Painting with friends, Blog Award, and a sneak peak at something completely different...

I spent a wonderful day painting with friends last week. They are both artists in their own right, although their painting experience was "none" and "some" respectively. It was so much fun for me to provide the studio and to watch their visions unfold. Painting can be a lonely business, so it was equally nice to have the company. The group energy is such a different dynamic to work in. I think I'd like to experience it more often. 

Here are some shots of their beautiful bright color palettes:

In other news, I was awarded the "Passion for Painting" blog award from two artists whom I admire greatly - Akiko Watanabe and Sam Dolman. Thank you so much, I am honored. I'm supposed to list seven things that I love, but I've done that a few times already, you can scroll through the older posts to find them if you like. I'm going to pass the award to Mona Connor  (her spiritual portraits are amazing!)

And here is a sneak peak of a fun project I'm working on - I'm painting something for my hubby on this boat he's building. I'm having too much fun with it, and I'll post pictures soon, stay tuned...

Wordless Wednesday - Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

Rat Terrier Portrait (Marnie V's Hawk,) completed!

Here is Marnie V's Hawk, completed. 8 x 10" acrylic on Ampersand Gessoboard. I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I honestly believe that, as artists, what you create has to mean something to you before it can mean anything to anyone else.

And as much as I love all dogs, you know I just adore Ratties!

I hope you enjoyed following the progress of this painting, thank you for all your encouraging comments along the way. I made my very first YouTube video with the WIP shots:

Wordless Wednesday - Reflecting

Wordless Wednesday - Nesting

Work in progress - almost finished!

Here's the latest progress update on Hawk the Rat Terrier - he is very close to being finished. His throat above the collar is still in the underpainting phase. I've saved that part for last so the hair will "sit on top of" his collar when I paint it. All that's left after that is to add some finishing details to the face and do a little more work to the background. I'm really liking the looser, somewhat painterly (for me) look of this piece. Switching paints to Golden Open halfway through was a little risky, but I think it paid off. :-)

If you're a follower of my blog, don't forget to sign up for the giveaway if you haven't already!

Wordless Wednesday - things are looking up...