Ruffdog Art

2012-02-01T04:59:00.000-08:00

And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.
William Shakespeare

2012-01-31T07:13:00.000-08:00

A motorcycle functions entirely in accordance with the laws of reason, and a study of the art of motorcycle maintenance is really a miniature study of the art of rationality itself. ~Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Mama Bs sporty

2012-01-30T04:43:00.000-08:00

Every human being is intended to have a character of his own; to be what no others are, and to do what no other can do.
William Henry Channing

The New forest

2012-01-23T07:33:00.000-08:00

The blissful sight, sounds & smells of nature

A poem

2012-01-17T05:36:00.000-08:00

Shops...

Rush on,like treesmoving multi coloured loud swish sway crush ,

claustrophobicpanic ,light, gaps, choose, look out ,

shouts glances,barking wet filth spray ,

trees forestshuman legs, jeans, dresses, shoes dogs baskets trolleys

shops.....

Dont let gravity get you down!

2011-11-14T05:53:00.000-08:00

RUFFDOG ART

‎"The greater danger for most of us is not
that our aim is too high and we miss it,
but that it is too low and we reach it."
- Michelangelo

After the GoldRush

2010-11-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

On the Easel

2010-08-14T03:38:00.000-07:00

still on the Easel....... Oil painting of corfe castle Dorset the Isle of purbeck.

Dating back a 1000 yrs with legends of ghostly Roman Legions, the execution of King Edward the Martyr, home to Ethelred, and the inspiration for Enid Blytons Kirren castle.

I Cast my Dreams Beyond the Dorset Surf

2010-08-08T07:08:00.000-07:00


I cast my Dreams beyond the Dorset Surf ...80x60 Acrylic on Board The sea has always offered up tantalizing dreams of what might lie beyond the horizon, in this case france !!!..but that is not really what i mean, when i look out to sea, stare at the distant blue horizon, lose myself in the beauty and majesty of our wonderful world, i connect with my own hopes and dreams, my own horizons are given clarity and life is given perspective the power of nature defines us grounds us and allows infinite possibilities to fill our being , just let the elemants wash over you and enjoy the still place that losing yourself in natures wonderous glory allows, fly free and Dream the dreams of wonder

2010-07-27T03:14:00.000-07:00

Fishermen of Laos at Sunset

Just finished Painting this it is in oils on Box canvas, i have done it for a friend who is teaching out in Thailand & Cambodia,he took this amazing photo, actually he takes so many incredible photos i was spoilt for choice and will be painting some more i am sure,i was really hoping to capture some of the light and atmosphere that was in the original photo i just so wanted to be there.. i really hope you like it and would welcome all comments ..it is a very nervous time showing your latest work to people. I sit and await with nervous and baited anticipation for your reaction dear followers & friends... Much Love And Respect Shep x

a feeling of guilt

2010-07-17T06:07:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone i feel a bit quilty here, just had a week off with my wife, we went to the British grand Prix last weekend and made a weeks holiday out of it spent some much needed catching up time together, but of course this has meant no painting, no writing, no Tweeting and now i return i have this strange feeling of guilt, like ive been ignoring you all, is it just meor has anyone else felt a bit like this , you see you are all very important to me, you have been good enough to join my page, support my work, keep me company and make me laugh on twitter and there am i galavanting around the countryside with out so much as a second thought, i am beginning to understand the point of mobile phones now, with all the social networking apps you can use on them these days, .. but i can never remember to charge the mine, so it just stays in a draw somewhere, i think i will put this right !!get it charged and next time i go away you can all come with me .. if your not to busy ..thankyou for sitting here patiently hope you havent been to uncomfortable and have kept each other company..its nice to be home luv n respect Shepxx

Poole harbour From East Holton

2010-07-06T07:36:00.001-07:00

Poole harbour From East Holton
Originally uploaded by RuffdogArt
inspired by a photo taken by Sarah King ..thank you

