"BEAMER GRIMES" 5/100 FOR 100 PET PORTRAITS IN 100 DAYS © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Beamer Grimes"

6"x6" oil on textured panel
SOLD to Suzanne; his pet mom!  

"Beamer" is a Vizsla/Lab mix boy.  My friend Suzanne is his mom...she says he's like Clifford the big red dog.  I LOVE knowing that!  He is also a rescue pup.  I am finding such a great side effect to this project already in knowing the stories behind some of these wonderful pets!  I'm so happy so many have rescued their pets...giving them loving homes!  

Beamer was a fun boy to paint.  I loved all the colors that just flowed out of my brush...he just seemed to have such soul while he was "posing" in his pic for me...I talked to him throughout.  We had great conversations! 

I think Beamer might benefit from a floater frame...remember you can find them on pictureframes.com.  I finally recieved the floater frame I ordered so I could show you all how easy it is to frame these panels.  Here is Beamer framed.  See how all his sides show.

The frame comes with some hardware, but I've found a VERY EASY way to frame your panel.  This photo shows all the parts.

The frame has three tiers...you will want to cut a piece of cardboard that fits in the bottom tier.  My panels are 6"x6".  The bottom tier is 6 1/4" x 6 1/4".  So, I cut a piece of cardboard that size.  Painted it black with some black craft paint. It will now fit inside that bottom tier.  You could glue it in if you want...I use wood glue by Gorilla Glue.  The little rectangle you see in the middle of the cardboard?  Well, that is just a little 1/4" thick wood

shape I got in a package from Hobby Lobby.  I just had that shape...they have square, round...etc, it doesn't matter...you just want your panel to sit even with the second tier.  I will glue that in the middle of the cardboard and then glue my panel CENTERED on top of that.  BOOM...it is all in the frame and ready to go!  The frame comes with wire for you to put on back and your frame is ready to hang!  NOW, you can go and have a thick piece of wood cut to fit the bottom tier...but I say WHY?  As long as the glue is secure it doesn't matter what the back is!  EASY PEASY!

So, there you have it folks...a frame option!  My only problem with pictureframes.com.  Their shipping prices are a little high...they ship this little frame in a huge box with tons of bubble wrap...I tried to talk logic to them, but they are set in their ways...however, there are so many color choices I still like the frames!

HAPPY CREATING!!

"Molly" completed!

"Molly" 12x12" cradled panel in acrylic

"Molly" close up...

I finished "Molly" this afternoon. I really enjoyed this piece. I was a bit unsure as to how to handle this portrait of my step son's Viszla puppy until I saw this pose. She is quite a puppy still, you can see the playful nature she has in those beautiful eyes she has! I found working her with loose strokes and putting some detail here and there made it more fun for me. Molly is done on a 12x12" cradled panel and is entirely acrylic. I'm also happy to announce that my wonderful step son has proposed to his girl Katie...wedding plans are a coming!!

I know I have been so sporadic in my work of late. I'm finding the travel and the company we've had and the Christmas preparations have made it hard to be consistent! I always feel a bit incomplete if I haven't been able to include painting in my days. Hopefully as the holidays wind down I will be back to work daily!

I have some exciting news to share!! Last week when we were in San Diego my son Jonathan was called to be a part of a parade in Ocean Beach where he lives. It was a night time event and he was given a lighted skateboard to perform on. The parade went great. Yesterday he was contacted by the company that makes these lighted boards and the local fox network to appear on television this Thursday for an interview and a demonstration of his talents. I'm saying to my wonderful son "CONGRATULATIONS from your biggest fan!!" I've always been and will ever be proud of you and all you have been able to accomplish!! Good luck Thursday my son!! Love, MOM