Frame Making, dog commission (again!), and strange harbour

I don't know why I do this, but once in awhile I get 4 or 5 paintings going at a time...there's really no rhyme or reason to it.....I have an exhibit coming up for 3 of my larger paintings...and as is the case for me always, I didn't plan ahead and I need a rather large frame for one of them....the frame would cost more than the painting would ever fetch, so I decided to make my own slat frame....If you've never done it before, stay tuned I will post pics and instructions.....it is easy, inexpensive, and actually looks quite professional....

I am starting my third doggie commission, and the picture is just a small sketch to get approved by the owner, I didn't want to fuss too much with the eyes since I'll be doing this much larger.....I just want to make sure the background and composition meets her approval! I'm posting the orignal pic I was given and you will understand why it is very important to take the reference photo yourself, or at least pre-approve it!!!


In the midst of the frame making and doggie painting, I decided to do a knife painting for the fun of it. I liked this harbour scene, but I had significant probs with the lighting of the sky I probably should have just used a brush.....