Tammy's Art Blog

Sunday, March 3, 2019

So Much More Than Everything

"When I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things"

~ Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers ~

"Pictures of You"

9" x 12" soft pastel on UArt 500

*This painting is not available.*

It's mind-boggling to me how much joy and love my dog, Frylie, and photographer husband, Steven, bring to my life. We share walks along the wooded lake trails, snapping photograph after photograph of the beauty all around us.

"Trick or Trail"

10" x 8" soft pastel on Sennelier La Carte Pastel Card

*This painting is not available.*

We immerse ourselves in the colors of the forest on mountain bike rides while Frylie joyously runs alongside.

"Dog Paddling"

9" x 12" soft pastel on Art Spectrum Colourfix

*This painting is not available.*

We follow the twists and turns of the river in kayaks, enveloped in the glittering sunlight bouncing off the water.

"The Meaning of Life"

9" x 12" soft pastel on Art Spectrum Colourfix Smooth

*This painting is not available.*

Sometimes we just take a few moments to sit on the riverbank, meditating on the meaning of life.

"Through My Lens - Self Portrait"

9" x 12" soft pastel on Sennelier La Carte Pastel Card

*This painting is not available.*

Other times we simply contemplate our place in the universe.

"Stop and Smell the Flowers"

9" x 12" soft pastel on Art Spectrum Colourfix

*This painting is not available.*

Through it all, though, we make sure to always take time to stop and smell the flowers.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

All That And More

“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.”

~ Gilda Radner ~

"You Swam Right Into My Heart"

9" x 12" soft pastel on Art Spectrum Colourfix Smooth

*This painting is not available.*

My dog is truly my heart. He brings sparkle to my life.

"Aiming For My Heart"

12" x 9" soft pastel on Art Spectrum Colourfix Smooth

*This painting is not available.*

He makes me laugh out loud. He exhausts me.

"King of Hearts"

9" x 12" soft pastel on Art Spectrum Colourfix Smooth

*This painting is not available.*

He brings an ear-to-ear smile to my face. He makes me happy.

"Remember When We Were Young"

9" x 12" soft pastel on UArt 500

*This painting is not available.*

He keeps me active and exercising outdoors.

"An Adventurous Heart"

9" x 12" soft pastel on Art Spectrum Colourfix Smooth

*This painting is not available.*

He makes me want to be a better person.

"Arrival"

6" x 8" soft pastel on Pastel Premier

*This painting is not available.*

He gives me a sense of purpose. He comforts me by snuggling next to me when I'm sad.

"Creekhound"

6.25" x 9.5" soft pastel on Sennelier La Carte Pastel Card

*This painting is not available.*

He annoys me by barking every time a leaf blows by the window. He cheers me up when I'm feeling down.

"Playing Catch With My Heart"

12" x 9" soft pastel on Art Spectrum Colourfix Smooth

*This painting is not available.*

He's always happy to see me and wags his tail like crazy at the sound of my voice.

"Splashing Joy"

9" x 12" soft pastel on Art Spectrum Colourfix Smooth

*This painting is not available.*

He gives me a reason to keep going.

"The Prince of Joy"

10" x 8" soft pastel on Art Spectrum Colourfix Smooth

*This painting is not available.*

He's my protector, my guardian, my buddy, my faithful companion.

"Free Spirit"

4" x 4" oil pastel on Da Vinci Pro Medium Textured Cradled Gesso Panel

*This painting is not available.*

He's my dog and my heart, and I can only hope he knows how grateful I am for all the goodness he brings to my life.

"Frolic"

6" x 8" soft pastel on Pastel Premier

*This painting is not available.*

"Dogs are our link to paradise."

~ Milan Kundera ~

The Magic of Trees

"It is looking at things for a long time that ripens you and gives you a deeper meaning."

~ Vincent van Gogh ~

soft pastels on Pastelmat

Trees. I love them. I feel a kinship with them. In the forest, I discover a wondrous sense of peace and calm that I rarely find anywhere else. By reading and studying author Peter Wohlleben's amazing book, "The Hidden Life of Trees", I'm also learning about the support and care they provide one another in the forest. As part of my therapy, I'm now working on connecting with that sense of unity and support described in Mr. Wohlleben's book via my own tree and forest paintings. The series of small paintings pictured above was inspired by a single view of the same forest over many months, and it was remarkable to me how much joy I found in painting these trees through the seasons. So I'm sure I'll be doing something similar again.