Did you know that in ancient Rome, the month, January is named after Janus the god of the doorway?  In fact, it was a tradition to symbolically close the door on old troubles and open another to new possibilities. 

Nice idea!

I thought this painting would be a great one to feature this month because of the story it tells.  It just fits in with the new year and the endless possibilities the new year offers to all of us.  

The world offers us endless possibilities. We just have to be ready to act without hesitation when the opportunities arise.  Because sometimes it is just a fleeting moment.  So now and then, we just need to take the chance, remove our shoes and get our feet wet.

I will be easy to find, just come into the Pendleton Warehouse Studios and take the elevator straight up to the top floor (8th).  STUDIO 804-B

Final Friday and Second Look Saturday

Not only will you be seeing my work but also 8 floors of Studios will be open to the public.  Studio walks are a lot of fun and held the Final Friday of each month from 6 pm to 10 pm. Studios of the Pendleton Art Center are open to the public, giving guests the opportunity to view creative art space, as well as purchase one-of-a-kind artwork directly from artists. Second Look Saturdays offer another opportunity to experience the Pendleton and its artists from 11 am to 3 pm.  Below is a link for information about the Pendelton Art Center/Cincinnati and directions.

http://pendletonartcenter.com/cinci_wh_f8.html#whf8804B1

In the works and on the easel  …

Work in Progress 16 x16 oil "Angel in the Night"

Making progress but still have a ways to go!

This painting was inspired by a night dive I did.  With only a flashlight in  hand to illuminate the darker water at 60′ an Angel Fish appears with all it’s beauty.

Help ... I need a Title for this 20x16 work in progress.

I really need help with the Title of this piece, so if something comes to mind please leave it in the comment section.  The painting is not complete yet but close enough for you to get a feel of it and an idea for a title.

Here was my subject on day 1

Plein Air painting is always tricky and full of surprises.  You never know who you are going to meet while painting, what they will say to you nor what challenges you will face other than the on going moving shadows and changing subject.  In this particular case, I didn’t have enough time to finish my painting.  So I thought I would finish it up the next week if it was sunny.  Boy, was I surprised when I came back.

Oh my gosh ... they drained the Lake!

 

When I returned to finish the painting, this is what I saw.  It was just too funny.  Who would of thought they would drain the lake?  So not only was I dealing with a moving subject as the shadows changed everything, I had to also imagine where the water line would be on the rocks and what the water reflections would look like.

 

Mmm … I think this one will be finished in the studio.  Every painting has a story … there is no question about that.  

   “Pretty Please …”  20×16 oil/canvas  by Dawn B. Dwyer

This painting was a lot of fun to do as I collaborated with my niece who was on a secret mission in PA to photograph this pup so that we could paint it together here in Ohio.  She wanted to do an oil painting for her father.  So as I did this painting, I was also helping her to do her own.  She did a similar painting of this same pose in a 12″ x 12″ and gave it as a gift to her father.  After she went home to PA, I continued to work on it until I was able to get the look I wanted.  Every dog owner knows this look. 

Inv#3006  Available for sale 

"Watching You" (Min Pin)

“Watching You”  12″ x 12″ oil painting   $527 unframed

One of our Miniature Pinschers, Lady Ally Von Zeus was so kind as to model for this painting.   

She was sitting on my husband’s lap and her eyes were following me as I moved through the room.  The sun was shining in through the window, onto the side of her head and also down through the skylight which created the glow on the side of her face.  Her eyes are so expressive and really communicate how she is feeling. 

I once had a stranger approach me when I was at a dog park.  She said, “Wow … when you look into your dogs eyes, you can see her soul through those eyes”.   I was quite moved by that comment as I didn’t know the woman and she really only approached me to get a better look into my dog’s eyes.  I always saw this but didn’t realize that other people would see that too when looking into her amazing eyes, so when I did this painting,  the eyes had to be the focal point.



Winner of "CAT Scan" Oil Painting Announced at Pig Roast!

Winner of Raffle for the “CAT Scan” Oil Painting was announced!  Dawn B. Dwyer, Derik’s Aunt and the artist of the painting presented the painting to Viv Hageman at the Pig Roast Benefit for Derik Saturday evening July 31, 2010.

Derik Congratulating Viv on Winning

 Derik congratulating Viv Hageman on winning the “CAT Scan” oil painting.  Oh but wait … there is much more to this story.

The Winner, Viv Hageman surprises Derik with the Painting!

