Give Me That Dog project Continues

I caught myself rounding a corner yesterday when I reviewed all of the great stories and photos that people sent to me upon my request. The first 10 paintings and stories were in a show in Leavenworth, Kansas and visitors really enjoyed the work. Hopefully the stories will encourage others to rescue a dog when a chance comes their way!
Now I have time to get started on the yet to be painted stories. I'm thinking of using a smaller paper format and possibly drawing the stories rather than painting. I hope the drawings will capture the essence of the story in much the same way the paintings have. I'll be sure to post some here on my blog when I get started!
In addition, we have a book with the stories and illustrations that have been completed. Find it at http://www.Bellacompany.com

dog story auction

Give Me That Dog show at the Carnegie Art Center in Leavenworth was good. Folks really enjoyed reading the great stories I received from fans. I hope the stories and paintings give folks the courage that the story writers had in just pulling a dog out of a "ditch" and into their hearts and homes!
Some of those paintings are being auctioned off on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/BellaandCompany
If you like my work, you might take a look!

Yard Work and art work

Spring is such a wild and unpredictable time on the planet. This spring is no exception. Here in Weston, sandbags are being filled in anticipation of the rising Missouri river which, in turn, causes some local creeks to overflow their banks. We live up the hill from the flood plain so our home is not in much danger. Even though I credit myself for the flowers in our back yard, mother nature has her hand in that too. Warm sunny days mixed with cold rain days has really made the difference! All the work we have completed in the past four years seems to have made a difference. Even though we have four dogs, they very dutifully follow the paths I make for them! I'm sometimes tempted to return to my flower painting years. I gave it a try with a few small watercolors, but felt like I was just repeating myself...so, I'm headed back to dog stories I've received but haven't started yet. June 12,2011

spring cleaning

I've moved some of the larger stretched canvases to the Carnegie Arts Center for my show in May, so I've had space to really repaint and reorganize my studio. With the help of a good friend, I've added a wall so I can hang more work. Of course I had to move everything in the studio from one location to another and then back again. When I get in this re-organizing mood, it's tempting to toss a lot of art....and I have tossed some! It's difficult to imagine how my work will end up when I'm no longer here. What if anything will someone do with it and will it have any value in the future? It will certainly be a collection for someone to figure out! UMB bank in Kansas City, Mo has given me some great guidance in organizing my art, and a place where my art might be stored for some future interest. I'm hopeful that some distant relative might not only take an interest, but also benefit in some way from my work.
The current paper work for my new show has been interrupted by my urge to get this studio cleaned up and reorganized, but I think it's been worth it.

getting organized!!

I've been working away on some of the many great stories I received from dog rescuers. I have about 10 paintings completed so far. This morning I sat at my desk for two hours just sorting through all of the many great stories I haven't even had time to get started on yet!...Several folks submitted a story on my blog, but did not send photos by mail or e-mail...Dogs names:Peanut, and
Tess. If this applies...send me photos ....bellaandcompany@kc.rr.com

It takes a village...

Sometimes it takes a village. This painting was inspired by a story sent to me by group of women who decided to rescue some feral dogs from their cardboard box home on the edge of town. They did lots of planning and plotting to capture this wild group, but they were successful in their venture and all the dogs found new real homes.

A Painting a day

I seem to be pretty good at setting goals that are so far out there...I then fear that I might not reach the goal. Of course, I'm writing about painting goals....not life goals...although painting is now back in the center of my life. We are experimenting with an I-photo book to see how it comes out before we get too far down the road with this project. Even though that program has some limitations and probably was really designed for weddings, anniversaries, and reunions, it seems affordable and a pretty good program to work with.
I'm just posting a couple of paintings here instead of the story that will accompany the painting. Dog lovers have sent me some truly amazing, heart breaking and heart warming stories. I may have found the project to last me a life time!