Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The Bloodhound

I met this guy two days ago in the park.  He was so full of himself.  A teenager, gallomphing around, lips and ears flying in the wind! 5x7"

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Harlequin Dane

I had a couple of hours at the car dealership doing an oil change, so I took this little assignment along. It was a great way to sit for a couple of hours.
I am putting it aside. It may be refined a bit, but mostly it is blogable!
Such a sweety and for the life of him, that ear would NOT stand up right!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Husky Pup

The red Dobie below was in the park again today. He is a rowdy teenager that seems to have an affinity to Huskies. This sweetheart looked a bit roughed up after a real romp with Barkley. I swear, that dog park is more fun than TV.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

The Anonymous Bassett

I have a lot of reference that I don't always get around to and most of the time, I have just snapped them in a park or on the street. This is not a recent park regular, but I needed a mini Bassett. On my main site there are a couple of prize shots, but this is a good sample for the 5x7" crowd.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Barkley the Dobie

I finally got a good Doberman in the mix. I find myself gravitating to the droopy and drooly, so this sleek beauty that I met in the Dog Park on Christmas Eve was a great change. Still a puppy, he has a bit of manners to learn, but he had a great day there. I edited the entirely drenched neck from a game of "Chew and be chewed".

Friday, December 26, 2008

The IG Friend of the Min-Pin.

With the festivities subsided, the quiet week between holidays begins.  I know I split them for the much more cuddly Christmas gift, so I will reunite the buddies by posting my  Italian Greyhound, second dog in the set I delivered on Christmas eve.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

The Double Christmas Portrait, Finally!

Now that it is Christmas, I am going to post the piece from December 16th. I got permission earlier, but JUST IN CASE, I hope the new owner is as excited as the gift giver was.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Min-pin

This is officially my first commission after Christmas, as it is not a present.   It is hard for me to stop running on a deadline, so I finished this first of two great guys today and tomorrow will be his friend the little Italian Greyhound.  But first we have a Miniature Pinscher.


Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Danby the Bischon

This is the little pal of Daisy from yesterday. My, but these little sweeties cleaned up real good!
I had a little human commission this week and it ruined my rhythm for the blog, but luckily there were a few from the past to double up for later.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Daisy the Tiny Little Poodle

Dasiy and her pal Danby were two slightly muddied little fluffs the day I saw them at the park. The next day, they came back BRIGHT and shiny for their photos. After a bit of a hunt, we just meet up again at the park somehow.
This is one of a great pair of portraits as a Christmas gift to herself.

A Chow Memorial and his Tibetan Mastiff friend.

This is probably the last of the Christmas commissions. The Chow is no longer with us, but his buddy the Mastiff is alive and very well.
I combined these photos (and there is an adventure in the telling!) for a very personal gift from one friend to another. The double portrait is my starter size - 8x10".

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Boston Rocky

This is an easy one to post.  It WAS a Christmas gift, but my client could not wait and gave it to the owner early.  So, I apparently done good.  I know the Boston Terrier crowd likes me, but I have another client that I shot today, also named Rocky.  This may be a trend. I seem to always remember the dogs, but not necessarily the owners. 

Friday, December 19, 2008

Angel Memorial

I found out that a  friend's lovely little Italian Greyhound had to be put down this month and in her honor, I did this sweet little face from our first meeting last  Summer.  5x7"

Thursday, December 18, 2008

A Gift Revealed.

I was told to present this gift in person today from an out of state client to a local friend. So we are coming out in closer to real time.
This is Kosmo. His breed is DOG.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

A bit awkward or Charlie the Black Dog pt.2

I am doing so many gifts, I can't actually post them until they are opened!!!
So, this is a safe one.  It is the mature dog memorial I did a week or so ago, Charlie.  They are going to be gifts for his familly.  I am pretty sure they are not reading the blog.... YET!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Double Portrait (removed for surprise!)

This is an experiment. I am posting away from my computer, but I do understand that I can edit this if I get home and find a mess...
Anyway, I finished a piece on the road and may have a few changes (including adding my red DOT for a sale, but I must say, painting on the road is a really great way to travel!!

****I have edited this until after Chrismas, a it is a gift and I hope the recipient did not see it yet!!! ******

This is from the same day at the park. Here is Scrappy. One of the most absolutely adorable dogs I have met in my park days. He is a doxy mix and I believe it is Sharpei. LONG LOW body, big intellegent head! All of my reference photos had him sailing in the air and literally flying in play.

