60 for 60 #40

A Noble Head

As a child I used to admire a picture my grandmother had framed on her wall of a woman and her 2 children and a big black and white furry dog. The dog was a Landseer Newfoundland and it turned out the print was from an old calendar of a painting by Rembrandt. (Madame Cherpantiere and her children). My grandmother loved it because it made her think of her mom, her self and her sister. I load the dog and swore I would have one some day.

Years later I did get my Newf. Not a Landseer, but a black. Gaea was a special girl and lived up to every expectation I could have. She took care of the kids (just like "Nana" in "Peter Pan". She would rescue the kids from the pool and ill a cart to give rides and deliver girl scout cookies.
My present Newfy, Magic, is 10 1/2 years old and is special in her own way. I was there at her birth and she fills our life with so much love (and fur and goobers). Newfs will always be in my heart.

60 for 60 #37, 38 &39 and a bonus

Reference for this work was from the exhibit farm.

When I first visited the farm the goats thought I was a terrible monster getting ready to eat them. I had all my stuff on a wheeled contraption. they ran back in and hid.

They gradually got used to me and let me hang around.

This morning was warm, but a little breezy. I knew I would have to sculpt quickly if I was to beat the storm the winds were bringing in.

 So, three quick sketches of goats.

Butt...

 When I put them together, I had a whole different view.

Fun to do a group.

60 for 60 #35 & #36

#35, Buddy

Our neighbor has a young chocolate Lab that likes to come say hello to my dogs through the fence. Sometimes they run up and down having a great romp.

#36, Outside my front door.

Worked on another relief today. I am so comfortable doing the dogs,even though I still have much to learn, I feel I need to push myself a bit here. I found myself really enjoying the trees and the little area in front of my house. I will continue to do a relief here and there through the challenge. Eventually I will feel more comfortable doing them and enjoy them even more.

60 for 60 #33 & #34

#33, It's Andrew's turn

 Andrew waits for the frisbe to fall from the sky

60 for 60 #34
Another exploration into relief. We often hear our pileated woodpeckers, but they are not always visible. This time he gave me a quick glimpse in the trees.

60 for 60 #31 & #32

 I love the graceful neck of the swan. This is #31

My daughter used to call them "snake birds" when she was little. She met a rather nasty one that got her finger. But she survived. 

#32

 Dogs are a subject I can always find interesting.

60 for 60 #30

Yay, I made it half way!!

 Puppy playtime. Thanks to Peggy for letting me sculpt her dogs.

60 for 60 #27, #28 & #29

#27

It's been hard to find a moment to even open a box of clay. So many wonderful memories being made here with all the grandkids! We have been to 2 zoos and played a lot of ball. Swimming in uncle Jan's pool was certainly a hit. 

The big boys did go carts. All special moments.
In a quiet evening, I pulled a little vase down from grandma's shelf and did this little relief.

#28, Chasing Bubbles

Trying not to get too far behind. Isaiah had a wonderful time chasing bubbles from a giant bubble wand.

A quick armature with what wire and all thread I had here and I was able to catch him jumping in the air.

#29

ok, finally home, well and ready to start catching up. Weird how it feels so disconnected on the days when I couldn't do a piece. I guess this every day thing is becoming part of my blood.
Here is another relief study. A little bird that visited a tree in Mom's yard.