MOCHIE-ROO blog archives

Have you ever noticed that little link on right hand sidebar that says MOCHIE-ROO blog archives? You may or may not know that before &chloe, I penned my blog posts under my MOCHIE-ROO blog ... my focus was on my pet watercolor portraits at the time and so I had a blog that was pet related. However, slowly my blog was morphing into more of a lifestyle blog and I was moving away from doing pet portraits, so I decided to move my blog. &chloe was born.

Well, I had the occasion to go through my MOCHIE-ROO blog archives, and I found some posts in there that I really liked. The formatting and style is haphazard and a little inconsistent, but the content is still relevant.

So, today I am sharing some of my favorite posts from the MOCHIE-ROO blog archives ... I hope you enjoy!

the first everyday palette post ... with a photo I took on the drive from Durango to Phoenix

Mocha as passenger in the Midget

all about the good and the bad of dog food

pet portraits: smooch | lucy + sweet pea | honey the horse | taco | farley

recipes: most delicious peanut butter balls | oatmeal quinoa bake

a links post featuring another Art Institute project as the image

studio space envy

Etsy favorites: pet edition

foxes

I could keep going, but I will stop it at that. Perhaps you will go back through on your own and take a closer look at the MOCHIE-ROO blog archives.

watercolor pet portraits

I had a kind of flurry of activity in the watercolor pet portrait department at the end of July ... all of the sudden I got several commissions. It always comes as nice change of pace from other projects I am working on. The time-intensive and required attention to minute detail really change the pace and flow of my work routine. Here are two of the portraits I painted in July...

another watercolor pet portrait

I painted this little old lady (16 years old!!!) yesterday. Her name is Audrey.

watercolor pet portrait

Finished this portrait of a sweet old pittie boy last week!

watercolor pet portrait: whimzee

I am taking a pause from the usual "rooms & spaces" (the usual Wednesday blog feature) to share a pet watercolor portrait I finished this past weekend.

the photo I worked from:

As you'll notice, I "took out" the hair in Whimzee's eyes so that we could see her sweet eyes. I also made the background more abstract (more colors, less detail) since there wasn't much of consequence in the background. Whimzee's portrait is an 8x10".

I am told Whimzee's (nickname Whimzee-roo) is a "Bearded Collie and Kangaroo Mix", loves any toy that squeaks, and loves any food that is edible. What a cutie!

watercolor pet portraits: redden & spunk

I finished up the last two pet portraits I had committed to painting prior to Christmas. November and December have been busy months for painting pet portraits because they make such a wonderful and unique gift. Unfortunately, I will not be taking on an more commissions for portraits before Christmas, but gift certificates are available if you want to give some one the gift of a pet portrait for the holiday. And, I will be back at it, business as usual, after Christmas.

On to the portraits...

Redden is a black and chocolate lab who had to be put down shortly before Thanksgiving. Trista commissioned his portrait as a Christmas gift for his Mom, Trista's mother-in-law.

Dark/black dogs often present a challenge because their fur does not always provide the best contrast in tones. It just so happens that was not in issue in this case because the photo that I worked from was taken on a sunny say and at an angle that provided a lot of variation in Redden's coat. The background of the photo was absolutely great, too. The flowers are beautiful and make for a great compliment to Redden's dark coat.

For the portrait, I "zoomed-in" on Redden a little to make the portrait more of his face and flowers, versus the photograph which had quite a bit of deck railing in it as well. Actually painting the background was a little daunting because there was so much detail involved. In fact, there was just a lot of detail in this portrait overall, which made it time-consuming and more painstaking.

I couldn't be happier with how this portrait turned out! I say this about almost every portrait, but this is certainly one of my favorites.

Spunk is also no longer with us and his portrait was commissioned by Orion as a Christmas gift for his Mom. Orion wanted to do the largest sized portrait possible, and I ended up doing an 8x10". An 8x10" is not the largest I can or have done, but based upon the photograph I was working from, I decided an 8x10" was best. A wise decision, an 8x10" allowed for a good amount of detail - any larger of a portrait and I feel I may have had to sacrifice some detail.

