Motivational Monday -Day 16 of 30 in 30 Challenge - "Friendly Companion"

"Friendly Companion" acrylics on stretched canvas, 12 x 12" 

Here's my latest piece! So happy the way this one came out. The challenge here was to create two different "black" shades to differentiate between the black fur of the dog and Charlotte's black top. In the photography these two shapes became one. I chose to change the temperature and texture to separate one from the other.

For the dog's fur I made a more shiny black by using cool colors, cyan blue and alizarin crimson (red). For the black shirt in sunlight which is a duller texture, I used alizarin crimson with yellow ochre and just a touch of white mixed in for the highlights. 

Back story on this painting: I snapped the photo while on the third day of a workshop with Robert Noreika on the Thimble Islands. My dear friend Charlotte joined us that day. We watched Bob conduct an amazing  demonstration right from the porch of this gorgeous house.

The owners were home with their adorable dog. Once the demonstration was over and the students dispersed from the porch to set-up their easels, the owners let their dog out to "meet and greet" his guests.

His sweet yet playful personality shined through as he would dart around from person to person. First close enough to pet then nose into each bag of art supplies.

It was a wonderful day with wonderful memories... and looking forward to painting on the "islands" again this summer with my friends.

and for Motivational Monday (just trying to keep myself motivated this winter) ... I thought I would share another reason why art can benefit your health from an article in the Hartford Art Council - Let's go arts blog, titled,  - "7 ways the arts can benefit your health." 

Art Increases Brain Connectivity and Plasticity
Did you know that every time you engage in a new or complex activity, your brain creates new connections between brain cells? Brain Plasticity or neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to grow connections and change throughout your lifetime. Creating art- whether your niche is pottery or painting- interpretive dance or playing guitar, stimulates connections between various paths in the brain. Studies show that by creating these connections, your brain is increasing psychological resilience and resistance to stress!

Keep creating!
​Linda