LovesDogs

I just can't resist the feeling of running my fingers through.........my doggies' fur.  I'll even admit that I love to bury my face in my little Aussie's sweet smelling, fluffy and oh-so-soft-and-silky fur, especially right after she's had a bath!  There's something so soothing and therapeutic about fur.  It amazes me how different the fur of each dog can feel.  My two girls are obviously different, they're different breeds (Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd).  What's interesting though, is how different my little Aussie's coat is when compared to her litter mate's coat - she and her sister have such different feeling coats!  I love going to the dog park and seeing (and yep, you guessed it, petting) all the different four legged friends.  I am, without a doubt, a long furred kinda gal.  Sure, the short fur might look more tidy, but it sure can be prickly and rough.  Besides, there's not much that's prettier than seeing a beautiful dog, with a luxuriously long and silky coat, running across the grass with that fur flowing in the breeze.  Oh, the joy of dogs (unless you're a cat!).

So, I decided the only thing better than feeling that silky soft fur would be drawing it - or maybe not!  Well, it is peaceful (in it's own way), but not nearly as sweet and luxurious!  And to achieve the look of one of those beautiful tufts of fur?  Yep, it takes a looooong time!  It's a bit more like splitting hairs.  However, I've found that as each hour passes and I look back at what I've accomplished with paper and pencil, I am reminded once again of that magnificent fur!

So, my question for today is, are you a long or short fur person (and you kitty people are allowed to chime in too!)?

Hello fellow artists!

I'm hoping you'll take a few minutes to check out this incredible artist, Emily Sodders - .  Not only is her art absolutely beautiful, but she is always willing to take her time to appreciate her fellow artists.  Since I've been watching her work I've seen her feature fellow artists, comment on their work and post well thought out and informative critiques.  Her work in photo realism is impeccable.  The detail in her art amazes me and I love the variety in her subjects.  Speaking of variety, Emily is undertaking a huge new challenge, the 100 Theme Challenge.  Not only will we get to see her creative interpretations of the themes, but she's being her usual supportive self and making this into a challenge and opportunity for us, her fellow artists, as well!  If you post your guess on her journal as to what you think her next piece will be you have the chance to have some of your art featured in her next journal!  You can guess each time she posts a new piece, so you'll have tons of opportunities!  Pretty cool, huh?!  

So take a few minutes and enjoy the art of a fellow artist!  If we all take her lead and pay it forward, just imagine how many new people we can introduce each other's art to.  I think it's a fantastic and supportive way to learn about new artists.  If you have a favorite out there, send a link in the comments of this journal and I'll go visit their gallery, or put a link in your next journal entry to introduce their art to all your friends and supporters!

Have a great day and remember to Pay It Forward!!!!

Over the past few days, I have really taken some time to explore the deviantART community to see what it's all about.  My, oh my, what a huge world it is!  

When I first came into this little green world, I had a very small neighborhood in which I played.  Well, as many children do, I became intrigued by what might lie on the other side of the fence, so I wandered out into the wide, green fields and found.....

Artists - Can you imagine, there are actually talented people here in this world?  Oh, wait, that's why we're all here, isn't it?

Support - Comments and Faves and Features, oh my!  What a wonderful green world this is, a world in which people compliment each other.  Even the word, "critique", takes on a positive connotation.  I've looked upon art that, in my previous small neighborhood, I never would have known existed.  I've learned that comments, especially those with detail, really make a difference, whether they are being doled out or received.

Groups and Clubs - Throughout my adventure, I have stumbled upon others with similar interests to my own.  The groups here seem endless, but with a bit of unearthing, I have found a few that seem like they will be a fantastic fit for me.  Thank you to each of you who had the desire and forethought to start a group so those of us on our quest could find a group of instant friends and supporters!

Friends - Very slowly, bit by bit, I find myself exchanging comments with someone and pretty soon I find that a friendship has developed.  What a lovely surprise!

Teachers and Mentors - Whether I am absorbing a finished drawing, studying the details of a WIP with a fine-toothed comb or reading incessantly through a tutorial over and over again, I have gratefully found many teachers in my explorations.  I'd like to personally thank a few:

To my friend and inspiration, dieselsmum - - her friendship and support in my life started just a few years ago, but they have grown to so much more.  She has inspired me with her kindness and awed me with her talents.  She isn't afraid to try anything and I have found she has such a variety of talents and shines at each and every one!

My dA adventure started with chandito - - www.onlypencil.com - his animal drawings mesmerized me and brought a whole new sense of enjoyment to my life.  His countless hours of drawing online while many of us watched, answering endless questions and stopping his own work to provide in depth and on-the-spot tutorials really showed me the passion and giving spirit of an artist.  

A few others, many of whom you already know: imaginee - - cataclysm-x - - lion83 - - akalilith - - lordgawaine - - stapic - - These artists, among several others, have inspired me by their works, provided me with tutorials and have posted their works-in-progress for me to study endlessly.  I can never thank you enough for the help you have given me through your works!

I feel badly because I know I can never list each of you who has made my journey such a full one so far, but please know I do appreciate you for helping to light my path.  And for those of you yet to come, I am grateful to you as well!

I know this has been a long-winded adventure, but please indulge me for one more moment while I recognize the groups and clubs I have found along the way.  Each one represents two steps in my path - one I have taken, and one that lies in the road ahead.

black-white-club - - blackandwhiteclub - - daportraiteures - - drawers-life - - graphite-masters - - portraitpencilart - - thepencilclub -

As you can see, I've decided to try my hand at drawing humans.  While we people may not always be as sweet as animals, we do have our special and endearing qualities.  I have had so much fun (with a few headaches and brief moments of hair-pulling thrown in) with this new adventure!  I've tried to stay as realistic as possible and really capture the details, not only in the faces, but in the clothing as well.  I would appreciate any comments or critiques you may have to help me in this ever-growing endeavor.  This has definitely been such an amazing process and experience for me and I can't wait to see what is next!

I want to thank so many of you here on deviantART for your help - and you probably didn't even know you were helping me!  Many of you are in my favorites and your pencil drawings, WIPs and tutorials inspire me, guide me and continue to teach me more than I could ever imagine.  I've spent countless hours pouring through every detail I could find and studying your fantastic creations.  Thank you for sharing your works and for giving me the ideas, inspiration and even the confidence to create my own!

Thank you for coming by to visit my gallery and for your comments, favorites and never-ending support!  You all inspire me!

I am so excited!  I just finished my first full drawing!  

I'd like to thank........well, pretty much everyone!  If you stopped by to take a look at my works in progress, thanks (and if you added any of those WIPs to your faves, TY and U R GR8!).  If you looked at my endless emails with even more works in progress than I posted on here, double thanks (and if you actually commented on said emails, you're terrific!).  If you chatted with me for hours over the past few weeks while watching OnlyPencil work his magic with pencil and paper, thx!  In case you haven't figured it out by now, I really do appreciate all of the support I've received throughout this new endeavor of mine.  It doesn't matter if I know and love you personally or if I only know you by a call name, your support and encouragement really made all the difference, so here's a very sincere, "Thank you so much!" just for you!

I can't wait to see what my pencils will put down on paper next!