30 Sighthounds in 30 Days - Day 11

Day 11 - Greyhound

5 x 7 inch, oil on panel

© 2014 Kathleen Coy

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I could not wait to paint this one! This sleepy girl is Prada, and the position of her head and the lines of the cushions, and her collar make a variety of very distinct shapes, which creates a lot of visual interest in a painting. 

30 Sighthounds in 30 Days - Day 10

Day 10 - Saluki

6 x 6 inch, oil on panel

© 2014 Kathleen Coy

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A Saluki in the wind. This pretty girl is Mikaelah. Day 10 means I'm a third of the way through the challenge...

30 Sighthounds in 30 Days - Day 9

Day 9 - Greyhound

6 x 6 inch, oil on panel

© 2014 Kathleen Coy 

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I'd never had the chance to paint a dog giving the 'stink eye' before, and there was no way I was going to pass it up! This is Jack, whom I'm told really is a very sweet boy.

Here's a photo I took about two thirds of the way through - you can see Jack (stink eye and all) sitting on my easel from (and autographed by) Karin Jurick:

30 Sighthounds in 30 Days - Day 8

Day 8 - Ibizan Hound

6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2014 Kathleen Coy

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This beauty is Raine. Ibizan's are one of my favorite sighthounds, with their big ears, green-gold eyes, and fabulous orange-pink noses. Raine also has freckles in her ears. What a doll! 

30 Sighthounds in 30 Days - Day 7

Day 7 - Greyhound

6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2014 Kathleen Coy

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This handsome boy is Vinny. I do love these senior dogs. In hindsight, I wish I would have taken some progress pics or video during this painting because it came together really nicely. But here are a few close up shots:

30 Sighthounds in 30 Days - Day 6

Day 6 - Galgo Español 

7 x 5 inch, oil on panel

© 2014 Kathleen Coy
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This is Bella, a Galgo Español (Spanish Greyhound.) I wanted this painting to be about form and flow and motion and brushwork, trying to capture a split second in time with this beautiful dog in as few brush strokes as possible...

30 Sighthounds in 30 Days - day 5

Day 5 - Greyhound

7 x 5 inch oil on panel

© 2014 Kathleen Coy

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This stunning girl is named Flattery. Some of you may know her from the delightful Tales and Tails blog. I painted her sister Bunny a year and a half ago, so this time it was Flattery's turn. What a face! Another first - this is the first time I've ever painted a pink background - FUN!

30 Sighthounds in 30 Days - Day 4

Day 4 - Azawakh

6 x 6 inch, oil on panel

© 2014 Kathleen Coy

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This gorgeous girl is Eddiyet. One of my favorite things about this project so far has been learning about sighthound breeds that were new to me. This is the Azawakh, a sighthound from Africa. I find them fascinating, so you can be sure the Azawakh will make at least one more appearance before the 30 days is up. 

30 Sighthounds in 30 Days - Day 3

Day 3 - Greyhound

6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2014 Kathleen Coy

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The beautiful, smiling girl in today's painting is Ava, and is a great example of why I'm pretty picky about what photos I will work from when painting pets. This reference photo had it all: taken outdoors in natural light, no flash to wash out the shadows or mess with the eyes, the photo clear and in focus, and of course the fabulous pose. I'm extremely happy with this painting, counting it among my person favorites.

30 Sighthounds in 30 Days - Day 2

Day 2 - Greyhound

5 x 7 inch oil on panel

© 2014 Kathleen Coy

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This beautiful brindle boy is Pyppee 3 Stockings. I added the flowers on his blanket to represent his mama, because I can tell how much she loves him. 

30 Sighthounds in 30 Days - Day 1

Day 1, Scottish Deerhound Puppy

5 x 7 inch oil on panel

© 2014 Kathleen Coy
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What better way to kick off the New Year than with a baby! This is Fling, a Scottish Deerhound puppy. If you're unfamiliar with the breed, I suggest you look them up, because they are big, gorgeous, noble and ancient. If you've been to a Renaissance Faire, you've probably seen them. I'm told by Fling's owner that she is growing like a weed and gaining 10 lbs a month!

I'm joining Leslie Saeta's artist challenge during the month of January where we paint 30 paintings of the subject of our choice. I decided on 30 days of Sighthound paintings and asked for submissions from sighthound owners on facebook. The results were overwhelming - both in the number of submissions and the quality of photos. Stay tuned, this is going to be fun!

6" Squared Show at Randy Higbee Gallery

So honored to not only have these five pieces accepted, but to also have received a Gallery Award in the Randy Higbee Gallery incredible 6"Squared Show. The show is on view until December 20th, 2013 in Costa Mesa, CA. http://randyhigbeegallery.com/Randy_Higbee_Gallery/6_Inch_Squared.html

Chicken Scratch, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel
© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Crosswalk, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel
© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Lion Cub, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel
© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Yellow Jacket, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel
© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Marshland, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel
© 2012 Kathleen Coy

This Way, and a sketch

This Way, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

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"This way." "No, THIS way.""But this way looks more interesting. I smell something good over here, too..." Just another scene from the farmer's market. I love the triangle shape the girl and dog make, as well as the tension created from leaning in two different directions. 

And here we have a quick 10 minute sketch of my new greyhound napping. 

My new Greyhound

Sephiroth, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

We adopted a retired greyhound last weekend. I'd like to introduce you to Sephiroth, a three and a half year old, 75 lb amber-eyed boy who looks like some sort of mythical tiger/antelope/dog creature. Despite his exotic good looks, he's just a big goofball of a dog, and we adore him already.  Most importantly, unlike the fictional Sephiroth and Cloud, my Sephiroth and Cloud are getting along fine.

This painting is I'm sure the first of many. Brindle coats are a challenge to paint, so I'll be getting lots of practice. Here's a picture of Seph in the yard. Love this yellow-eyed boy.

Bison Study

Bison Study, 5 x 7 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

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One of the many bison we saw at Custer State Park. 

Chicken Scratch

Chicken Scratch, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

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No, I'm not talking about my handwriting, although chicken scratch is a pretty accurate description. I found this free range hen during a visit to a local dairy goat farm. I like the boldness of the knife work in the background against the realistic hen.

Marley and Gracie

Marley, 4 x 4 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

I took a week long workshop with Karin Jurick last year, and one of the days she had us painting mugshots on small 4 x 4 inch panels. I enjoyed painting faces that size so much that I've done a few pets, (you can find them here and here.) Marley and Gracie are the latest, both commissions.

Gracie, 4 x 4 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Turkey Skull Study, and a trip to South Dakota

Turkey Skull Study, 6 x 6 inch oil on panel.

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

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Painted from life. I find skulls to be beautiful - a reminder that we are more than what we see as our physical bodies, and that our time in these bodies is limited. They are a great study tool as well, if you have an interest in anatomy. 

We took our first trip to South Dakota last month, visiting the Badlands and staying in Custer State Park. I fell in love with the landscape, and all the critters. Took lots of photos of bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and elk. Can't wait to paint them! Here are a few photos from the trip: