Desert Wind

Because I find acrylic to be the most uncomfortable medium that I use, I am trying to do more of them in hopes of increasing my comfort level. I decided to try "Desert Wind" in acrylic as I wanted it to be a large painting. This painting of an Arabian horse and Saluki was done on a 16 x 20 gessoed panel, and while it was fun to do, there was also the familiar frustration level with this type of paint. More frustration presented itself when I tried to scan the image. My scanner was much too small, and we faced a 4 piece scan. Instead of facing that, we decided to take the painting to a local print shop to have it scanned for us, and at that point, the gremlins really came out of the woodwork. The person at the shop refused to let me have any input into the scan, then when we went back to collect it, they had temprarily lost the CD with the scan. We gave them a week, then went back and they had it ready this time. When we got home and looked at the CD, the scan was so horrible that I threw it away and got out my little digital camera. The resulting photo is not great, but SO much better than what the shop had done. Now I have two new goals; to find a new print shop, and to buy a better camera!
One bright spot that came about half way through this painting was that I was given a Blog Award by fellow artist Debbie Flood. Thanks Debbie. It made my day.

Heather Anderson
www.heather-anderson-animals-in-art.com

Collie Love

February brings a silver-lace look to the snow and you can feel the air gradually take on the memory of warmth. You begin to get a faint hope that Spring is out there somewhere. Shining in the middle of the month is Valentine's Day, and here at Sheltie Hollow, that means a special dinner, roses, and luscious Swiss Chocolates.
But love is not the exclusive domain of humans. Our dogs and cat exhibit real affection for us and towards each other. Many years ago, we had a Tricolour Collie who gently adored children. When our nephew would come to visit, it was clear that he and Daisy shared a special fascination with each other.
My 8 x 10 inch watercolour painting "Collie Love" is a warm memory of those long ago days when boy and dog would go off into a shady corner to be together and enjoy each other's company.

Heather Anderson
www.heather-anderson-animals-in-art.com

Reflections On A Winter Afternoon

On cold winter afternoons like today, most of our Shelties love to curl up somewhere cozy and
snooze. This little girl however, prefers to keep an eye on things. Her favourite spot on a late winter afternoon is on the back of a couch where she can catch the last rays of the setting sun. I was fascinated by the way the sun warms her coat and by the far away look in her eyes. What does she think about? I was also intrigued by how to solve the problem of painting her reflection in the window, so naturally, I just had to paint this.
I chose acrylic for this painting because of the possibilities of layering light over dark. "Reflections On A Winter Afteroon" was every bit as challenging as I thought it would be, and every bit as enjoyable to paint. I am delighted that this painting is now being enjoyed in a home where Shelties reign.