Review 2012 and looking into 2013


A week before the year is over, here is some of my thoughts and statements of the year. And a look into my goals of 2013.




What was the best artistic experience in 2012?
• The Easterexhibition with artgroup Stiplet, is always a pleasure. Even sales was terrible (for all the artist) we enjoyed each others company and talking with visitors.
• Also becoming part of the artgroup Mangfoldighed, where I have met a bunch of wonderful artists. I will exhibit with the group several times in 2013, and look forward to meet more members.





How about shows/exhibitions?
I participated in 3 exhibitions, the eastershow with artgroup Stiplet, a soloshow for Stiplet members and a galleryexhibtition with artgroup Mangfoldighed.
So far I have 5 exhibitions booked for 2013.




Where did I do something new?
• Painting the loose watercolorstyle - the Colorful Bird series and Coloristic Dog series - I feel was something new. I did try this style earlier, but not as succesfull and consistent.
• I opened a new shop Tegneriet at amioamio.dk. Hopefully I will sell some art (and perhaps crafts) from here. So far I sold some prints - always makes me happy when people find my art attractive.
• I wrote to a company artassociation, even this company did not answer (bad manners!), I will approach more in 2013.
• I reopened my commission-business with the blog dyreriget.blogspot.dk





Make any series ?
Yes, this year I did do something about the series :)
• I found my serie “Colorful birds” in watercolor to be very fine, and I had much fun painting them, not saying it was easy.
The serie consist of 4 paintings - so far. 
• I also painted 7 “Coloristic dogs” - I need to do more, as I promised the followers on my facebook fanpage Doggy-shop, who was kind to suggest breeds to paint :)
• Boudoir girls is just 2 paintings, but even if I don’t get more painted in this series, they made me come up with ideas for other similar motifs that I might paint in 2013.
• Another serie of 2 is “Snake escape”. Well, I don’t know if you can actually call 2 a serie, but anyway. These emerged from something quite different at an illustration course - and I like to work with ink and watercolors together in a more illustrative style.
• “Dogs with hats” - again, just 2 pieces so far - exploring an illustrative approach in graphite.





What piece of art took the most hours to finish?
“Going home” Jutland horses, graphite drawing.




What happend in competitions?
I did participate in several shows/competitions, but 2012 was not a fruitfull year in that respect. But my pencildrawing “koalabear” (from 2011) did make it to the Top 15 at Guest gallery’s 4. international Animal Art contest.





And any competitions held by me?
I held 2 competitions. One in spring, anyone who Liked my FB fanpage Doggyshop was in. The prize was a print of “Gentle giants - irish wolfhounds”.
The second “Christmas dog” where the prize was a dogprint of the winners own choise. Sadly noone participated in that competition.




What will I quit in 2013?
• I will not participate as much in competitions. I find they are often expensive. I participated in 8 competions in 2012 (16 in 2011). 
• I think, I will not work with graphite on Mellotex again. Did 2 drawings, and I just cannot seem to get the grasp of it. I know many graphite artists like it. I might try it for inkdrawings.
• I will reconsider holding competitions of my own. I think it is fun, but the last one had no participants at all and in earlier years I held one with 1 participant + a couple with very few. Makes me feel a bit embarrased actually. Well, I’ll consider it.





What will I like to do more of? What is to be goals and what will I focus on in 2013?
• I want to particpate in more shows/exhibitions in Denmark.
• I want show artwork in only 2 media for each exhibition in opposition to many different medias which I think gives a bit of a fragmented impression. This will certainly require me working more hours, and I hope to be able to do that.
• I want to make more designs placed on things like plates, mugs, t-shirts etc.
• I want to make some crafts. I might attend a glassmaking course.
• I would like to be on a fair/market with some of my art/craft.
• I want to keep exploring different media 
• Painting with watercolors on watercolorcanvas - a really pleasant experience.

I wish you all a merry christmas and a wonderful new year :)




Merry Christmas



I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year :)

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DK:
I ønskes en glædelig jul og et godt nytår :)

Cavalier king Charles Spaniels - on a plate


This is my experiment - great fun to make and I really like the outcome. The image is placed on a plate.

