Cujo Commission Complete!!

At last, the adorable Chihuahua pooch is complete!! And I am very pleased with the results.

One mistake I will remember not to make again, is to oil-color the wood before applying wood oils. (DO it after!)  The oils washed away all the white highlights so that I had to re highlight the picture.

I loved what the oils did for the wood, (and was surprised what it did for an ordinary basswood round) and hope to use it on many future pieces.

So here is beloved Cujo!!   My second dog portrait ever...and one I feel I can be right proud of.  I am always willing to take commissions...but I feel the urge to do a nice chess board soon.  This project has been years in my head...so I don't know where I'll find the perfect piece of wood for it, or when I'll get my hands on it.

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Cujo, the Chihuahua Commission

         So with the 1 hours of me time I get at the end of work every week-day evening, I sat down and spent a little time sketching this Cujo.  It obviously wasn't an easy job since I had only the photograph on the left to go by and I am no good at drawing dogs...and I've never succeed in drawing any canine before or a chihuahua at that... the very word chihuahua is hard enough to spell!!

         But...I think I got somewhere in that hour.  : )  I plan on enlarging my sketch before transferring it to the wood I selected.

          At first I doubted the way I was spelling this pooch's name... Cujo...what an odd name.  So I began googling the name and found exactly where Cujo's owners came up with the idea.  Cujo is the name of a Rabid St. Bernard in a Steven Spielberg Horror Flick Film.  Interesting comparison...the title Cujo to a chihuahua.  I have heard that these little dogs have devils in them.  But I was told that this Cujo was the sweetest natured little dog ever.  I tried to capture that in my sketch and I hope I did that well.


           So with what time I have in the evenings these days this commission may take part of my summer.  But I have a feeling I will have a lot of fun and adventures with this wood-piece.  Growing excited.

           I am starting to make more and more burn videos and set them to music. I don't have a program for making movies so I can't...you know, put it in fast-forward for cool effect but I do what I can.  It makes it entertaining.  Hope to do more of that soon so check up with me on Facebook, keep in touch, and please comment!!

The artist

Rock and Roe!

 My Phlebotomy Certification finally came in the mail!! So I am one proud Phlebotomy Tech....or mosquito. In celebration....I decided to spoil myself, and bought myself something I have wanted ever since I was a little girl.

Cowgirl boots!!  These are my Rockys!!  I was told by an old friend that Justin was the most comfortable, and perhaps he was right...but I couldn't find any Justin boots that were to my taste.  When I first saw these on the back page of my Western Horseman issue,  I instantly fell in love.  These are me!!

I was so thankful to get them at a sweet closeout price...and I'm also glad they still had my size.  Because...the new boots Rocky is making for women... I definitely DO NOT like.   If any of you out there are curious, these boots are very comfortable, and they fit my feet well- I wear 7 and 1/2.  They are so stylish and I just don't want to take them off!!

Now, on to business...  I have finally, finished Roe!!  And he turned out well.  The oil colors really helped.  This was by far the most tedious, drawn out work I've ever accomplished...but I believe the dreary winter blues sent me into a little depression that just kept me from wanting to spend time burning.  It was definitely slow going.

My client tells me she has another dog she wants burned...I may have mentioned this, Cujo.  So, stayed tuned for a Chihuahua burning!!  Thanks for stopping by, check out my facebook!!

Update on Roe: The Horse Commission

Right.... so, even though I rotated this picture, the upload isn't going to co-operate.  Well, then this is a pathetic flop of a post!  Because this picture isn't even the most recent picture of the work.

Well, this kind of sums up how life has been going for me.  This portrait has been a struggle, and only because basswood rounds take much longer to burn because of the way the wood-fibers go.

Despite this and my lack of patience, Roe, the horse seems to be turning out well.  This commission is for my music instructor.  It is of her horse, who passed away 25 years ago in May. It is a very special piece for her because Roe stole her heart.

After I complete Roe I will be burning a dog, named Cujo.  I have never met Cujo, he passed away recently, and took part of his master's heart with him.  I never imagined I'd do so many Posthumous pet portraits, but I am very humbled to know that this portrait of Roe even in the unfinished stages, has touched my client.

Apart from Pyrography, here is a link to an awesome song that I will be attempting to play on my panflute. I have been working so hard at my music lately, and I give thanks for my renewed passion for my music, to Jon Schmidt and Steven Nelson (The Piano Guys) and their youtube videos.  I hope to make a few recording soon enough but I have no means to do this.

So, if you're in the mood for it, take a gander at this link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uu-PdK6-oU&feature=my_liked_videos&list=LLrYiuvF8XI3br8N1nPVn0DQ

Thanks for stopping by, please come by again soon.  Don't forget to drop a comment, or check out what I"m up to on Facebook!

Sgt. Dennis Weichel 2012

           I am not fond of sad stories... but this is a story that should have as much exposure if not more than of the soldier that went on a shooting rampage- I haven't even followed that story honestly.

           I could sit here and babble about this hero's wife, and the children he's left behind... but I feel he wouldn't want that.  Instead, take the time you would have spent reading my babbling...and have a moment of prayer for them.  And if you cannot feel to pray for them, pray and thank God for men such as this man.

.....And watch the link for the story:

http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/us-soldier-gives-his-life-to-save-afghan-girl-28773324.html

I couldn't embed the video like I wanted to.  

Harney Peak Eagles Commission Complete

 I am thrilled to announce that I have shipped off my latest commission as well as my first burned piece, the Canada Goose portrait.  My latest and my first, all in one order....wow.  It's a little sorrowful, letting go of my creations so quickly... but at least they will stay in good hands for many years.

Picassa is doing wonders for my photography.  I still don't have a good camera, but these pictures turned out nicely- and that is important to me because it is all I have left of my burning!!  

I have been busy with a medical course, but I still squeeze time to burn in there every few days and I have more projects lined up!!  So check out what I'm up to next on Facebook and subscribe!!

The Piano Guys

HI Everyone,

This is a different sort of post.  I will link you to some amazing music!!  Recently, a friend and I were chatting away on Facebook and she shot me a link to a you tube video.  When I watched it I didn't hesitate to subscribe to the channel.  And now, I am going to share it with you!!

I am a super big fan of the Piano Guys!!  Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson (name?) from St. George, Utah.  Jon Schmidt performs on the piano, and Mr. Steven on the Cello.  The two have only been at their you tube videos for just under 6-8 months and already have a big following.  I only wish I could have found them when their following wasn't so large, but I am here to make it bigger!!

I won't say another word about it because now it is up to you to explore the links below to their channels.  Here is Jon Schmidt's personal channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/carlosian2
He has a wonderful variety of music there.

And here is the official Piano Guy's channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePianoGuys
Which will in turn take you to the official Piano Guy's website and other sources.  Check these guy's out and if you like them- which you will, give them your support.

That is all fellow artists,
Get watching those videos!!

BTW- their music is playing on this blog now. ;)