The Exhibit Chronicles, Part IV

This painting is gigantic, for me at least. It's the biggest painting that will fit in the back of my 4Runner. It's 4'x3' and it's usually hanging in our living room. I was inspired to start using big canvases after attending Matisse/Picasso exhibit at the MOMA in New York.

I started the painting years ago, but I just finished it on Wednesday. The dog on the left, Bailey, died before I could complete this painting so I hung it 'as is' in the living room as a tribute to her. I couldn't display it unfinished, so I added some "light" in the dogs eyes and painted the edges of the gallery wrap canvas in raw umber. I mean to use black, but I didn't have my reading glasses on when I pulled the tube out of my art bag. I liked it anyway and left it "as is."

It's one of a series of whimsical paintings I've done of our dogs. This one is named "Pollen Nation" because the dogs have morphed into two bees sitting on a flower. "The Bs" is a nickname I gave our Golden Retrievers, Bailey and Bijou, because it was more fun to call them "the Bs" than "the dogs."

They'd answer to it too. Or anything with a B name.

"Here, Bs!", "C'mon Bobos", "Bird, are you hungry?"

They'd also answer to each others names so if I called one, the other one came too, to see what was up.

I'm still sad about losing Bailey. She passed away suddenly at age seven. She had an undetected case of colon cancer and apparently died suddenly of a blood clot. But I have many paintings and many memories to remember her by.

Bijou is still around and is frisky at age eight. She tried to interfere with my photographs of this collection and below you can see how she and our other dog Bella ruined a couple of shots. (Actually Bella was tired of her mischief and ready for a nap.) Even the cat, Roody, couldn't resist. And you can probably understand why I don't do much painting at home.

I think Roody was checking out his portrait. And I'll write about the painting you see the video in tomorrow's edition of The Exhibit Chronicles.

If you're reading this, you're invited to the Opening Reception for the artists showing at the If you're reading this, you're invited to the Opening Reception for the artists showing at the Winsor Gallery in McDonough on Friday, June 26th. Click here for details and to make your free reservations.