Showing posts with label Golden Retreiver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Golden Retreiver. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Happy Holly

Happy Holly___11x14 oil on linen__a commission for Act I Gallery
A few days ago I posted a happy dog sketch. It was the last drawing I did for my mom...one I sketched upside down so she could watch it happen while laying in bed....Mom passed away on Sept 12....
Well that happy dog sketch was from a photo of this dog, Holly.
Holly's family sent me some pics to paint from...I usually play around with several views, combining them for an original view. I showed them "mom's sketch" and asked if I could keep it (for sentimental reasons), and then painted this as their final commission. I thought of my mom, all the while I worked on Holly...remembering how much my mom loved me to paint animals, and loved to watch me work...I will miss that!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Happy Dog For Mom

Happy Dog ...My last drawing for mom
 
I drew this at mom's bedside. Holding the photo and pad upside down so she could see it right side up...She LOVED when I drew upside down for her! She would just marvel! And for a short moment I could "pretend" to have some sort of edge over her!...We laughed and smiled at each other a LOT. She always wanted me to "draw more animals!", so how fitting that the last art I ever drew for her is a HAPPY, laughing dog!
*******
On Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, The Lord came for mom!
He also said YES to three BIG prayers I had been pestering Him with for about 6 years:
1. That she would be READY to go, and not in pain.
2. That she would be in her own comfortable room, and NOT in a hospital.
3. That I would be WITH HER when she left us.
I shouldn't be amazed that God can do such wonders, but I am humbled that He made this so personal to me....T H A N K  Y O U   SWEET L O R D
 
Below is a short excerpt from the tribute (Obituary) I wrote for the funeral announcement.
The Birdseed Project will continue... and now I have the final chapter for the book that will come out in Spring...
TAX DEDUCTIBLE donations (instead of flowers!) can be made here, but please designate Birdseed Project on the envelope
 
 Make check payable to Threefold Cord Ministries and mail it to
Threefold Cord Ministries, P.O. Box 540591, Omaha, NE 68154.
 
*******
My Mom (Doreen Westaway Pedro) had enduring ears to hear sorrows, but knew when to tell you to “snap out of it”. And if her discipline was hard, she quickly restored and mended the wounds…usually with a comment to make you laugh through the tears.
 
Mom insisted on FUN. Laughter, or else!…she had more fun than any of us ... Wherever she went, people NOTICED her, because a spark of laughter would rush in with her, and she would look you in the eye, so you knew you were included in the fun. People felt special around “mom”, so they liked her a lot. 
Mom circa 1942...                      ... and 2007 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Raising Mango

Raising Mango___20x16 oil on linen___SOLD


Last year I painted a commission for the couple below...it was a special gift from her to him...the painting above is a specila gift from him to her! (I hope she doesn't see this...but if so...PLEASE act surprised, S....) Read the details of it HERE


OTH of these were tough because the photos were not great, but then again, I kind of like that, because I get to make up stuff I can't see. On this one I had to actually pose MYSELF for an iPhone photo to finish part of her...no, not her pretty legs...just the finger pointing hand.
SPEAKING OF GRUENE, TX!


PLEASE Mark your calendar!


Wednesday, February 14 is the artist reception for the exhibit

Passing America...in Texas

Cactus Jack's Gallery, Gruene

The exhibit that spent a few months in Nebraska is here in Texas till mid April.

Please go see it when you can, and I would prefer if you'd come while I am there, so I can show you around!
Here is your official invitation/directions and all












Sunday, January 31, 2010

Three Pants

Three Pants___overall framed size 7 x 13___available at SEWE
These three golden retrievers had just gotten through romping around the water when I snapped the picture....all tongues hanging in full PANT! I painted them in oils on a brown mottled surface (Matt board). Their shadows are the background color coming through. This is really a sketch, but it's all framed up and ready to take to the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston, SC. Srr it framed, below. I ship my big box of art tomorrow! Then I will have a few days off before flying out to the show. I hope if you live nearby you will come say "hello"! vvaughan8@yahoo.com