My book for January is The Call of the Wild by Jack London. This book was first published in 1903 and came into my possession, via a sale at our local health centre, as I wanted to alter it to make a photo album of our two German Shepherd bitches Heidi and Lottie whom we bought as 13 week old pups in October 2011.
I loved this story. It is about a dog called Buck who is stolen from his comfortable southern home and sent north to Canada/Alaska, during the gold rush, to work as a sledge dog. Jack London truly understood the hierarchical structure of a canine pack and how they fitted in to the different environments in which they found themselves. I could relate my dogs' behaviour to the descriptions he gave in his narrative and it has helped me to appreciate the complexity of their interaction with humans. I chose this story for my first read as it is really only a long short story but I found myself page turning to find out what was going to happen next. If you like nature, the outdoors and dogs then this is a story for you.
"Here a yellow stream flows from rotted moose-hide sacks and sinks into the ground, with long grasses growing through it and vegetable mould over running it and hiding its yellow from the sun."
My painting, in acrylics, is of the gold panners' river. I have used gold leaf in between the boulders. Apologies for the large crease in the mixed media paper I used. It wasn't there when I started but appeared later when I had applied the paint. Does anyone know why this should happen?
Thank you for stopping by and do feel free to leave a comment - I appreciate them all.
Oh I've heard of this book but again didn't know what it was about (finding that a lot with the reviews this morning). Loving your artwork - simply beautiful
ReplyDeleteGreat work with the acrylics. The river looks brilliant, sounds like a good read too.
ReplyDeleteJen x
i'm sure it's a great read and I love what you did with the art. Great idea to take inspiration from a quote. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting... and love the sound of your book...
ReplyDeleteJenny ♥
I think this book was made into a film years ago? It rings a bell from my childhood. Glad you enjoyed the read and I love those flashes of gold leaf in your river, what a clever way to illustrate that it was where people panned for gold. No idea where your crease appeared from but I wouldn't worry about it, it's added texture, all to the good :)
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds entertaining, wondering if I can find it since it's such an oldie...
ReplyDeleteI love your painting! It looks great! Gold leaf, huh? It looks stunning! Something else I have to read into... :)
Sounds like an interesting book, and I love dogs! The way you used the gold leaf in the river bed is awesome!
ReplyDeleteGreat review and love your artwork.
ReplyDeleteI used to read a lot of Jack London books about 60 years ago, but I don't think I've ever read this one, so your review makes me determined to read it now. I remember his writing style was deceptively simple, and that's probably what kept you page turning, as well as the story.
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that you have given a quote from the book to show where your art inspiration came from, and it really does match the quote. Beautiful. Like the writing in the book, deceptively simple. Lovely colours, the glinting gold and the waving reeds/leaves to give movement. Love it.
ive read this one it was a good book, im glad you read it first before altering it lol
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a lovely gentle read, i tend to stay away from books about animals in case there is any suffering and it upsets me, pathetic I know and weird when I can easily read a good murder book where humans die, but can't handle it when an animals does.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful artwork, the gold leaf works perfectly.
The crease is probbaly from the paper getting wet9 from the paint) and accidentally getting knocked or moved while still wet.
Glad you enjoyed the book, I have read it too and agree with you about having an insight into the hierarchy of the pack. Your artwork looks really good and captures the river with it gold perfectly. I love to use gold leaf, it really does add zing to a page.
ReplyDeleteI really like the artwork. It's been a long time since I've read this book, so it's nice to see it still is one people enjoy.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I thought this book was about lions. Why? I don't know. It sounds a good read though. I love what you created from it - the touches of gold are perfect, I've got some gold gilding flakes for Christmas - you've inspired me to stop being scared of them and try them sooner!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful read, I have never heard of it. Your art work really gets me in the mood to find out a bit more. Lovely painting.
ReplyDeleteI love all three of your mentioned subjects! Plus, the gold rush is part of my 'local' history, as I live in California. This review piques my interest greatly. You illustration is wonderfully romantic...and imaginative. I witnessed my grandfather digging for gold much of his life, and it was not pretty. For him or for the land. But who could stop a dreamer?
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite books from my childhood. In fact, I lay all my love of nature at Jack London's feet. Love your depiction of the river and the gold. Thanks for an informative review. Michelle Vanstrom
ReplyDeleteBeautiful acrylic painting...especially with the gold leafing...I've remember reading London's books many moons ago and your review brought those memories back. Thanks for your great review.
ReplyDeleteWow! your art piece is glorious...and the paper crease just adds texture :D. Haven't read any Jack London, but this sounds like a story I would enjoy :D XXX
ReplyDeleteJack London is one of my partner's favourite author's - one of his favourite books is 'White Fang' so I will show him your review of this Jack London book (I'm not sure if he's read that one). Your art is wonderful - I love all the shimmer.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book when I read it years ago and loved reading your review. I really like the way you have based your art on a quote from the book. Great idea and wonderful result!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds lovely, I have not read any by this author so I'm off to investigate. Your painting is beautiful x
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I read this years ago (along with "White Fang" - we read that in English classes at school) and you've made me want to re-read it.
ReplyDeleteLove the artwork too, the touches of gold are inspired.
Hugs xx
Janet, what a gorgeous, gorgeous painting! Why have we not seen more of your drawing and painting before? This is wonderful. I enjoyed your review. My sister gave me a book for Christmas that I highly recommend: A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron. It has a German Shepherd in it, not at first but later on, and I think you'd love this book. Be sure to have the Kleenex box handy.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I love dogs I'm not really into books (or even films) about them. But, I love your artwork, especially the gold between the rocks in the river.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you started with such a classic piece of literature for the book club. Fortunate that you hadn't started altering it yet. I love your painting. The sense of movement and the shimmer of the gold leaf really capture the essence of the river. I'm glad you are taking this opportunity to play with painting instead of staying in your comfort zone of stamping. Your work is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove the texture you created in your art work. Lovely! Not sure the book is for me but glad you enjoyed it and your re entry to reading!
ReplyDeleteRead that one a long time ago. It's nice to read (or reread) the classics. I like that you took a different bent on your art piece... very interesting!
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