Less Is Enough

Shi Tzu. Oil on canvas, 12x12. Contact Sandy at Center Framing & Art in West Hartford, Conn., for price and shipping information.

This is another "less is enough" painting for the gallery project. I realized that I couldn't give Sandy 11 portraits with strongly colored backgrounds and a lot of paint, and just one minimalist piece (see the poodle I painted a while back). If I was going to give her the poodle, I'd have to give her at least one other similar painting.

This little shi tzu pup seemed ideal. I might put a little more white paint around her nose, but otherwise, I think I'll leave her sketchy and wispy, more expression than dog. What do you think? Does she work?

If you're in or near the mid-Hudson Valley, you have about a week to get to the Wallkill River School Gallery in Montgomery to see "Here & There," my show with George Hayes.

The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., every day but Monday. For information and directions, click here. I have some really good paintings in this show, and also am taking orders for books of my work. I'd love to show up on the 30th and find that everything had sold, and I had nothing to bring home except a bunch of orders.

Remember, art makes a great gift, and we're coming up on the gifting season. How cool would it be to give a painting to someone you love, instead of giving that person something from Target? And if there's a painting you love, let me know and I'd be happy to contact your spouse, or children or best friend, and suggest that they buy the painting for you.

Also, I'm teaching a pet-painting workshop at the Wallkill River School on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sign up, and you'll finish the day with two portraits and a great sense of possibility!

Thank you for reading!