Old friend.

This beautiful old dog died this year and the owner asked me to paint it for a xmas present.  It was surprisingly difficult because of the black in the picture.  I used a picture as well as looking at my own dog to finish the picture.  It is a 16 by 20 watercolor pencil painting on canvas done in a hyperrealism genre.

Changing Colors

Fall is on its way.  I am not real thrilled about this but I do like the colors.  This is a watercolor painting on canvas.  I like the red and orange leaves.  Hope you like this picture too.

Mom and Baby Bear

Baby Bear and mother. Watercolor pencil painting on canvas 12x16. Cost 125.oo matted to fit 16 x 20 standard frame. Any feedback? Is anybody out there. Oh well here is one of my latest pictures.

Buba he dog

This is Buba. My sister-in- Laws dog.

He is a rescue mission in and of himself. Can't help but like him in a strange way. Well its her best friend so I tried to paint him on his best side. He really looks like a strange brown hot dog. Every body needs some to love.

Silas

This little man is Silas. A precious little guy. I drew this water color painting on canvas. Size 16" by 20". Matted in a 16" by 20" blue mat. His mom and dad really liked it. I got to hold this kid and he is very good natured.

Bear Freinds

I found this picture on the internet and found it very funny. BFF's. It is like the dance of life. You never know quite what you will get. I am enjoying painting and mixing and matching techniques in the pictures. I continue to work in water color and am still using Fredrix water color canvas. The grand kids are out of town this weekend and I have had long hours of painting in my world of relaxation. It's not that I don't enjoy the kids it is that I also enjoy that place in my brain where all this seems to occur.

Water Color Flower.

This is one of the flowers I painted using only water color paint and a paint brush. I am happy with it and am getting more use to the blending of paint. I think I will do a couple of more and then try doing a picture of a person. Spent the weekend in the Detroit area watching my son, his wife and kids do something call a muddy buddy run and ride. We then went to a play place were my 5 year old grandson amazed me by climbing a very high climbing wall. He believes he can so something and then just does it. What a gift. I am working on getting this frame of mind. The lack of fear would be and incredible lifted burden. I will have to work on it.

Iris in the ditch

This is a painting of the Iris that sits in my ditch in front of the house. They are beautiful this time of the year. The next to come up will be tiger lilies. This is of course a watercolor pencil painting on canvas. I tried another canvas but still like the Fredrick's water color canvas the best. I need volunteers to help me with Art Prize. I do not think I can do this on my own. I am hoping to find some people to volunteer to just sit with me as I find this tiring and nerve racking. More on this later.

Legacy Trust Contest. Results

What did I do after the Legacy prize contest? Of course I went fishing. It is difficult to wait for the results of the contest but finally they were announced. I am one of the winners again in the Contest. I am the only returning artist from last year. It feels good. I even painted a picture for one of the other people on the fishing trip, which felt good. Now on to all the hype of the Art Prize.

Daane Adam Deboer

From: Ludington, Michigan Age: 24 Unit: 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Died: June 25, 2010 Cpl Daane Adam Deboer This young man is a friend of my brothers best childhood companion. This is the second picture I have done of him and he is the inspiration of this project. RIP

Fatal incident occurred in Helmand province, Afghanistan Died following a roadside bomb attack in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on June 25, 2010

Sgt Anthony Dennis Matteoni

This is Sgt Anthony Dennis Matteoni.

From: Union City, Michigan Age: 22 Unit: 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Died: October 1, 2010 His wife gave birth to their child recently. Her name is Avery.

Fatal incident occurred in Helmand province , Afghanistan Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on October 1, 2010

Spc Bradley David Rappuhn.

I am thinking about doing a tribute to the young men who lost there lives in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2010. It will be entered first in the Legacy Trust Completion and then if I win that into Art Prize. After this is done I will donate the pictures back to the family's. They will probable be 9 by 12 inch watercolor pencil on canvas pictures. I am trying to get in touch with the family's from Michigan who lost loved ones. There will be 14 in all. I would appreciate any feedback that you have for me on this.

This is the first picture in the series. This young mans name is: Spc Bradley David Rappuhn.

