Those of us at The Row @ The Factory have been going round and round on what is currently popular with the art consuming public.  The consensus is that a fairly neutral color palette is what folks want right now.  So I’m starting a series of neutral palette paintings to see what happens.  This is the first stage on a painting called “Spanish Moss.”  It’s in those colors that are popular.  I’ll add a little bit more detail and see if I can’t capture something.  In the meantime, have a great Memorial Day.  jcannon1@bellsouth.net

I didn’t get to work on my dog piece yesterday, but I did get to finish this little tomato piece.  I’ll have pieces in the Tomato Art Festival coming up in August, and this is the first of several I intend to do for the event.  This is a small 5×7 that has deep sides so it can sit on a surface, or lie flat on a surface, or hang.  They will be at an attractive price point so now’s a chance to get an original art piece.  Watch for more.  jcannon1@bellsouth.net

So here’s the first block in stage of the painting.  Now I’ve got color everywhere, and most of the main shapes and shadows in place.  Next will be developing the shadows and lights more, as well as working on the texture of his fur.  Hopefully, I’ll get to work on this one today.  jcannon1@bellsouth.net

I’ve been honored to begin a partnership with Frankie’s Friends, a non-profit organization that works to help research and treatment for animal diseases.  I will be putting artwork at Blue Pearl Veterinary Clinic in Brentwood and at my studio, and a portion of the proceeds of any sale will go to Frankie’s Friends.  This is the first stage on a custom piece to go in Blue Pearl.  This is Frankie’s Friends’ poster dog, and it is a big piece, 24×44, so it’s going to be quite impressive when done.  More as this develops.  jcannon1@bellsouth.net

Okay, so this is the final, final version of the painting.  I added lots of texture to the lavender field and the flowers, and added highlights onto that.  Now the lavender looks much more like the real thing, which is not smooth.  My client picked it up Saturday and was very pleased with it.  jcannon1@bellsouth.net

So here’s the next stage on the lavender piece.  I added the large red flowers and a bunch of daisies.  Now I’ve got the gel medium on the piece, and when that’s dry, I’ll finish out the details of the flowers and the lavender.  Should be done shortly.  Again, this is a great idea for everyone: let me turn your vacation photos into a painting to keep forever.  jcannon1@bellsouth.net

Here’s the early stage of a new vacation photo painting.  This is a field of lavender with the mountain in the distance.  There will be a lot more flowers and such in the foreground, plus more texture when done.  This one should turn out pretty well.  jcannon1@bellsouth.net

Here’s the almost finished version of the kitty drawing.  I need to go in and make a few adjustments; otherwise, I have the poses done.  I think it’s pretty interesting to do one this way.  I’ll get the adjustments done today and see what my client thinks.  jcannon1@bellsouth.net

Making progress on the kitty.  Now I’ve got two of the other poses down.  I’m trying to catch him with several of his signature poses in this piece.  I think it’s going to work out well.  More as this develops.  jcannon1@bellsouth.net

I got a commission to do a pet portrait drawing series, so here’s the start.  There will be a total of six poses of the little cat, and this is the first one.  This is a slightly different approach, but I like it and so far it’s working pretty well.  Stay tuned.  jcannnon1@bellsouth.net