Jumping off the deep end....

...and hoping you can swim!

well at least in a pool you don't have far to go to reach the side or the ladder.

New just off the easel is this little abstract. I wasn't sure where I was going with the piece but then it told me the title and I'm sticking with it.

"Stormy Weather" is now listed on Ebay with 20% to the Northern Rockies Regional branch of the Humane Society.Stormy Weather abstract new CHRETIEN HSUS NRRO oil - eBay (item 110282316768 end time Aug-29-08 02:54:43 PDT)

Dave does the good heartfelt work there...you can read about his exploits on the ART HELPING ANIMALS news Blog.Art Helping Animals News

I recently "stepped back" from the edge of the pool, so to speak, to take a little time from the harried pace of painting I had whipped myself into.

It feels good. "Vacation" does not ever seem to exist in my vocabulary or daily life. And even the words "stepping back" just don't seem to pack a full punch...I have 6 pieces of new work in various stages of completion in the studio. That is like an inside joke among my brushes. I think they are laughing at me.

Anyway... my pace is more leisurely as I work on some new things and dream of what is to come out of the end of this "laid back" period.

Sometimes even the artist is the spectator too.

Stay tuned...more to come.

Tribute to a Lady

Always a Lady...
well not exactly in the beginning.
Lady was brought home to my Mother-in-law as a 6 months old puppy.
She was now going to be in her second "forever" home, taken from an adoption of a "shelter pets event" by my M-I-L's niece Eleanor as a birthday "gift"to her ...although, truth be told, she was really adding life to a home where my M-I-L was living alone after the passing of her husband and the more recent loss of her dog, Brandy.
Lady was a lanky mixed breed and we think a little bit kangaroo as she could spring straight up in the air and land on the back of the sofa. She was a wild child...and ALWAYS on the move.
She really filled the house with energy and was to become a real and true companion to my Mother-in-law.

Lady at 2 yrs

When my husband and I got our dalmatian puppy Lizzie, Lady was almost 2. She had grown tall and muscular. We always wondered what breed she was mixed with but there was never a clear answer looking at her.
My husband and I brought our 4 month old puppy to meet Lady who was completely thrilled to see Lizzie but it would take 2 visits before Lizzie was thrilled right back at her.
This is where Lady really shined. She was a very, very generous dog. As you can see in the photo below...Lizzie would take Lady's chewy bone right out of her mouth and lay down under her and munch away.
Lady never ever cared...she was just loving having dog company!
They ran through the house and roughed it up indoors and out until they were exhausted.
Lady could have Lizzie's whole head in her mouth and was as gentle as could be.
We visited with my husband's family always bringing Lizzie with us every other Saturday and for these dog buddies it was always great time.

When Lizzie was 2 yrs and Lady 4 a new friend was added to this pack. My husband's cousin Eleanor got a chocolate lab pup named Pebbles. She brought her to the visits every other Saturday and Lady was thrilled. Lizzie, not so much.
The dynamic of the 3 dog pack on these visiting weekends was Lizzie thought she was BOSS, Lady let her think so, Pebbles was the low man on the totem pole to Lizzie.
Lady would step in if she needed to break up Lizzie's bossiness. All in All...it really worked out. They did get along well and it was good for them to have these dog days together.

Lady & Lizzie

This photo below was in 2004 at my Mother-In-Law's yard. When my M-I-L passed away unexpectedly 3 years ago Lady lived with my Brother-in-law and his wife (my M-I-L had her own apt with Lady at their house) and they gave her the comfort of staying in the place she knew and loved. It was such a hard loss for us all. Lady too. She was her loving constant companion.

Lady had a great life moving from "shelter dog" rescued from being homeless and unwanted to having a family and friends that made her life loving and fun. It was such a wonderful gift from Eleanor that helped a bit to fill the void in my M-I-L's life.

Below is a picture of the 3 Amigos in action.

This image below was a painting I did of Lady that was in an exhibit of Animal Art at the Fall River Art Association. I have painted her several times for charity.

Last weekend Lady went to the Rainbow Bridge and hopefully she was reunited with her most beloved...my M-I-L ... because the best of the best waits for us there, that is my belief.

