Tuesday, February 9, 2010



Sunchaser
Oil on board, 20" x 20"
$1600 plus $20 shipping in U.S.
Email don@dailyartwest.com for purchase


Here's one of the larger paintings I've been working on lately. This is Winslow, the fellow who shares my studio space. He's a pretty good roommate, except for his annoying habit of chewing the handles off paintbrushes. But hey--who's perfect? At least he doesn't play loud music all hours, or leave the cap off the toothpaste.

The studio is on the top floor of an old brick building, with high ceilings and tall windows on three sides. I love to watch the luminous sunlight crawl across the painting walls I built years ago. Winslow follows the sun through these windows too, dragging his blanket along the floor to keep laying in the warmth... I should say what's left of his blanket--he's chewed that to shreds too.

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

a wonderful portrait that captures so many of Winslow's better characteristics. and what a delightful title:) r.

Ann-Marie Stillion said...

This is so you, uh Winslow.

I envy you that studio. Sounds like all is well.

RUDHI RĂ¼scher said...

Funny lovely guy watching you and us forever in this hopperlight painting...

Susan Roux said...

Before I read anything I guessed this was your dog by the way he's painted. It shows passion...

Very well done! He looks like a true friend.

(these days, I follow the sun too)

Clair Hartmann said...

This is really great! love the writing too - I laughed out loud when I read it!

http://clairhartmann.blogspot.com/

Pierre Raby said...

Outstanding! The light, the presence,
the simple composition perfectly balanced.

Patrice said...

When I clicked over to the attachment, I expected a portrait - but Winslow (though handsome) is not the species I thought would be portrayed.

What a beautiful, luminous painting!

I love the surface of the background, and how you've so perfectly caught the shadow.

Winslow has all the dignity of his namesake.

Marilyn Flanegan said...

Another beauty.
Dogs are wonderful companions in the studio. When I've lost track of time, Jack always lets me know when it's time for a break.

SamArtDog said...

Oh, yay! It's Winslow! We always love to see another lucky dog. Have you ever thought of doing a painting one of his "used" brushes to add to your other brush paintings?

Nice light, nice shadows.

JacMac said...

Wonderful composition and light, plus your studio mate is a cutie even if he does have bad habits, but then don't we all.

Katherine said...

Winsloooooooow!!! Beautiful painting Don, really captured the little rascal in all his glory. Beautiful capture of light and mood.

Maggie says hi to Winslow.

Don Gray said...

Thank you so much, Rahina. I'm enjoying your recent portraits.

Don Gray said...

Ann-Marie--nice to hear from you. I owe you a phone call to catch up.

Don Gray said...

I'll happily accept the Hopper compliment--thanks Rudhi.

Leslie Sealey said...

What a lovely painting!

Don Gray said...

A nice thing to say, Susan--thanks. Yes, these animals find a place in your heart pretty quickly--especially if you're empty-nesters like we are. And yes, sun during northern winters is something to praise, isn't it?

Don Gray said...

Thanks, Clair. I enjoyed seeing the animal portraits (among other subjects) on your blog. Your beagle with a pearl earring is priceless. :^)

Don Gray said...

My thanks and warm regards, Pierre!

Don Gray said...

Patrice, I appreciate your thoughtful comments. Thanks for the visit.

Don Gray said...

Thanks Marilyn. I love the series of dog drawings you've been doing--very sensitive portrayals.

Don Gray said...

Great idea, Sam--I may do that. Trouble is usually by the time I discover what he's done, there's not much beyond a little pile of wood slivers left to paint!

Thanks for the kind words.

Don Gray said...

Thanks and welcome, Jacqueline. Nice to get acquainted with your work, and to discover you're an Oregonian now! Happy painting.

Don Gray said...

Winslow misses Maggie, Katherine--gotta get them together before long. Thanks for the kind words.

Dogs by Bri said...

I've prepped my canvas for Winslow, now I just need to start painting him. I have a feeling it will look quite different than yours. Which I love by the way.

See you soon.

Bri-

Don Gray said...

Leslie--sorry, I missed you! Thanks for your kind comment.

Don Gray said...

Hi Bri--can't wait to see what you do. Thanks for the visit.

Sheila Vaughan said...

Thanks yet again Don for putting a big smile into my day. This is a great "portrait" - everything works, composition, colour choices but he seems to be saying "yeh but never mind all that - it was the inspiration that counted; how could he fail to do a great painting of "me" ".

Simon Jones said...

Love this painting, its a classic.

Nicole Horn-Fakher said...

Hello Don,

Winslow is so cute. I like your style of painting a lot. It's calm and straight in the best way.

Wish you lots of creative days.

Nicole

Don Gray said...

Kind of you, Simon--thanks.

Diane Hoeptner said...

Exquisite composition and as always a lovely magic light. Wonderful, Don!!

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Studio sounds like heaven. Winslow is precious and the painting is wonderful.
Love your sense of humor :D

m collier said...

Perfect!!!!

Don Gray said...

Hello Nicole and welcome to the blog. Thanks for your comments--happy painting!

Don Gray said...

Sheila, I love how you put that--thanks so much.

Don Gray said...

Hi Mary--thank you for the encouragement!

Don Gray said...

Diane--thanks a lot. Your paintings keep growing richer and richer!

Don Gray said...

M--that means so much coming from you--thanks.

Dean Grey said...

Don!

"Oh wow!" was what immediately popped into my head upon seeing this lovely portrait of Winslow.

The elaborate shadows make this painting even that much more brilliant!

-Dean

Kaylyn Munro said...

You keep showing such versatility! I really like this one!

Don Gray said...

Dean--that's very kind of you to say--thanks a lot!

Don Gray said...

Kaylyn, you're very kind. I really like your painting of Karin.

L.Holm said...

Absolutely beautiful portrait, Don. Love this. Love Winslow's name, too, and his fondness for brushes. He sounds like a good boy.

Don Gray said...

Hi Liz--thanks a lot. Winslow thanks you too. :^}