My Warrior Dog - Cheyenne

Each April I feel a little sad, as I recall saying good-bye to Cheyenne 6 years ago.
This year, instead of reliving the sadness, I am going to tell you how great he was.

I rescued Cheyenne from the Regina Humane Society in Sept. 2000. He was 6 months old and had been locked up for the first 6 months of his life. He was a scared little boy. Driving back from Regina to my acreage he stayed curled up and whimpered the whole trip. I thought "Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into?"

I put him in the sunroom which was to be his bedroom. He had his own full sized couch, food and water and lots of windows. The next morning, when I looked at my dog, I saw a total transformation. He was alert, curious and full of joy. Taking him outside the first few days was quite funny. It was all new to him. He was curious about butterflies, he hopped the hills chasing grasshoppers and literally smelled the flowers.  Look out for the bees!

I quickly became aware of what a gift Cheyenne was. His intelligence was none that I had ever experienced with a dog before. I would tell him something once or twice and he just GOT IT. I didn't train him. He just knew. He picked up on the slightest nuances, often knowing what I was going to do - before I did. He had an old soul of a re-incarnated swami.

We became quite the team in the Qu'Appelle Valley. My dog was always with me. His job was to protect. I had no problem leaving my vehicle unlocked with my purse in it, as long as Cheyenne was there. You know that old Peter Sellers movie where they say "Does your dog bit?" "Yes, my dog does bite - if he doesn't know you." As soon as I would tell him "It's O.K." then he would relax.

He quickly warmed the heart of my mother, who would say "No dogs allowed in the house. O.K. maybe he can stay in the porch. " Next thing you know, he was in the kitchen and it didn't take long till he was stretched out on the living room carpet doing some doggie yoga moves. "But don't tell the others", mom would say. I recall one Christmas when there were three dogs bounding across the furniture in the living room, and my mother just threw her arms in the air and laughed.

He was also the avenger of all things unjust. If a neighbourhood dog was getting picked on by another dog, he would quickly take down the bully. He also did his best to keep the coyotes off the property, often chasing them down the road. Cows were allowed only on the other side of the fence.

When I went to Mexico for a month and left him at the farm, I must say I was a bit concerned. My nephews were young and I feared that he might bite them if they got too rough. I obviously had nothing to worry about, as Cheyenne had such a gentle side to him.

My neighbours Ken and Irene absolutely LOVED Cheyenne and he loved them too. On another trip to Mexico I left Cheyenne with them for a few weeks. On my return, I went to pick him up and Irene said "I hope you don't mind, but since it was his last night with us, we gave him a burger for dinner and ice cream for dessert." No I didn't mind. There was a bit of a hesitation from Cheyenne when I told him it was time to go home. He was probably thinking, "Hm, maybe I could just stay one more night?"

Cheyenne got cancer. When I had to say goodbye to my beautiful dog, it was one of the hardest things I have had to do. You may say that I rescued Cheyenne - but in truth he rescued Me.

Thanks Cheyenne!

(oh dear, and now I am starting to cry).


Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Wrapping it Up!!

As you may know from my previous Dog Blog, I have completed this commission and am ready to pack it up and send it safely to my client in Alberta.

1. After wiring the back, the first step is to wrap the painting in parchment paper. This is one of the few types of papers that will not stick to the painting and possibly lift some of the paint off.
2. This next step involves putting cardboard protectors on the corners. Then we take a plastic roll and wrap around it, securing the protectors in place.
3. The painting is then wrapped in the first layer of cardboard, but first .... I enclose a few cards of the painting that I have made for the client. This is a great opportunity to include some of your own promotional material.
4. Now I build another outside box, bigger then the first, leaving at least a one inch buffer-space on each side. The first box goes in, paper is rolled up and stuffed around the outside making a nice cushion. Another opportunity for some promotion, by including a copy of a recent Island Arts Magazine.
5. Tape, seal and address the box. Don't forget fragile stickers. All ready to get shipped to the client. I have found that Canada Post provides the best service. Their prices are great and parcels arrive earlier then expected. Just remember to buy extra insurance ... 

Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Working on a Doggie Commission

I was recently asked to do a commission painting of 4 dogs. My first instinct was panic, but once that passed, I said, "I'd love to!"

I had my client email some images to work with, and with a little Photoshop magic I positioned all 4 pups on a big chair.

Working on a 16" square Gotrick canvas I covered the entire surface with a thin wash of quin gold. Then I started blocking in some colour, only thinking about breaking it down into simple shapes (as I learned in a recent Janice Robertson workshop).

I worked one area at a time, trying not to get panicky about painting in every little dog hair and detail. Every now and then I would stand back from the easel and say "Wow, that's not too bad," (a phrase that I picked up from my nephew, which means, ha that's good).

About half way through this project I realized that the painting was to be a gift to my friend's son, who has many ailments. It was to help him "Get out of his funk". That made the process even more special for me, so I added a few hearts to the painting.

In the third image you can see that the doggies are starting to be recognizable.

At this point I wanted to add the Mike Svob affect, as discovered in a workshop that I took with Mike in April. By adding small bits of colour you can push your painting to the edge (hopefully not over the edge). Can you see the "punch" that the final painting has compared to the the third image?

Last but not least - what will the client say? After sending a quick email with a picture of the painting to my client, this is the reply that came back...


"You are fantastic...That is wonderful...I love it....."

Now just a few more finishing details and it is ready to get shipped off to it's new home and make a beautiful present for a wonderful young man.


Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Blogged Out

Sorry for the delay in my blog .... but I am feeling rather blogged out!

I am getting ready for a solo art show in Port Alberni. Getting ready for an exhibiton is a whole lottta work!

This week, I went around to some of the galleries and gift shops where my pieces of work were on consignment, and picked up those remaining. Then at home, I carefully examined each piece; were the frames O.K., or damaged or knicked, is the wiring still in tact, had each piece been signed and named on the back? Some of my older pieces hadn't, as this is just a recent practice that I really think is a good idea. The back of each piece should be signed exactly, as you sign it on the front, also (if you like) with a copyrite © and the year that it was created.

Next they get checked off on my master price list, before they get packed for delivery.

Phew .... oh yes, this morning we made a quick trip to Walmart to purchase a plastic container, for transporting some of the smaller pieces.

I still have to finalize my price list and finish framing three pieces.

Then they are delivered on Tuesday.

Remember: for all of you on the West Coast, please drop by Saturday, April 25th at the Rollin' Art Centre, at the corner of 8th and Argyle from 1 - 3pm. I will be painting up a storm!

Please drop by and say hi - have a coffee and snack. The show will be quite impressive with 38 acrylic pieces.

p.s.

The photo above is called "Anything Goes", as out here in Bowser it is common to see dogs sitting in the driver's seat. I told my dog, Cheyenne, that no way was I going to let him drive my new car!

Till Next Time ...

Love what you Do ... and Do what you Love.

Susan

This is my Dog

Cheyenne, 16 x 20", acrylic painting


Today I'm going to tell you about my dog Cheyenne. He is a rescue dog, from the Regina Humane Society. He is approximately 8 years olds - I gave him a birthday date of March 1st as I wasn't sure when he was born. In this painting he was only 3 - just a young pup. He has been a constant companion and joy in my life. He is also one of the most intelligent doggies I've had the pleasure to meet. I often believe that he is a reincarnated swami. Sometimes he will walk by and wink at you - as if to say "I know,"



We both use to live in Saskatchewan on an acreage. His big job, was not only to patrol the acreage and mark his territory, but keep the coyotes away, catch the gophers in the yard, and also look after most of the neighbourhood dogs. He had a big job indeed. He also loved to tease the cows - but we won't mention that to the neighbourhood farmer.




About a year and a half ago, two coyotes took him on and he really got a beating. Long story short, we moved to Qualicum Beach on beautiful Vancouver Island and started him on regular VOM treatments (Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation ) - it's like a doggy chiropractic treatment. He is now in pretty good shape. A bit of arthritis in his back legs. Some days a bit stiffer then others, but he is comfortable and still a joy in our lives. Now there is no more chasing coyotes plus he has a much smaller yard to look after. The odd time a rabbit will dare to hop through the yard ... that gets him very excited!

Cheyenne now enjoys walks by the ocean and leisurely restful afternoon sleeps.

To find out more about Cheyenne you can check out my website

www.youngatart.ca/cheyenne.shtml