Despite how much I love painting, I am glad to have a short break during Christmas. Next week, I am looking forward to slowing down a little in general, from all projects, so that I can fully enjoy and appreciate the holiday with those I love. I will still be blogging everyday, though! :)

watercolor pet portrait: syd

Syd is a 10 year old Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix and her mom, Jill had this portrait done as a Christmas gift for Jill's husband/Syd's dad.

I am so pleased with how this portrait turned out, and I say that keeping in mind that Syd's multi-colored fur was challenging to paint - I had to take great concentration to capture that depth.

watercolor pet portrait: sasha

My friend Lisa commissioned a portrait of Sasha, her cousin Sara's dog. Sasha is a pit-mix, and thoroughly adorable.

 

 

For Sasha's portrait, I was working from the photo above right. Of course, the harness and leash were not anything special, so I did not include those in the portrait. Also, I felt the background was a little heavy on the bricks with the ground and wall being brick, so I kept the bricks on the ground and just did a high-pigment color wash on the rest.

I just love this black-nosed pit mix's little face - it is just too cute. Actually, Sasha's face reminds me of Sweet Pea's a little.

watercolor pet portrait: hilda

Meet Hilda, a Rottweiler Mix who was rescued from the Tulsa SPCA by David and his wife, Dana. Her favorite toy is a little stuffed animal named "Baby" and her favorite food is peanut butter. Hilda has really been Dana's comfort the past few years, helping Dana through some rough times - when her Dad died and when David and Dana's other dogs died within 2 months of each other. I am not surprised to hear that Hilda is such a loving sweetheart - looking at those gentle eyes makes that pretty obvious.


David had this portrait painted as a gift for Dana. I really hope she likes it. From the photo, I "zoomed in" so that the portrait would be mostly Hilda and less background. Hilda's eyes are absolutely adorably beautiful, so I really focused on capturing them. I am SO happy with how everything turned out.

watercolor pet portrait: a hen named roo

 I have never painted a hen before ... first time for everything!

Those feathers were fun, but challenging ... I had to use a lot of paint and a lot of layering to get the effect I wanted.

"This hen has a name - Roo and Roo belonged to Aubrey! She was one of Aubrey's first chickens, given to her in a batch by a local veterinarian. Jake, Aubrey's husband was never thrilled with the idea of chickens, but when this vet called Aubrey and asked if she was serious about wanting some chickens, Aubrey said "Yeah, Jake will kill me but that is the only way I'm going to get chickens". The vet then called up Jake and said he was bringing some chickens over, so Jake had better find somewhere to put them! 

Roo was one of these chickens, and she was named Roo because Aubrey thought she was a rooster when she was a chick. She grew up super tame and would run to Aubrey any time Aubrey came outside. Roo would stay by Aubrey's side while she worked in the yard. Roo was also good with kids and just let them pick her up. Aubrey had Roo for 2-3 years, but something (an animal) ultimately got her... a chicken eater of some sort who got into the pen one night. Anyhow, Aubrey has good memories of Roo who's portrait will match her kitchen decor perfectly."

 -story courtesy of JL Candelaria - Thanks, Jenny!

healthy halloween candy recipes & watercolor pet portrait: elly

We are heading to Phoenix for the weekend; heading off on the road this morning. I am not big on long hours in the car, but I really don't mind the drive to Phoenix. Plus, it provides a welcomed time for John and I to REALLY catch up, since things can be so busy.

For this Halloween weekend, I want to leave you with some *healthy* candy recipes from Elana's Pantry and a watercolor pet portrait I finished up this week.

{photo from Elana's Pantry}

Healthy candy recipes from Elana's Pantry:
Mounds Candy Bars
Peppermint Patties
Almond Joy Bars
Nut Butter Cups
Orange Coconut Clusters
Fudge Babies (fruit sweetened, no added sugars, agave or honey)

Like any pup whose fur is black, the color of Elly made her more of a challenge to paint. In addition, her peppery face was also a challenge. It takes a lot of paint and a lot of patience (for the layering of color).

