"Snowdrop," from the Florus Animalum series, 48" x 48", acrylics on panel, depicting a polar bear crowned with spring flowers. This piece truly has to be experienced in person to fully appreciate all the subtleties of color and design. Snowdrop is $4599 plus s&h. Inquiries may come to me. Each of the flowers and berries in this painting were specifically chosen to tell a story about environmental change. And if you choose to not believe that global warming is happening, you have my blessing to simply enjoy Snowdrop at face value. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim |
Snowdrop
One week on
Needless to say, a week on from saying goodbye I am still thinking about Wiggle all of the time. He was such a huge part of my life that it doesn't surprise me how much of my mind space he occupies. I miss him so much, it physically hurts.
The response to losing Wiggle has been overwhelming. I knew he was special but the lovely messages, cards and flowers have meant so much and I want to thank everyone for their kindness and support at this terribly sad time. To know that Wiggle touched so many people's hearts makes me very proud to have been his human.
Sofy seems to be doing ok on her own although I'm not sure she fully understands but maybe she does. I'm so glad she is still her for me to hug when I cry and to be my companion.
Wiggle's tag from his collar is now on my key ring with the others from my past Labbie companions. He gets to travel everywhere with me now.
I didn't look for Wiggle - he came to me when he needed me most and whilst I'm not looking for another Labrador, I will foster again in the future.
For now, I shall enjoy my Silly Sofy:
Celestrial
"Celestrial," 24" x 48", from the Florus Animalum series of paintings, acrylics on panel, depicting a giraffe with a cloud of flowers - ironically, all blooming types of ground cover. This one is $1499 plus s&h. Payment plans available. Inquiries may come to me. Another adrenaline fueled painting spree - when an idea hits me, I gotta run with it. I gotta!! Speaking of which, I have a giant panel started and a wide open evening..... Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim |
Rhin-unculus
"Rhin-unculus," 48" x 48", from the Florus Animalum series of paintings, acrylics on panel, depicting a rhino momma and her baby saurus. And a mass of ranunculus. This happy family is $4599 plus s&h. Payment plans available. Inquiries may come to me. Thinking about the circle of life, endangered species, and nurturing today. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim |
Poppy
"Poppy," 36" x 48", from the Flores Animalum series of paintings, acrylics on panel, depicting a larger than life sized golden retriever crowned with a halo of bobbing poppies. Poppy is $3599 plus s&h. Payment plans available. Inquiries may come to me. The flowers represent the generous love and acceptance dogs give so freely. We could learn a lot from them. I started this painting last spring, then got too scared to finish it (yes, that happens to me too! far more often than I'd like to admit). It wasn't until yesterday morning, when I was actively avoiding cleaning off my desk, that she made it back onto my easel. And it's been a painting marathon ever since. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim |
Wiggle - Day 3,044. The Last Day
Yesterday was the saddest day of my life. The day I said my final goodbye to Wiggle.
After having celebrated his birthday last week, Wiggle's health and well being declined so quickly it came as a shock to me. Thursday and Friday he only managed short walks and wasn't very hungry, only eating a few chunks of his tinned meat.
On Saturday I made him some pancakes with maple syrup but he didn't want them although he had always enjoyed pancakes before.
I helped him up a few times and we tried to go for a walk but Wiggle only went to the end of the street and back. By then, I was fearing the worst and my heart was breaking but I knew I had to do what was right for him.
On Sunday I called the vets and made an appointment for Monday afternoon. I got Wiggle into the car and took him to my parents to say goodbye. Still not wanting to eat much, I got Wiggle lots of tasty snacks to see if he could be tempted to eat and he did manage some ham and smoked salmon.
By Monday, Wiggle wasn't able to get up by himself at all. I'd been sleeping downstairs with him since Friday and he had been trying to get up in the night so I helped him get to his puppy pads as he didn't want to go outside. We didn't sleep much and after it had gotten light and Sofy had eaten her breakfast, I helped him outside but even that wore him out.
I knew it was the right time to let him go. My handsome, special, loyal, clever Wiggle was too tired to carry on, even for me. I put his harness on to be able to help him on his feet and he spent some time in the garden, sniffing the air.
Then it was time to leave. Sofy said goodbye, licking his face and watching him as I got Wiggle in the car. We stopped at Maud Heath on the way, Wiggle laying in the car feeling the warmth of the sun on his soft fur for one last time. I hugged him and cried and told him how special he is and how much love I would always feel for him.
Once at the vets, Malcolm agreed it was the right decision and helped me get Wiggle up on the table. Wiggle didn't struggle, just lay with me holding him, crying into his fur, stroking him and telling him how much I loved him. His passing was peaceful; it was the right time.
Now my heart is breaking for the loss of my one in a million boy. He arrived in such a neglected condition and despite not being loved, he was ready to give love. We had so many wonderful adventures and he was a great ambassador for Labrador Rescue South East & Central.
But he's gone, free from pain. The pain left now is mine but in time the happy memories will take over.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Wiggle, chatted with him on Twitter and shared his life with us.
Wiggle, 28.09.2002 - 03.10.2016
Mari(gold)
FINISHED! "Mari(gold)," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, depicting a golden retriever puppy sprouting a crown of marigolds - the flowers represent the years of beauty and joy a puppy brings to one's life, as well as the fragility of our time with each other. Mari's portrait is $699 plus s&h. Inquiries may come to me. I would be remiss if I didn't properly thank Team Husar Photography for my photo reference. Knowing her love of goldens, I shared my concept of a Marigold Golden Retriever. She responded with a couple photos, of which Mari was based upon. I have the best, most supportive team behind me! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim |













