Flowers for Gwyn

We adopted you from the MSPCA when I was in my Junior Cert year. You had been wandering around the foot of Croagh Patrick for a little while, pulling on the heartstrings of tourists and people living in the area for meals. A Black Fairy Dog. No one knew where you had come from...did your original owner die and not provide for you...what was your original name? We don't know, but you were a bit of a mystery. A quiet, polite Labrador, even at dinner time. You spent the first few days as sentinel, lying at the front door, or the side door, taking it all in and standing guard. You and Reilly instantly got on. In fact, you were perfect from the very first day, no adopted doggie teething problems. And Eoghain named you Gwyn. 

Of course, being a lovely Lab, you were drawn to water like a dog shaped magnet. No matter how invisible it was, you would find in. In every shape and form. Daily dips in the river - rain, hail, snow or blow, but especially in the summer to cool off. Dew drops where an accessory you wore with pride, and I will miss kissing them off your snout. Black as night, you were truly radiant in snow. And it was always adorable see you snuffling for something buried underneath.

You could disappear within the landscape, which is why I really think you were actually a fairy dog, and reappear somewhere I didn't expect. You were solid, and grounded and steady. Which in turn grounded us around you. And placid. So gentle. So easy going. 

Yin and Yang, you and Reilly. No two dogs could be more opposite in energy and looks, but having said that, you complemented each other so well, and spent so much time together just hanging out. And when the cats came, you welcomed them like a mother bear. Providing a nook for them to sleep in and a friendly face. You were an amazing watch dog, first to sound the alarm, and only ever for good reason. You were very discerning that way. And other ways too...like picking only the ripe blackberries off the briars to eat.

Reilly misses you desperately.

Gwyn-dy, you loved belly rubs, and I'm pretty sure if you could have them 24/7, that still wouldn't satisfy. You also did funny doggie yoga, like this hip opening pose, and could stay like this for up to 3mins...I timed you. Upside down vampire doggie smile also made me crack up. You were incredibly funny in your own quiet way...like how you would steal spuds as we would dig them, and then pretend that you hadn't just been caught red handed. You also did this clever thing of distracting Reilly during dinner by sounding the 'fake' alarm, so you could rob his food - very sneaky but so clever we couldn't be cross with you.

Gwyn, you were always first to announce our arrival, and always there to greet us with a smile when we got home. You loved everyone unconditionally (which must be written into the Labrador code of ethics somewhere) even people afraid of dogs loved you. Walks with you were ambling and steady, taking in every little detail, appreciating life in all its forms. You seemed to get younger as you got older (a lessen to us all) and stayed a true lady till the bitter end.

Gwyn, my heart, our hearts are broken. You have been such a huge part of our lives, such an inspiration, a care giver, friend, companion, protector, beautiful soul and gentle loving creature. We will always love you and wish you blessings on your way.

Thank you for coming into our lives, lovely girl xxx

Flowers for Gwyn

What was I thinking?

Hi.

Possibly I'm regressing. Or maybe I'm making up for never getting the whole 'doll thing' when it was age appropriate. Or maybe I just shouldn't be allowed out of the house with money burning a hole in my pocket...but this is what I picked up yesterday, for no other reason then I had to have her.

Meet Catrine DeMew, a Monster High doll. She's the daughter of a Werecat and appears to like drawing, a lot and as far as I can gather she's a vegetarian. She is all jointed and even her tail moves. There were loads of different ones, and doubles and triples of almost all of them except her. And while I was getting a kick out of all of them, and thought they were pretty cool, when I excavated Her box out from behind all the rest I nearly squealed (or maybe I actually did) with delight.
A freaking cat girl doll. I mean...could I really resist?
I could. But I would have been sad. And that's all I'm going to say to justify it. I would have regretted not getting her, so I did. And she's awesome.
She comes with a stand, a little coffin with her art supplies and she's pretty easy to pose. If nothing else, she's a little mascot for me on my desk.

Work in Progress

On your Mat, Balancing Act  and Portal

I've been working on these the last three weeks or so in isolation of each other. So I was pleased this morning when I discovered that they actually balance each other out, as I hope to show them as a set when they are finished.

I am still working out what it is that I am working out...if that makes sense. Which I think most artists spend their lives doing. Over and over again.

All round Grey

I dare you not to love grey

The colour of  ducks 

and doves 

and down 

and swans 

and clouds 

and dreams 

and sleep.

I am feeling under the weather and the thought of drawing is making me feel ill (which is a sure sign that I'm not feeling great). But because of my genes, I can't lay idyl, so I decided to sort out my sewing box...which is one of those jobs that always gets left to last. For me, anyway. But I love it, I totally indulge the compulsion to have all the colours in groups, tonally, arranging them so they sit next to their complementary colours, making sure all the same brands and kinds are together...It is about the only thing in my whole studio that is meticulous...until I go to use it again.

Yesterday when I got home from work, Boo was waiting for me, slightly off centre (but he is anyway). Which was fitting, as it was Squeek's two year anniversary, and basically Boo's birthday. Happy Birthday Little Dude

And, during this week in the shop, this too cute flower pot came in (two of them, plastic, probably some sort of kid's toy or part of a set for showing kids how to grow fun stuff). ANYWAY, I had to have them, you know, for growing tiny beh beh plants in. And also for posing ridiculous scenarios such as this one. Pilea plant with snow leopard and giraffe. To go with the grey/orange theme of today's blog post, obviously.

Dear One

Poor Little Deer

May 2014

Sometimes I am simply without words. Know that I hold you in my Heart in and with love, always.

x