DAY 5 of 30 - ROLLING VINEYARD with Butterfly - THE CUTE FACTOR

ROLLING VINEYARD WITH BUTTERFLY by Sea Dean

DUCKY by Sea Dean

COUNTRY MOUSE by Sea Dean

I find myself doing this too, I skim through hundreds of artworks on the internet and stop at very few. What stops me and makes me take another look could be an interesting composition, a curious technique or a stunningly real portrait, landscape, or still life, but what really gets me, is cute. And I constantly see this with my own work when I take part in a show, drifters remark on a variety of work, but what they are really compelled to buy are my animals, birds and butterflies; the cuter, the better.

by Sea Dean

MONCHO by Sea Dean

I totally admire artists that create cute effortlessly. With my animals the form is no different to painting or drawing any other subject matter, but the cute factor takes me forever to produce. Cuteness is often conveyed by elongating or squashing the body or humanizing by adding clothes or accessories like a human being. Beatrix Potter and A. A. Milne were experts at this. Often the cuteness is in the expression and particularly in the eyes. I find that with all my pet and human portraits I spend at least 10 to 20 times longer on the eyes than I do on the rest of the painting. A tiny speck of reflected light can make the difference between boring and interesting.

A FACE ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE by Sea Dean

KITTY by Sea Dean

Some of these originals are still available by clicking on the links. As with all art the artist retains the copyright, so once I have sold the original, I create limited edition prints. Therefore if you love my work there are opportunities at every price point. I am gradually adding limited editions to my Artfinder collection here, but if you don't see the one you like please contact me by commenting or clicking my email link. Or simply commission me to paint your own pet.

30DCG2020 - ODP

Judges Pick for Daily Paintworks Monthly Contest - Yay!

MILES Pal Portrait by Sea Dean

Well, I finally made it! I’ve occasionally entered the monthly contest at Daily Paintworks and just recently I announced that I intended to do more in 2018. However, tonight I was told I was a contest winner for December. Wow! I won with one of my favorite Pal Paintings, MILES above.

The challenge is that any new works I create as of this moment will be published at the top of the email that goes out daily to 4,200 subscribers and I also receive a one month subscription for February, when I’m taking part in the Leslie Saeta daily challenge. I had better get my skates on.

Click on the link above to see MILES and all my available paintings.

Stay tuned.........

Doggie I iPad Drawing 5/30

I had a request to add dogs to my new iPad line drawing series, so I went for a test run. I found it difficult to condense the character of a dog down to a few lines and this was my first attempt. I think he's cute don't you?

DOGGIE I
iPad Drawing Print
Available in various sizes up to 8" x 10"
And various surfaces including canvas prints

Contact me for pricing

See the rest of the challenge artists here
I'm #61

2016 LIBERATE YOUR ART (LYA 16) Postcard Side Swaps - Whoooohooo two more!

Waaaay back in March I participated in a postcard swap called LIBERATE YOUR ART. We were allowed to do side swaps with participants we socialized with on the Facebook event page, and so I did, but that was 3 months ago.

I could hardly believe my eyes when I went to the mail box and there was not one, but TWO side swaps waiting for me. I love the doggie postcard from Libby in Brighton, UK. The message on the back says the portrait is of BELLA, her dad's dog. She was also very complimentary about my pet portrait paintings.

 

The second postcard was received from David Wolanski of South Jersey, USA. This is the third time I've been graced by some of Davids work. An unusual collage of foodie photos. Yum!

 

2016 LIBERATE YOUR ART ( LYA 16) - SIDE SWAPS PART III

I continue my love affair with my new art room. I discovered all my paint brushes, that were packed away during construction and here they are displayed with my three latest side swaps. I've never counted them, but it would make an interesting competition to make an educated guess how many are here - the closest would win a painting :). Perhaps for my next show.

The beauty of side swaps is that you sort of know what postcard is traveling towards your mail box because you've usually seen the artist's work and often know the postcard they are mailing out this year.

The paintbrush postcard on the left inspired this photograph. It is the work of Deanie Houghtaling all the way from Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

The sexy purple shoes are from Lora Lee. Now how did it get all the way from ??? wherever with only a bar code and without a franking mark? Love it anyway.

Last but not least MY DOG HAS FLEAS. I saw this postcard while blog hopping last month during the swap hop. I went back to look at it several times and then plucked up the courage to ask for a swap. My new friend Natasha obliged. Here is what she has written on the back....

"Hello Art Friend!

You may be wondering why my dog has fleas ... or why he is playing the ukulele ... actually, I am the one who plinks on the ukulele ... much to the cats' chagrin.

In Hawaii, the ukulele is affectionately known as the "jumping flea" and there is a little song-really more of a phrase - that is used to remember the tuning of the ukulele. No one seems to know the origin of the mneumonic phrase, but maybe it is related to the nickname. It's just been jumping around in my brain and I thought I'd share it with you!

Natasha Monahan Papousek - www.musingsofahennaphile.com

Blogger's note: Funnily enough, I had a short spell with the ukulele when I was in primary school. I never did get the hang of it, but I do seem to remember something about fleas. Neither did I enjoy guitar, but a few years later I discovered that I loved playing recorder and later, much, much later, I took up piano. I wonder what happened to that Ukelele that I saved so hard to buy?

100 Day Project - #98 TWO DOG SHUFFLE

TWO DOG SHUFFLE
6" x 6" Canvas Card and India Ink



I had a major submission to complete and now that's in, I finally have time to post my drawings of the last few days. If you've just tuned in I am returning to my roots of drawing and sketching in addition to my regular paintings. The goal is to focus on nature and if at all possible Plein Air. Now that nagging submission is done and the new windows are in (renovation project) I should have more time for nature walks.

This was one of my sneaky Plein Air drawings. I say sneaky, because I parked the car and sat in it to draw. I did wind the window down ;)

LAKE COUNTRY COFFEE HOUSE SEA DEAN SOLO EXHIBITION

DOGGIE TREAT 12" x 6" Wrap Canvas and Bone

DOGGIE TREAT

12" x 16" Wrap Canvas and Bone

$90

Purchase through the Coffee House

Out of town buyers contact me

Can ship during the exhibition

This doggie is one of the stars of my solo exhibition which runs at LAKE COUNTRY COFFEE HOUSE from now until May 7th. DOGGIE TREAT can be purchased during the exhibition by contacting me or by visiting in person. For international shipping I may be required to replace the doggie treat with Fimo.

My ACEO in White Shadow Frames $50

Yesterday I framed the final ACEO for my solo exhibition and took some photographs. I'm very happy with the way my paintings look in the space. Here are the pics of the exhibition which showcases an entire cross section of my work from tiny ACEO (2.5" x 3.5") to large format paintings and even one sculpture.

The Coffee House is a re-purposed smoke house with some of the old hardware to prove it. I thought with all the reclaimed dark wood walls it would be gloomy, but the lighting is good and the place has such a busy high energy buzz, that visitors enjoy browsing the art and extending their stay.

Part of the Floral Wall

Many local artists and small business owners make the LAKE COUNTRY COFFEE HOUSE their home away from home. Two doors lead from the coffee shop into the gallery next door and the attached Lake Country Gallery gift shop, with walk through traffic in both directions. An outdoor patio services dog walkers and nature lovers. The lunch crowd pop in and out for their take outs and others stay for hours. I've even heard about visitors coming from 20 miles away for coffee here.

Part of the Landscape Wall

The place is a thriving part of the community and the recent take over by new owners has only served to enhance it's popularity. They are putting fresh energy into the already bubbling atmosphere and adding more delicious goodies to the menu. I'm grateful for the offer to hang my work and the great support I had from all the staff while I was hanging my paintings.

The Nest Wall

The Mountain Nook

I do hope you've enjoyed my little guided tour of my solo exhibition. If you're anywhere near Lake Country, please drop on by for some good coffee, a snack and a peek at my art.

