“She Loves Me Not…”

A close up view of something started long ago and for whatever reason was placed a side….sometimes it is as simple as the fact I have lost my ability to focus on it….at other times it is because I have deadlines to meet and I just never find my way back. Until that day when I rediscover it and…for lack of a better phrase….it haunts me. Still very much in the early stages I have once again been adding some details here and there as I also have commission work that is a bit more pressing as far as a deadline….I am looking forward to completing this by the New Year.

This painting is all about that very first love….so pure and innocent and those feeling of anguish….what if he/she does not like me back?

Do you remember your very first love?

Gift Certificates available throughout the Holiday Season!!!

I love creating the above sketch type portraits. Just a simple sketch on a colored background with a few highlights and the faint bit of coloring added here and there to the background. Always printed on art paper where splashes of oil pastel is added throughout making it a Mixed Media print!

Coming Soon…I have been asked enough times about creating sketches in Corel Painter, enough so I have decided to offer this as a class. New classes will be starting again in September. Check back for the dates and times of all classes.

I have so many images of the wild life found in our yard, especially the raccoons  Several weeks ago our raccoon stopped visiting us…I am not happy about that for I tend to get attached and worry about them.  Going by the past years it seems normal that we would stop seeing them….only the short period early summer are they really out and about during the day….and this one was. Oh well, maybe she will visit again with us next year….or I will happen to catch a glimpse of her for her favorite trees are right behind my home.

New class starting today at Paw Prints Studio. I opened the forum to the students yesterday and several have been busy making themselves comfortable, learning their way around. While class really did not start until today, I posted a little something about having everyone create a very quick self portrait (sketch) so that they could use it for this weeks avatars. While this course is about painting animals…this is a fun exercise to help everyone have a good time, laugh a little and just experiment and feel comfortable with the software, brushes and moving the pen around the tablet!

I posted a quick one of me….under 10 minutes…named a couple of the brushes used to create this very quick sketch and several took the challenge and ran with it. This was about having fun…no worries about it being good, bad….just play, experiment and fun with color and brushes. Thanks Cindy and Jeff, wonderful work! Looking forward to what the other students create

If your a student and would like to see your work on my blog all you have to do is e-mail me your permission to do so! Our next online Digitally Painting Animals course will be in Sept. Check back for the official date and time.

Our next online course for Digitally Painting Animals starts July 15th, there is still space available as well as time for you to enroll. The above was completed by Jack Heard one of our students who had so many nice thins to say about our online course. Thanks Jack….great work!!!!

Please know our class is geared towards those wanting to learn a few Corel Painter X techniques painting animals. Each week is broken down….painting the eyes and nose, backgrounds, fur (do you reallllly need a “special” fur brush)? Paper, textures and brushes. Last class is printing and hand embellishing your prints with acyclic paints. Four images are supplied for you to paint and practice with, however for those truly wanting to create their own art, your welcome to use your own images from the start. There are no filters used (unless adding a texture), this is a painting course. You are the Artist deciding on how painterly, colorful your masterpiece will be.

Dee is very free with her time for those students with a desire in improving their painting skills. The class forum is open to students only, a safe environment for you to visit at your convenience….class size is limited. There are also a  few short videos for your viewing pleasure

Those students (such as Jack Heard) that have been the most successful with the course have completed the assignments and shared their work allowing the instructor to view for feedback…maybe a suggestion or two…then up to the student to work on until they are satisfied. This five week course goes by very quickly…and again, the forum is there for you 24 hours a day so you can work at your own pace.

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It was bound to happen…went through my files and realized I have not painted a pom. So… how could I resist with such a prefect model right under my feet (yep, I mean that literally). After completing the painting I brought it into PS and created a Pop Art Poster…just for color and fun. Digitally Painting Animals classes start up again in July. Gift certificates available for Fathers Day!

Here at Paw Prints Studio, we offer several services and products . Since we adore animals they tend to be what we specialize in, however we photograph and paint all creatures big and small…people too Our services do not stop at photography and painting portraits….we also offer on line classes for those with an interest in creating beautiful Pet Portraits (Photographing animals and or Digitally Painting Animals). Our Class forum is open to students only at this time so it is a very safe place to post your work, ask questions and just a wonderful place to learn. All On-line classes will start up again in July, remember class space is limited so enroll early. Lets not forget our on-line Dog Obedience Class for those wanting a better behaved dog.

The above Painting was Printed on Gallery Wrapped Canvas….three individual paintings . Canvas that is Gallery Wrapped requires no framing and arrives ready for you to hang. The above shows them combined on a black background so that it could be placed on a coffee mug. …we offer so many gift items once your Painting is created or you have viewed proofs from your photography sessions you will have so many choices if looking for a special gift for yourself (hey, you deserve it) or for a loved one. Also, several fine art prints, and posters for those doing a little decorating in their home.

Left Behind…

A box of kittens, so hard to resist.

You choose three, brought us home.

We slept outside…in the cold, in the rain…

Waited for our meals at your door,

Every so often you ‘d play with us…

you’d tell us how much we were loved.

Then one day we watched you carry boxes out to the car…

You stopped, smiled and said you loved us.

We watched as you drove away…

I am all alone now…

I used to wait at your door for my meals,

The people who live there now chase me away…

I remember…you used to say you loved us.

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I am always amazed at just how selfish people can be. This is our neighborhood stray, we have a few. People bring these animals home, profess their love then allow them to roam. Some bother to vaccinate, spay and neuter…some do not. Some leave these animals behind when they move….indeed a sad tale. This is now a wild cat, you cannot get too close…as shown above, when you do he retreats to the sewer.

We are still watching the daily coming and goings of our new friend the Raccoon. I have tried chasing her, but hunger and easy access to food wins out every time. The birds are so very accustomed to their daily seed that I cannot just stop feeding them, nor do I want to for it is such a joy to look out my window and watch them.

She has become a little too used to me and the dogs and I have noticed her coming when we are out. I am very FIRM  and with authority  I tell all to down. The effect is wonderful for all three down and the raccoon retreats back into the woods. This only happens when she approaches the fence from the ground….I believe when she comes this way she cannot see the dogs, only me. Sometimes she will come by way of tree branches and walk along the top of the fence to get to the feeder. As mentioned in a previous post it is common for them to forage during the day this time of year. A couple of years ago we had an entire family….Mom and several babies. Come summer things went back to normal and we really did not notice them, except at night. Hopefully the same will hold true in this case. Again, while they look very cute please remember these are wild animals that carry all kinds of nasty things….ticks, fleas, roundworm (a number of wormy things that your dogs can get and pass on too you)…not to mention rabies. Lastly, they can be very protective of their babies so best to not bother them if you see them.