It was my great pleasure to know her and love "Lady Bug."

The Daily Painter...Art that helps animals...

...does not have to be only "animal art" as you can see if you have been following along with this blog and the work posted for sale on ART HELPING ANIMALS and my own site.

I also post my artwork twice weekly on The Daily Painter's Gallery site and the work is not always animal themed...but if and when sold, homeless animals will benefit by a donated percentage of every sale of my work.
Most of my pieces sold to help rescues are very small pieces painted as quicker studies and made available for animal art collectors.
Many affordable small pieces have been painted and sold in the last few years with great success.

I have painted some larger and more involved oils that have hung in shows and exhibitions in galleries. The prices of those oils are reflective of the time that has gone into painting them, sometimes over weeks on the easel. They are painted on hand-stretched canvas with many layers of glazing to obtain the light that I aim to acheive that comes from within the painting.

Below is a painting that was done a few years ago, it is framed and has been hung in a regional art exhibit. It received an honorable mention in its category.

A Gathering in the Square

12x16

oil on canvas

It remains one of my favorite paintings for light and atmosphere and the way non-human objects can suggest their own story of what might be happening in their secret world.
At least that is my take on things or my point of view.

I have several paintings that I have rarely made public, this is one of them. It is available framed.
Please feel free to email me if interested. Visit my site for other work that is available. Links are found to the left.

Small works of Art ...new series

My ORIGINAL SMALL WORKS of ART...

as listed below in the blog.... I have started the new series of small 5x7 oils that are painted in simple quiet palettes that offer a reflective feel to bring the viewer, and hopefully the collector, into that space where a connection is made to the work presented.

The subjects are also kept to a minimal number and arrangement to allow a larger space in a smaller format.

The first two, WISHING ON THE MOON and CRYSTAL VISIONS are now listed on Ebay with 20% to the designated charity (as always) and they are either up for auction or at a buy now price.

A new piece in the series is coming soon....stay tuned.

With a Crystal Vision

Just coming off the easel.

"Crystal Visions"

This is one of those little 5x7 simple pieces that hope to make you smile.

It will be offered for sale soon.

Point of View...with a Twist.

New England Curiosity Shoppe

Quiet Contemplation Sakonnet Point, Late Winter

POV....Everyone has their own when it comes to speaking about art. What is good art? What is bad art? The experts are always willing to tell you their point of view.

"Bad Art" itself has a following. There is a site somewhere in this online universe that is dedicated to Bad Art. "Good Art" or, maybe even, art that does some good is another point of view and probably encompasses both. Art is in the eye of the beholder when it is something you want to live with everyday.


I have written in the past of what success is to me and how people measure their successes.


I paint to express my interests in my own way, to tell a story or share a memory and... I paint hoping to sell my work to those who enjoy it. The "twist" is the where-with-all to do it on my own terms. That is where I feel most successful. I can make a 100% donation from the sale if my own heart feels the urge to do it for a particular cause. There have been some great causes and great sales that I have not profitted from other than to know it was the right thing to do at the time. I listen to my heart.

Recently I offered a cocker spaniel painting inspired by Dolly the blind cocker for the Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England. It didn't sell...twice! ... even though it was offered at 100% donation. But all is not lost! It will be framed and shipped to the rescue as part of their annual fund raiser sale. It still becomes a win. Those who attend the yearly event will be on the lookout for art to purchase and the proceeds will definately help a cocker with medical issues and medical bills in the care of that rescue.

I feel blessed to have an ability to communicate with art and that when sold the work makes others a beneficiary of my time and creativity. Even small steps complete long journeys.



Small pieces and studies that I paint to help animals are naturally the ones that sell the easiest.

The twist is that ALL my work has a % donated to help animals waiting for their forever home.



Currently I have 50 paintings available on my web site ( examples above) some are big oils in frames some are very little pieces on board or canvas. The prices vary. The subjects vary. The buyers find what they like. The animals benefit.

My point of view on success as an artist is one continual doing.

You paint your heart on a canvas and hope someone falls for your vision. Your vision supports the good work of rescuers. You feel humbled and happy. It keeps you moving forward.