"Asta"

Oil on museum quality ampersand gessobord panel 6" x 8"

This piece is much nicer in reality. Try as I might, I couldn't get the subtle coloration to come through. Perhaps It is the late hour. That said, I won't be writing much about this piece tonight other than to say that Asta is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met. He is the canine equivalent of JJ and that is high praise indeed. He is also the top dog at my favorite restaurant - The Dogwood in Baltimore.

"Spotted Llama"

Oil on museum quality ampersand gessobord panel 6" x 8"

What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet...

I visited the farm of two dear friends over the weekend and they have, within their vast menagerie, some two dozen, wildly varied, llamas, Sadly, I got lost in all the names of this one and that one. No, there was not a Dahlia llama nor a Fernando llama. For all I know this guy was named Spot, the Wonder Llama. I am certain to find out his true appellation when they see this post. Aside from the glorious wool that comes from these sweet creatures, another perk is llama poo which is better than miracle grow. I used some on my herbs and you could practically see them growing, like Jack's bean stalk. It's really good sh*t.

I painted one of their llamas a few years ago and was told that when they put their ears back they are wary or nervous. This fellow seems to be saying "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."