GONE TO THE DOGS.....PART 1

"Georgie"

I just wanted to let you know that I have now ventured into the world of pet portraiture. I know you've all been waiting on pins and needles to hear this. Not!! (did I really just use that beyond stale term?) Yes, I know. I, too, have heard the proverbial jokes and defamatory jibes applied to the "desperate" artists who resort to painting pets. Truth is, pets are a big part of people's lives and sometimes loved even more than humans (especially here in Florida). The illustrious artist George Stubbs certainly didn't think animals too lowly a subject!

I'll be honest with you, I don't have any pets. My olfactory is far too sensitive and I have allergies to pet hair and dander. I am the type of person who sneezes, on average, about 5- 7 times in a row (yeah, I know - fun!). Now, I have known some people with such dirty and vile smelling animals that keeping my food down when I was around them posed quite a challenge (the animals, not the people -well, mostly the animals). I can tell you that experiences like that are not ones your senses quickly forget and furthermore don't help any to get me on the pet bandwagon with the majority. However, I do have my moments when I see people like Patricia Gray and her adorable little Yorkie, Nicole, and a wave of pet-envy sweeps over me. Then there is my fellow blogger and friend, Joni Webb of Cote de Texas, who has two dogs, Sammie and Georgie, that are adored by her family. I can't imagine that she lets them get gross. I can see it.... a furry, loyal and adoring creature who guilelessly looks forward to nothing more than waiting for you to come home (besides being fed, maybe). I recently had the honor of immortalizing Joni's dogs in gouache from photos. I am now looking for some new subjects, so please don't be shy and feel free to contact me about painting your favorite little (or big) furry friend or giving a pet portrait for a special occasion.

PATRICIA GRAY'S ROOM

Bottom photo: Roger Brooks for Architectural Digest

Top image: Gouache/ink painting on Arches cold press paper (11x8) by Anne Harwell

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This was a commission I did for uber-talented designer and blogger Patricia Gray of Vancouver, Canada. She designed this very hip, modernistic and all-white room in a city apartment. The focal point of this room is 4 chairs by Italian designer Paolo Rizzatti - his own take on the traditional wingback chair. It was published in the December 2006 edition of Architectural Digest. Here is the post Patricia wrote on it.

THANKS FOR THE MENTION, NEW FRIENDS!

It's been a busy week for me, with a lot to do. Very full, but very good! One thing I am noticing since starting this painting-a-day blog, is that I am much more motivated and inspired to paint than ever before! I have to say that most of it has to do with the wonderful and fascinating people I am meeting and the warmth I experience from total strangers. It really amazes me just HOW supportive people have been. I know I mentioned this already this week, but at the risk of sounding redundant, I sincerely want to thank a few people who, just yesterday, took the time to mention me or link me on their blogs. One is a customer, Carol Allston-Stiles, from Pike Creek Coffee Roasterie in Newark, Delaware. She is a purveyor of gourmet coffees who sells to gourmet markets and coffee shops. She asked if she could include a link to my Pink Espresso painting on her blog, Coffee Buzz....and Tea, Too. How nice was that?

Then there was Franki Durbin, a fellow blogger who happened upon my blog through a mutual blog-friend, Patricia Gray. Franki's blog Life in a Venti Cup is all about style, design, modern culture and travel (all these references to coffee today.........) Franki is an interactive marketing star based in St. Louis. She seems full of life and personality and is extremely positive and encouraging. Thank you, Franki!

Also, there is a very nice pair of friends in Baltimore, Maryland who have bonded over their common creativity and love of scrapbooking to create their own company and share about their friendship and business, while offering their creative services, with a blog, MEMIbooks. They were kind enough to link my site and I'd like to say thanks to Mel and Miji and ,as a newbie blogger myself, wish them all the best!

My sincere thanks to all of you for brightening my week with your encouragement and support! Brings to mind one of my favorite quotes:
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted"
Aesop

Hope you ALL have a wonderful weekend!!

TANGERINE VASE ON GREEN HEXAGONS

Gouache/ink painting on Arches cold press paper (8x10)

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THANKS FOR THE MENTION Patricia Gray, Adorn, and Peak of Chic!!!!!!

I want to thank both Patricia Gray of Patricia Gray, Inc. , Kayte Terry of Adorn magazine and Jennifer Dwyer of Peak of Chic for their very nice posts and mentions on my work over the past few days. All of these women are very talented writers and/or designers. Sometimes people who are so gifted have a problem just "getting over" themselves, let alone making room to support or encourage others in their creative development. These people I am meeting, however, seem secure enough in themselves to set aside any sense of competition for attention and take time out of their own busy lives and careers to give others a helping hand and supportive boost. I am discovering that this whole world of design blogging can be such a supportive and nurturing place for artists like myself! I have made many new "friends" whom I have never even met yet (in person, that is).

Patricia is an interior designer based in Vancouver, British Columbia who has her own delightful blog, Patricia Gray, Inc. She has commissioned me to paint a room she designed and I am finishing that up as we speak. I will post it when it's finished. She is a multi-talented lady who happens to be very supportive of artists and is a very kind, warm person. If you haven't already become one of her readers, please take a look at her fascinating blog.

Kayte Terry is a designer and stylist for Adorn magazine who did an incredible job styling a room designed by Holly Becker (of Decor8 blog, who was the very first to offer her support and do a post on my work). I painted this room for Holly, and then Kayte wrote me to ask if she could blog about my painting and work. You can check out her blog at Adorn as well.

Jennifer Dwyer is the talented writer and discerning eye behind Peak of Chic. Her blog never fails to be included in the top design blog lists everywhere. She somehow manages to marry an interesting and fun writing style with beautiful images to make for a daily must-read. She has been one of those "affirming" voices who has been an encouragement to me. Her post today on interior renderings was fascinating!

Design blogging is growing by the day. It's a wonderful way to meet other design junkies and be educated, inspired, supported and entertained. I for one am thoroughly enjoying the whole experience. It's so exciting to see all the people around the world who are checking out my blog on a daily basis, many who have come to my blog because of other blogging friends who have been kind enough to mention my work. I'd like to send a special thank you and hello to all of my new and extremely supportive friends out there, who have either blogged me, inspired me by their blogs, read Annechovie or left supportive comments on posts about my work or on my own posts. If you are looking for some great reading and inspiration, take a look at the section on the right hand column of my blog titled "Fab Reads".
Thank you ALL!