Westie Aceo Illustrations

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It's Fall but we are thinking about Spring already. Thinking about seeds and bulbs and all things green and beautiful. Leaves float and twirl some days and other days the wind whips them by. Mother Nature is playful one day and strict the next hurrying them on their way. I want to get as many oak leaves as I can in the compost pile.

This year I am noticing how beautiful the Korean Dogwoods trees are coloring up now. Some trees here are almost fully decloaked but not the Dogwoods. It's November and they are center stage! They bloom later than the other dogwoods in the Spring and I cannot think of anything negative about them.

We have wood for the fire. Let the wind howl and bring on the seed catalogs!

(Still trying for one aceo painting a day.)      

Green Hydrangeas - White Room

We get to enjoy chartruese hydrangeas flowers twice.

When they first form before they bloom white

and then again when they dry.

I love this color with white.

These old soup tureens hold everything

except soup at our country farmhouse.

They make the best vases.

I love the lacy flower petals in abundance

 that look like French pantaloons.

Outside there are other white and green combinations.

Our westie dog got on the hay bale for about 2 seconds

 then jumped down to the shade.

Smart dog.  

Happy 4th of July!

Whether you are inside or out...

Keep cool!

Connecting up with Faded Country Charm
French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday 

Modern Westie Art Quilt-Digital

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I used to quilt. It was a challenge to cut up little pieces of fabric and match the points perfectly. It's a bit crazy taking a perfect length of cloth and cutting it into diamonds, triangles, squares and then sew it back together to one cloth with a different design. Tonight I only have a few minutes to play pretend quilting digitally! The options are endless. Wheeee! I say Wheeee now, but if I had to sew all of these crazy quilt style pieces together I would soon be bleary-eyed.

You can do it yourself as well. Here's the how to. I took a picture of one of my oil paintings from 2010 and went to photoshop. Went to click on "filter" and on the drop down menu, click on "pixelate" and then on over to "crystalize." This makes me want to go to the fabric store and buy 1/4 yard of all of the solid cotton colors! Isn't this fun?

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I played with the color saturation here. Looks very pop and very modern art. (Also looks like my westie turned into a chow dog.) Sir Salty who posed for the original painting below, spans all types of art. Mostly moving, racing art. He's a great fellow. He is always doing the happy dance which is contagious.

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I think I am going to get the sewing machine out. After our westie boy goes to bed!

Westie Dogs Dancing Illustration

I hear the wind howling because Spring is coming. (We still have remnants of a kite high up in a tree.) Yesterday and today it sounds as if we live near a huge noisy refrigerator. It's the wind. There's some dancing going on inside though that warms hearts. Paper dancing. My westie boy jumps and darts, swings and bows going round and round. Did you know westies make good dancing companions?

Linking to Pink Saturday.

Westie Valentine Dog

Here's one of my Valentine boys.The hairest one.

I tried to put a red ribbon on his head. He shook it off and played with it instead. He sees the cat do that so you can't blame him.




We have a nice clean landscape right now. Snow freshens up and brightens up everything. Makes it right slippery too! Some of the Canada geese are still here. There are 6 who stayed behind this winter. Mr. Red Fox is out in the fields, but I never have my camera when I see him. I don't want him eating the geese eggs this spring.

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Westie Dog Hero

I will tell you about our hero westie, Sir Salty, and his good deeds in a moment Right now I am enjoying these aster flowers on our white table. Every little piece of green stem is loaded with flowers like mini daisies. I love how you can put any color against white and it pops out.

If you are a westie owner you will know it's battle cry bark. It is different from a "Who goes there," bark. I was outside working Saturday and I heard it start like an alarm clock, it doesn't stop by itself. I smiled thinking it was probably a squirrel, a groundhog or some other furry sort and kept working. After a minute or two I thought he definitely needs me for something and I rounded the bend with my own eyes and ears alert. He was in front of the house and had his nose to the ground. A bunny rabbit or what? He was not looking up at me even though I was talking to him. He was seriously preoccupied. A few feet more and I saw it was a snake!! Then I was hollering, too. Together we made quite a racket. My husband thankfully realized my holler was important. He came running with a shovel.

Sir Salty the hero! We don't always wear boots outside, but you can guess I've put the tallest ones on I can find. I think I am ready for hip boots even though I'm not going fishing.

