Miss Molly

"Miss Molly" acrylic on 12" x 12" canvas

This is a portrait of a dear little dog named Molly.

It's my good friend Stacie's birthday today and I painted her dog Molly as a gift. I haven't painted animal portraits before so I wasn't sure how things would turn out. I'm thinking this captures the spirit of Miss Molly pretty well -- hope Stacie likes it.

Molly was ALWAYS smiling. I'm saying was because Molly is no longer with us. She ended up falling ill about a month or so ago at the grand old age of 18-- a good old age for a small breed.

Stacie found Molly as a puppy, chasing cars on a busy road. Ever since, Molly had the best of everything. She was truly a pampered pup.

"Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really." ~Agnes Sligh Turnbull

Trip to Colorado

View of the sunset from the plane


I didn't have much time to sketch on our trip to Denver, Colorado. We were there for my son's National TSA competition. He did well and placed 9th in the nation for Electrical Applications- middle school.
Can you tell, he didn't want me to take this photo?
I'm so proud!
Colorado Convention Center --
Big Blue Bear! He leans on the window looking in....
that's me at his feet!

Quick sketch at a music store we visited in Denver...

hotel lobby
Originally uploaded by Judybec

and here's one of the hotel lobby.

Sleeping Cats, farm scenes and more birds

How do they sleep soooo much???

"Life is something to do when you can't get to sleep" Fran Lebowitz

Above, sketched in my moleskin -- waiting for my son and husband while they shopped in the local hobby shop for rockets. It's the hot topic right now-- my son is on his school's "rocket team" and they placed 14th in the nation this year!
zoom - boom -- to the moon....

More birds and bamboo practice below....
We're off to Colorado soon.... hope to have some travel sketches when we return!

Sketches from the deck

I had a bit of time to sketch while sitting on our deck. Missy the cat, always joins me wherever I am -- that's her sitting on the foot stool above.

I didn't think I'd have the chance to draw people but our neighbor came out on his deck to clean his grill -- so I quickly sketched him before he realized I was there.


My plants are doing well so far this year.... I've got lettuce in the boxes and an assortment of indoor house plants summering themselves outside.




This butterfly was buzzing around my grapevine-- it has really defined white polka-dots on it's wings... really striking.... and just a touch of orange fur on it's legs.... I researched it and found it to be a "Forrester Moth". I just love those white dots on black wings!
"Butterflies are self propelled flowers. " ~R.H. Heinlein

Garden Tour May 2009

Garden Tour May 2009
Originally uploaded by Judybec

I've been out "digging in the dirt" so I thought I'd give you a tour of my garden!

Birds and wisteria

The wisteria is blooming everywhere right now and it's gorgeous!
I saw my first humming bird of the season today too!
I only saw one .....
even though I painted three.




"Use the talents you possess -- for the woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except for the best." Unknown

On Mother's Day...

"Happy Mother's Day" watercolor 12x16 on Arches ©2009

Happy Mother's day to all the mother's out there but especially to my mother!
She's the best!!


"Plum Branch with blue bird" watercolor 12x16 on Arches ©2009

I'm giving an "Artist Talk" on Mother's day this year.... Sunday, May 10 at a local nature center...
The Boettcher House at Landis Woods Park.

I'll be talking about sketching,
handmade sketchbooks,
watercolor and sumi-e painting,
and my painted acrylic tapestries.
Holy Cow!! that's a lot...but don't worry -- I talk fast -- and, you can ask questions!

"Blue Birds and Bamboo" watercolor 12x16 on Arches © 2009

Please come -- I'd love to see you!