The image is printed on special transfer, varnished, baked and can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Not to put in the dishwasher.
I chose to print in sepia-shades which gives it a nice look, not as hard as black.

I didn't have acces to buy a plate of the kind you hang for decoration on the wall, that's why I used a plate. But I do know where to drive and get them, so proberbly will do that too.

I hope dogplates will be an item that doglovers will want to purchase, for themselves, friends or the dogclub. They will be decorative in many places :)

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DK:
Dette er mit eksperiment - sjovt at lave og jeg synes godt om resultatet. Billedet er placeret på en tallerken.

Motivet er printet på speciel transfer, fixeret med fernis, bagt og kan nu rengøres med en fugtig klud. Ikke til at putte i opvaskeren.
Jeg har valgt at printe i sepia-toner, som giver et fint udtryk, ikke så hårdt som sort tryk.

Jeg har ikke haft mulighed for at købe en platte, til dekoration på væggen. Derfor har jeg brugt en tallerken. Men jeg ved hvor jeg kan køre hen og købe dem, så det vil jeg prøve.

Jeg håber, hundeplatter vil være en ide som hundeelskere, kunne tænke sig, til dem selv, venner eller hundeklubben. De vil pynte mange steder :)


Cavalier king charles spaniels - wip finished


Here is the finished drawing of the 2 cavalier king charles spaniels. A tricolore and a ruby.
Aren't they cute ?
Now I will make an experiment with this drawing - see my later post.

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DK:
Her er den færdige tegning af de 2 cavalier king charles spaniels. En tricolore og en rød.
Er de ikke dejlige?
Nu vil jeg lave et eksperiment med denne tegning - se min senere post.

cavalier king charles spaniel - wip

Now I am getting closer to finishing the drawing of these 2 cute doggies ;)
Still need to work on the ruby dog, and the blanket :)

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DK:
Nu nærmer jeg mig færdiggørelsen af tegningen af de 2 søde vovser :)
Mangler stadig at arbejde på den røde hund, og tæppet :)

Christmas competition / Julekonkurrence



Christmas Competition - Win an A4 print of a dog drawing, -painting of your choice. 

Go to my dogs gallery:http://azoo.site88.net/doggallery and select the print you want to win. 

It is a requirement that the print is available in size 1 (looking at the the picture - press the "i" above the image). Note that the breeds are divided by English breed names.

Then send an email to me (see e-mail on right side of blog below Newsletter). The email title should be: "Christmas Dog" and remember to write the name of the picture, your name and address. Send mail no later than 21.12.12. The winner will be drawn on 22.12.12. Have fun and good luck :)

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DK:
Julekonkurrence - vind et A4 print af en hundetegning, -maleri efter eget valg. 

Gå til mit hundegalleri:http://azoo.site88.net/doggallery og vælg det print du gerne vil vinde. 

Det er en betingelse at printet fåes i str. 1 (står på billedet- tast "i" over det enkelte billede). 
Bemærk at racerne er inddelt efter engelske racenavne. 

Send herefter en mail til mig (Se e-mail på højre side på bloggen under Newsletter). Titlen skal være: "Julehund" og husk at skrive navnet på billedet, dit navn samt adresse. Send mailen senest den 21.12.12.
Vinderen udtrækkes den 22.12.12. God fornøjelse og held og lykke :)

Tegneriet - amioamio Shop


I have opened a shop - Tegneriet - on amioamio, here.

So far I sell prints, but I plan to sell originals and crafts in the future too. Take a look and don't forget to bookmark :)

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DK:
Jeg har åbnet en butik - Tegneriet - på amioamio, her.

Indtil videre sælger jeg print, men jeg planlægger at sælge originaler og kunsthåndværk i fremtiden. Tag et kig - og husk bogmærke :)

Cavalier king charles spaniel - Wip


Progress of today :)

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DK:
Dagens fremskridt :)

New prints for sale


My newest prints for sale. 2 artprints from original loose watercolorpaintings of Snowy owl and Great Horned Owl. Composed to fit print in A4 size.
Sold unframed from my amioshop Tegneriet.

