Oil on museum quality ampersand gessobord panel 6" x 8"It has always been hard for me to get back into the paint after a hiatus of a week or more. All those self doubts rear their ugly heads and I stand before the blank canvas wondering if I can still make the magic happen. JJ, my constant companion in the studio, has once again been my inspiration and my familiar back to the muse. I'll never understand the mystery of the creative spirit. Ours is not to reason why.
36 comments:
What a beautiful muse. Those amber eyes are mesmerizing.
That's my boy! Thanks. Sheila
Hi Mark! what a beautiful paint! I think that was a...Photo of your cat!!!!!!
Lovely words, most endearing painting.
the magnificence of JJ and your rendering of him is no mystery!
Ringraziamenti per le parole gentili, Arcobaleno.
Thanks, Diane
Thanks, Diane.
Wait, didn't I just say that?
Oh Mark - I really missed you when you were off having fun!!! Yours is one of a handful of blogs I visit regularly for creative inspiration, and J.J. has certainly played a part in that today. He is stunning, adorable, beautiful and just what I needed... Glad you are back, and you certainly are "back in sync" with your creative muse! I love this painting!
What a beautiful rendering of a special friend! The painting makes me want to tickle his or her belly!
OH!!! MA TU PARLI ITALIANO??? good, very good!!!! I am happy!!!!
*blush* (both me and JJ)
Thanks for the kind words, Joanne.
Thanks, Maryanne. JJ is male and he does present himself for tummy rubs at every occasion.
Arcobaleno. Sadly, I have very little Italian, most of which comes from listening to Puccini. I did start learning your beautiful language when I visited Fiorenze and Venezia a few years ago.
Hi Mark,
Don't worry your "MAGIC" did not
"fly off" while you were riding your bike !!You still have it. You did JJ beautifully ! ! welcome back, Alston
Welcome back. Love your boy!!
What a sweet kitty kat....love your animal work.
Oh Mark, I was born in Firenze but I am leaving in Roma, both beautiful city!!!!Ciao!!!!
Quite wonderful, Mark. Love the fullness and depth of the fur, and your backgrounds are always perfection. Welcome back!
Thanks, Alston. That's kind of you to say. I have often thought of artists as magicians, creating new worlds with wave of our magic wands. Our wands just happen to have small hairs or bristles attached to the ends.
Thanks, Deb. It's good to be back
Thanks, Cynthia. I fear JJ may be getting a big head from all this attention.
Thanks, Terry.
He is such a nice cat!
Thanks, Susan. They don't come any sweeter.
btw - How did the painting of Roscoe frame up?
Well you certainly have not lost your touch. Lovely!
That feeling after playing hookey from the paints not only makes me wonder if I can still remember how to paint, but I generally lose momentum and motivation, as well. It's crazy.
Thanks, Diana,
I think you hit the nail on the head. It's the loss of momentum that is the most troublesome. When I am in the grip of creation, like the energizer bunny, I can go on and on. But those cold starts after a long break are killers.
Hi Mark, what a wonderful painting..! Your background is also stunning.
Thanks, Fabio.
Mark,
Wow the eyes!
Stop up the farm sometime soon, we have another new foal, small enough I can pick it up!
Debby
What a great portrait! Love the lively colors in the rug against that beautiful creamy white fur and the way you picked up the pinks and ambers in it and reflected them in JJ's eyes and nose . Perfect title...he certainly does look like a bunny in that post.
Thanks, Gwen. JJ is a great model.
Thank you for voicing pearls of wisdom~ it is comforting to know that someone of your talent level has similar insecurities. :)
Thanks, Claudia. Self doubt is part and parcel of being an artist. We acknowledge it and (if we're lucky) push through to the other side.
Mark!
Oh, this is great for so many reasons!
The pose is quite original. Pet portraits often have boring poses and angles. This is NOT the case here!
I love the patterned carpet in the background. A clever way to add extra color and texture to this painting.
And lastly, those love eyes! Very clear and shiny and tightly rendered.
A very strong work of art!!
-Dean
My cat does this when he wants fish!! It's his cute kitten pose. Lovely painting.
All the bes
April
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