Laughing Dog Arts

Thursday, June 12, 2014

New news

Been busy with outdoor work and also finding time for some art.  One other thing has been grabbing my attention but I'll get to that later.  First, I'll show you my recently completed art work. 
 This is sort of a Dooleybobber.  Rather different from the others but then they are all different, aren't they.  I used some cut off pieces from another work and then needle felted, stitched and beaded it.  I had my embroidery stitch book open and was trying different stitches, it was fun. 
 Most of the threads I used were some that I got from Maggi.  The colors are gorgeous.

This is what it looked like in the beginning stages.  Sure looks a lot different after the stitching and working on it.
 I did a challenge/trade with my creative group after being inspired by an article in a recent Somerset Studio magazine article, the Jan/Feb 2014 issue.  These are ATC/Matchbox art.  Fun!
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I used a paper napkin for the background of all mine.   I have a bazillion of them but did you know you can buy single napkins on ebay?   Who'd have guessed?  What a selection!  Now I have two bazillion.
 I decided to experiment with some non woven fabric stuff I had laying around after seeing something like it on a blog somewhere.  Sorry, I lost the link so can't share that.  I used different paints on pieces of this stuff, I don't know what it is but it starts out white.
 Then I rolled them up and hit them with the heat gun and they turned into these neat beads.
I found that if I painted different colors on either side, they looked cool on the edges with the reverse paint peeking through.  If anyone wants some of this stuff just ask and I'll mail you a piece.  I have a huge chunk of it.

Mike

I have begun a new series that relates to the dogs I've loved.   I started to say all the dogs but I can't quite say that, there are too many to make art about all of them.  Above you can see the first of the series, it shows a photo of my family and our first dog, Mike.  He was a German Shepherd mix.
 I love this photo.  It captures my love for dogs beautifully.  That is me, gazing into Mike's eyes with love.
Duke
 Our next dog was Duke, a German Shepherd.  Duke followed me everywhere through my growing up years, walking with me through the neighborhoods and to the store, waiting patiently outside, unleashed.  Can you imagine now, seeing a big German Shepherd dog sitting outside a big grocery store, not tied or muzzled or anything?  He used to get in ferocious fights with other neighborhood dogs.  I'm glad I know better not to allow anything like that to happen any more.
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See the brown/orange plaid fabric at the back of the piece?  That was the scarf I wore when I was a teenager.  It is rather moth eaten now but I have held on to it and finally found a use for a piece of it.  I also still have Duke's collar, 40 some years later.  (No I'm not a hoarder!!) I am going to hang the collar from the wood hanging rod.  The plan is to display all these dog pieces outside and allow them to weather.  I might hang them out in the woods or maybe just on the wall outside the studio.  The coyotes (Trickster) tend to steal things I put out into the forest.
This is the next one of the series, I started stitching on it today.  It shows the first three dogs I got after I moved out of my parents home, Bilbo, Heidi and Gandalf.  Yes, combining my love of books and dogs with these names!  I'll show a better photo someday after it is finished.

Roscoe
Now, for my big news!  We got another dog!  Windy has been seeming lonely without a friend to play with so I got her a puppy;-)  Meet Roscoe, a 10 month old Chihuahua/Dachshund mix.  He is such a sweet boy and so playful and happy!  I call him Roscoe Bean, he has sure brightened up our lives around here.  He and Windy play and chase each other and the squirrels.  Charlie cat is not happy about it but he is beginning to venture out of the basement and testing the waters with a dog smaller than he is.  He'll come around, he always does.
Heidi from long ago

 Never before have I had such a little dog, I was wanting a bigger dog but this guy came along and I couldn't get him out of my mind.  Maybe because he reminds me so much of the first dogs I had on my own, Heidi and Gandalf were Dachshund/Beagle mix, brother and sister.  They were closer to Windy size though at around 30 pounds.  Roscoe is only maybe 10.  He is learning not to chase llamas or cows or horses or CATS!  Squirrels are okay, they never catch one.
 
 Here is Roscoe and Windy, snuggling in the bed together in the studio.  Oh, and Roscoe likes to sleep under the blankets with me at night!  I've never had a dog do that before.  Probably a good thing since most of my dogs have been rather large.  