Elly's portrait was commissioned by Carol, who is going to give it as a gift to her sister-in-law, Jill. Elly was Jill's first pup and it was very difficult when Elly passed on last year.

Sometimes, I ask for information about the pup in the portrait to write a blog post with, however, in this case, Jill provided Carol with such a raw and heartfelt description of her relationship with Elly that I do not want to edit it.

Elly saved me, gave me purpose, direction and meaning at her tender young age of 5 1/2 weeks old....having had a really bad day at work stopped by to get a hug from her and you sent her home with me....the Wednesday before Thanksgiving 1996 (I think)....what a wonderful Thanksgiving....I'm so thankful for her and the many chapters in my life she helped to write or to carry me through....that "special kind of Love"....Dad would go check on her for me play with her, feed her, and clean up after her until she was old enough to stay outside in her yard....the thousands of dollars I have spent on her could never begin to pay for her....however, I did pay $50.00 for her just so Tim could never hold it over my head that he gave her to me....he might have wanted her back after he saw what an awesome dog is was!  Little did I know how deeply and passionately I would fall in love with this little fuzzy black ball of fur;I named Eleanor Grace but called Elly, Elly-Nellie, Elly-Smelly, and My Elly-girl!

The first time I had to leave her at the vet overnight, I was so scared...she had Rocky Mountain Tick fever...it was October we were watching a football game together and she began to shake, pant and cry....I called the vet he told me to give her 2 aspirin I did she didn't really get better....the next morning I went to Sunday School and left after it to go back and check on her....she was really sick on my bed - limp..I called a friend who's dad was a vet and he met me at his office in Tulsa So I scooped her up carried her to the care and off to Tulsa....He gave her a shot of antibiotic and told me to get her to my regular vet in the morning.  I did, had to leave her there....I cried....went home got her blanket and stuffed toy...went back and held her....I went everyday morning and night until she was released...2-3 days....

Elly got me through Dad's illness and my Master's Program (at the same time)....I would sit at the bar doing homework and she would nudge me until I would get up and go outside and play soccer with her....can't even begin to count how many games of soccer we played together...most of the time she would win and sometimes she would let me win...nevertheless, we would go back in she would lay down and I'd finish my homework...then off to bed....And then there was the night she held me tight and I held her tight and I told her that Papa was going to die....we just cried together....she licked my tears....I just cried more.

Yes I carried her outside for the first 6 months of her life - every morning because I didn't want her to have an accident before she got outside until you told me she was old enough to hold it until she got outside…

And then the day she came running/hopping/limping down the hill crying like I have never heard before or since....I just knew something was bad wrong...she couldn't walk....off to the vet we went....I picked her up all 60+ pounds and put her in the car.....she had torn her MCL....surgery....I cried....I had to leave her there....it was a long night, surgery the next morning...she did great...and the next 3-4 months we slept together on a mattress in the living room......(Maggie, too) What fun we had....she loved me being on the floor with her.

She helped me raise nieces and nephews......she was so good at licking them in the face to wake them up when they had spent the night.....

She was a calendar girl....Aug 15th....can't remember the year....in her Longerberger basket....thanks Carol

Once a man stopped in front of my house and ask if he could buy her...said she'd make a great duck retrieving dog - just the right size....I told him he didn't have enough money to buy her....he left

Loyalty....Elly was so loyal...she always wanted to be by my side; her mere presence was so calming...she was my girl and I was her mom!  We went to puppy kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade...she passed with flying colors!  She was so smart, she could get whatever toy I asked for...she would help with the laundry...if I dropped something she would pick it up and follow me to the washer.  She would help with housework....if I had left a sock or some piece of clothes she would pick them up and bring them to me because she knew she would get a treat.....she would bring me the phone or TV remote.....she was my alarm system....she had fierce bark and I would just let her bark....they didn't know she was a lover, not a fighter!

