The Land of Blogs is a vast one, full of dragons and ogres (not the Shrek kind, the Anne Coulter kind) but also full of sprites and fairy godmothers and, especially on my little spit of Blog Land, delightful, funk-preventing/curing friends. On that puddle of a Friday that Seaman Recruit Jessica moved away from her/our family, in addition to the offer of wolf wool, I received an unexpected package in the mail. My dear cyber-friend, Michelle, thought enough of me to send this amazing proof of her talent my way.
She explained that in the 80’s she had the idea of creating dog breed portraits on scratch board to sell but then realized that people wanted portraits of their own dogs, not just the breed in general. As a fellow artist, I know these attempts to keep afloat. Shame that it is, the general public does not appreciate the time, talent, and effort that goes into creating a work of art, no matter the medium, and those that actually buy and sell art are very politically driven. Therefore, if your work is not “in,” you scrape by to make a living, frequently taking much less for your work than it is actually worth but hey, it’s at least a little money to pay the rent and buy some groceries.
Michelle knew I had been down and, knowing that I have bloodhounds, three enormous wrinkled slobbering lummoxes, she sent this amazing work of art my way as an attempt to cheer me up and it worked. As she said in her accompanying letter, “Just a little something to hopefully lift your spirits; when you see it, just remember you have lots of friends who love you!”
The print’s arrival on that bittersweet day, the day that Michelle did not realize was arriving so soon, was serendipitous, a blessing from Michelle and the powers that be.
Thank you, Michelle. I will always think of you as I admire your lovely work. (And I will do my best to frame it ASAP before the beasts that it represents sling some slobber in its direction.)
I love my little spit of Blog Land; there’s lots of love here.
Hey, that was the best advertising I've gotten since the local paper did a feature on my work several years ago! Thanks!
Seriously, I never thought Mr. Bloodhound would end up on your blog, I just hoped he would lift your spirits with his sagging visage. I really wanted to send you my love in a tangible way, but couldn't think of anything to send you at first -- sometimes the obvious is under our very noses. :-)
Posted by: Michelle | May 27, 2007 at 09:29 AM
Isn't she just great? She sent me one of her works for my birthday and I've been going to post it, but can't seem to get a photo good enough to show her beautiful work. Without flash it won't show up and with flash I get shine, damn it.
Isn't she a genuine Nice Person?
Posted by: Kathy | May 27, 2007 at 01:49 PM
That is beautiful Michelle! Very well done! And what a neat gift!
Posted by: Julie | May 27, 2007 at 02:18 PM
I just tagged your blog with a meme called Seven Random Facts. You can find out more on my site. Enjoy reading your posts!
Posted by: deliberately | May 29, 2007 at 01:24 AM
What a great portrait. We have a bloodhound rescue just down the road from where my friend lives. I have to say, I LOVE the picture entitled "waiting" here on the blog. I saw it and knew instantly since it looked just like my Zelda (a Giant Schnauzer) sitting there looking at her dish and wondering what Momma MUST be thinking to leave it empty. Of course I have an Indian Ringneck bird who plops his ceramic dish and water bowls up and down in the holder rings when they are empty too.
As for your dyed-in-the-wool green, if it doesn't improve, let me know and I'll buy it and use it in something for my Irish son! It certainly is green!! If you'd wanted it that green it would not have happened.
I really admire your doing this all from scratch. As much as I love knitting, I don't think THIS part of the process appeals to me all that much. But you are a true artist to undertake such a project. And hopefully it has cheered you up a bit!!
Still got eggs?
Posted by: Karalyn | May 29, 2007 at 11:41 AM