This week has been all about dogs, both in and out of the studio!
In The Studio
It was a pleasure to complete this commission for a friend – a Mother’s Day gift, and my first Pit Bull!
It’s a composite of two different photos. I love the cigar – it rounds out the personality.
I haven’t created many smooth-textured dogs, and used Arches Hot Press paper, mostly wet in wet, dampening the paper and dropping in color, with my favorite Billy Showell fine tipped brush
Here are some progress shots.
This Week’s Road Trip
Last Friday I had the pleasure of visiting The Seeing Eye in Morristown, New Jersey.
Road trips are always an adventure, and this was an exciting deviation from the normal day in the studio.
The Seeing Eye is the world’s oldest guide dog school, where students learn to work with and care for their seeing-eye dog.
The entire day was invigorating and inspiring, and it was worth the 90-minute drive.
The buildings and grounds are beautiful, and I was impressed with the professionalism and welcoming atmosphere from the moment I stepped into the lobby and met Jennifer Lieberman, my host for the day.
Jennifer introduced me to President James Kutsch and David Johnson, Director of Instruction and Training, in addition to members of the staff and a number of resident dogs. It was great – everyone had a dog with them in their office!
It was a beautiful Spring day, cool and just comfortable enough for a tour of the beautiful 60-acre campus, where dogs are trained and students come from all over the country to learn to work with their new Seeing Eye dog.
We ate lunch in the cafeteria, set up like a restaurant, so students can practice moving through a crowded eatery with their guide dog.
Later in the afternoon Jennifer and I visited the kennel and met more members of the staff and their dogs; all the while, she regaled me with compelling facts about the facility and seeing eye training.
I can’t thank these people enough for an engaging and educational experience!
I’m editing the next video for the Online School, and beginning a new commission – this time a German Shepherd.
It’s been a great week, with all kinds of different activities – just what I love.
And now it’s back to video editing.
