Day 30/ 30 Dogs in 30 Days Painting Challenge!

"Sadie" oil, 8 x 10

Meet Sadie.

I had to paint this picture, even though this isn't the original photo that Patty sent..... I had to paint this picture because.... it's exactly how I feel! Worn out...

...this has been such a difficult challenge for me. And to look at all 30 dogs on my studio walls... I still can't believe I painted all of them!

 So many late nights and early mornings, working all day in my pajamas. The do-overs and wipe-outs, I can't even count. But I have to say this has been one of the most rewarding projects I've every worked on. All the wonderful feedback and positive comments from friends on Facebook, my blog and Daily Paintworks... it really is overwhelming. 

Each time I would finish a painting and send it to the owner I would hold my breath... what will they think? Did I capture the look? the likeness? is the fur color right?... each time I was surprised at the responses... and thankfully most of them turned out positive. Unfortunately, a few didn't, and that's the nature of trying to re-create not just a likeness but to get the dog's personality in the painting too.

I am feeling bad that I didn't get to paint each dog photo that was sent to me. It wasn't that the dogs weren't cute it had to do more with either a poor quality photo or I wasn't sure how to "solve the painting challenges" in a 24 hour span. I'll be in touch with the owners who's dogs didn't make it into the 30 days and see if we can work something out.

When the challenge started Patty sent me a photo of her other dog Sadie. I had already painted Patty's first dog Marsh last year as a Christmas gift for her husband (see painting below) and I was looking forward to painting and meeting Sadie. As I was studying the photo and preparing to paint Sadie, I knew I needed a few more reference photos to determine Sadie's actual fur color.... I knew Patty had post a few photos of Sadie on her facebook page and that's when I came across this photos.... awwww.... I just wanted to curl right up next to her and take a nap too.....

Here's what Patty had to say about Sadie:  "Sadie wandered into our back yard in April. She had a collar but no tags. No one claimed her from the animal shelter nor responded to any of the advertisements about a lost dog. It is a mystery. We are so happy she found us! She has fit into our family like she has always been a part of it."

Well, the challenge is over but there's still more work to be done. This Sunday Oct. 6th  from 2pm - 5pm we will be having an "Open Studio/Dog Show" here at our house. My studio is in the basement and I'm inviting everyone who participated in the challenge and for those who have been following along... PLEASE JOIN US!
Come and See all 30 Dog paintings!

a BIG THANK YOU to Everyone!
Linda

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