The sketchbook project --Even dogs can use a umbrella

Here is my first entry in my sketchbook.  Even dogs can use a umbrella when it rains!!

Bella

Last night I came home from a rather long weekend in Canada, attending the memorial for my father-in-law that died last year.   My beloved "Bella" had passed away in her sleep yesterday afternoon...Bella was 11 years old.  She wasn't my first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but she was my most faithful and obedient dog that I've ever had.  She would follow me all over the house and was my constant companion.  Bella had a stage 5.5 heart murmur and her death was not unexpected.  She had been living on borrowed time for the past year and a half, but this last week her symptoms seemed to increase.  My sister Linda was kind enough to come and dog/house sit while we were away. 

Bella is the reason that lead me back to drawing and painting.  It was because of her beauty, that I knew I wanted to capture her on canvas.  She will be missed, but she is now in heaven with her sisters Chloe and Maggie finally at peace.

Sketchbook Project......It's raining dogs and cats

I decided to join the Sketchbook Project -- 2011.  I received my sketchbook while I was on vacation, so I'm rather excited to start.  The theme I choose was, It's raining dogs and cats.   The sketchbook is a plain moleskin (5.5 x 8.5) with a red-wine cover.   The project is open to interpretation...meaning I can use any medium, change the paper inside the sketchbook, or add paper to the sketchbook as long as I leave the bar code on the back cover.  Since the paper is so thin and really doesn't take wet medium, I decided to pre-cut 140lb watercolor 4.75 x 8.25.

Front over

Welcome page

Back cover with bar code and my official library card.