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This is a 9 x 12 regular canvas board (primed with gesso for work in acrylic). I was experimenting with backgrounds made using acrylic paint and then layered with Stabilo Watersoluble Wax pencils. This final layer was covered with clear acrylic gesso to seal it, since the watersoluble pencils would have easily been picked up by my painting. The clear acrylic gesso blended the wax pencil lines (though care can be taken to minimize this) and provided, when dry, a delightfully gritty surface on which to paint with gouache.
The subject here is Java, a 10-year-old Golden Retriever bitch. I was attempting to go very loose in style. I have to resist the impulse to go in with thinner brushes and pencils and add more detail. I painted this image on December 15, 2005 using a sketch I made from life on December 9. (That sketch will be in my End of 2006 journal round-up, but was not posted when I put up this painting gallery.) I was visiting my friend Diane. While she and a couple other friends were talking about books I sat on the floor and sketched Java. Visitors to my journals will realize that Java is a dog I love to sketch, even though I haven't quite got the hang of her floppy ears yet. I have been privileged to go on several trips with her; she is always the most interesting thing to sketch. On December 26 Java died. It is very tragic for her family; everyone who loved her (which is everyone who met her) is saddened. I find myself once again being grateful that I had the time I had with this dog, walking with her, playing with her, and observing her. Every time I saw Java she convinced me she'd been waiting for me to arrive so the joy could begin. That's quite a gift to give to the world. Repeatedly, unflaggingly. |
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Painting © 2005 Roz Stendahl; All Rights Reserved |