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Finally got Allie's portrait framed and delivered. This is one of my favorite portraits I have done so far because Allie is a special dog. She is not only a beloved pet but also a service dog to a beautiful lady who happens to be in a wheelchair. Allie has lots of jobs to do around the house each day to help her mistress out. She picks things up off the floor when asked and actually opens the back door and lets herself outside. Her 'mom' keeps a beautiful home filled with all kinds of artsy things, alot of which she has made herself. This morning when I walked in, the house was all decorated for Halloween, including a miniature haunted house, complete with ghosts, pumpkins, lights, and a fireplace! Well, this haunted house was not only handmade by Allie's very creative 'mom', but she also won a blue ribbon for it in a haunted house competition! It was very cool! And she was very happy with Allie's portrait, so that made me happy too. What a great day!

Tasha and Charlie. Tasha, on the left, no longer with her family. Charlie, on the right, greeted me when I pulled in the driveway today! We were already old friends! A surprise portrait for the dad in this family, who has a birthday today. What fun!

During a pastel workshop this summer, I heard this poem by Rudyard Kipling. I had been looking for it online so that I could copy it, since it is an artist's poem and truly reverberates with all who create art. It is called:

"When Earth's Last Picture is Painted"

When Earth's last picture is painted and the tubes are twisted and dried,
When the oldest colours have faded, and the youngest critic has died,
We shall rest, and, faith, we shall need it -- lie down for an aeon or two,
Til The Master of All Good Workmen shall put us to work anew.
And those that were good shall be happy; they shall sit in a golden chair;
They shall splash at a ten-league canvas with brushes of comets' hair.
They shall find real saints to draw from -- Magdalene, Peter, and Paul;
They shall work for an age at a sitting and never be tired at all!

And only The Master shall praise us, and only The Master shall blame;
And no one shall work for money, and no one shall work for fame,
But each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,
Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as They are!

Just had to share this little (10x10) portrait with you. Another shihtsu. This is Lucy. Her mom wanted to make sure I put her crooked teeth in. :)

We had a great get-away in the Smokies this week. Took lots of pictures and am so anxious to do some paintings from them. I'm thinking pastel and oils. The fall colors in the mountains were spectacular! But first I need to finish "Allie" and get started on another commission. I will post Allie's portrait when I'm finished. But not before her "mom" sees the finished product. :)

So this is fun - I ran into my old neighbor on facebook (!) and she wanted to come and see my paintings. She ended up buying "Ducks in a Row" for her mother's 83rd birthday! She said her father had bought her mom an original oil painting years ago, and her mom still treasured that painting. My neighbor was hoping to surprise her mom with something again that she would treasure. The "Ducks in a Row" painting was done from photo references taken at Oak Openings Park. I was super happy to be part of a special birthday present for a special mom. Here is "Ducks in a Row".

So I spent most of the day working on a mural in the children's room at my church. It is a full wall mural of Noah's Ark. I was hoping to finish in six months, but I passed that mark last month. It has been very fun to work on, but I will be glad to get finished. Today was camel day and I finished up the zebras. When it is done, I will post a photo.
Also, the curator at the Ford Gallery kept all six paintings. They will be on display in time for the Gallery Loop next Friday, the 15th. The Ford Gallery is in the Spaghetti Warehouse, in case you don't know.

As the wedding season continues to hit full stride in October, consider a 'walk-away' wedding portrait as a wedding gift or Christmas gift for the newlyweds. I work from their own wedding photos and the pastel portrait is a unique addition to photographs. Also, the portrait becomes an heirloom for generations to come. I have done 'walk-aways' for all my married nieces and nephews and they are quite happy with them. I also do paintings from engagement photos. Just an idea!