Recent Pastel work and thinking about projects to focus on

I have been given the opportunity to do a  pastel portrait of Ozzy, a chocolate Labrador, as you can see from the photo images we had fun trying to get him to pose for us !! This has been a good exercise in keeping focus on drawing skills... The thing I found interesting today is when I get in the zone... (four hours doing the portrait of Ozzy) was a very fulfilling experience.
Reminded me of  Robert Henri's remark 'The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful place which makes art inevitable'

File:Miss Kaji Waki 1909 Robert Henri.jpg

The phase of work at present in its output is mixed and ideas are forming... I get a sense again that I respond to given situations that  inspire and resonate with me in someway... and as a person there's a sense that my work is a response to personal situations and the world around me, art is a means to communicate, articulate, and also at times is therapeutic. There is a place for balance.   
I have been considering a future project of portraits based on inspirational figures who have made a positive difference in the world. This would fit in well with a recent portraiture course.

Here now are the photos and portrait of works in progress.