 Thirty paintings in thirty days... done! This was an excellent exercise from which I learned a lot but it is so good to be finished. Thank you to all who send photos for me to work from and a huge thank you to all the painters in the challenge. I was inspired by your work and really touched by the encouraging comments you left for me.
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 Let Sleeping Dogs Lie - this is one I did earlier in the month just in case I could not paint. I imagined being too busy to find the time but in this case I have wiped clean three attempts in a row. Painting can be so darn frustrating.
 Twenty-eight down and only two to go. I'm happy the challenge is coming to a close on a weekend so my last two paintings will not have to be wedged into an already busy work day. This boy represents the end of a long and very happy summer.
 I'm getting together with another thirty-day painter this weekend to review and critique our work. We want to get all we can from this learning experience. The plan is to bring it all, the good, the bad and the ugly. I would put this guy in the good pile. I was happy with him.
 This guy is a little cartoony but I like him. Always feeling pressed for time I was inspired by another 30-day painter who was able to sneak in a very nice painting in just forty-five free minutes. Two hours is the minimum block of time I need to paint one of these small canvases.
 There is a freedom to painting the dogs I photographed at the show because I only have to please myself. There are a few more pets in the line up and with those I am thinking about what the owner wants and expects. Perhaps I should always try only to please myself and that alone may result in better work.
 We're in the home stretch now. This has been a good learning experience although it feels a bit like a part time job. I'm looking forward to more free time and the freedom to paint other subject matter
but seriously, how could I resist these ice blue eyes.  I started with a cadmium red light wash. Fortunately "Victor" had a red brown base coat but even so I spent a lot of my painting time fighting the strong red undertones. I was happy with the outcome but again, I need to improve my photographic skills.
 I call this one "Pug Apology." The model was Kelley MacDonald's dog, Paco. This was the look he gave us after trying to get into the snacks we were saving for our painting break. He is a little rascal but a little rascal with a conscience.
 Thank goodness for the weekend. The past few days have been a bit of a scramble to keep up. I was putting the finishing touches on this guy at 2:00 am and I think it shows. Like anything else you do, being well rested produces better results.
 In a challenge to create a painting a day some attempts are bound to be more simple, basic sketches. It is a time for experimentation so I don't mind this one of the little French Bulldog we saw in the obedience classes. I would like to give him another try though and paint a less cartoonish version.
 Getting a good photo of the paintings is almost as difficult as painting them. I have found natural light works best but clearly I need to do more research in this area. His nose is darker and in focus in the actual painting.
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Linda Collins
This past summer I was fortunate to attend a workshop with Colley Whisson at the Landgrove Inn in Landgrove, VT. Colley is an Australian artist Archives
October 2018
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