78 of 294

|

I just love this painting! It's the biggest I've done so far, and evokes a certain silliness that gets stirred up around here when it's doggie mealtime. Our dogs are quite literary, as well as musical, and are familiar with the lilt and rhythm of a number of poems and songs, which they get to sit through while waiting for the "OK!" to sound and the diving in to begin!

Sometimes the four of us dance around the table with the dog dishes, singing a favorite before-mealtime ditty, the Canned Dogfood song. The dogs drool and smile, expectantly waiting for the magic moment when they get to begin their feast, and the humans giggle and sing as we parade around the house. It's a totally silly song (written by Fred) and I attempted to make a video to share with you. The video never quite made it, but instead, I offer you this painting and hope some of the humor and joy sneaks out and into your afternoon!

About a year ago now, something wonderful happened. I'd been going through an increasingly challenging time with my health, which has been a major teacher in my life, and was being brought to my knees by the experience. When my dear friend and partner Fred encouraged me to take up art, I was touched by an excitement that was like a thousand smiles singing inside me! I've always been an adventurous one,,, artistic, musical, and a great lover of spontaneous play. For much of my life, I've made my living as a luthier, specializing in unusual, made-up violin family instruments, as well as a whole host of flutes, harps, marimbas, tile-a-phones, etc. etc. But until last year, I'd never spent much time with a paintbrush, or let myself be...