Support for #SeaShepherd defending whales in the Faroe Islands

I don't want to believe my eyes!  This morning I've been watching pictures on Twitter of the horrific slaughter of beautiful, innocent creatures.  Fishermen chased 250 whales to shore in the Faroe Islands and the locals stabbed them to death with glee while children watched!  The sea is turned red!  A blood bath!  How can so-called civilised people do this in the 21st Century!

I'm not rich, all I can do is paint.  But I have to do something.  I want to donate the whole of my fee for my next commissioned painting to Sea Shepherd who are doing their best under extreme circumstances to try to save the whales against such cruelty and ignorance.  I will also throw in FREE SHIPPING!

If you would like to help the charity by commissioning a painting take a look at the special listing I've added to my Etsy shop  I shall be making my donation to the Sea Shepherd  donation page. If you don't want a painting at this time and would like to give direct to Sea Shepherd, no matter how little, you know what to do.  On the other hand if you've been thinking about buying one of my custom portraits and want to help protect the whales, this is the ideal opportunity  Click here to find out how you can help.

Remember:  As always I offer a FREE assessment of your photo before you pay.  So please email me your favourite photo to inspire your painting and I'll get back to you pronto!

Black poodle custom portrait painting

Completed black poodle custom portrait.

I received a commission to paint a poodle with a cute smiley expression as a gift for the clients father.  It was a interesting project as the little dog is completely black.  I've painted many black dogs before but on this occasion decided to accentuate lights and medium tones using distinctive blue notes .

black dog work-in-progress 1

I worked on a stretched canvas using acrylic paint rather than oils because the painting was required quickly.  Oil paint would have taken too long to dry before it would have been safe to ship to the USA from my studio in England. I started with underpainting in soft warm colour intended to be complementary to the blues to be worked later.  A loose sketch of the poodle followed in thin dark grey paint.

Gradually tones, texture and colour were developed and finally a simple background that was carried onto the sides so the painting can be displayed without frame.

If you would love a portrait of your own dog, send me your favourite photo for FREE consultation and advice to beeskelton@gmail.com

black dog work-in-progress 2
more tone added

black dog work-in-progress 3
with light/medium blue notes

black dog work-in-progress 4

black dog completed side view

A dog really is for life

My sweet Sally

I just want to tell you about Sally, the sweetest, most loyal, lovable little dog, who we had to say a final good-bye to this month.

We first saw her 13 years ago as a tiny, skinny, dirty-grey scrap of a creature on the motorway just outside Limassol, Cyprus.  She was hit by a car just ahead of us, who failed to stop.  My husband and I ran waving our arms and managed to slow down the traffic enough to pick her up before she was hit again.  She appeared to be dead, but I just couldn't believe that life could be there one second and so completely gone the next.  I hadn't a clue what I was doing really, but tried to do what I thought was correct resuscitation procedure and H drove us to the nearest vet. On the way I saw her eyelids flicker and felt her sigh. But even so the vet said she was dead and it took some persuasion for him to check properly.  And then he sensed a very tiny heartbeat.

From that moment her recovery and wonderful new life began. Miraculously the only injury she had was a hole through her skull above her eyes.  She was mostly unconscious for around 3 days and then Choo Choo one of our other rescued Cyprus poodles dropped a ball in her bed inviting her to join the pack and play.  We think her head injury caused some kind of short-term memory loss and she never did learn to play.  Rather like a baby duckling with mother-duck because I was the first living creature she saw after her near death, I became her mother and centre of her universe;  even when asleep she would continually check to see where I was and would search me out if I'd left the room.  We had a special bond that I can't really put into words; the love we felt for each other was unique.  I love all my dogs, but there will never be another Sally.  RIP baby.

Snowdrops and Sparrow acrylic painting on canvas

20 x 20 cms (8 x 8 ins approx). 

Unframed
Sold 

Back to painting birds this week.  Softer more muted colouring than previously.  Perhaps it's the frosty weather having an effect.  The snowdrops are less obvious in the garden than last year.  I think the birds have been pecking at them before they've a chance to flower.  Hopefully some will survive.  But just in case I've popped a few into an imaginary pot in this painting.

I used acrylics on canvas. The deep sides are left white, but I will probably paint the sides to suit the painting, making the picture suitable to hang on your wall without framing. Would also look good on a niche or shelf. You can add a frame if you wish when it arrives with you.

Available in my Folksy shop.  (This painting has now sold.  Others available)

Miniature dolls house portrait of a doll

A tiny portrait of a redhaired doll with stripy top, size 6.5 x 6.5cm (2.5 x 2.5in) square. Painted in acrylics on canvas, then adhered onto sturdy mount board with a loop to hang. Finished with a lush layer of gloss varnish for added protection.

Display in your dolls house as it is, or would also look good in a small frame and displayed with a collection of other miniatures.

I bought this beautiful pink dolls house for a baby who is much too young to play with it yet. My husband is convinced I bought it for myself. Well really .... who could possibly believe that!!!!!!? (clears throat and walks off muttering.......)  

It's in one of my shops at the moment.

Had fun with this doll having a bad-hair-day.

https://folksy.com/items/6604117-Punk-Doll-portrait-for-dolls-house-original-painting-on-canvas

ACEO Hats

Well into the new year now and deep in winter weather here in middle England.  The studio is too cold and I'm moving to the warmer kitchen table to work, which means I need to work smaller than usual.  Coincides nicely because I've just become fascinated with ACEOs again.  Not something I've done for many years.

What is an ACEO?  The term is an acronym for Art Cards Edition or Original and they measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches (65 x 90 mm) They are wonderful because they are a means of collecting original works of art at an affordable price. A gorgeous burst of colour to cheer the dull days which won't burst the bank.

Dull day, doesn't quite cover it here just now.  Rain one day, high winds the next.  Today it's freezing!  No snow yet, but just a matter of time I think. Warm hats weather.  The summer sun-hat is in cold store for a while, but I can look forward to warmer days by painting it.  Click here for more information about my little ACEO collection.