Puppy Whining Hits 500,000 Views!

On Thursday I noticed my video, "Puppy Whining," passed the 500,000 views mark! Over five years ago I uploaded the video to my YouTube channel, dotdude. This video remains the most popular one of the 123 videos I have uploaded to date.

 Here are two playlists that involve this puppy and her relatives. The first one features videos made around the same time as the "Puppy Whining" video. The second one shows the same puppy all all grown up and the mom of her own litter.

Poodles

Poodles Next Generation


23 sec

Artist of the Season 2011-2012

Last night I received the Artist of the Season Award at Jefferson Art Guild's Annual Installation Banquet. During the year there were Artist of the Month competitions at a break following each business meeting. Members voted on the art entries. Each participant received points for participating and more points for placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd. At the end of the year, the points were tallied up in order to declare a winner of the Artist of the Season. A Golden Brush, or rather a brush with a gold ribbon, was presented to me. This past, January I tied for Artist of the Month. All year long I participated in the monthly competitions.

Second Term

Before I was installed for my second term as the president of Jefferson Art Guild, I was presented with a plaque that included a gavel and the guild logo. The plaque also displayed the years 2011 - 2013. Guild members teased me that there was no backing out now. Anyway, I was installed along with the other officers. The installer used a grocery shopping theme designating me with a can of Hormel Beef Tamales. The banquet was held at Jaeger's Seafood Beergarden. We had a lot of fun dining there.

Experimental Acrylic Techniques Workshop 2

After all the positive word of mouth about my “experimental acrylic techniques” workshop, I organized a second one. Again, I encouraged the artists, who attended, to try different methods. Some even came up with their own ideas. Below is a photo of two pieces I worked on during the workshop. The left painting involved imprinting of a sponge and string followed by a teal coat on top. The right painting was created by two types of bubble wrap sitting on top of watery acrylic and a glazing of magenta and then cadmium red. The artists, who attended, had a lot of fun.

Third Place Under Glass

This morning I entered art into an art show competition sponsored by the Jefferson Art Guild. It was held at the Clearview Mall in Metairie. Participants designated three pieces to be part of the judging. Anyway, my colored pencil piece, "Fuse," was awarded third place in the Under Glass Category. The judge was Martin Wohlgemuth.

Artist of the Month Competition

Earlier tonight, at the West Bank Art Guild meeting, I placed second in the Artist of the Month competition for February 2012. My acrylic painting is titled "Ocho." Prior to each general meeting of the guild, there is an artist of the month competition. Fifteen minutes before the meeting starts members vote. Then during the break, which precedes the program, the winners are announced.

There are three place ribbons. All three works hang on a wall downstairs at the Westwego Art Center. In the photo below are the artists with their winning artworks. From left to right there are Joan LeBlanc (3rd Place), Me (2nd Place) and Jude Trafficano
(1st Place).

Featured in "Our Louisiana" Magazine

My color pencil drawing "Fuse" was published, with a brief write up about me, in the February 2012 issue of Our Louisiana. I am one of four color pencil artists profiled in the article. Below is a full photo of the drawing.

color pencil on paper, 20.25" x 27"

Tied for Artist of the Month

Tonight at the Jefferson Art Guild meeting, I tied with Jackie Budde for Artist of the Month for January 2012. My acrylic painting is titled "Siete." Hers is titled "Steps of Pisa." After each meeting of the guild, there is an artist of the month competition. During the break, which precedes the program, members vote on the works submitted. The winner is announced at the end of the break.