Monday, December 15, 2008

My first mini - Milan

I am away from my own computer and can't take photos of what I am working on, but luckily, I have one or two of the others from earlier days to link in.
This gorgeous Weimariner puppy was one of the first dogs from the park I had practiced with. Still in my collection, I just love the sheer doggie joy!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Greta again.

I had a few photos of Greta for the Schnauzer group and I took this to demonstrate at the event.  It was a prettty good day!  Two animals have families and everyone had a really great day! I think this version is a more typical Giant and I really thank them for the opportunity to meet some great dogs. NOT AVAILABLE.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Giant Memorial

I am going to demonstrate at a Giant Schnauzer rescue tomorrow and finished off this little memorial piece for my contact.  I am not at all sure what to do but have a little gift certificate ready if they have a raffle or auction.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Collie

It was a great day.  I delivered my little Bull and got a photo from another client.  This is a commission that I will probably not deliver until Wednesday bit it is great to work on a good picture for the demo.  As yet not sold, but check back on Wednesday.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Boston Love

Quite an exiting day at the dog park.  This little fellow is the first of three new holiday pictures.  For delivery tomorrow and meeting a couple of other pups for a cleaned up photo session.

This is all very good for my blog, but equally hard on my eyeballs.  Off to a very late rest.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

A Great Profile

This dog was snapped on a trip! Traveling from point A to point B, it was taking a break. I had painted it as a larger piece, but I was just in love with its look, so I have done a mini of it. Again 5x7", $85.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Itsy Bitsy Doxy

This miniature Dachshund was observing the crowd at the dog park this weekend. That great big heart looks HUGE on his tiny frame. $85 mini portrait.

Monday, December 8, 2008

The Pug

Everyone needs some pugs. I used to be quite the master of the wrinkled snifflers a few years ago doing Pugstock and Pugapalooza charity events. A little 5x7" mini sample. $85.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Tibetan Terrier

Welcome followers! I am so happy to see faces in my followers list!

I understand this little guy has two roommates that may be getting painted as well, but I only caught this sweet face in the park.


Saturday, December 6, 2008

Golden Evening

Another over-nighter. Met this beauty at sunset yesterday and will deliver today. Premature tag of sold, but I am pretty sure!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Memorial for Charlie as a Pup

This is the first of two memorial paintings of Charlie. He passed a short while ago but was the center of his family. This is the first 8x10" memorial, a gift to the brother of my patron.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Beagle Profile

This is the archetypical Beagle in profile.  Little Harley is a great model and there will be more of him, I promise.  $85  for the mini portrait.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Santa Dog

Jackie is a noble German Shepherd who sat last year in this elegant collar, in the snow, in Colorado, as if waiting to see Santa. My brother's Christmas gift, NFS

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

The Bernese Buddy

This little picture is of the pal of the Cavalier I posted first. It is a very meek, very intimidated Bernese Mountain Dog that lives in the same household. It is NOT the alpha dog! Her name is Ella.

Monday, December 1, 2008

The tough little Chihuahua

This little guy OWNED the dog park. With a wee bit of an underbite and a bit portly for his size, I decided to catch him at his most lovable... but do NOT try to sniff him without his permission! Mini, again $85.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Double Commission

These little sweeties met me on Friday night and I am delivering them Monday to their mom.

8x10" commissioned piece. SOLD $300

Saturday, November 29, 2008

I think the Christmas spirit is coming!

Today I was in the park and was shooting some more sample dogs, but it worked out that curiosity was almost as potent as the paintings. I have two who were excited about the price and although I didn't get a deposit, I think this may be a sale.
I will put red dots on the commissions and sold pieces.
This little guy is named PUMA.

Friday, November 28, 2008

So, they paint one a day, eh?

I am a portrait painter and I have a very hard time figuring out how to market and produce work to a wider audience. For years I have donated to charities and contacted rescue groups and done a relatively nice bit of business.

This season, with the economy the way it is, I have toyed with the "Painting a Day" concept. But frankly, I am not that into fruit and kitchen tools. I am becoming the artist in residence in our local dog parks out here in Scottsdale Arizona so I am going to offer my demos for sale on the site, in the same spirit as the other "painting a day" gang.

Because I am new to this, I am going to show and sell my 5x7" mini portrait samples. They are actual watercolor paintings in simple mats that fit in an 8x10" standard frame.

I charge $85 for commissions this size so lets begin that way!

Email me back and we can work through paypal or checks.

OF COURSE I am available for commissions, human and pets!

Lets get going with my first of the crew. A little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel..