This is a dog named Sparkle.  I met her at the New Hampshire Antique Co-op;  we kept each other company while waiting for our respective companions to finish their business.  I was struck by her beauty, and with her cooperation, took a bunch of snapshots of her with my iPhone.  From about 20 shots, I chose one to use as a reference for this portrait. 

I am about as pleased with Sparkle as I can be.  My main goal was to render her soft white fur as softly as possible–with invisible brushstrokes.  But her big liquid eyes and her charmingly pinkish nose could not be denied either.  Like so many other times when I have painted an animal portrait, I felt identified with Sparkle.  When I finished and stood back from it, I was filled with pleasure, the pleasure of accomplishing exactly what I had hoped.  That is so, SO rare in painting.  Most times I have to wait a week or two to get some distance from the actual painting experience in order to appreciate what I accomplished.  (Provided it is worthy of appreciation)

My experience with Sparkle leads me to believe that I was meant to be a pet portraitist.  To fulfill my destiny, I am henceforward going to nag people for opportunities to paint their pets’ portraits.  Getting paid for producing such portraits is not as important as simply producing them.  Already I have started–this cat Pebbles belonging to friends in Merrimack will be my next subject.

Pebbles

In the meantime, I will continue my plein air activities.  Here are two recent painting from the grounds of the John Paul Jones House in Portsmouth.

Corner of Garden at JPJ House

Entrance to John Paul Jones House in Portsmouth

I am also starting a biggish project inspired by my recent trip to New York City.  There I had about 8 hours to explore and eat, and the bulk of that time was spent at the new Whitney Museum.  At least four of its eight floors have decks off the exhibit space, from which you can get a variety of views of the City.

View of the Whitney from the High Line

From the top deck, you can even make out the Statue of Liberty at the mouth of the Hudson River.  From lower decks you get good perspectives on modernization of the older buildings with modern penthouses and superstructures.  From all decks you can overlook the High Line.  My Manhattan Project involves all of those perspectives.  Further I saith naught.

Aline Lotter is currently exhibiting:

At the Bartlett Inn in Bartlett;  at the Bernerhof Inn in Glen; at the Red Jacket Inn in North Conway;  at the New Hampshire Antique Co-op in Milford;  at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center in Manchester, part of the Healing with Art program;  and at the law offices of Mesmer and Deleault at 41 Brook St in Manchester.

As usual, you may view paintings with prices and order prints, phone cases, pillows and the like at my Fine Art America page. If the painting you are interested in is not there, or if you prefer to bypass that experience, you may contact me by email to alotter@mac.com.

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