LAKE COUNTRY COFFEE HOUSE

Lake Country, BC

Canada

Hours Mon-Sat: 7-6 Sun: 8-5

Facebook

2016 LIBERATE YOUR ART (LYA 16) POSTCARD ARRIVAL - LOUISE, SHARON, EMILY and DIANA

When you receive a swap postcard, it is customary to post an image on the Facebook event page here. This is the image and tribute that Louise Mamet in France wrote when she received mine. 

"Train wheels are running through the back of my memory
When I ran on a hilltop following a pack of wild geese
Someday everything is gonna sound like a rhapsody
When I paint my masterpiece..."

Bob Dylan and Band

I was inspired by these words upon receiving Sea Dean's side swap of Liberate your Art 2016... Sea is an amazing artist capturing so well the expressions while portraying these pets. Her website is paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com, now you understand better why I thought of the above lyrics... 

On a more personal note, the ceramic dog standing next to Sea's postcard was my mother's pet when she was a little girl... So precious ️

Bloggers Note:  I look forward to receiving Louise's side swap in a few weeks time when I can share her art and hopefully her website.

Emily received a swap postcard in Ashburn, VA, USA and her cat Mister was not impressed

I have received word that three of my LYA 2016 postcards have arrived, one in Iowa City, Iowa, USA, one in Ashburn, Virginia, USA and the other in Fullerton, California, USA. I will have to check my list, but I think that's a first for my work in Iowa and Virginia.

Sharon with one of her "Shedders" (I had to smile) and my postcard in Iowa City, IA, USA. Apparently her doggie was a bit camera shy

MONCHO MEXICAN BANDIT

MONCHO
by Sea Dean
16" x 12" Wrap Canvas
Acrylic
NFS

My nephew was one of those kids that always brought home strays. Actually he still does, but he's a busy 24 year old now. One day when he was still a small boy he brought home a stray he found in a garbage bin. After a bit of persuading, Moncho became part of the family. He was one of those great dogs that loved everyone and was always willing to join in.

Moncho, therefore, was my nephew's childhood dog. The kids played with him like a living doll and he never complained. When they dressed up, Moncho had to be dressed too and he was a good sport. This painting is from a photo of Moncho on one of those occasions.
 
Eventually Moncho aged and succumbed to illness. He left the family at a ripe old age and his presence on the patio is still missed.

I love painting large portraits of pets, from the owner's photos, so contact me to reserve a spot for your favorite pal.

DOGGIE TREAT

12" x 6" Gallery Wrap Canvas

Purchase here



View my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

This is an interesting painting because it has gone through a few versions. I decided it needed more movement and to create that I used the technique of "lost and found edges". The lively brushstrokes and brushstroke finish add to the idea that the black lab is excited about his treat and is whining and shuffling around, but doesn't want to change his begging position.

I'm preparing for a busy September in the studio. I've reorganized AGAIN to give myself more space. I finally got some inspiration paintings of my peers up on the wall and off the floor. I've moved my large blank canvases off my counter space into storage and purchased more paint holders to keep the tubes off my drawing table. My storage for WIP paintings is doing a great job of keeping them in action.

I went to visit "On the Vine" yesterday, which is now showing in LIGHT, the Art Walk Theme exhibition and it has a wonderful position opposite the door to the coffee shop (see second image). The works for the VET exhibition at Blenz in Westbank are waiting to be delivered tomorrow. My sculpture for the COHA exhibition is almost complete (pics later). I have new mats on the way to frame small prints for the ART BAZAAR. I feel as if I need to graft on 8 more hands.

The biggest and craziest September event I'm involved in, is the 5th 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. This is the 5th challenge I've taken part in and they've been a great way for me to rub shoulders with over 400 of my Daily Paining peers. For my theme I've chosen AFFORDABLE ABSTRACTS. I will be posting a new abstract each day on Leslie Saeta's blog and here. The works will be painted on flat canvas without frames, mats or stretchers, they are inexpensive to ship anywhere in the world flat or rolled and you can then take them to your framer or mount them yourself. I can also ship in a ready to frame mat or mounted on a panel or cradle request.

The challenge starts tomorrow.