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DK:
Mine 2 nyeste kunsttryk. 2 print fra originale koloristiske akvarelmalerier af Sneugle og Stor hornugle. Komponeret tilpasset print i A4 størrelse.
Sælges uindrammet fra min amioshop Tegneriet.

cavalier king charles spaniel - wip


I had time to work more on this today, the ruby cavalier coming along nicely ;)

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DK:
Jeg har haft tid til at arbejde mere på tegningen i dag, den røde cavalier er fint på vej :)

Cavalier king charles spaniel - wip


Now you can see the second dog too ;)
I use different grades of graphite to render from white to black fur. The drawing is on Fabriano Disengo no. 4 paper - one of my favorites for graphite drawings.

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DK:
Du kan nu se hund nr. 2 :)
Jeg bruger forskellige grader af bly for at gengive fra hvid til sort pels. Jeg tegner på Fabriano Disengo nr. 4 papir - en af mine favoritter til blyantstegning.

Cavalier king charles spaniel - wip


Here is an update on my drawing - as you might see, there is a second dog on the right side. The composition including both a tricolore and a ruby colored Ckc-spaniel.

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DK:
Her en opdatering af min tegning - som du måske kan ane er der endnu en hund til højre. Kompositionen inkluderer både en tricolor og en ruby farvet ckc-spaniel.

Cavalier king charles spaniels - wip


I did not abandon my project of "Coloristic dogs", but I got the idea for a new experiment, so have to switch to graphite for a while.
I am going to try some transfer-ideas with graphite drawings of dogbreeds. I have no clue if it will work out, but hopefully so.
Heres the start of the first drawing.
(sorry about the poor quality of the photo, but its dark so soon, I could not get a pic in good lightning.)

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DK:
Jeg har ikke forladt mit projekt "Koloristiske hunde", men har fået en ide til et nyt projekt, så jeg må skifte til blyantstegning for en tid.
Jeg har nogle overførings-ideer med tegninger af hunderacer. Jeg ved ikke om det vil virke, men håber på det.
Her er starten på første tegning.
(undskyld det ringe billede, men det bliver mørkt så tidligt, at jeg ikke kunne få et foto i god belysning).

Prints of the month



Here in december I offer 2 prints as print of the month. Save 10 % on "white poodle" and "rottweiler".

They are both from the colorful serie Coloristic dogs. A serie emphatizing on flow of beautiful colors and expression of the dogs.

Look here for procedure of ordering.

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DK:
Her i december tilbyder jeg 2 print som månedens print. Spar 10 % på både "Hvid puddel" og "Rottweiler".

De er begge fra den farverige serie Koloristiske hunde. En serie, hvor jeg har lagt vægt på flydende smukke farver og hundendes udtryk.

Se her for bestillingsvejledning.

Giftcards and moneycards

News on my blog: dyreriget.blogspot.com - my pet-portrait blog:
A giftcard is a special and lovely gift to give and recieve. I now also introduce a moneycard.
You can buy giftcards for a commissioned portrait, on what amount you may desire from 100 dkr. and up. You can also choose to have a moneycard. The difference is that at the giftcard you pay the giftcard amount to me. The moneycard I send to you for 15 dkr., you put cash by it and the reciever can choose to use the money on a portrait, or print or greetingcards, but there is no obligations as to use the money with me. The 15 dkr. covers print and postage.

Below see giftcard and moneycard - both unfolded. Of cause the text on the cards will be adjusted in proper language.


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DK:
Nyt på min blog: dyreriget.blogspot.com - min blog for kæledyrsportrætter:
Et gavekort er en speciel og dejlig gave at give og modtage. Nu introducerer jeg også et pengekort.

