"Goats Who Stare at Men"

Spent a lovely and productive morning in the studio yesterday and put the finishing touches on my latest painting, "Goats Who Stare at Men"... I've been meaning to paint this old guy for a long time and the painting flowed effortlessy from start to finish (I LOVE when they do that). I feel as if I accomplished my goal of trying to capture Basil"s unique personality and the smile never left my face the whole time I was painting.  I wished they all were like that!

"An Irish Winter" 11" x 14" pastel

This last painting from my studio is another from my trip to Ireland last February (Hard to believe it's been a year already)! We rented a car and drove to Dungarven, on the way we went through the beautiful area of An Rin. It's a quiet coastal community in the south east of Ireland where most of the people still speak the old Gaelic. I was amazed how green and fairly lush everything was in the middle of February, and then I heard that Southern Ireland even has palm trees!

"Through the Bracken"

I'm sorry to say that I didn't get much in the way of painting done last week due to social obligations, although I did have a blast chaperoning my son's field trip to see the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Maryland Historical Society. I saw some beautiful paintings!

This week it's back to painting.... I've just finished up a 8" x 10" pastel painting done from a photo that I took in beautiful Killarney, Ireland last February while on vacation with three other artist friends of mine. I had my friends on a forced march to find the "Standing Stones" in the area. I really wanted to see some history, I mean REAL history, not the 200 year stuff we lay claim to over here :) The sun had started to set and the shadows were getting long and slanted. But I talked my steadfast pals into tromping over both hill and dale in search of these stones I had heard about. On the way, we passed multitudes of sheep roaming the hillsides. This particular ewe caught my eye because instead of running away with the others she seemed fascinated and turned to watch the proceedings.

Just when I reached the point of thinking about retracing my steps and calling it a day, I crested yet one more hill and the stones were there. It was well worth the adventure!! And in retrospect, we all agreed that our mecca to find the Standing Stones in Killarney was one of our favorite times on the trip...

Yours in Paint...
Jude

Latest Commission..."Donny and Mae"

This is my latest commission that I delivered to the clients last weekend. They were so very gracious and thrilled with the painting and they made me realize once again how very lucky I am to be able to do what I do, which is to paint that which I love and touch people's lives in a positive way in the process. It is extremely rewarding for me as an artist to see that instant emotional connection that happens when the owners see their painting for the first time. I've gotten hugs, tears and even a lovely bottle of french champagne. I love my job! So a big shout out to all my clients, you are truly the best. I have been so blessed to be a small part of that special and unique relationship that exists between you and your wonderful dogs.

view my website at; www.judebatesart.com