A Difficult Couple of weeks

2010-07-06T03:13:00.000-07:00

When i was told that the damage to my back and the nerves was permanent and that i wouldn't regain the use of my leg i took it on the chin and thought right lets get on, there is nothing that they can do so its damage limitation time!! i took the offer of an OP to stop any further loss of mobility after being told that there was a chance of being totally paralysed from the waist down .. who wouldn't ?? then it was down to dealing with the day to day reality of pain management, DLA claims, uurrgh what a nightmare!! mobility, adapting a car so i could drive, the list of things is endless and there isn't anyone to tell you whats available, trying to get help or advise is like getting blood from a stone unbelievably difficult, but you slowly find things out, some one tells you of a wheel chair scheme or constant pestering gets you an OT, in fact it is such a busy time that stopping to think about what has happened and truly facing and understanding the dramatic change in life kind of gets pushed a side .. but it is there you have to face what has occurred eventually and bang it hits out of the blue ..well at least this is what happened to me the other week, it was like all of the emotion that i didn't have at the beginning was stored up waiting like a predator in the back ground & boy did it pounce i felt l all the energy, life, spark just drain away there was nothing just an empty hollow black feeling i couldn't see the point of getting up, of eating of doing anything i certainly had no artistic inclinations whatsoever, it didn't just go away either, each day was the same and as the days were going on i was sinking further, but you know there is no one who you can talk to, no help or therapy has been offered, so it is your nearest n dearest who have to try and cope and support you, now I'm not one for giving in and i knew i would come through and sure enough after a week or two, i felt a tiny spark in side, that was all i needed to get going again and could start to paint and get up in the morning and see the positive side of life , but it has made me aware that there are things that need addressing and i need to get some help to talk over how to cope not just physically but mentally and emotionally with becoming disabled .i write this because i want to let you know that i am still here and why i haven't posted anything just lately , i am painting again and will have something new to post up very soon, also i want to thank all of you who support me here, on facebook and twitter your support is invaluable, although you may not have known it you have given me so much through your comments or just by following, thank you from the bottom of my heart love n respect as all ways shep xx

On Days like these

2010-06-26T06:46:00.001-07:00

On Days like these
Originally uploaded by RuffdogArt
Just daydreaming staring out to sea on a beautiful sunny day, wondering which boat I'm going to buy come the day i win the lottery ..which i don't actually do by the way..is my idea of a perfect moment. I grew up in North Cornwall and the wonderful coastline there is magnificent but the sea is rough and as such you didn't get the same amount of activity on the water as you do here, it reminds me of the med along this stretch of wonderful coastline, relatively calm sea enticing all manor of waterborne craft.When the sun is shining and the sea is blue i cant help thinking that on days like these, who needs a lottery win.

Beautiful Planet subtitle Our Green and Pleasan Land

2010-06-24T07:20:00.001-07:00

Beautiful Planet subtitle Our Green and Pleasant land...Taken from Picasso Child with Dove
Originally uploaded by RuffdogArt
Its a lovely world we live in, but for how long, i was thinking of the song by Cat stevens, Where do the children play , now i know it is not a painting that any one is going to fall in love with, but i needed to express the way i feel about our blatent disregard for our wonderful little planet and the legacy we are leaving for our children and grandchildren.

Framed

2010-06-22T04:08:00.001-07:00

Framed
Originally uploaded by RuffdogArt

Well i am feeling pretty chuffed, just got back from the Framers in Tuckton and i think they have done a great job,it is so nice to see it looking all grown up and on a wall, i really hope you all like it , please let me know what you think ... might regret saying that i know but i'm just so excited .. i just hope it is good enough to raise a couple of quid for the charity. But for now i am going to enjoy the moment luv n respect as always Shep xx

Sitting off Lulworth

2010-06-18T04:25:00.001-07:00

Sitting off Lulworth
Originally uploaded by RuffdogArt
The painting for Sailability is in the framers, very excited about seeing it framed and all grown up, if it is OK then this painting will be the next one in line. I may finally have a venue for the sale, auction idea for charity however it is all dependent on getting other artists involved plus some local newspaper to cover it, so lots to do, not easy when i cant get out as much as would like, however have just been offered something towards a lighter wheelchair so that will improve my independence, hopefully. At the risk of sounding like a broken record ..if any Local Artists would like to help with the idea of an auction for the charity Sailability i would love to hear from you , enjoy the sunshine, luv n respect Shep x

Something about Boats

2010-06-14T02:59:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by RuffdogArt

There is something about boats, from the huge shiny sunseekers to a little canoe i love them . when you see the small boats on the shore belonging to local fisherman there is something even more magical there is history, a story, hardship, passion and belonging, the feel of community and survival .. i'm sure this is waffle to any hardy soul that takes to sea in a little fishing boat.Anyway, here is a little painting to the fisherman of Dorset , i salute you .