From: Grand Ledge, Michigan Age: 24 Unit: Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Died: August 8, 2010 Spc Bradley David Rappuhn

Fatal incident occurred in Zhari district, Afghanistan One of two soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated while their unit was attacking a heavily defended bunker system in the Zhari district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 8,

This is a Black Eyed Susan that will be entered into the Mary Free Bed show. They allow each artist to enter three pictures. I haven't finalized the other two pictures yet. I had one picture excepted into the Spiritual Art Festival this year. I think they liked the movement in the picture. I am thinking about doing some other pictures of american females dancing for art prize. Give me some feedback on this. I would appreciate it.

This is a picture I did for my Niece and her girls, Amelia, Harper and Ruby. The man in the middle is there father who died unexpectedly last week. His name was Mathew Aaron Wilson, born August 22, 1978 to February 8, 2011. He will be missed by his wife and children and many friends. This picture is dedicated to him and is my gift to his wife and 3 young children. The girls are ages 7, 3, and 1. I wish I lived close enough to be with them but circumstances will not permit this. Hopefully this picture will bring fond memories for the family.

Details and Color

This is a 12" by 16" painting. Matted 16" by 20. Cost:$125.00. This picture demonstrates the precision you can get with a combination of painting and pencil. The colors are also more easily darkened by putting more pressure on the pencil and less water on the brush. Enjoy.

This is a 12" by 16" painting that is matted in a 16" by 20" mate. Cost: $125.00. It is a picture of one of my friend Sam S. He is currently in Afghanistan. I like this picture because I think the setting is beautiful. I also like that the little man hidden int the corner looks like my friend. The village below also looks like a nice place to live. I am glad that others share there pictures and I can paint them. May God keep you safe Sam.

The Deer

This is a 12" by 16" Watercolor pencil on canvas Picture Matted in a 16" by 20" matte. Cost: $125.00. Can be seen at Bargain Hunters Outfitters in Downtown Comstock Park.

Micheal J. Had some questions about the finish that is used on the watercolor. I generally use either, Krylon Matte Finish 1311 or Krylon UV-Resistant Clear/ Acrylic coating. There was also a question about using gouache, gum Arabic and honey. I have never used any of these and will have to look them up to learn about them. I am pretty dumb when it comes to knowing much of anything besides what I do. Sorry about that. I am still learning.

Thank you for the question and once again sorry it took so long to get back to you. I have been doing some painting and not taking much brakes since Art Prize to join into the talking world.

Elaine J. Hoogeboom

Bird Dog

This is another picture being Displayed at the Bargain Hunter Outfitters a sporting good store in downtown Comstock Park. It is a 12" by 16"
painting in a standard 16" by 20" matte.

Because these watercolor paintings are on canvas they need a final spray fixative. They do not need to be put under glass when framed because of this technique. Hope you enjoy this picture as it was very fun to paint.

Watercolor Pencil on Canvas

Thank you very much for posting on the last two pictures. I was wondering if anyone even read this stuff. This is a picture of a man fishing. Fishing is my passion and I miss it a lot lately. It is a watercolor pencil on canvas and I used a dry and wet technique. This is were you draw the back ground and then use a spray bottle and brush to blend it. The technique makes for a little blurriness of the background and then I try to get more precise with the focal image. This is a 12" by 16" painting that will be displayed in Comstock Park at the Consignment Outlet on West River drive at the center of town. I have a few different pictures presented there and the owner is excited about my work. The them for the store is hunting, fishing, and wild animals. If you get a chance stop by and see them. It is a very interesting shop.

The pictures from Art Prize are now being displayed at the Forest Hills Fine Arts center for the next week or so. If you didn't catch them at the Art prize this my be your last chance to view them.

Sorry about not writing for a while. I got very sick and have been battling with health issues for over three week. I have been on antibiotics for about the last two and finally feel that I am getting better. I will try to be more consistent with my writing. I hope the two folks that did post comments are still in the audience.

Sincerely,
Elaine J. Hoogeboom

Dancing Girl

During art prize this year a man approached me about the dance and movement of the Indian's. He said he had a great photo of

a young girl dancing and emailed it to me. This is my

interpretation of the picture.

It was a lot of fun drawing this picture and I liked the movement. If anyone else has a picture they would like to see done I will sure give it a try. By the way this is a 12" by 16" watercolor painting on canvas. It will be matted in a standard 16" by 20" matte. I will probable sell it for $125.00. It is not framed.