Christmas Portrait

Merry Christmas form Chloe, Keegan, Reilly and Delaney

1st snow fall of the season

Little Keegan with tiny frozen snow balls sticking to his furry legs.




Snow had just begun....last week we were sitting on our deck in short sleeves! The weather is never boring here in the mountains of Virginia.

We got about 8 inches, but the swirling wind has produced a 2 foot drift in front of the garage door!

Taken the Plunge!

I've started my new business, UppyPuppy Dog Salon. It's been exciting getting a new business going, and word is spreading quickly! You can also find me on my facebook page.

Snow and Life

Well it's snowing yet again... we still have this 4 foot snow drift just out our front door. We haven't had snow like this since '93. Spring can't happen soon enough!

On another note; I've entered a new phase in my life. I sold out my half of my photography business. I think I was truly suffering from burnout. My new job? Working part time at one of the local Animal Clinics. Right now I'm doing what ever is needed, with the plan being to become a vet assistant. DOGS! Is there anything better than dogs in your life? They are truly a great blessing!

My 2 favorite people in all the world! Nick and Britti home for Christmas. I'm truly blessed!!!

Here's a cute little Silky Terrier I groomed today:

Before

After

She is so sweet! She really hates for her front feet to be messed with....thank goodness for the Groomer's Helper!

ARG!!!! Just look at how long it's been since I posted! Summer's over....tired of keeping up my little flower gardens. I did get 2 rooms painted and trimmed all the pine trees on our property!

Also getting a little more involved in dog grooming. I'm just taking it slow so I don't panic about all I have yet to learn.

This is Maggie, a mixed breed that I recently groomed:

She doesn't like to have her picture made.













Her mommy was very pleased. Yay!

Grandpup

I made this as a surprise Christmas gift for my son....he loved it!

I can't believe that I'm planning to get into dog grooming! Whoda thunk it? Wish me well!

Christmas Portrait

Christmas Portrait, originally uploaded by quinacridonered.

.....and it only took 75 minutes to capture! Argh! Every time I picked up the camera remote release, my little yorkie would get up to come see what I was doing, then my yorkie poo would follow. But I was determined to get that portrait! My toy poodle and collie/shepherd mix are elderly and not in the best of health.

From left: Keegan, Chloe, Reilly and Desi

Have a blessed Christmas y'all

So Sad

Our historic Train Depot has burned down, totally gutted, by an electrical fire. I'm so glad that I have my photos taken this summer, and that I had painted from them!

The Face of the Earth

I haven't fallen off, my art is just taking a back seat of sorts.

I've decided to get into dog training, so between volunteering at the local shelter and trying to read through and absorb about 11 books on the subject, I just don't have any extra time for art ( or anything else ). I'm also attending a dog class ( an hours drive away ) to train my own dogs, and to receive mentoring.

All this after my day job!

Ahhhh......midlife career changes........keeps life interesting.

Meeting Fellow Artists and Bloggers

Here's a happy photo for my new friends and art buddies:



What a treat! Monday evening I met with Cindy and Deborah for dinner. We were all total strangers, but it felt like meeting old friends ( after making sure that we weren't deviant men in disguise ). Isn't it odd that we tell our kids to be careful online, but we "adults" often disregard that advice. We will definitely meet up again, with no worries of crazed killers lurking in our minds. The girls did discover a quirk of mine....I have a very active imagination.

Have a blessed day, y'all!

More Postcards!

From Stephanie


From Marva


From Wendy


From Jen

Aren't they all beautiful?!!! I have a few more to finish myself, then I'll be sending my postcards out!

Train Station 3

Train Station 3, originally uploaded by quinacridonered.

My third in the Train Station series.

Train Station 2

Another in my Train Station series.....and again, scanner not getting it quite right. the doors and shutter thingies are a darker color.

Thanks for looking!

Train Station

My first in a series of our local old Train Depot, built in 1886. Ink and watercolor on Arches 140#. I couldn't get my scanner to scan this accurately....this is as close as I could get. The doors and window trim is more burgundy than red.

Thanks for looking! Please leave any tips on how to improve.

Poppy Field

Poppy Field, originally uploaded by quinacridonered.

This is another watercolor exercise from a Terry Harrison book. Arches 12 x 16, W & N paints. I know there are lots of corrections needed.....but this painting makes me feel happy!

Holiday weekend coming up.....YAY!

Watercolor Door

Watercolor Door, originally uploaded by quinacridonered.

This is from a Terry Harrison book, on Arches 140# , 12 x 16, with W & N paints. I may do this again now that I know what I'm doing, lol. My boo boo's stick out like a sore thumb! But, I enjoyed myself!!!

Grandpuppy is Growing!

We drove all the way to North Carolina yesterday to see our darling grandpup!
We did visit our handsome son, too. This fur child is wired for action...she is non stop every waking moment. We took her to the Lansford Canal Park where she proceeded to carry around all the sticks that were much bigger than her.

Can you believe that I went all the way to Charlotte, NC and didn't go to Cheap Joe's???? Me neither.

WC Pencil Landscape

WC Pencil Landscape, originally uploaded by quinacridonered.

...exercise from Kate's CD. I was really hesitant to post it......but then I remembered that I had encouraged someone else not to be afraid to post. Doncha hate to eat your own words???
I have a wonderfully glorious view out my front door, so I think I will practice doing some more landscapes. It's really lovely with a heavy snow!