Well, that is about it for now.  I'm sure I'll be sharing more about Roscoe in the future.  He is so stinkin' cute! He came with that name and I decided to keep it, it suits him.  Hope you all are well and enjoying your lives.  Till next time,

Be well.

19 comments:

DVArtist said...

Wow Jan you HAVE been busy. Everything looks great. Love the dog art.
Nicole/Beadwright

Robbie said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Robbie said...

Jan, Roscoe is a doll!!!!! I'm so glad you are giving a home to another dog!!! You will both be so happy that's for sure!!! Of course your 'dog' tribute pieces are wonderful...what a great idea!!! And to look at them each day is just great!!!! Nicely done!!!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I like your art posts but I LOVES your mutt posts!!

Do you ever wonder if your dogs come back to you in another life? Bosco reminds me so much of my Buster. They don't look a like, but Bosco has that certain way of looking at you. And he does the same mischief exactly. It's just little things. Just wondering if you ever felt that way. Love your new pooch. Great name too.
xx, Carol

audrey said...

Jan, I love what you've been up to. Your fabric art is always a joy to see and always beautiful. But, I am LOVING what you are doing with the dog art. The tribute to each of your dogs that you've loved so much. The ones you've completed are just beautiful and they must be SO meaningful to you. I look forward to seeing more.
And Roscoe is SO doggone cute!!! I wish we could take Jake and Roscoe for a walk together. I bet he is just as happy to be with you as you are to have him.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Your art pieces are wonderful. I especially like your Dog rememberance pieces. And what a happy bit of news for all of you. I love that you knew another dog would make live easier for Windy. I've done the same a couple of times and it always seems that things work out for the best. Congrats on the pup. Oma Linda

Unknown said...

Your art is so beautiful. I love the remembrance pieces. You have loved dogs forever, haven't you? :)
And Roscoe - OMG what a cute little guy! Such a sweet face. I guess we both got puppy fever! xox

Anonymous said...

Oh I love your memory quilts to your pups. Roscoe and Windy sure look cozy together, how nice for you.....I liked that family photo on facebook very much. No wonder you like the big dogs, Mike was a big dog....xox

Emma said...

What a cutie Roscoe is! The doolybobber is great & so are the pieces in honor of your lovely dogs. Catching up on so many post here, you've made some wonderful work & I loved the tribute to your Mom, so touching.

Deborah said...

OMGoodness, so much eye candy here!! I love it all, especially the dog photo artwork. Busy Lady you are.

**blows kisses**
Deb

april said...

Oh my gosh; I love everything! Your dooleybobber is beautiful; so pretty with all your colorful stitches. And that matchbook art; i must have missed that in the magazine - newest issue? And those wonderful beads! Could the stuff be "Tyvek"? And your wonderful tributes to your dogs and all the stories and memories. Love Roscoe; what a cutie! So happy for you with a new puppy!..And...and...and...

Janet Ghio said...

I always love to visit your blog and hear about your dogs-love this new series! and your newest doolybopper is great as are the ATC's--you are a multitalented woman!!

Patty said...

Roscoe is quite handsome!!
Your photo transfer fiber pieces
really tell a big story of your heart.Thank heaven for dogs!

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Wow! That's a lot to take in from one blogpost! Beads are great, I love the matchbox ATCs, and I love the idea of a series of pieces to commemorate your dogs - but after putting the work in I couldn'r bear to leave them outside to weather! And then there's Roscoe - what a sweetie. Hope that cat is settling down with him and that you'll all have a fab summer!

Pinky said...

Oh Jan he is just so cute ! I want to give him a hug. Can't wait to see him. I loved your dog series too.
Pinky

Judy Ziegler said...

Your blogs are so much fun, dogs & art, what a great combination. Some of your art has a Native American look & feel to it!

Tanya said...

So, so, SOOOOO happy to meet Roscoe! A puppy! I haven't had a puppy since my childhood! And good for Windy for taking to him right away. Cats will be cautious but they seem to come around. Looking forward to hearing more of Roscoe's antics!

Maggi said...

Gorgeous work as always Jan. Those beads are great. I like what you are doing with the dog pieces and they will make a great display on the outside of your studio.

Maggi said...

I forgot to say how cute Roscoe and Windy look together.