So then there’s the chapter of mom's illness and death....she would just sit closely and nudge me (that presence)...like saying I'm here and I will carry you through.  When I would have mom at my house, Elly would either lay on the bed with Mom or in front of her on the floor while Mom was on the sofa.  It was like she knew Mom was weak and sick and needed extra attention/protection.

Elly's final days were most precious....I did everything I could possibly do for her (I loved her with all my heart)....and then one day she refused to take her medicine....she never really liked it to begin with but I could hide it in some cheese, hot dog, pill pocket, chicken nugget something and she would take it....even though it made her sick....but then there was that defining day...she said no more....I begged her to keep taking the medicine, but she wouldn't.....I didn't want her to die....I knew then it wouldn't be long...she couldn't hardly get up or walk...So I began to plan "the day".  I had bought a blanket just for her...pure white - just like her....pure.  I called Dr. Hartwig to make sure she could come to the house, I made arrangements at work to be off the rest of the week, I found just the right music to play - Alan Jackson Hymns. The day came.....we spent so much time together...she knew just how much I loved her....I was letting her go to heaven the ultimate gift and yet the hardest gift.....she promised me she would find Mom and Dad...and I'm sure they met her on Jordan's banks. The pain the emptiness in my home and heart was almost unbearable the next 2 days were a horrible....my heart was heavy even though I had Maggie and Gracie - yes Gracie my “saving grace” for she would get me through many more life chapters...but that's another story for another day...I worked outside for the next 2 days sweating and crying at the same time....pulling out scrubs, using the rototeller, and planting hydrangeas, - as this garden would be my tribute to my favorite girl....when I finally got her back home in her soft velvet bag....I was ok - well not really but a peace that passes all understanding came over me.  She (her remains) were home with me where she belonged.....there will never be another Elly-girl….but she does she live on in my heart forever …..There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think of her and our love for each other….

watercolor pet portrait: remy & mia

These portraits are a Christmas gift! Lindsey commissioned these portraits of her boyfriend's dogs as a Christmas gift. All the photos Lindsey sent me as possibilities were great since Lindsey's boyfriend is a photographer and he loves to snap photos of his dogs! However, we chose two that complemented each other well so that they could be framed together.

watercolor pet portrait: sam

Because Sam's portrait is an 11x14", I am unable to scan it on my scanner - so this photo I snapped of the portrait while it was still on my board will have to do.

Orion, Sam's dad, had discussed a portrait of Sam with me quite some time ago but nothing materialized from it. When I saw the photo of Sam on Facebook though, I commented and told Orion - "this photo needs to be a portrait". Orion agreed and here is the result!

the photo

watercolor pet portrait: barley

I love that smile!

All dogs should be this happy and smiley!

watercolor pet portrait: bailey's portrait framed

 

Look how awesome the portrait of Bailey looks framed!

watercolor pet portrait: bailey

Unfortunately, Bailey is no longer with us; she passed away a short time ago. Ash had Bailey's portrait painted as a gift to her Mom (also Bailey's Mom).

Ash says of Bailey, "She was our Diva. We called her little bear because of the way she would grab onto things. She loved the cold and snow as well as stealing loose socks. Squeaky toys were her favorite and she always played with them when we were trying to watch a movie or show, like 'look at me!' Bailey was the most cuddly dog and always put a smile on your face. She will be in our hearts forever."

From the photos that Ash sent me, I worked from a photo of Bailey on a colorful patterned rug looking up at the camera. This photo offered a great perspective of Bailey's sweet face and I loved the rug as the background. I knew the patterned rug would be painstaking and challenging - that is the nature of detailed patterns like rugs. A saving grace with the run was the little bit of variation in it; it is not a perfect, strict pattern like tile, bricks, etc. 

From the photo, I "zoomed in" on Bailey and made the 5x7" portrait be more Bailey and less background rug. I wanted to showcase the beautiful colors of the rug, but I wanted Bailey to take up the largest amount of the composition.

I love the way Bailey's portrait turned out. I feel like the curliness of Bailey's fur shows, and I love the way the color and pattern of the rug turned out.

Rest in peace, Sweet Bailey.