It was sort of inevitable. I move back to within an hour from Lucketts and I get sucked back in. (And I mean that in the best possible way.) If you were reading this blog before I moved to Minnesota, you’ll remember the days when I was a full-time vendor at the Old Lucketts Store in Lucketts, VA, and when I sold at the Spring Market each year. Lucketts has always been a very special part of my story since I used to shop there over 25 years ago when I discovered a love for antiques. My first antique market over 15 years ago was at Lucketts. My business grew so much when designers and vendors from Lucketts bought my pieces, took me under their wings, mentored me, and invited me into their wonderful world. It was a hard place and community to leave when I moved over 1,000 miles away and it felt like a homecoming when I was able to attend the Lucketts Fall Market a couple of years ago. I’ve reconnected with the old crew but I’ve also met vendors who started selling after I moved away.
One of those vendors is Jodie and Tim of The Past Restored. We first connected on Instagram and then I visited their booth and said hello each time I went to the Spring and Fall Markets. Their space is always so amazing and I know they put a lot of time and hard work into finding show-stopping pieces and giving them new life when needed.
I always admire their aesthetic and displays and have bought a few things from them over the years including an antique boot scraper embedded in a chunk of marble and a brass book weight.
Jodie reached out to me just over a week ago and pitched a last-minute idea. They had a loose dog theme coming together in their finds this year and asked if I would be interested in painting a few original dog portraits for them to sell from their space. Oil paintings are not quickly done. Not only does it take time to plan them out, matching the reference photo to the correctly-sized panel and frame, but it takes several days for a painting to dry and then they need time to be varnished and framed. It was going to be very tight and I needed to make a fast decision.
Suzanne, the owner and force behind Lucketts, and I have had conversations about how I could be a part of the Lucketts Markets again. She knows I have a lot of irons in the fire and I’m not really looking to get back into refinishing and upholstering furniture full-time, but there are ways I can get involved when I’m ready. It’s an open invitation and there are lots of possibilities. This spur-of-the-moment invite seemed like a nice way to put my toe back in the water and be involved in a small way. I can see how my original oil paintings sell in an antique market setting and if it’s worth pursuing with more intention.
So, I put myself on a strict painting schedule and got four dog portraits finished. They are still drying and need to be varnished and mounted in their frames (they are just taped for now), but they will be ready for the Market.
The first painting is of Louis the French bulldog. He’s a dog I met on the beach at Isle of Palms this spring and was determined not to put his ball down for a photo no matter how much his owner was trying to convince him.
I feel like the ball in his mouth perfectly captures his obstinance.
He was really fun to paint.
I found a wonderful set of antique frames not too long ago, so I used them for two dog portraits. They will be priced and sold separately, but they also look nice together as a pair if someone wants them both. The dog on the right should look familiar. That’s Sebastian as a pup before we had him groomed. The dog on the left is Stá’ao, a hunting dog reference photo shared with me by a photographer on Instagram.
I thought they made a nice pair or were strong on their own.
I wasn’t sure if the bright light on Sebastian’s head would work, but I feel like it came together. It feels all wrong putting white so prominently on a black dog!
The last portrait is of a pointer reference photo sent to me by a blog reader. I made up the background, but stayed true to the pose and coloring of the dog. I selected an old mirror frame for him and I think they suit each other. Both very handsome.
It was a challenge to paint the face so small! I usually don’t like working with tiny brushes. I tried to just put in what was needed to show his face and not get too bogged down in itty-bitty details.
All of the colors and blacks will be richer once the paintings are varnished, which will happen later this week or over the weekend. Let me know if you’re interested in sizes or prices so you can measure and plan ahead of time.
The paintings will be for sale in The Past Restored space in the Arts & Crafts building at the Lucketts Fall Market October 11-13, 2024, in Berryville, VA. You can buy tickets and get more information HERE.
27 Responses
These are wonderful paintings Marian and the frames are a fabulous finishing touch. I’m sure they will sell very quickly on day one of the Fall event. I wonder if you paint dog portraits on commission?
Your talent has no bounds. Very well done, Marian.
Beautiful work! Whoever purchases them will enjoy your work for years to come.
Do you plan on painting cats or kittens?
Beautiful portraits, they look like they could each jump out of the frame! 3 lucky owners for these portraits!
I shouldn’t even venture to comment since I cannot, as unartistic people say, “draw a stick figure,” but these seem to me to be your best work. They are lovely.
Gosh Marian, these paintings are beautiful. It’s been amazing watching your talent grow year over year. I remember you starting out doing a 100 day challenge on old index cards. Your commitment to continually build upon your talent is so inspirational. Thank you for sharing!!
Anne has said exactly what I want to say. You commitment to practicing and learning about artists and technique is inspirational. Thank you for your blog posts sharing your varied interests!
You have so much talent. Keep up your wonderful work
Wow, these dogs are beautiful! Love the frames you paired them with!
I’ve told you before but it bares repeating. You capture dog eyes better than anyone. Beautiful!
Dogs are your thing!!! I really enjoy all your paintings but dogs are your best work. You really capture the look and feel of the animal. These all look like they were painted by the masters of yesteryear.
Good work!!!
I hope they are there to see on Friday morning ! I will make a beeline there first!
Beautiful paintings. You are so gifted.
OMG – what a talent! Thanks for sharing.
Your paintings are beautiful!
Your paintings and their frames are just perfect, and I have no doubt they will be snapped up in minute!
Yes – you definitely need to be painting as often as is possible!
I love Louis the Frenchie and recognized Sebastian right away! I probably won’t be able to make the Lucketts Fall Market this year as I have some other commitments. I did make the Spring market and for some reason was a little disappointed as I felt it was fewer vendors than usual but maybe it was just my imagination. Either way, I am sure it will be a great market!
Just beautiful portraits. They are extra rich in those old frames!
Lovely,
hope you took photos before you varnish, so you can print cards to sell also
Those are gorgeous. My favorite is the pointer dog and his frame. I’m not really a dog person at all, but that one is SO pretty I wouldn’t hesitate to hand it in my house. Sebastian is my second favorite, and I really loved the bright light on his head, I don’t know you just pulled it off so well.
Are you having these done as prints at all? I’m imagining these offered as a great note card set 🙂
Each one so lovely! May I ask, what varnish do you use after a short drying time? I love the look of a varnished painting, but the “working” spray varnish I have found is not my favorite. I much prefer a glossier varnish, but the ones I have found all say to allow at least 2 months drying time-!
I use Gamvar Gloss, which can be applied when an oil painting is dry to the touch.
Your pet portraits are incredible! I love how you capture expressions and highlights on their fur.
Was there a particular oil painting book, workshop or resource you’d recommend for someone wanting to get started in painting pet portraits in oils? Thanks
The best teacher for pet portraits is Jen Gennari. You can find her at @jenart on Instagram. She has a weekly workshop subscription for $225/month or you can purchase just one class to learn her method, palette, approach, etc. Her classes are available on Drawing America and they are excellent. As far as books, I prefer looking at pets in old paintings, so I reference the books Dog Painting, A Breed Apart, and Dog Painting – The European Breeds.
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond — I’m excited to look into those workshops.
Please keep up the amazing work…your paintings are lovely and I always look forward to seeing what you create. 😊