Du kan købe gavekort til en portrættegning, på hvilket beløb du måtte ønske fra 100 kr. og op. Du kan også vælge at få tilsendt et pengekort. Forskellen er, at ved gavekortet betaler du et beløb til mig, som gavekortet lyder på. Pengekortet kan du få tilsendt for 15 kr., lægge penge i, og så kan modtageren vælge at bruge pengene på et portræt, eller print og kort, men der er ingen forpligtelse i at skulle bruge pengene hos mig. De 15 kr. dækker print og porto.

Herunder ses hhv. gavekort og pengekort - begge udfoldet.




What is it with artcompetitions vs designcompetitions



Being involved in each of these worlds - fine art and design - one thing has really puzzled me.

I have been entering competitions in both categories at many different providers. Both kinds being anything from open, viewer-voting competitions of societies and groups to prestigious competitions of societies, magazines, manufactures etc. with prizes as: cash, gift cards, artproducts, productlicensing, magazin publicity = fame and fortune :)

But usually - entering the fineart competitions with prizes cost you - the artist - money. And sometimes a considerable amount of money. You the artist/designer pay the winners. I don't parcipate that much in competitions as I used to - for that very reason. I cannot always afford it.
And the designcompetitions - not lacking in prizes to win - are free of charge...

I understand that societies, not having an income from products, need to do this.
There are manufactures/publishers that have prize-winners and free of charge entering - but I only found few of those.

I know that with design competitions the provider could earn from products later - but you the artist will also earn from that.

Whats your experience and opinion on this subject ?


Shetland sheepdog in loose watercolors


Here is a shetland sheepdog - the 6th dogbreed in loose watercolors -  In beautiful, soft hues - from my facebook.com/doggyshop.dk list.
See my webgalleries of dogs here.
You might be interested in a portrait of your own dog/pet. Take a look at Dyreriget - prices from 505 dkr. - approx. £ 54 / € 68. Use the translator in right column on the blog for other languages.

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DK:
Her en Shetland sheepdog - den 6. hunderace i koloristisk akvarel - i dejlige bløde farver - fra min facebook.com/doggyshop.dk list liste.
Se mine webgallerier med hunde her. Flere sælges som print.
Måske er du interesseret i et portræt af din egen hund/kæledyr. Kig på Dyreriget - priser fra 505 kr. Gavekort udstedes :)

Watercolorpainting mounted on canvas



This is a watercolorportrait on paper, glued onto canvas (this could also be placed in frame without glass). 

The paper is treated with fixing and varnish to protect against dust and light. Even so, the painting should not hang in direct sunlight (no picture or print should do that).

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DK:
Således ser det ud, når et akvarelportræt på papir er limet op på lærred (her uden svæveramme, som billedet evt. kan monteres i).

Papiret er behandlet med fixer og fernis som beskyttelse mod støv og lys. Alligevel bør billedet ikke hænge i direkte sollys (det bør ingen slags billeder eller print).

Pyrenean sheepdog in loose watercolors



 A Pyrenean sheepdog - the 5th dogbreed painted in loose watercolors in light and delicate hues.

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DK:
Pyrenæisk hyrdehund - den 5. hunderace malet i koloristisk akvarel. I lette og delikate toner

Schapendoes in loose watercolor




ENG:
The 4rd dogbreed that was suggested in my request on facebook.com/doggyshop.dk 11. oct., was a schapendoes/dutch sheepdog. Here painted in lovely, delicate colors.

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DK:
Den 4. hunderace der blev foreslået i min forespørgsel på facebook.com/doggyshop.dk den 11. oktober er schapendoes. Her malet i dejlige, delikate farver.

Pet portraits / kæledyrsportrætter


News on my blog: dyreriget.blogspot.com - my pet-portrait blog. You can now have your pet painted in loose watercolors.
See more on the blog. It is in danish, but a translator can be found in the right side of page. Prices starts at 610 danish kroner.

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DK:
Nyt på min blog dyreriget.blogspot.com - min blog for kæledyrsportrætter. Du kan nu få dit kæledyr malet i koloristisk akvarel.
Se mere på bloggen. Priser fra 610 danske kroner.

Flatcoated retriever in loose watercolors




ENG:
The 3rd dogbreed that was suggested in my request on facebook.com/doggyshop.dk 11. oct., was a flatcoated retriever. Here it is, in soft, beautiful watercolors. In memory of Santiago.

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DK:
Den 3. hunderace der blev foreslået i min forespørgsel på facebook.com/doggyshop.dk den 11. oktober er en flatcoated retriever. Her er flatteren - i bløde, smukke akvarelfarver. Til minde om Santiago

Cards w/envelope



BEAUTIFUL CARDS TO SET BY GIFTS AT BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARY, PARTYS ETC. OR MAIL TO SOMEONE SPECIAL TO YOU. 
I have started selling greetingcards w/envelope online. There are 63+ cards to choose from.
You can see motifs, prices etc on the website here.

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DK:
SMUKKE KORT TIL AT SÆTTE VED  GAVEN TIL FØDSELSDAG, JUBILÆUM, VÆRTINDENS GAVE, INDFLYTTERFEST OSV. ELLER SEND TIL EN PERSON, SOM ER SPECIEL FOR DIG.
Jeg er begyndt at sælge kort m kuvert online. Der er 63+ kort at vælge imellem.
Du kan se motiver, priser mm på websiden her

New website



As my usual website is still not working - I am uncertain if the webhost has closed down all activity - I have created a new website.
Take a look at it here

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DK
Da min sædvanlige webside stadig ikke virker - jeg er usikker på om webhosten har lukket al aktivitet - har jeg lavet en ny hjemmeside.
Tag et kig her


Website down

Unfortunately my website has been down for 4 days now. I have no idea what is wrong - no sites with  this webhost is working recently. I really hope it will be solved soon. As I cannot get in touch by email, I cannot give an estimated time for it.

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DK:
Desværre er min website utilgængelig, nu på 4. døgn. Jeg har ingen ide om, hvad der er galt. Ingen af siderne hosted hos webhotellet kører. Jeg håber virkeligt det løser sig snart. Jeg kan ikke komme i mailkontakt med firmaet, så jeg har ikke mulighed for at angive evt. tid hvornår den vil kører igen.

Print of the month


The print of the month, november, is this free interpretation of a bananapalm, titled "Banana Fantasia".
A mix of realism and abstraction on a white background gives this motif a contemporary look.

You save 10% on the print of the month. Look for details here

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DK:
Månedens print i november er denne frie fortolkning af en bananpalme, med titlen "Banana Fantasia".
Et miks af realisme og abstraktion på en hvid baggrund giver dette motiv et moderne look.

Du sparer 10% på månedens print. Se detaljer her

Rottweiler in loose watercolor




My 3rd painting from the public questionary at doggyshop (what dogbreed to paint next in a loose watercolor) is a rottweiler. Lovely strong look he has.


Painted on Canson watercolorpaper 24 x32 cm.



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DK:



Mit 3. maleri ud fra min forespørgsel på doggyshop; (hvilken race skal jeg nu male i koloristisk akvarel)er  en rottweiler. Dejlig stærkt udseende han har.
Malet på Canson akvarelpapir 24 x 32 cm.

Greeting cards


At artshows etc, I had many happy customers of my cards. Now you can buy my greeting cards on-line. Many of my artwork motifs are avaliable as cards. http://theplanet.dk/a_zoo/ - greeting card link in menu.


DK:
På udstillinger mm. har jeg haft mange glade kunder til mine kort. Du kan nu købe mine kort m/kuvert on-line. Mange af mine motiver fåes på kort. http://theplanet.dk/lenedaugaard - link i menuen til Kort m. kuvert

Gifts for animallovers


I have many of my drawings and paintings for sale as prints (some originals too :)). Excellent birthday-, christmas-, anniversary-gifts for animal-lovers, could be friends, colleagues, family ... or just yourself. Reasonable prices. Take a look at http://theplanet.dk/a_zoo - print-page... link for my danish homepage, if you understand that :)

Print prices reduced


Good news:
I recently orderd prints from my printhouse, and found out prices had increased quite a bit.
That made me invest in equipment myself (Epson printer), and I can now sell my prints at a lower price. Of cause I print on heavy, quality, archival paper.
It is really nice prints I produce, have a look in my printgallery to see if anything tempts you :)
http://theplanet.dk/a_zoo/Prints.php

