A Fine Day: Drawing

A Fine Day - Sketch (Scotland)  ©2013 Katherine Kean
graphite on paper approx 8 x 8 inches

"It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover to your surprise that you have rendered something in its true character."

Camille Pisarro

What Can Be - Marsh Labyrinth 3 in progress

Marsh Labyrinth 3 (work in progress) ©2013 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 10 x 10 inches

“Show not what has been done, but what can be. How beautiful the world would be if there were a procedure for moving through labyrinths.”

Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose

Bear is feeling better, perhaps temporarily and perhaps because he's not doing any chemotherapy, at least for the time being. The procedures have put his lymphoma into remission, yet the last two rounds have been too much for him - either because of his age or maybe he's just a sensitive dog. The idea of chemotherapy for dogs is to make them feel better with any side effects expected to be minimal or non existent. I have certainly met dogs who have sailed through chemotherapy, but unfortunately Bear is not one of them.

Another aspect to his current well being is the improvement in his spine. He only has another two to four weeks of crate rest left and the activity restriction has served him well. He's off pain killers and not hurting and his energy levels are starting to rise. I've been gradually extending his restricted area from crate, to crate plus pen, to crate plus pen, plus office, to crate plus pen plus office plus hallway. Hopefully by the end of the rest period I'll have figured out how he can enjoy most of the house without having access to the hazards of furniture he can jump on, while also providing traction over these slippery hardwood floors.

In the Making: Marsh Labyrinth 2

Marsh Labyrinth 2 (work in progress) ©2013 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 10 x 10 inches

“Is it a world in the making 

that turns as it whistles to the depths of my being 

It is burning 

Suppose it were to appear 

A bleeding rosary at the window 

a sun setting on the marshlands" 

 Paul Dermée, Silver Clasp, The Cubist Poets in Paris: An Anthology

Angeles Forest Storm, Squeezing in Painting Time

Angeles Forest Storm (work in progress) ©2013 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 6 x 6 inches

Dear, sweet, Bear has been sick. He has back problems and is on 6-8 weeks of strict crate rest. He also has Lymphoma and between taking care of one and the other it has been difficult to find studio time. I’m grateful to not have any too pressing commitments while we make the necessary adjustments. All we really have to do for the time being is rest and be still - not run around or jump up on the furniture, stick with the medication schedule, and show up at the vet’s for blood work, chemo, and abundant treats, once a week. Oh, and try and take videos of Bear stretching, or breathing, or whatever, so the vet can see (or not) the symptoms that I see.

Bear, as usual, is very co-operative with everything. He’s not in any pain, but is a little tired some days. Overall he’s feeling better than he was just a month ago when we didn’t even know he was sick. He loves being the center of attention and is learning to relax about visiting the vet’s office.

This week he felt comfortable enough to be left alone upstairs with his DVD for Dogs while I got a little painting done, above. You can see that it's still very wet and shiny.