Portrait Marathon: Hubble has growing pains!

Heya all.  Sorry for the delay.  I had to fiddle some more with a recent project, run some errands, do some accounting and finish my taxes yesterday.

Here's where Hubble got to at some point yesterday afternoon.  I did get some more work done on the portrait, but I'm going to wait a little longer to show you where we're at now.  Those of you who've been reading my blog for awhile might remember me talking about how many paintings go through an ugly phase where I nearly despair, and threaten them with starting over from scratch.  Hubble is there, my friends.  :P

One of my errands was to get some more opaque white paint with which to highlight Hubbles wispy cotton top.  After a few tests, I am relieved to say that will work!  I wish I'd gotten another really fine brush while at the art store, as mine are getting pretty frayed.  Hm.

Bailey's portrait went in the mail yesterday.  I hope it gives her owners much happiness, and thanks again for helping me help The Grey Muzzle Organization!

I have to say, I've REALLY been enjoying my little blank books.  I've got them all over the house, one in my car, one in my purse ....  They give my random ideas someplace to stay until I need them (since leaving that up to my brain alone is a lost cause!), and dignify my shopping lists with a feeling of permanence (though, with a confident touch, the pages can be cleanly removed).  I can just see them all lined up on a shelf after many years.  I'm gone now, and my heirs (of whom there are none, unless my pets survive me) must decide what to keep, and what to recycle.  A row of small books appears, filled with the ephemera of my life, a wash of consumer color to fill in the outlines of my character.  My heirs consider their options, and have them installed in the Xan Blackburn Memorial Library, in a display case.

Heh.  Well, you know.  It could happen!