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DK:
Gode nyheder:
Jeg har for nyligt bestilt print hos mit printhus og fundet ud af, at priserne var steget en del.
Det fik mig til at investere i udstyr (Epson printer), så jeg kan nu sælge mine print til en lavere pris. Selvfølgelig printer jeg på tungt, kvalitetspapir.
Det er virkeligt flotte print, tag et kig i mit printgalleri, og se om der er noget, der frister dig :)
http://www.freewebsite-service.com/lenedaugaard/Kunsttryk+til+salg.php

German shephard in loose watercolors


After I painted the white poodle in loose watercolors, I wanted to do more. But what breed to paint next?
I decided to make it a public question at doggyshop and got about 18 suggestions of breeds, some wanting the same breed.
Of cause, it got impossible to leave some out, so I now will paint all of them, and in the order they was given.
The very first was a german shephard, and here it is.
Painted on watercolorboard 30,5 x 40,6 cm.

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DK:

Efter jeg malede den hvide puddelhund i koloristisk akvarel, fik jeg lyst til at male flere hunde sådan. Men hvilken skulle jeg male?
Jeg besluttede at gøre det til et offentlig spørgsmål på doggyshop og fik omkring 18 forslag til racer, nogle ønsker den samme race.
Selvfølgelig, er det umuligt at udelukke nogen, så jeg vil nu male dem alle, og i den rækkefølge, de blev foreslået.
Den allerførste var en schæfer, og her er den.
Malet på watercolorboard 30,5 x 40,6 cm.

Animalkingdom / Dyreriget


ENG:
My blog for petportraits http://dyreriget.blogspot.com (Animalkingdom) is now being advertised for on my car with this fancy magnetic banner :)


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DK
Min blog for kæledyrsportrætter http://dyreriget.blogspot.dk har nu eget reklamebanner på min bil :)



Blog news





It has become too much of a mouthful for me to keep going with 5 blogs, 3 facebook pages and 2 websites!

I therefore melt together 3 blogs in one blog, and it is under this name http://a-zoo.blogspot.com. There will now be posts in English and danish.

My 2 other blogs are:

http://tegnebutikken.blogspot.dk - The Drawing-shop, overview of what and where you can buy my drawings and paintings etc.  (in danish, but translator on the blog)

http://dyreriget.blogspot.dk - Animalkingdom, portraits of your pet (in danish, but translator on the blog)


Poodle



This is my new watercolor painting "Poodle".

Painted in lovely, delicate colors in a loose style.
The colors are more prominent in the real piece.
Painted on watercolorboard 30,5 x 40,6 cm.

What breed shall I paint in my next loose watercoloor painting? go to my Doggyshop Facebook fanpage and participate. Ends tuesday :)

Print news


New print in the dogs gallery: "Who gets the ball"? A funny and whimsical drawing.



Print of the month in october is "Grants zebra"  - save 10% on both paper- and canvasprint.

Printgallery see here

Gallery Ilios - exhibition





Friday I hang my paintings at Galleri Ilios. The newspaper on the lower picure is there to reserve place for my 2 "Snake Escape" paintings, I forgot to bring them!

I had the pleasure of meeting several members of the artgroup kg Mangfoldigheds and look forward to meet more at the opening today!

At facebook there is an event for the exhibition. Lots of exciting and very different artwork in the large house of galleri Ilios.

(Beeing busy with the exhibition, means that I will not be able to finish a painting of the week!)

Weekly painting - Who gets the ball?




Inspired by several artists/illustrators blogs a la 1-painting-a-day, in my latest newsletter (download here), I have sat the goal of one painting a week. Not at least to keep myself on track - despite all obstacles meaning lack of time - to keep drawing and painting every week of the year.
This week has been hectic, but I managed to make this small picture: "Who gets the ball?" A illustrative style with ink and watercolors.
22x22 cm on Hahnemuhle Bamboo paper