Dee Dee Murry Art Studio

2008-07-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

I just finished "Shadow Play", an 18 x 24 acrylic painting of an Andalusian stallion. I have been wanting to experiment with some dramatic lighting like this.

Horses in Art Magazine

2008-07-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

I was very honored (and surprised!) to win a competition with "Horses in Art Magazine" for the cover of their summer 2008 issue with my painting of a Friesian stallion on the beach titled "Splash Dance". They also gave me a full one page ad as well as an article. They did a beautiful job.

Dan Smith Workshop

2008-06-30T11:08:00.000-07:00

I just returned from an incredible workshop at a ski lodge in the mountains near Penticton BC with Dan Smith and his son Adam. I had hoped for many many years to take a workshop from Dan but never had the opportunity. I was not disappointed, I learned so much and soaked in tons of inspiration from his original paintings there not to mention Adams that is one TALENTED kid! The group was limited to 35 students and everyone was wonderful, it was a very inspiring and informative week. I started a painting of a bighorn sheep while I was there and will be posting it when I get it done. I am really enjoying painting it in the new methods I learned. Dan rarely does workshops but if you ever get a chance to go to one, I'd highly recommend it. We got an extra bonus one evening with a visit from Terry Isaac, he lives there in Penticton and is old friends with Dan so he came over and helped on student critique night. Awesome.

The workshop was run by Denise Soule and her husband Jamie with "Wild Streak" who puts on great workshops and reference gathering trips for artists.

Miniature Raccoon

2008-04-27T23:28:00.000-07:00

Just finished this little raccoon. He is 4" x 6" acrylic on hot press watercolor paper. I plan to enter him in the Parklane Gallery miniatures show that I just heard about 3 days ago. Which means I have been working like crazy on this to get it done in time. I am delivering it tomorrow but just read about the framing and I have the wrong kind of frame. So here's hopin' some framer in the area tomorrow will take pity on me and help me get it framed right! :)

Terry Isaac Workshop

2008-04-20T20:48:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a 3 day workshop with one of my all time favorite artists, Terry Isaac. It was awesome! I learned a ton and we worked on an eagle in class. Here is as far as I got with mine, I have more to do with the feathers and to put a background in yet. If you ever get the chance to take a workshop from Terry, I highly recommend it, he is an great teacher, an incredible artist and a really nice guy!

Great Gray Owl Finished

2008-02-21T21:41:00.000-08:00

I have just finished the Great Gray Owl, which I titled "Great Gray Hunter". (spoof off of "Great White Hunter".) It was a lot of long tedious hours to get all those feathers and grass blades but also a lot of fun to do my first owl. As usual I am both relieved to have it done and also going to miss working on it!

Great Gray Owl WIP 3

2008-02-15T14:53:00.000-08:00

Another update. Lots of feathers! I still have a lot to do on everything below his neck.

Great Gray Owl WIP 2

2008-02-11T14:12:00.001-08:00

Here is an update on the owl. Mapping in all those feathers took ages but now back to the fun part of painting in details. This photo is showing it more red than it actually is.

Great Gray Owl 1

2008-02-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

I have been working on this Great Gray Owl. It is acrylic, 18 x 24 on Gessobord. Still a lot of work to do on the face, and once the owl is done there will be a lot more grass all around him. I have been wanting to paint an owl for a long time, and finally have the chance. Great Grays have such interesting dinner plate faces!

Koda finished

2007-12-07T03:05:00.001-08:00

I think I am finished with Koda's portrait. I'm going to sleep on it tonight and get a fresh look in the morning before signing it.

Another Koda update

2007-11-30T00:17:00.000-08:00

I am really enjoying painting Koda, she is such a beautiful dog! Almost done with her head now, then I can start the rest of her which won't take quite as much time a I won't have to work around eyes and nose and such.

Koda Update

2007-11-19T21:42:00.001-08:00

It doesn't look like much progress but there are a few more hours into this now.

Koda Portrait progress

2007-10-30T00:35:00.000-07:00

A few more hours into Koda's portrait.

Koda, Australian Shepherd

2007-10-30T00:32:00.001-07:00

I have started a commission of a beautiful red tri Australian Shepherd. The painting of the blue merle, Buster, is Koda's "brother". I am really enjoying painting Koda so far.

Bruin for Trouble at the Art Show

2007-09-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

I entered Bruin for Trouble (see in earlier post below) in my first juried mini show where it won first over 206 entries. It also sold. Red arrow is pointing to the painting. I think I'm going to like painting miniatures! :)

I also entered and was accepted into the show (148 were juried in out of an entry of 218) with my original of "It's a Big New World Out There" (see www.deedeemurry.com/dogs.htm). It also sold. This mixed media painting of a dachshund pup is about 13 x 17 and is available as prints.

An aside note, this was the first time in 18 yrs (I believe) of entering the Federal that I didn't get my entry done in time. I was happy with the ducks but struggled with the background as I did not have any reference for that and was trying to conjure it soley out of my head. It was looking good but then took a turn south when I tried airbrushing a new color of green over it. And not enough time then to fix it and finish.

I'll be starting earlier next year!

Mallards Update

2007-08-06T01:18:00.000-07:00

I am working on the drake now, he still has a long way to go but getting there. The hens reflection looks a little out of place yet, it should all fit together better once I get some details into the water.

Bruin for Trouble, finished

2007-08-06T01:08:00.000-07:00

I ran out of time on this as it has to be framed tonight (or should I say...this morning, it is 1:15 am). I would have liked a few more days to finish it but this will have to do!

Your eyes aren't playing tricks on you...there is a puzzle design overlaid on the image. I have had my art work stolen several times and being sold on eBay and Cafe Press, copyrights are too easy to remove, so I am experimenting with this puzzle design.

Bear and Crow progress

2007-07-31T00:29:00.000-07:00

I am working on this one at the end of the day when I am burnt out from painting on the ducks. So it's coming along slowly but getting there.

Acrylic Mallard Duck Painting

2007-07-25T23:57:00.000-07:00

I am doing my famous "wait unti the last minute to start the duck" trick. It has finally hit me this is due in a couple of weeks and I need to get cracking. So I've put the bear aside to work on this. It is acrylic on gessobord, 7" x 10".

The mallard hen is about 85% complete. I will tweak and adjust her after I get things painted in around her and can compare values, etc.

And yes, awl theze phethers r hawrd on mi eyes...

Bear and Crow

2007-07-21T23:56:00.000-07:00

A little further along now. I've added some washes to the bear and started working up some detail all around a bit. Still a long way to go though.

Bear and Crow acrylic painting in miniature

2007-07-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

I was taking photos of this snoozing grizzly when a crow landed on the rock next to him. The bear woke up and stared at the crow as if he wasn't quite sure what to do about it. The crow ignored the bear...maybe he thought he was part of the rock.

What happened next was somewhat exciting. But I will leave it to your imagination to finish the rest of the story. :)

I am painting this one in miniature, 4" x 6". Acrylic on hot press WC paper.