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Happy New Year! Today many of us are reflecting on the past, and looking forward to the future with hope. In 2015 I hired an "art coach/mentor." She has been a blessing to me! She's forced me to take a hard look at my work, and see it in new and different ways. (Below is a sample of a commission I worked on recently.) She's opened my eyes to new possibilities. I will be forever grateful for the time we spent together, and all that she's taught me. This was a perfect example of "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear." I hope I never stop learning new things, and I look forward to our new friendship that developed as we worked together.

2015 saw continued growth in my art career. I'm thankful for those of you who have supported my work, whether it was purchasing it or "liking" it on Facebook. We artists tend to be sensitive souls who need a little validation that the work they do is meaningful to someone. It's a thankless job for the most part, with many long, lonely hours in front of canvasses that don't talk back. (Although I have had a portrait or two wink at me - I assume this is to let me know that I am close to finished and probably need some rest.)

I'm excited to be able to share one of the commissions I did as a Christmas gift. I couldn't post it or share it before now because I didn't want to risk spoiling a surprise. This beautiful dog is a great-great-granddaughter of the dog that played in "Homeward Bound." I'm honored to have been asked to paint this portrait, and took some in-progress photos along the way to document my work.

Here is how I began:

I toned the canvas and lightly sketched the image with vine charcoal.

Then I began with the face. I wanted it to be the focal point, and knew it would be what I spent the most time on.

I worked the background so it would be soft and ethereal. It was important to my client that the beautiful face stood out, so we opted for a grayed background. The final painting is 20" x 24."

I review my year with a grateful heart, and thank God for the gifts I have been blessed with. As you reflect, I urge you to consider whether or not you are using your precious gifts, and sharing them with others. With Father Time reaching the end of 2015, and Baby New Year waiting in the wings, we should remind ourselves that life is fleeting. Many of our loved ones have not made it through this year. My heart goes out to you if you've lost a loved one. You are in my prayers. Make a resolution today to live life to the fullest!

https://www.kathleeneatonart.com