Valentina

"Valentina"  (pastel, 8x6 inches)

"Valentina" had the privilege of representing my artwork for the honor of being a juror for the 2011 IAPS (International Association of Pastel Societies) exhibition in Albuquerque earlier this year. She was displayed on the juror's wall during the exhibit, right between paintings by Desmond O'Hagan and Liz Haywood-Sullivan (and is also behind me in my Facebook profile pic!)

Saving George

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)  This is my donation to a silent auction for the saving of George, a Great Pyrenees puppy with a genetic birth defect. See the details and how you can help here.

"Cows, etc." The Poster is Here!

"Cows, etc. - 99 Miniature Portraits -" (24x18 inches) is my poster celebrating the completion of 100 cows and other animals in this series of small portraits. I'm also working on a book (which will be ready any week now...) and the poster was my quick gift to myself as soon as I knew the book would be delayed...
Order a poster here!

Christmas Brothers

This is an 8x10 pencil portrait commission. Visit my drawings site at RitaKirkmanDrawings.com to order a portrait drawing from your photo!

Max

"Max" (pastel pencil, 10x8 inches) is a recent commission. The client wanted a black & white pencil drawing originally, but when I saw the photo of Max, I HAD to talk him into getting color! It was easy!
See my Pencil Portrait site for information on commissioning a portrait, at RitaKirkmanDrawings.com

Cinnamon

"Cinnamon"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)

This warm, friendly fellow is recently available after not hearing from a client I was saving him for. He's available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas until through January 2012. He's also included in my book and poster!

Violet

"Violet"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)

"Violet" is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas, through January 2012.

Louie

"Louie"   (pastel, 7x5 inches)

"Louie" is on page 97 of my book "Cows, etc. - 100 Miniature Portraits -" and the original painting will is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.
The book is still waiting for the second proof, but hopefully I'll have the poster in time for Friday!

Noble

"Noble"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)

How could I forget Noble? Noble is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas, through January 2012!

Jasper

"Jasper"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)

I like Jasper. He's got attitude!
He's also my last post for the current batch of bovines included in my new "Cow's etc." book (in progress!)
Jasper is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.

Butterscotch

"Butterscotch"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)

This little calf had the most unique coloring I think I've ever seen. Made me think of warm butterscotch swirled into white cake batter...(yep - been thinking of food lately!)
This one will also be available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.

Sam

"Sam"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)

I believe this is my first llama in this series - I don't know why that is; I love the look of llamas. I think this one may have been from the first good photo of a llama in sunlight. My other shots are mostly from indoor petting zoos... That's probably why.
"Sam" will be available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.

Whitecap

"Whitecap"  (pastel, 7x5 inches) 

Believe it or not, "Whitecap" is a name I reused from an older cow portrait that I 'rejected' as not up to my exacting standards. I like this Whitecap much better.
(The old Whitecap was a different cow with a white 'cap', on a different surface, and will never be seen or heard from again!)
Whitecap is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.

Shye

"Shye"   (pastel, 7x5 inches)   sold

I loved the gentle expression on this one, and the turn of her head suggests shyness...

Shaggy

"Shaggy"   (pastel, 7x5 inches)  sold

This huggable fellow can be found at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas for the next 10 days!

Vanilla

"Vanilla"  (pastel, 7x5 inches) 

Available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.

Ginger

"Ginger"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  sold

Yes, I've had a run on flavor-names with this last batch... guess I've been hungry lately!

"Coffee"

"Coffee"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)    click here to bid  

Not quite coffee colored? He is to me, who must have 2 packets of International coffee creamers in my cup each morning!
Available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.