Cabi loves the portrait!

Cabi loves the portrait I created!

My creative work is a variety of subjects, this time a pet portrait. More specific a dog portrait painted from a photograph. This is a pet portrait of Cabi, Dr Joe Vitale and Lisa Winston's dog. I love cats and dogs and feel a close connection with them. It is important for me which photo I get to work from. When the dog is a spot in the distance in a photograph, I paint a landscape with a dog in it. I cant capture that cute detail in a painting if I cant see it in the photo! Also, I like to pick the photo I get to work from. I get the best result that way.

Joe Vitale must have known this when he sent several photos of his and Lisa's new dog. I picked the one where Cabi is sitting in the grass. A long time ago I snapped a photo of my dog sat in the same position, so I felt a familiar feeling already. Also the contrast between the green grass and the colour of the dog pleased my eye. I look at colour combination as well as seeing a cute dog. I painted on a good quality canvas which was 30 x 40 cm or 12 x 16". When painting a portrait it means spending a long time looking at a photo. Which to me feels like I get to know the pet or person I am trying to capture. I am interested in a loose likeness and a painting is more alive than a photo. When you want a large photo of your pet, photo editing programs and printers can so this. A pet portait made this way is just a different way. In my opinion there is a need for both types of portrait. A photograph and a painted portrait are both beautiful in their own way. I picked some wrapping materials that I though would support it without adding to much weight. Did the online postage then went to drop it of in the mail, found out I had not filled in the customs paperwork correct. Home again, did a new customs thing and was able to send it. I waited excited to hear something from Joe and Lisa. Did it make it in the mail? did it get lost? would they even like it?

In the mean time I started reading Joe Vitales book 'Hypnotic writing' It is very interesting, powerful and well hypnotic. There is a lot to learn from reading his book. like anything else there is practise and a lot of it required. Here is something from Joe Vitales book 'When people think of writing, the inner pressure gets turned on. All their past education comes rushing in, almost drowning their creative voice.' and also 'Hypnotic writing comes from being loose. It comes from not editing your self as you write- It comes from trusting yourself, being yourself, and expressing yourself. It comes from being you.' This is the same when I am painting I have to trust myself and be myself. I have to let go of others' opinion and create and trust the process. That way I get my unique piece of artwork. I am happy with how this portrait turned out. Thank you Joe and Lisa for letting me paint your Cabi. It was fun and I remembered that photo I took of my dog all those years ago. Thank you for reminding me of that moment. I am very happy that you have my painting in your home.

Joe Vitales work includes being in the movie The Secret, as well as writing I dont know how many books, please read some of his work. I know I am going to read a lot more of Joe Vitale´s books.