Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Sammy on Holiday



Sammy on Holiday
12x16" watercolor on 300 lb. Arches Aquarelle

Just another quick watercolor whilst I do my research on Elizabeth Cotten. Last month we celebrated my daughter's birthday by going down to Edisto Island, South Carolina. Ann and I have always loved that place (Jasper Johns used to own a house down there). My daughter has come to love the place too - so we've been staying there a couple of times a year for a little while now. I had to do this wc of Sammy our Springer. Both dogs love any holiday - where we take three or four walks on the beach per day - big difference from the work-a-day life we have here in the mountains.

Edisto Beach, SC. October 2009

14 comments:

Capt Elaine Magliacane said...

Great painting... funny isn't it, you come here to holiday, we live here and go to the mountains on holiday :-)

Ellen Burkett said...

Great! Very nice, with great variations in color, soft shadows and a sweetheart of a dog. I love the suggestions of the palm tree. Very pretty painting!

Ellen Burkett said...

Gary, I've left an award on my page for you because your artwork is always so very good and interesting. You are an inspiration.

Gary said...

Thanks Captain - we love the whole of coastal SC, especially the Charleston area.

Ellen - thanks for the support and your special kindness. You always have something inspiring to say share it so freely.

Gillian Mowbray said...

Beautiful dog portrait and a restful piece of artwork. Your talk of walks on the beach has me sighing - right now we're enduring days of stormy weather and floods here in the UK. Wanna swap? ^_~

Autumn Leaves said...

I think I want to holiday there as well. It looks so lovely! I am in love with your Sammy. I grew up with Springers and they are such an intelligent breed. Our's were all liver and white models, but Sammy is gorgeous. Wish I could visit with you, Sammy, and your two girls for a spell on that wonderful porch! Beautiful, Gary!

Jeanette Jobson said...

This has a lovely soft feel to it Gary. I can sense the dog's alertness (any sign of W A L K). It looks like a peaceful place to be.

I live in the woods so don't know if a city should be my idea of a holiday - not usually. More like more woods and the ocean, but even that is only a stone's throw from where I live almost. Anywhere that's quiet suits me.

Silvia Williams Paints Watercolors said...

A very good feeling of the place in this painting. I like the chair and dog with the hint of palm trees. Edisto is a lovely place to visit and you have a great feeling for beach places. Love and colors and composition, too. Silvia

Sadia said...

Beautifully painted Gary! Excellent blend of colors!

Ramona Davidson said...

I love how you did the background. Lovely detail that does not compete with the subject. I love the way the shadows and sun are streaming across the porch floor boards. Great art as ever.

Gary said...

Gillian - I'd love to swap!
Autumn - we should let you know the next time we head down...
Jeanette - oh yeah - just seeing me on the porch and he's ready to go again (or eat, whichever comes first)
Silvia - you've hit the nail on the head. A sense of place is so individual - all I can do is try and express what it means to me (like trying to capture the shrill laughter of a child who can experience heaven in the joy of a dog's face).
Sadia - nice to meet you. Your work is so powerful it will take me some time to absorb it - I look forward to it!

Gary said...

Oops -didn't scroll - thanks for the kind words as usual Ramona, you are always quite inspirational.

Alex said...

Absolutely breathtaking Gary! What a beautiful drawing. I have been missing out in all the great drawings that you did... so I am going to follow your blog ^^
Thanks for your comments, it means so much to me.

Gary said...

I always read your comments to everybody Alex - you are quite generous with your time. Thanks for stopping in.