March 28, 2010

"Muzzy"

Oil on museum quality ampersand gessobord panel 6" x 6"

I find Facebook an interesting Internet phenomenon. One can lurk in the shadows and yet keep abreast of one's friends' and family's goings on. I personally have no idea or care about what happens in Farmville or what all those hearts and gold stars that all my Facebook "friends" bestow on each other mean. What I do care about is when I read about something extraordinary - whether happy or sad - that happens to one of my friends. "Friend" is a word that is thrown around a bit too casually these days. I have always counted myself blessed to have so many people in my life that I consider true friends. You know - the ones you can call in the middle of the night when
you have broken down on some God-forsaken country road 50 miles from home and they will rub the sleep from their eyes, pull on their pants and come get you. It's what friends do. Don't get me wrong, I am pleased and fascinated by my Facebook "friends." It's nice to know that even a few total strangers consider me interesting enough to want me as their "friend." But the real point of this is that I recently saw a post about the passing of my friend's friend's dog. I only met the dog's owner once or twice at a party, but I was so moved by the photos of his beloved Muzzy and the touching comments from those who knew her, that I wanted to paint her portrait to honor her memory. She has a regal look about her, perhaps owing to the Elizabethan collar of white fur around her nape. The floral ottoman allowed for some fun brushwork and gave the painting some quiet femininity.

14 comments:

Kaylyn Munro said...

Yet another stunning painting! There is magic in your seemingly simple compositions. Layers of space, little eye grabbers to keep the exploration interesting. Terrific.

Alice Thompson said...

Amen.

Anonymous said...

What a kind gesture. There's something about a Corgi's eyes....and you captured IT!
Reminds me of my 18mo. old Beau. And my sweet Aubie and Zero who are no longer with me.
Thank you for sharing.
Carol McLane

Anonymous said...

Oh Mark ... you have done it yet again. Reduced me to tears just now as I recall that sense of total loss when Sam died. Yet each day when I go to bed at night, his portrait is the last I see and the first in the morning when I wake up. I will be forever grateful to you for that wonderful gift of having him here with me always.

Jill

Claire Beadon Carnell said...

What an incredible painting - you have kept the spirit of that beautiful dog alive forever with your talented brushstrokes.
(I really enjoyed your comments about real friends...cyberspace friends are a lot of fun, but the real friends are the people who make our lives truly whole.)

Mark Adams said...

Thanks for the great comments, Kaylyn. They mean a lot coming from you.

Mark Adams said...

Ditto, Alice.

Mark Adams said...

Thank you , Carol. I have a soft spot in my heart for Corgis too. I lost my Peregrin Took (aka Pippin) many years ago. He never ceased to make me smile. What a sweet wonderful breed.

Mark Adams said...

Jill. It delights me to know that my painting means so much to you. Thanks

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Claire. I hope my observations about cyber "friends" didn't come across as disrespectful. I have met some really wonderful people on this sight and others, whose comments and insights abou me and my work absolutely make my day. God bless them one and all.

Rick Nilson said...

Mark,

I never actually "talk" to any facebook friends. Sometimes I tell my nephew in Oklahoma that I don't want any electronic sheep right now or that. Other times I stare at the wall board. Sheetrock. I don't even have say "thank you very much"....as much...any more at all....really, now that I think about it.

Mark Adams said...

You got something against electronic sheep?

Dean Grey said...

Regal-looking for sure, Mark!

-Dean

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Dean. I will miss Her Majesty when she leaves the studio. This is one of my favorite little paintings.