OCEAN PAINTING - Walking the dog

SPACE
By Sea Dean
5" x 7" Canvas Panel

Back to the ocean. This was painted for a Daily Paintworks challenge to choose a word and illustrate it. I chose space, and I think this makes a good rendition of the feeling of space you get when walking a tidal beach. One of the beaches we used to visit when I was a child was like this, when the tide was out you had to walk what seemed like miles to my little legs to get to the water. Beaches like this are great places to walk, which is exactly what the tiny figure is doing. 

I tried to photograph the image to show some of the irridescent paint which highlights places around the canvas. This catches the room lights and represents the bright sunlight hitting tidal pools, just like it does on one of those glorious summer walks.

I haven't had an auction on Daily Paintworks for a while, so this one is on auction for one week. You can bid by following the link to my Daily Paintworks gallery below. It starts at only $10

VIew my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

CUSTOM WORK, COMMISSIONS AND BESPOKE PAINTINGS

SPRING REFLECTIONS by Sea Dean - Commission for G Parker

COMMISSIONS

Custom Commissions or Bespoke Paintings are always exciting and highly challenging. Many artists don't accept commissions because they take many times longer than a regular painting and can be very stressful, especially if they involve a human or pet portraits.

On the other hand, I enjoy commissions. I usually paint from a client's photo, so I can communicate over the internet and then ship anywhere in the world. If local and the client doesn't have a suitable photo, I conduct a photo session. I've never painted a portrait from life, but I would love to now I have a comfortable studio. My commissions are available in any size from postcard 6" x 4" to giant. I can ship anywhere prepaid.

Below are some of my recent requests. I'm currently painting a commissioned larger version of a one of my nest paintings, which I will blog when finished.

It seems like a long way off, but if you are considering a commission for "off to college" or the holidays, I would suggest contacting me now so I can schedule you in. Commissions take focused and dedicated time; they can't be rushed. I hate to disappoint clients because they leave it to the last minute.

SUNSET AT MEPAL by Sea Dean - Commission for B Jones

MILES by Sea Dean - Commission for M Manderioli

PAWS by Sea Dean - Commission for Mr and Mrs J Vanden Bos

STANLEY by Sea Dean - Commission for P Carlson and Family

MISTY WALK ON LONG BEACH by Sea Dean - Commission for C H Dean

FAT CAT by Sea Dean - Commission for M Thwaites

NAPTIME by Sea Dean - Commission for S and T O'Rielly

LAST DAYS - LCAG Art Through the Ages - UNLOCKING THE IMAGINATION

As I look at this totally intuitive abstract painting created by two artists of completely different generations, I can see a dog and a cat, clouds, sparkling sunlight and exciting movement. Turn it another way and there is a dancing ghost, another view reveals birds, waves and a camel?? What is he doing at the ocean? What do you see?

This is the joy of abstract painting, you can see whatever you want. Often they can raise a smile, or give a sense of freedom, space and grandeur. 

This is how much fun it can be to work with another artist of a different age group. While docent at the Lake Country Art Gallery last week, a young lad wandered in from the coffee shop next door and asked if I would mind if he looked at the art. He was amazingly polite, articulate and adult for his age and as he wandered in and out while waiting for his parents to finish lunch, we became friends.

During this particular exhibition we encourage people of all ages to create art, add their name and age and leave it for another artist of a different age group to add something. After a while I asked if the boy would like to paint or draw something and set him up with paper and lots of supplies. He went at it with gusto and on the pictured painting he did some enthusiastic water colour strokes. At least one more person of a different age must add something before we can hang a painting on the wall, so I asked if he minded me adding to it and he loved the idea. Later his Mum came and added to his other works and I told him he must come back next week when they are dry and see them on the wall. He said he absolutely would!

Chatting with Xavier's Mum, it turned out he was being home schooled and she was looking for a social group for young artists to encourage him to paint more. I introduced her to the gallery's kids program and it looks like he is going to come.

An artist is born.

By the way, I totally LOVE this piece. What do you think?

