not using the reference photo background) because it offset the grey, yet blended slighty into the tones of the dog. The dog was wearing a halter the reference photo as well, which I removed, and completely changed the collar colour - I felt it was too busy for the piece.

 

And now, Brandy and I are off to a CPE trial with Acton Agility tomorrow - looking forward to it. I'm going to attempt to use the b-a-l-l once again as a reward (I have to spell it or she goes crazy). Long story short, the ball is EXTREMELY motivational for her - too much so, but when I can control her insane desire for that object, her performances are amazing. I'm trying it out to see if I can use it for a reward at the upcoming Canada Cup. So we'll either have a really good day tomorrow, or really bad ... here's hoping she can control herself.

Number 2
Mood:  a-ok

And by "Number 2" I mean the second in my coloured pencil series. This one depicts a couple of our koi angelfish in my hubby's planted tank. I love drawing and painting these guys. They've got great colour, beautiful finage, and they really do have personality. This is a male and female - male being in the background with the larger hump on his head. It's a realistic, but stylized piece, and I'm pleased with the final product. I must admit, the paper has more tooth than what I prefer (it's all I had available at the time for this series) but so far it's working out well. I did have a different number 2 lined up, but was not happy at all with the way it was turning out - so it got trashed. It was a full body image of a auzzie shepherd running agility, but because of the small size of the paper (5"X7"), and the tooth, the full body image just did not work - I wasn't getting the detail that I was after.

 

 

Coloured Pencil
Mood:  a-ok

I'm on a mission to create some more coloured pencil work. I've compiled a series of photos that I've taken to use as references for this endevour. Of course, most of them are canines, however, there is a fish image, and I'm thinking of adding a horse image as well. Things are progressing nicely, I've completed the first one, which is now in the "Coloured Pencil Gallery", and shown below - "Observing". This doberman was photographed at the AAC Ontario Regionals this year, watching the competition with his owner. I loved the colours in the shot, and of course the dobe, so I thought that this one would be a good start. I am now working on the second installment, another regional shot, this time of a competitor. These originals may be available for sale once they are all competed, so please check back frequently for more updates.

 

 

Updated Site
Mood:  energetic

I've been creating a gallery at "ImageKind" for the past little while, and have been offering some of my acrylic paintings as prints. The "Artwork For Sale" page on my site has now been updated to include all of the work that's available as prints. "ImageKind" allows you, the buyer, to choose what type of print that you're getting - canvas, or paper, different sizes, framed or unframed, and you can even by my prints as note cards. Please feel free to have a look...just click on one of the available pieces on that page, you will be redirected to my "ImageKind" gallery, and are able to choose the type of print that you desire. It's a wonderful option to have, and the flexability is great! Below is the link to my "ImageKind" gallery.

http://juliesillustration.imagekind.com/

On another note, Brandy and I are off to a CPE trial today. I'm hoping for a good agility day today - hopefully she's in the mood. She seemed chipper this morning, but she is back in bed already ... I've got a lazy little dog on my hands - sigh - oh well, she's highly entertaining, so I guess that counts for a lot.

On a Roll
Mood:  a-ok

And yet another people portrait is complete. I've got one more on the go after this one, I am also still working on my poppy painting, and then I  will hopefully be concentrating on some agility art (with references being taken from my 2008 AAC Agility Regional photos which can be viewed in my photography gallery).

This is once again, hubby with a fish. "Taking the Fish Off" - a tiny little sunfish...which he seems to catch a lot of. I couldn't resist this picture. I will point out that it is a cigar in his mouth, not a cigarette (though I still don't approve) - he claims it's to keep the bugs away. 

 

 

The Gift
Mood:  a-ok

It's finished, and been given, so I will now reveal the portrait that I was working on, that I couldn't post previously.

Drum roll please.......bbbbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtttttttttttttttttttttttt

The Parents! My mom and dad, a gift for them for fathers and mothers day combined. I am very pleased with this portrait, and have high hopes for future people portriats.  They were also pleased with the piece, and so they should be, since I am their daughter - hehe. So far so good with this new endevour, and I have a few more up and coming, so please stay tuned.