If you want to read about what to do if dogs get snake bites, it's here. This got me to thinking about the emergency medical symbol itself is a snake going around a rod.

Westie Dog Knits

Sir Salty earlier this summer taking a snooze and just bathed. His coat is on the 'longish side which makes him look like a beach boy. I have a little surprise for him coming up.




I got this cute as can be pattern from Kristin Nicholas who designs the brightest things for all of us to enjoy! If you've not been over to her blog now is the time to skip over and have a visit on her sheep farm. Maybe you want to knit this too? You might even beat me at finishing it. My mom says my knitting is like skewering sheisk-ka-bobs, too tight, but I will keep practicing. Practice makes perfect is my Mom's saying.

Westie Pet Portrait and Boy ACEO painting - Summer Woohoo

JUMP FOR SUMMER


Summer is leaping and running with your westie dog. Sir Salty needs a trim as he looks a bit like a beardie or sheepdog (okay, a miniature one). He is always a flutter of activity and runs with his nose high in the air when he is racing us.

I guess he knows he is going to win and he rarely, if ever, looks back.

But if we sit down he always races back to check on us. Like he thinks he will find a bundle of treats that have fell out of our pockets. I think it's because the only time we really sit on the grass is when we are having a picnic or playing with him.

Aceo original painting is available on etsy.

Westie Dog Valentine Clothes

We've been having fun around here. Snow seems to put everyone in a laughing, playful mood. The only thing that dampens that spirit is snow in your boots. Your ears can be cold, and your nose, but when your feet get cold it's time to go inside.

Snow is one of those challenging things to paint. I look out the window and am amazed at how the colors change from clouds zipping overhead. The other morning it was 10 degrees here and the playful mood was a bit slower waking up. Even Sir Salty had to just sit a bit and take it all in then he was off to look around. He loves it when it is snowing. I do believe he thinks it's bird feathers falling. He races around searching as if searching for a bird in the snow.

I see the trees lined along the town roads with squirrels nests high above all of the homes. They are all tucked up inside those swinging, leaf baskets warm and cozy. A squirrel must have written the lyrics to rock-a-bye-baby-on-a-tree-top.

Back to Valentine's Day...They have fun party glasses for every occasion and this westie has hers on and just needs a party to go to. This is an oil aceo that I listed on ebay.

Let the party begin!

Westie Dog Aceo Oil Painting Portrait

Westies are so playful and full of energy 99 percent of the day. I don't often paint them sleeping because my westie does very little of that. He is like a jumping, spinning, running, laughing cheerleader. And he wants to share all of this fun with me which makes me a very lucky person!

This aceo I listed on ebay today it is an canvas oil aceo size, 2.5 by 3.5 inches and titled, SNOW DAY. These small little paintings will grab your attention especially when they are filled with cotton candy dogs.

Westie Dog Decorated Cookies

Aren't these westie cookies so sweet? The added bone is adorable! Laura Courtemanche is the baker and decorater.

Anthropologie Dress- Merry Christmas

Sir Salty is a good egg collector, but doesn't always want give up the eggs. A little snow on the ground and an anthropologie dress make the day even merrier! How many eggs did you use for your holiday treats and Christmas day breakfast? My daughter made the best breakfast this morning. Cream brulee french toast......lots of eggs and heavy cream, oh my, but they were delicious.




So many beautiful flowers to choose from for the holidays. This bouquet had asian lilies, peruvian lilies and mums. Loved the color combination.

Really the best part of Christmas is being with your family and counting your blessings. I have many to count. Thank you bloggers for stopping in to visit and for all of your lovely blogs as well. I see and read many beautiful things daily that touch my heart. May your holidays be warm, cheery and filled with family.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours,
Candylei and Sir Salty

Happy Thanksgiving Day

I am thankful for loving family.

I am thankful for friends.

I am thankful for westies.

Most of all I'm thankful for God who remembers me.

Town and Country Gentleman - Westie Art

Most days my westie dog is the perfect gentleman. He looks handsome in a black bow tie with his football linebacker neck. He loves his gardens and protects them...soaks up the sun and scents in calm and quietness...most days. The only time he loses his graceful calm is when he hears foxes yipping...and when he smells peanut butter. Other wise he is a perfect Country Gentleman.

