I recently completed this commission of a beautiful restored farmhouse in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was once the home of a wonderful woman I know who is now 91. She spent her childhood there, living a simple life.
I recently completed this commission of a beautiful restored farmhouse in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was once the home of a wonderful woman I know who is now 91. She spent her childhood there, living a simple life. My husbands parents and his childhood were also spent on beautiful farm properties such as this one. His early childhood and teen years were spent working on a 90 acre dairy farm in Coopersburg, Pa. His father also owned a 60 acre farm where they farmed corn, hay, soybean, and wheat. Eventually, development took over the farms in the area and it made more sense to sell property to home builders. Most of the old stone farmhouses are now owned by people who have the means to maintain and restore them. I believe that is what an old stone farmhouse deserves, but it is still sad to see the area and the simple way of life changed so dramatically. 
©Copyright 2009 by Gail Dolphin. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.
I am not a faithful “blogger”, I guess I am easily distracted! The latest are the baby sparrows all making the leap from the nesting box I have outside my art studio window. They have been making such a racket encouraging each other to make their first flight into the real world of a bird. I can’t seem to stop watching them. My biggest worry is my dog Ty gobbling one up if they happen to land near him! He loves chasing birds out of the yard.
I finally completed my Rottweiler oil portrait and am waiting for the frame to arrive. The client loved the painting and is patiently waiting to for it. I have decided to stay working at Lowes fulltime for now, I can’t manage giving up all the benefits these days with the economy. So, on to the next painting of a Pomeranian. I am happy to have commission work. 
©Copyright 2009 by Gail Dolphin. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.
Been a while since I have posted! I took the dogs to the beach on my day off…the weather was beautiful! Socks loves going to the beach, but Ty is always the first in the water.
Been a while since I have posted! I took the dogs to the beach on my day off…the weather was beautiful! Socks loves going to the beach, but Ty is always the first in the water. If I don’t keep him on the leash, he would have no problem swimming out to sea! The riptides are really strong in this area called “The Point” on Emerald Isle, NC. I finished my drawing of Aunt Lorraine and shipped it off for her 80th “Derby” themed party. I wish I could have gone, but couldn’t swing it. She loved the drawing and now has it hanging over her fireplace. I have another portrait commission in the works of a Rottweiler. The client and I decided to portray the dog in different stages of his life in an oil montage. She lost him a few years ago, so I have to rely on her photographs. She did approve this layout, so I am planning on working all weekend on it. Besides that, I have decided to go part time at Lowes to allow me more time to paint and complete commission work. It has been a tough decision because of the income and benefits, but my husband knows I always follow my heart and dreams. I am hoping all my recent advertising efforts and gallery exposure will bring on more work. The life of an artist is not an easy one!
©Copyright 2009 by Gail Dolphin. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.
As artists, we are often asked by friends and relatives to make use of our talents for gifts and surprises. I am a little pooped from working the night shift at my “other” job at Lowes, but am trying to keep at it here this morning by posting the start of a little 11 x 14 pencil drawing I am doing for my Aunt Lorraine’s 80th birthday. She lives in Colorado and is my Dad’s only sister. She is such a special person and I am very close to her, especially since my father passed away in 2005. I am so happy to surprise her with a little drawing of her when she attended a Penn State horse show, probably around 1949. My cousins found it and have organized a semi-surprise “Kentucky Derby” theme party for her in April. This is the start of it, I hope I can capture her face! I never seem to have problems with getting the likeness of an animal, but people are always a huge challenge for me!
I find it really interesting how both my grandparents had horses, my grandmother spent all her time riding the train up and down the east coast following the horse racing circuit. My Dad rode horses with my grandfather and my Aunt was obviously a better rider than she ever mentioned! I really do think that horses are “in your blood”.
I also have a Rottweiler portrait commission in the works which I will post shortly. Tomorrow, I am meeting with an advertising rep from a local publication here to discuss some additional print advertising I may do to stimulate more commission work. My goal is to be full time at the art again soon….just keep plugging!
©Copyright 2009 by Gail Dolphin. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.
When I decided to become an “artist” in high school, I was very serious from the start. I knew I was blessed with a talent and was lucky to have parents who supported and believed in me. I always remember my father’s advice when I told him at 18 that I was going to paint animals and also wanted to be a forest ranger. He was concerned about my choices and we decided that Graphic Design would be the best decision in my chosen field. He said….”You can make a living with that and will have something to fall back on hon”….
I remember like it was yesterday one summer setting my work up at a local horse show out of the back of my hatchback. I think my parents were shocked that people were paying me to paint their animals! I struggled through the years though, and ended up working at many other careers to support my painting. My sisters joke about “Gail’s resume” and the list goes on even today. I don’t like to talk about “my other job” with other artists or clients because you are often judged as a successful artist by whether you are supporting yourself solely with your art. I have come to realize now, over thirty years later, that everything I have worked at and learned by trying to do my art has made me the artist I am today. I was employed as a Product Researcher at The Franklin Mint and also worked in Visual Merchandising and Display at a major department store for many years. I have worked as a Custom Picture Framer for years, worked at horse barns, run a boarding facility and broke my own horse.
We recently moved here to North Carolina over a year ago and I am joining art groups, exhibiting in shows, recently joined a co-op gallery, advertising, and have been able to obtain portrait clients. But, the reality of this economy and the need for affordable health care has forced me to again “expand” my resume. I have been working at Lowes Home Improvement in the Home Decor and Paint departments for almost a year now. I am often frustrated by the lack of time to paint and feel like I have signed my life away to the corporate world. This can lead to not believing I am an “artistic” success. But, I now realize that all these life experiences and knowledge not only makes me a better artist, but a better person. I am now learning about color trends and decorating, meeting interesting people, making contacts and more in touch with the economy. I am also not in a constant worry state about paying my bills and what will happen to me or my husband if we get sick.
So, the roller coaster life of an artist goes on….I think my Dad would be proud of me for not giving up!
The posted drawing was done in college and was one of the first pictures I sold as an artist. It sold at one of my first big shows on the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ.
©Copyright 2009 by Gail Dolphin. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.
It was a beautiful sunny day today! I had a dressage lesson this morning on “good old Ben”, nothing like a 22 year old schoolmaster who really knows his job! I met my trainer and now good friend Jennifer Collins here in NC and fell in love with her methods of training and teaching. She is a certified Lynn Palm instructor and travels to Florida often. I was able to work out a barter for dressage lessons exchange with her that has been great for both of us. I am painting her numerous dogs and horses and she keeps me in lessons. I recently completed a watercolor painting of her two older dogs, a dalmation and a boykin spaniel. My next portrait subject for her will be “Nick”, a 23 year old gelding who has started to go blind this past year. We want to portray and honor him as the horse that taught many adults and children the joys of riding a horse.
©Copyright 2009 by Gail Dolphin. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.
I am often torn when the time comes to sell a painting or drawing I am really pleased with. Such is the case with this drawing I did many years ago
I am often torn when the time comes to sell a painting or drawing I am really pleased with. Such is the case with this drawing I did many years ago. I have never wanted to sell it and at one time it belonged to my father. Perhaps, that is why I feel the need to keep it. Maybe I am afraid I may never create something like it again or lose the memories it holds for me.
Today, I took it down to the Co-op gallery I just joined called the Carolina Artist Studio Gallery and hung it on my display wall. It now hangs with other paintings I have for sale. In order to grow as an artist…I need to let go. 
©Copyright 2009 by Gail Dolphin. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.
