Ding & Dong are twin hereford calves who were lovingly raised by a Vermont farmer. His wife asked me to paint them for a Christmas gift and I was happy to do so. She reported that he loves this memory of when they were small. Depicting animals is something I enjoy and it’s always great to be able to make celebrations special for others! I like how the calf on the left has a slightly larger and lighter face than the other calf, drawing attention as the center of interest. I also liked painting Springtime just as Winter has arrived. The grass will be green here once again!
Ensured by Faithfulness
30 x 38 Watercolor, 2009; Psalm 50:10-15, 23
My first full-sheet work in ten years, this white-tailed doe deer depicts the wild beasts of the field which are all described as owned by our Father, in Psalm 50:11. He cares for them. His people can cry out for help in the day of trouble and He promises to deliver us. We must then glorify Him. I praise YaHaWah’s great name for faithfully providing all that I need these past few months! I am grateful for the use of the photo reference, taken by my good friend Alicia Pearce. A gift Werner Gitt sent me – the strong lyrics of a joyful Mahalia Jackson CD, really helped me complete this big painting!
This work depicts a Huntaway dog barking to move ewes and their lambs through a gate. It was a half-sheet “masterpiece” I painted in NZ, and it sold immediately at the opening reception of the Pukekohe annual art show. I priced the work before even starting it because I’d learned about the show deadline very late…and felt that selling it was a large sacrifice, even though it did help finance my final six months in the country. The people attending the show voted it second favorite and I saw that they stood around marvelling at the amount of detail. New Zealanders know sheep and I am grateful they appreciated the huge effort I had made to finish this piece in time for the show! One farmer told me, “you see, the dog is busy with those sheep over there (on the left), but see that lamb? He’s about to break away!”
