I photographed a Hunting Retriever Trial, which was also my first time ever watching one, let alone photographing one! Alot of fun and quite interesting to see the differences in each dog's personality. All were eager to retrieve, some so much so that they couldn't concentrate on their handler and left the "box" (I don't know if that is the correct term) too soon. Though they all eagerly went into the water to retrieve, some did with such Gusto they had water splashing everywhere! While others went in slowly in, what looked like to me, such a fashion as not to get water on their faces! And many of those that started off slowly, by the 2nd or 3rd retrieve must have just decided it wasn't all that bad and leapt into the water no longer worrying about whether or not their faces got wet. The photos really let you see what you miss when watching in real time....some of them get off a couple of good leaps on the water's surface before they are full in and swimming toward their duck, which gives the appearance that they are walking on water.
I finished up "Shades of Gray" and delivered the painting to it's new owner the Friday before Christmas. I have a couple of commissioned dog paintings to start this month then I may choose to paint one of the retrievers that I photographed.
I have completely redone my website, which I had been wanting to do for months, but wasn't finding a provider that fit what I wanted to be able to do. My friend, Jeanie hooked me up with a provider that allows unlimited images and numerous options for personalization. I am very happy with it. It is quick and easy to download photos and separate them into different galleries, I will probably continue to tinker with it as I add more images. It has all of the photos from the retriever trial on it as well as my artwork and I am gradually adding equine photos to it also.
Jeanie has a photography business http://www.onetulsaphotography.com/ and next week I am helping her photograph the National Sorting Cow Horse Association World Championships that are being held in Tulsa.
Check out my new website and let me know what you think http://www.artbyjewell.com/
My resolution for 2012 is to update the blog on a more regular basis!
