Finally, here is the update! This is what I have been up to all this time. I am beginning to dread uploading pictures for some reason. For one thing it is hard to get a good picture of artwork with the camera I am using (parents camera).
The Piebald Dauchsund in progress you see her is a commission of a friend. This portrait is of her dog Daisy, taken directly from a photograph. Replicating photographs is not easy. But that's what I'm here for! So far, this pooch has been alot of fun to burn. I know her personally and she is so sweet and spoiled. I feel knowing her helped me to portray her engergy and charm onto the wood. 
Next is the Work In Progress I laid aside to do Daisy, the Dauchsund. This is a Cowboy at the Cross portrait that I sketched on paper in June of 2010 and decided to improve. I did indeed improve it, tweaking things here and there, and am pleased with how it is turning out so far. I am struggling to add texture to the horses skin at the moment, as I know horses are so spongy, fleshy, and alot more bumpy than a pencil or pen will often allow you to portray. The eyesets, and the mood overall are pleasant, contrast is fine but I will continue to work on deepening that contrast. I like being able to set it to the side for a moment because it allows me to contemplate my next point of attack.
I hope to offer prints of this work in the near future. I do not know when the origional will be for sale.Also, I am now burning on Birch Ply which is very fine for burning. In fact, I like it better than Basswood. For any of you pyro guys and gals out there, who are like me and wonder just where in the world can I find good fine art proffessional canvas wood. I looked high and low, here and there, but the only place I was able to find fine birch ply was at my local Lowes. But it was fine wood, and a good price ($4.00). I just had to have my dad run it over the table saw, cut it into three pieces of different dimension. Cheaper than basswood and an excellent burn, excellent grain. I just love it!
