Original Paintings by Stacy Caldwell News

Halfway there...

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:19:26 CDT

Well, I'm halfway through this project. Three months in and three more to go. I have fifteen portraits finished, five more that were completed before I started this project, and two sitting here that I can hardly look at without gagging, much less post on here or hang in a show.

So as I cross this little milestone, I figure I may as well keep challenging myself, rather than coast through to the finish line.

Madison and Elliot, 18 x 24"... in progress (actually, just started)

I've been putting this one off since the beginning because I wanted it to be large, and I wanted it to be unique. This will be more of a landscape with canine figures than a "portrait," which is what I've sort of been pushing for all along... using interesting backgrounds. But it's been really difficult, since I'm somewhat limited by whatever reference photos I have.

As you can see, this background is just begging to be painted. It's got so much yin and yang. Now let's just see if I can pull it off!

And just because I love my dog, Ozzie, I'm posting this... I caught him giving me one of his many well rehearsed looks. This is The Sideways Stare. He'll stand perfectly still and follow you with his peripheral vision, then just look up and back at you... not moving... waiting... for something, I don't know what. Cracks me up.

Ozzie Caldwell, The Sideways Stare

Finished Chance and Kaiah

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:13:13 CDT

This one is finished :) I won't be able to get a good photo image of the painting until I can get outside to take a picture. There's quite a glare at the top of this one.

I really tried to get some color going on in the white. I'm not sure if I was successful. I'll be able to tell better tomorrow.

Also I'm really trying hard to not be fussy.

And... I'm really trying to get to bed at a decent time! Never quite seems to work out that way these days. I'm pretty sure I could use more sleep.

Chance and Kaiah
18 x 24" Oil on Canvas

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Updated 8-29...Chance and Kaiah (in progress...)

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:47:19 CDT

An American Bulldog, Chance, weighing in at 115 lbs. snuggling up with his Boxer buddy, Kaiah. What a pair! I'm going to attempt to finish this one over the weekend using only one large brush. It's a larger canvas too, 18 x 24", so it should be fun.

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Here's an update from Sunday 8/29... I really slacked off and procrastinated working on this over the weekend! I think I was afraid of it because it has so much potential for greatness and so many ways I could screw it up! All the beautiful sunshine didn't help matters either.

I'm really excited about how the fabric is coming along. I've never had much success or practice painting fabric. I'm not sure about the background color though. That'll probably change again. I need to go with something that will recede and make everything else pop. A more neutral color might work better.

Little Zoey

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:54:22 CDT

This is Zoey... how can you go wrong with a cute little Yorkshire Terrier? You just want to pick her up and hug her! We used to have two Yorkies when I was growing up, named Buffy and Jody (some of you will remember the 1960's TV show, Family Affair, and then you'll really feel old).

Zoey, 10 x 8", Oil on Canvas

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Okay... it's time to get messy. I've been feeling a little fussy with these last few, although I wouldn't say I'm disappointed in the results. I just really feel the need to loosen up and not think so much about the results. I'm going to be painting larger for a while, using larger brushes, maybe no brushes at all. It may be a while before I post an actual finished painting.

Calvin's Face

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:56:40 CDT

I decided to paint another image of Calvin... I liked the last one as a painting, but I was drawn to his face and needed to paint it. I don't think I'm done with Calvin either. There may be a third one on the way. I'm feeling a little guilty about it - so many doggies to paint, so little time!

Calvin II, 10 x 8" Oil on Canvas

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