 Viv, is such a thoughtful and giving person.  She told Dawn in advance that she wanted to give the painting to Derik.  She said, “Although the painting is beautiful it really belongs with Derik, it was painted for him and it is about him and even named by his father.”  So after a photo was taken with Viv, Derik and the artist, Dawn, Viv turned and said to Derik that she wanted him to have it.

Derik giving a big hug to Viv for her generous gift!

 Derik naturally said, “No, no … it’s yours Viv”  But after Viv insisted Derik gave Viv a big hug!

And a big kiss for Viv!

And a big kiss for Viv!  This is really a heart warming story that surrounds the painting “CAT Scan” and its ultimate journey to Derik.  So many people were a part of this incredible journey through their donations that were made prior to the raffle, the generous people who offered their time by collecting donations for the raffle and of course for Viv who maded this thoughtful gift back to Derik.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

September 30, 2010

Sadly on the morning of September 30, 2010 Derik lost his battle with Burkitt’s Lymphoma at the age of 23 years old. Derik did not like being alone in the hospital and seemed to always have a crowd around him when you visited him. When he passed, he was not alone. The room was filled with his mother and father, sister, aunts and uncles, cousins and very close friends.

His passing was a surprise to friends and family because with all the love, prayers and support we thought for sure he would be a survivor of this cancer. We were all comforted by the love and support that he received during his time of need.  On Thursday, October 7, 2010 there was a Celebration of Derik’s Life at the same location that we held the Pig Roast Benefit. Once again there was a large group of friends and family that gathered to share their stories of how Derik touched their lives and what knowing him has meant to them. It felt very good to hear what a special person Derik was and how many lives he touched during his short life. It was also said at the “Celebration of Derik’s Life” that although his life was short, his purpose was fulfilled in the 23 years he was here, as he lived his life to the fullest and with a great smile on his face. His smile and spirit made an impression on all of us.

We believe that Derik is in a better place now and his spirit will live on inside so many of us.

 

“CAT Scan” 18 x 18 Oil  Donated by Dawn B. Dwyer

The story behind the painting , “CAT Scan” …

In April, 2010 our 22 yr. old nephew, Derik, was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma.  It’s an aggressive but curable form of cancer.  Unfortunately Derik is no longer covered by his parent’s medical insurance and the doctors suspect that Derik will be unable to work for about a year.  So we are all trying to find ways to help him and his family with this tremendous financial burden.  After discussing with Derik, the idea of donating an oil painting to be raffled off, he mentioned that he would like it if I would do a painting of a Bengal Tiger.  For anyone that is a Cincinnati Bengals fan, this would make a lot of sense but I chose to paint the Bengal Tiger for more than one reason.  First it is a beautiful animal and the posture of the tiger shows so much focus, determination and strength which are all things that Derik will need to get through his fight with cancer.  I wanted the painting to also tell his story.  The journey will not necessarily be without obstacles but just as the tiger moves through the water with ease and strength so will Derik to get to the other side (the healthy side).  The title on the painting has a double meaning and was named by Derik’s father, Scott Dwyer.

The eyes of the tiger are painted in a way that as you walk from one side of the room to the other, the tiger’s eyes will follow you.   It’s a very interesting sensation to experience the eyes of a painting following you. 

This painting was donated to raise money for the Dwyer Cancer Relief Fund and the winner was announced at a Pig Roast Benefit that was held for Derik in July of 2010.  

“Chilling at Petrohue Falls” 16×20 oil painting by Dawn B. Dwyer

While on a cruise with my mother and cousin we discovered this spectacular sight.  This was our first port of call … Puerto Montt, Chile.  When we arrived at the port we got off the boat and immediately boarded a bus which transported us to this incredible place.   The sight was magnificent, it was a place called Petrohue Rapids.  It was so beautiful; I just wanted to jump in the water and swim.  As you can see the water was so pure, the color of a swimming pool and the sound of the rushing water just filled up your senses.  It just was such a beautiful sight.  I knew as I stood there that day I would paint this incredible sight hidden away in South America.

A portion of “Heinz’s Frog Pond” 6.5 x 20 Oil

by Dawn B. Dwyer

Heinz is a black dachshund that loves to run down to this pond everyday when he is in Vermont to try and catch the frogs.  On one of those visits down to the pond I took some photographs of him and his pond to reference later.  I knew this memory would go down on canvas.  The pond is situated away from the house.  When you walk down to the pond it feels very magical while offering solitude.  I tried to capture that mood in this painting.  The original painting is 16 x 20, this is a portion of the painting. Inv # 3009    SOLD