The Labbie Gang

Foster dogs Kal and Boulder are still here while they wait for their perfect home.  They have an updated profile on the Labrador Rescue South East & Central website - Click here for their page

In the meanwhile, they are having fun with Sofy and enjoying their time here:

Both the boys have put on some weight and are looking much better:

Kal and Boulder love the fields near us and have been enjoying following different paths from one field to the next

Boulder can even fly!

While it was very warm the past few days, all three had a lot of fun splashing about in the river:

And when the field is all wet after rain in the night, the Labbie Gang are all happy!

Kal and Boulder are still the most perfect pair of boys, they are great with other dogs they meet, they have excellent recall, love to go anywhere and will also settle down and sleep when left at home.

We are looking for a perfect home for the boys as they love people and getting fuss.  They are so lovely, they need to be spoilt although they don't know it!   

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Teaching and Learning

My brave crewe of painters from the Louisiana Art and Artists Guild.

I've been in Baton Rouge the past week, painting alongside these lovelies, working on color, brushwork, and what it means to honor one's path as a creative. They were fearless and inspiring, each one tackling their own wish list of lessons and finding ah-ha moments. Including me! Now I'm in New Orleans with Dianna Reilly (A.K.A. Stella Gray) for a few days. New Orleans is the perfect setting for further discussion about the way creativity weaves itself into our lives, and how we can best feed it. There are also grits. Lots of grits.

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Mum, Happy Mother's Day

Mum, a new selfie in celebration of Mother's Day

16" x 20", acrylics on panel, part of my ongoing series of self portraits. This one is not for sale - I'm going to will it to a kid with specific directions to hang above their eye level, so that I am always looking down at them, just like when they were all shorter than I...... Meanwhile, inquiries may come to me. Please and thank you. Self portraits are a remarkable exercise. I've been practicing them at least monthly for nearly 2 years. They are an insightful exploration of mood, energy and outlook. Sometimes they aren't terribly flattering, but I'm not painting them to pretend I'm a supermodel. I'm painting them to become a better caretaker of myself.

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They got their hats! These chicks are ready for the Kentucky Derby.

They got their hats! These chicks are ready for the Kentucky Derby.

18" x 24", acrylics on panel, starring two heirloom Derby Chicks. These chicks are fairly common in the south, but up here in Michigan, it's rare to sight them. I've included a detail below so that you will recognize one more easily in the future. This Derby Chicks painting is $799 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come to me. Please and thank you.

Two years ago I was feted all week in Louisville as the official Kentucky Derby artist. The final honor was sitting in our box at Churchill Downs' finish line and watching American Pharoah win the first leg of his Triple Crown. History unfolded for me personally and for the sport I passionately grew up with. Wishing all involved a safe trip tomorrow.

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Squeaker

Squeaker, a Florus Animalum painting

48" x 48 x 1/2"", acrylics on panel, starring a not-so-tiny mouse sprouting a mass of wildflowers. Squeaker is $4599 to the first asking nicely. Payment plans available. Inquiries may come to me. Please and thank you. This little one has a huge personality. And probably every color in the world is tucked into his floral crown. What a focal point Squeaker will make......

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David+Austin

David+Austin, a Florus Animalum painting

36" x 48", acrylics on panel, starring two thoroughbreds nuzzling amid a tangle of english roses. David+Austin is $3599 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come to me. Please and thank you. I've included a detail below. This is an incredibly complex piece full of subtlety, and while it looks pretty wonderful (if I do say so myself) on the computer, it's breathtaking in person.

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The Perfect Pair

Boulder and Kal have been with us for a couple of weeks now and I have come to the conclusion that they are perfect.  They have no faults.  None!

They have excellent recall and love to run in the fields and come to me as soon as I call their names or whistle:

They are happy, affectionate boys:

Although they lived in kennels in their previous life, they are fully adjusted to indoor living:

Happy, goofy Kal:

Boulder, the more sensitive of the pair:

And their temporary boss, Miss Sofy who has shared her food, her beds, her armchair and me:

As yet, Boulder and Kal are still without a retirement home.  There is no hurry for them to leave here as they are truly lovely to have around.  But they deserve a home of their own and are the easiest dogs - they travel well, are fine when left, good with other dogs, good in new places like the garden centre or visiting friends.

The boys will be 10 on the 21st of this month but they still have bags of energy and love to run in the fields twice a day.  And when they ready to relax, they love to have a cuddle and lots of fuss.

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Pink Peony

Pink P(e)ony, a Florus Animalum painting

24" x 48", acrylics on panel featuring a white pony crowned with a luscious bouquet of blooms. She is $1499 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come to me. Please and thank you. I started this one last August, and forget why she got set aside. Today I practiced all the things I've learned in the past 8 months. Lots of drips, bursts of color, delightful drawn edges. Happy Sigh.

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