DAILY PAINTWORKS CONTEST and PAINTING YOUR PET

MILES by Sea Dean - 10" x 8" Arches Board

Every month, the platform where I market my art online has a contest. The judge is usually a fellow artist and this month it's Johnathan Aller. You can submit any 2D work whether it is available or not and whether you are a member of DPW or not. The cost is $10 for members and $14 for non members. The prizes are 1st - $500, 2nd - $300, and 3rd - $150 and the top 15 artists become DPW featured artists for a month for free! I enter because the prize is attractive, but more importantly I would like the exposure of being a featured artist.

This month I submitted my painting of Miles, a little doggie I've never met, but I'm told he has quite a personality. It is painted on one of my favourite surfaces, Canson Arches board, which I discovered at a demo by famous local watercolour artist Alex Fong.

The surface you paint on has quite an effect on the finished work, and I love the velvety and very forgiving texture of this board. It give a more realistic and smooth look to a painting with soft edges, perfect for fur.

I'm currently available to paint PAL PORTRAITS, so if you know someone with a special pet, or if you want to immortalize your own special companion, please contact me in comments. Years ago, before I became a professional artist, I had a portrait painted of my darling cat Kitza and it still brings me joy every day, even though she passed a long time ago. So I know first hand what a wonderful gift they make.

PAWS by Sea Dean - 8" x 10" Canvas Panel

REF 4168 Miles - REF 3060 Paws

LIBERATE YOUR ART POSTCARD SWAP - Artist Marjorie Thompson

THE OLD HOUND by Sea Dean

THE OLD HOUND
by Sea Dean
12" x 10" Wrap Canvas
$100

View my online Gallery of originals here DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

Postcard by Marjorie Thompson

This lovely postcard portrait (center)  is from Marjorie Thompson of Seattle, Washington, USA who is currently working in Encaustic. It's amazing what she can do with wax. See more of her work here.

On the back of the postcard Marjorie has written a quote from Thoreau...

"This world is but a canvas to our imagination".

I have pictured the postcard on display in my studio gallery with a couple of my pet portraits and a landscape.

I wanted to find something in my body of work that echoed Marjorie's style and the painting above seemed to fit being slightly mysterious and poignant.

More about Kat Sloma's project here.


REF 3209 The Old Hound

ATC ACEO AUCTION - Doggie Please

DOGGIE PLEASE ACEO by Sea Dean

A hand painted original ACEO (3.5" x 2.5")
Click here for the Daily Paintworks special priced auction

Remember that if you purchase ANY painting from DPW you have four opportunities to win a featured painting by a member artist valued up to $200

Stop by every day to see what new auction I have planned for that day.

Thank you for your patronage


Ref Doggie Please 3073

HOW TO WATERMARK YOUR IMAGES - STEP BY STEP - ANYONE CAN DO IT

PRAY FIRST - HOWL LATER
By Sea Dean
12" x 6" Wrap Canvas
$90
Ready to hang

To view my online Gallery of originals please visit Daily Paintworks
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here


HOW TO WATERMARK

You'll recognize Zevron from a few days ago except this time he comes with a watermark. I know watermarking is important, not because it stops the theft of your ideas or printing your creations without permission, but with a watermark you have proof of ownership if you decide on legal action. It also lets any would be copyists know that you are serious about protecting your work because you have taken the time to watermark it.

PRAY FIRST - HOWL LATER was created for a challenge. The challenger, Kimberly Kelly Santinii, made watermarking a condition of submission, so I had to step up to the plate. See the other entrants here.

Here is how you can watermark any image using Pic Monkey, which is a free site.

1. Go to Pic Monkey http://www.picmonkey.com/
2. Select TOUCH UP
3. Select the image you wish to watermark from your computer and ENTER
4. On the left select Tt (supposedly this means text)
5. Select the font (type of writing) you would like, by clicking on it.
6. Click ADD TEXT, which is at the top of the fonts.
7. Click in the box that appears on your image and write your text (mine is the title of the painting, Sea Dean Artist © www.paintamasterpiece.blogspot.com)
8. On the right of your image there are many things to test such as colour of text, fading to make it less obtrusive, size, blending, centering etc. By default the text is black but white or another colour may look better on your image.
9. You can move the text box by (left click, hold and reposition by sliding your finger across your pad).
10. You can create multiple text boxes and reposition them as I have.
11. Save file by clicking on SAVE above your image and giving it a title on your computer. Added protection comes from adding your name and © in the title of your image.
12. Make sure you save the watermarked image and it's date by putting it in a file where the date won't be altered.

