Country Heart

"Autumn Coon" 12x16 Pastel Painting

Even though I live closer to a city now, my heart will always be in the country. Honestly, the country is where I plan to be again someday. For now, I love taking lots of photos while I am out exploring the many parks here. I am never short of creative ideas when surrounded by all the crisp golden leaves damp with morning dew, smells of apples and pumpkin spice, and squirrels and chipmunks scurrying over the dirt paths as they work hard on this years harvest. I love this time of year!

This kitty is another cutie I have cared for through my pet care business. He is a very regal, affectionate cat and I was able to get some very majestic photos of him to work from for this painting. So this is a rustic, yet sophisticated, country autumn scene. 🎨😊

Black cats are traditionally used in Halloween art and the superstition behind them finds them in more cat shelters than other cats. In reality, their color is just the product of genetics, but their image still goes beautifully among the golden hues of the autumn season. So here I included in my autumn cat series, a regal black cat who would prefer to play in the leaves, eat some treats, and snooze in a pumpkin patch. 🐈🍁🍂

Autumn Play

"Autumn Play" 12 x 16 Pastel drawing

"Autumn Play" Happy Autumn Solstice! Here's my newest pastel drawing inspired by one of my pet care client's kitties. I enjoyed the mimicking of the bark and the cat's fur pattern. It's warm this week here in Ohio, but the cooler weather is just around the corner, and I can't wait! Autumn is my favorite time of year. Not only is the food the best this time of year, but the landscape is beautiful. So get outside and catch some falling leaves, jump in a leaf pile, and then have a slice of  pumpkin bread and a mug of warmed apple cider. 🍎🍂

All of my original drawings are for sale. I am also now taking orders for custom pet portrait drawings for the holidays. Enjoy the season! 🍁

Garden Inspired

"Garden Inspired" 12 x 16 pastel drawing.

Summer is coming to a close, but the garden still has plenty to give. Our first Ohio vegetable garden gave us more than we anticipated! All those tomatoes coupled with all the kitties I pet sat for during the summer, inspired me to combine passions; gardens and my love of fur babies.

I take many photos while I am out taking care of my client's fur children. They make great reference photos for my drawings and their natural poses are genuine moods of the animals. This sweet girl was in a playful mood when I caught this pose. I knew it would be useful somewhere down the line. Once our tomatoes turned into a jungle of colors, I took photos of the garden and inspiration set in.

This drawing was so much fun, but took longer than I had hoped. Summer is a tough time for me to sit and draw as all those fur babies take up much of my time. I love every moment of it though and am grateful to be able to do what I enjoy.

One more week until Autumn, my favorite time of the year! As the colors change and the days grow shorter, I will continue to be out taking care of fur babies and finding inspiration for my art. They say to write what you know, but I think the same applies to art. 🎨🐈🍅😁 -Sandy

It's Harvest Time!

Welcome to my new blog!
There's nothing like a warm mug of apple cider and colorful leaves falling outside to inspire me to draw. I have enjoyed doing pet portraits over the years in various mediums. I am currently doing portraits in charcoal/pastel. I also love drawing my own fur babies. This is our youngest in her favorite pose. When the seasons change and the temps drop, our kitties move to their cold weather sleeping spots in the house. This sleeping position seems to be preferred no matter what the season. I suppose viewing the world upside down keeps a fresh perspective. Perhaps more of us should take the time to see the world as our fur babies do, and then we will be just as content as they are. :)