Going back for a second look...

Sometimes I take a photo that motivates me to paint a picture. That was the case with a musician I took a picture of in St Augustine last Fall. The picture was terrible - poorly lit and out of focus but it would not get out of my head until I got it on canvas.

I painted the picture late last year and put it away; not really happy with the results.
I went looking for the photo the other day to see what I could do to improves the painting and I can't find it anywhere! I guess that can be a good thing sometimes since it allows you to go wild with your imagination.

Here's the original painting...

I wasn't sure what was missing until I realized the lady had no audience. All that lovely music and nobody to listen...

"For the Cats" 8x10 Canvas panel

Now she has a half dozen cats to listen to her tunes and share her company! I'm not sure this version is that much better but it now tells a story and makes me smile. That's good enough for me!

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Home is Where the Art is...

We're back home after almost 7 months on the water and it feels great to finally be unpacked and settled in the house. Check out the blog posts here Robinleigh on Sailblogs and here RobinLeigh on Blogger for photos and stories about our great season!

I promised myself I would paint a LOT while we were on the boat, I brought my paints, brushes, and dozens of flat canvases. Aside from a few workshops at the Studios of Key West, and a recent burst of artistic energy in April, I completely failed on that mission! I did manage to read a lot of art theory books and I did a LOT of sketches but nothing like what I had planned.

Now that I'm home I'm eager to continue on a series I started in April.  Sort of a mash-up of sorts - Doggie Portraits 'Van Gogh' style. I'm calling the series "Gogh Dog Gogh" - catchy no?

Here's one of the first pieces I did, it's titled "Griffon with Sunflowers"

More paintings - a Bulldog, a Dachshund, and a Chow are near completion. I've got a great idea for a Standard Poodle with a Starry Night background; that should be fun. What Van Gogh doggies would you like to see?

Check out my new Facebook Page - A Brush With Humor. I'll be posting lots of art updates and some fun creative projects.

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