Feel free to share this lesson with anyone that will benefit.

IN THE PARK
By Sea Dean
4" x 6" 140lb Strathmore
White frame about 7" x 9"
Ready to hang

To view my online Gallery of originals please visit Daily Paintworks
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here


Ref 15032 Pray first - Howl later
Ref 13099 In the Park

PRAY FIRST - HOWL LATER - A PAL PORTRAIT OF ZEVRON

PRAY FIRST - HOWL LATER
By Sea Dean
12" x 6" Wrap Canvas
$90
Ready to hang

To view my online Gallery of originals please visit Daily Paintworks
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here


ZEVRON CHALLENGE

I painted this doggie for a challenge by Kimberly Kelly Santini. She entitled her version of this photo ZEN DOG, which I love, but I thought it was disrespectful to copy her clever title. Hence PRAY FIRST HOWL LATER was born. Kelly will post paintings of the "Zevron" photo painted by her readers before March 31st. ("I will add all artwork created by March 31, 2015, to a photo album on my Facebook page created specifically for this purpose"). Take a look at the other entries which are really fantabulous.


Ref 5032 Pray first - Howl Later

LIBERATE YOUR ART - POSTCARD EXCHANGE - DOTTY DRESS FRAMED

DOTTY DRESS
By Sea Dean
Framed and Ready to Display

6" x 4" on Canvas Panel
1 1/2" Black Frame (approx 8" x 10")
$85

To view my online Gallery of originals please visit Daily Paintworks
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here

I love this happy painting. It always makes me smile. It gives me thoughts of sunny days and romance in the country.

LIBERATE YOUR ART

Blogged on from Sheila Delgado and Kat Sloma

This sounds like a fun thing to do and an inexpensive wasy to get your art in front of many eyes. I believe that artists today have to try everything they can and I look forward to meeting new friends from around the world. Get your skates on though because you must sign up by tonight.

I will select my five postcards from some I already sell. See my postcard and art cards here. My Art Card selection is a bit limited at the moment, so if you want them shipped immediately please contact me for current stock. If you would like one or several of the cards below, I am offering them to my readers this week for the special price of $1 each plus postage. Please contact me to purchase.

UNWRAPPED - GREETING AT THE DOCK - Pal portrait and favourite commission of the year

My favourite commission of the year, GREETING AT THE DOCK with Stella and Stanley.

This was a large commission for a pet portrait, so took longer than usual. I had to redesign Stella, the little black dog because she is very active and no one photo could capture her look. The last photo is not the finished version as in the rush to varnish and dry I forgot to take a final photo. I hope to take one in the future.

PHOTO SESSION - Stella and Stanley

PHOTO SESSION STELLA

PHOTO SESSION STANLEY

MASTER PHOTO

PHASE I - Underpainting - 24th Nov

PHASE II Working from photo on laptop - 25th Nov

PHASE III - Placing lights and darks - 25th Nov

PHASE IV - Working on Background - 25th Nov

PHASE V - Adding dock - 25th Nov

PHASE VI - Painting Stanley - 29 Nov

PHASE VII - Shadow - 1 Dec

PHASE VIII - Stella appears - 5 Dec

PHASE IX - Stella's face - 8 Dec

PHASE X - Stella Face and that tricky back leg - 12 Dec

PHASE XI - Finally a good position for that leg - 17 Dec

PHASE XII - Redesigning the dock - 18 Dec

PHASE XIII - Adding distant point and lighter foliage - 19 Dec

PHASE XIV - Nearly done - 22 Dec

I will post the final version when I can.

If you know someone that would love a PALS PET PORTRAIT, please send them this blog and ask them to contact me.