This large 16 x 20-inch paintng is up for sale on ebay now.

Westie Dog and Ground Hog Day

The other day our westie dog boy started barking ...the kind of bark that says "I can bark straight for 2 minutes without taking a breath." I ran to the window and this is what I saw. The groundhogs here in the countryside are rather large and plump. (And this one might now be slightly deaf from Sir Salty's warning barks.) I went outside and let the ground hog run back down to his home underground. Our westie thought he won and rolled around in the grass and raced back and forth to me in a happy craziness.

Westie dog grooming. I've bought our own electric dog shears and I'm letting his skirt grow out long, but trimmed his back, sides and neck, which I think looks lovely in this picture. Now to keep brushing vigorously and keep the tangles away.

Fall Days Westie

We're loving theses fall days where everything is still green and the weather is perfect during the day. Sweaters are necessary in the evenings unless you are a westie. I did an aceo size oil of a westie (our boy modeled) in the shade, but with the warm sunlight still reflecting on him. He looked lumunious like a lantern. An agile running lantern I might add!

Up for sale on ebay.

Scarlett Johannson and Westie Dog

I missed seeing this, westie art, published in print of Scarlett Johannson and this sweet westie! I'm posting it here for all of us westie lovers. It reminds me how my westie boy needs the perfect trimming soon.

I was in a car accident earlier this month and have not been able to post or paint like before. Today I'm working on catching up here and my paintings. The house can wait. Thank you to all who have sent well wishes!

Westie Dog Beach Walk Painting

Westies love water! Sometimes they don't love what we call baths. They would rather play in the surf and soak in a lake or pond. That, the westies agree, is a real bath. Then they come out and shake a bit to share their bath with us.

I've been playing with light and shadows and really cutting back on the shadow values in my paintings. I do love the feeling of colors. The moods colors can bring out.

This original west highland terrier painting is up for sale on ebay with a buy it now price as well.

Christmas Westie Dog in Cool Holiday Colors

Christmas colors in cool tones. While I was weeding amongst august moon (lime green) hostas and african hibiscus (red/plum) the other day I marveled at the colors. It was Christmas colors in warm tones and 98 degree weather. I came in and used those colors in this painting but in totally cool tones. You don't see any yellows in westie, just cool shadows. Red colors can either be warm reds or cool reds. We gardeners work with colors all of the time. Sometimes to amazing achievements and other times a few disappointments, but we learn from each combination we try. Too much fertilizer can almost change a flower color from warm to cool or vice versa. Amazing. (Really gardening is the hardest art of all.)

Westie's other eye is hid from view because of the lush hair and head turned just so. Plus all westies love to roll around and fluff up their facial hair to the max!

We love to dress westies in red for the holidays. The great part about red is it's for both boys and girl westies dogs. And it stands for L_O_V_E.

For sale on ebay titled, HAPPY IN RED.

Sweet Looking Westie Dog-Not Looking

Westies are bright spots on a rainy days. Radar ears up and listening to every chirp, cricket, and squirrel chatter. Our westie, Sir Salty, is a bit camera shy. He does not like to look directly at the camera. I'll whistle, jump a bit, call his name and sometimes in desperation pretend to fall down to get him to look. (They could have a tv series called Desperate Photographers.) I can't get all black and blue just trying to get a good photograph that is for sure. I can see myself twisting my ankle and having to go to the doctor and it would go like this:

Doctor: You said you twisted your ankle taking a picture of your dog?
Me: Yes, I do it all of the time.
Doctor: Take pictures or fall down?
Me: Both.
Doctor: I'm confused.
Me: Now you're sounding like me. I think I'll go for a second opinion.

This could be downright embarrassing.

You are probably saying, "Call his name." I do that too. The problem is that there are alot of beauty and animal/bird sounds outside so Sir Salty looks quickly and then turns his attention elsewhere where he thinks its needed most. All the while my camera is still focusing.

I have a new trick though. Put the treat on top of your camera. A no-fail way to get his complete attention for a few minutes! And while I'm focusing to remember if I left the iron on or the water running in the sink.

New original oil painting aceo titled "Rain Gear" up for sale on ebay.