 

 

 

Alas - it is not to be...
Mood:  don't ask

Well, we tried it once more, after some encouragement from friends, but alas, it was not to be. The AAC Regionals are just not where we excell (hehe - which is an understament). After some analysing of the situation, I've come to the conclusion that 2 days trials just aren't for us. Brandy does excellent when it's only a day, and there is minimal wait time between runs, and she gets to sleep in her own bed. But as soon as the wait times increase, and she has to run again the next day - well, she's just not having fun. And if she's not having fun, there is no point. So it looks like we will just be sticking to the regular trials (AAC and CPE), and won't be attending another Regional event .... unless, of course, it is hosted somewhere in the GTA, then I might consider it. Sleeping in my own bed is much better then sleeping on a bed that feels like a coffee table anyway. Oh well. Here are some pictures from the event, courtesy of Gabriell Deans (my personal agility photographer).

If you're interested in seeing more of Gabrielle's photos from this event, please visist the below website:

http://lose-with-eloquence.deviantart.com/gallery/#Dogs-and-Agility 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Self Portrait
Mood:  a-ok

In the theme of keeping my mind off the two day away Regionals, I have been occupying myself with, well, a self portrait.  I have never before attempted a realistic one, and have noticed that a lot of artists create a piece of themselves. I figured it was about time, and got down to business. And what self portrait can be complete without ones awesome little dog sharing the picture.

So, here it is, another to add to my people portrait section. The reference photo was taken by Gabrielle Deans, while at the arena practicing, what else, agility. We were taking a break when she snapped this shot, and it turned out to be the perfect reference for what I was after.

 

 

Perhaps I should stop thinking about it....
Mood:  d'oh

Hmm, I think I'm going to give myself an ulcer ... exactly one week left until those darn Regionals. At least this week is a short, holiday week, though I do find that the short weeks really seem to drag by. It doesn't make since, since no one added an extra day - it's just the way it goes. And yuk, it's raining. I was hoping that I would be able to take the little one out in the field and set-up some sequences. Maybe if I just have a talk with her all will be ok.

I'm beginning a new project - a giant flower. Well, three flowers to be precise ... three giant poppies. A commission from mother-in-law for their new fancy dining room. Flowers are not my forte, but I'm giving it a go - should be an interesting piece.

Two new acrylic pieces have been added to the site (see below), as well as the NEW People Portrait section. Please stay tuned for updates about this section.

I am extremely please with these two pieces. The portrait of Mack had been sitting around for a while, unfinished because I couldn't get it right - nothing was working. I was just about to throw it in the trash when I decided to give it one more go, and boy am I glad I did. I really like the style and pop-art feel of this piece - it really "explodes" from the page, and has great visual texture.

The Loon portrait also came out great, the movement worked well, and I so enjoy using black (was always told not to - have no idea why) and think it tied in nicely with the body of the bird and the water. 

"Mack - the other dog" 2008

"Loon Spreading His Wings" 2008

 

 

It's almost time! And PetSmart raised a whopping ....
Mood:  happy

Well, now is the count down, it's almost time - I suppose me thinking about it and wanting to barf isn't helping anything, but the Ontario AAC Agility Regionals is almost upon us. A week and a bit to go. I'm hoping and praying that we're prepared, though I have this feeling that our preparedness is just a facade. Well, it's really me, Brandy is always prepared - she's got no quams. Just trying to remember to breath. Oh well, it's all for fun, and fun it is! Looking forward to spending the weekend with the little dog, my sister and all my agility peeps!

On another note, the PetSmart "Just A Buck, Change Their Luck" Spring Campaign featuring the artwork "Pickles and Coffe" was slated to raise $130,000 in two weeks. I am extremely pleased to announce that the goal was reached, and surpassed, with over $140,000 raised for local animal welfare agencies.  I am very proud to have been a part of this worthy cause, and once again, would like to thank PetSmart for giving me the opportunity. The T-shirts, mouse pads and bags will be available on-line until August of this year, so please visit the below site to donate to the PetSmart Just a Buck campaign.  I would like to thank everyone who donated and helped make this campaign a great success!

http://promotions.petsmart.com/charities/just-a-buck/