Monthly Archives: July 2015

Finding Hope, Finding Home

 

Finding Hope, Finding Home, Original Painting by Wendy Dudley, 24 x 18 $850

Finding Hope, Finding Home, Original Painting by Wendy Dudley, 24 x 18 $850

FINDING HOPE, FINDING HOME

Just like words, a painting tells a story. In Finding Hope, Finding Home, a young Border Terrier finds himself lost in ripening crop fields that rise above his wiry head. He races from home when frightened by gale winds, the gusts pushing him further and further away. For four days and nights, a crew of friends and family searches, never losing hope that somehow this little guy will survive the odds. On the third day an animal communicator seeks help from many guides, hoping positive forces will light the weary little dog’s path home. On the fourth day, at dawn, he finds his way back, scratching and pawing at windows to get in. Then, a door opens….
His is a story about never giving up, hanging onto hope, and believing that we are all connected, from the sky above to the trees and earth below. It is about Finding Hope and Finding Home.
This event was so inspiring, I was compelled to share the story through paint on canvas, reflecting the canary canola throughout the spectrum. After all, Yellow is the colour of Hope. And it seems only fitting that a percentage of its proceeds will be donated to the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS), an organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing abandoned and neglected animals. Ironically, its regular donors are called AARCS Angels.

This painting has been sold. 

MIS AMIGOS

MIS AMIGOS
While I can have an idea of where I want a painting to go, it often takes a different direction.   Such was the case with Mis Amigos. It began with three donkeys, and a woman carrying a bucket. But as it took form, I added another donkey, and then thought, “Hey, I have four donkeys of my own. I will paint them to represent my little herd, thus a mousey-grey, a pinto, a blue roan and a dark brown/black. And then the woman became my reflection. I never carry a bucket to bring them in; I usually show up in the field and they follow. And I always have a walking stick (gentle on the hips, at this age!). Occasionally, I may go out with my rope halter, so I portrayed myself as such. I thought I was done, but something was bothering me. Where was Miss Lucy, my red-headed misfit mule? I could not do a painting without her. It would haunt me. And so I gave her the rightful spot, off the trail and to the side, taking in the viewer. This is exactly what Lucy would do, always attentive to something or somebody new, and always blazing her own path.
And so, this painting evolved into a self portrait of sorts. This is exactly the order in which they march in, little Peso always at the back somewhere. And thus it was fitting that this painting be blessed with a simple title, Mis Amigos.

Mis Amigos. 24 x 18 ins. Original Acrylic. $900

Mis Amigos. 24 x 18 ins. Original Acrylic. $900