Sailability Painting

2010-06-12T08:28:00.001-07:00

P6100453
Originally uploaded by RuffdogArt
At this point i am truly going to stop fiddling, i use the wifeometer method off knowing when to stop, as soon as my wife says oh i like that i think ok maybe ive got there ...its an old tried and tested method , the photo is a bit clearer as well still need to name it though any suggestions??? I look forward to more comments please feel free to post them, it isnt the public library no need to be quite x

Sheps Dream

2010-06-10T01:46:00.000-07:00

looking at my little painting I'm beginning to think that it may not be enough on its own to raise money and awareness for NFDS .. so i wonder if any other Artists would like to help out , maybe if there were a few of us we could hold a mini exhibition somewhere of course i am not expecting everyone to give away their hard work but maybe contribute a percentage of any sales to the charity if we could get some sort of representative from the charity involved it might as i said help at least to raise awareness ... just a thought would love to hear what you have to say .. Honestly I'm not sure how to do all this but you have to have a dream, this is mine xx

Sailability

2010-06-07T03:51:00.000-07:00

Here it is the painting for the Charity, Sailability as yet unframed .
I really wanted to get a sense of movement and edginess into the painting and as such i have gone with a slightly impressionistic style and left a certain rawness by not trying to fiddle too much, i will of course have to live with it for a day or two and then decide if i want to make any adjustments but on the whole this is pretty much it , next is choosing the frame and of course naming it. I have yet to work out how best to sell it to raise money for the sailing club , i know they are planning to build better access for wheelchairs so need every penny they can get ....i do hope you like it ..Love and Respect as always Shep x

2010-06-04T01:11:00.000-07:00

Had the most wonderful day yesterday, out and about in this stunning county of Dorset, as an Artist the landscape you inhabit can have a prefound effect on your work, i went to college in the industrial midlands and my work at the time reflected that very much, but my mouth literally waters with the prospect of creating a painting from the many inspirational views landscapes seascapes that i live among now, thank god for digital cameras i would never afford the old films with the way i take photos now , every time i turn my head i see something new i want to capture on film, my ever patient wife waiting along side .".sorry dear just need to take a quick photo of this"

The process of inspiration

2010-06-01T04:30:00.000-07:00

It seems that my computer doesn't like to work too hard and uploading pictures is just a step too far for it ??? , kind of defeats the point of this page methinks, however i have some pictures on flickr and have displayed them in the Gallery section ,. as i talked about in the post before, i am still into the idea of this painting for the charity, and going through the process of finding the right subject matter, this isn't always a quick thing as it is not easy for me to get out. I would like it to be based around the sea? water maybe a boat, yacht but i need some photographs to work from!! if i cant take them myself ..which i have to say is my preferred way of working, I'm hoping some kind soul will have a picture that they will let me work from, any offers of pictures gratefully received and if used will be credited, but sorry no payment ..this is for charity .. have fun where ever you may be... love and respect Shepbh6

Painting for Charity

2010-05-28T01:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.newforestsailability.co.uk/

In November 2008 i had an accident that has left me with a slight disability, i have to use a wheelchair to get about, although i can stand and walk a bit with a stick, it is very difficult and painful, trying to come to terms with this wasn't easy,although i appreciate there are people far worse off than me, i live in a wonderful place in Dorset and am fortunate to be by my beloved sea. I discovered a wonderful sailing club for disabled people, not far from me in the New Forest, it is run by Volunteers, they charge a very minimal joining fee that covers membership insurance etc but on the whole have to rely on donations they have specialist equipment and boats that even allow someone to sail who is completely paralysed, the pleasure and confidence this gives to disabled people like myself is beyond words, So i want to help in some small way and give something back, i have been thinking maybe i could do a painting and sell it with all the proceeds going to this fantastic charity, i know that i may not get very much for my Art but everything helps,i am going to start the painting plus try to think about and get advice on the best way to go about this, luv n respect Shep xx ooh yes there is a link at top of the page here if you want to check out their web site.

2010-05-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

No2 bournemouth set .. Beachbrolly

new beginings

2010-05-27T01:42:00.000-07:00

Well this is a new one for me anyway, blogger Shep ooo, i am posting some images of my Art work on here first as havent time at the moment to write for long, so please be patient .x