church was awesome this morning

We went to the early service, the chorus sang better than ever, everyone was baptized.  Hallelujah!

Horse Portrait

Annie, 7x5" acrylic

I paint small portraits for a local veterinary practice (Rocky Bay Equine) of client animals that have died.  They often give a gift certificate to their clients as a gesture of acknowledgement of the singular bond and special value of an animal and it's caretaker.  As a painter, it's satisfying to do, but I don't always have the best reference material to work with.  Even so, sometimes I like the gestural sketches that result.  This is one I like much better than the photograph.  The client is happy, so apparently it also serves its intended purpose of reminding them of their friend.  The whole process seems to be a win for everyone, even in the face of loss, thanks RBE :)

Evening Calm

Here is the first sketch inspired by our kayak trip to Bella Bella, in Canada's middle BC coast.  It's also called the "raincoast" or "the Great Bear Rainforest"... and for good reason!  I got my fix of summer rain.... but you'd never get this special kind of calm without the storm so it works for me!