Christmas Over, New Year Coming!

Click my Pic:

I retire my mini portraits, 5x7" in an 8x10" mat until May, so I am offering the

HANG OVER SPECIAL!

Same price as my Christmas Portraits until the 15th of January!

(I WILL have a different special at Valentines, but that is a couple of months away!)

I can guaranted the minis is 7 days from sending the photo to in your mailbox.
Still only $90.....

Keeps me in dogs for the blog!

Happy Christmas Eve!

This is Dozer. His mom won a silent auction and I delivered it a few days before Christmas!

I hope has a happy home!

Three Good Friends

I have a very bad reputation for being the most important thing on a pet owner's mind, right before they lose their good friend. The Chessy in the portrait ended his life while I was painting. PLEASE think of maybe getting a portrait while you can enjoy the dog AND the painting. It makes me cry sometimes when I deliver these....

Pretty Dark Little Schauzer

This is probably the last of the pre Christmas commissions. NOT BY CHOICE, but I ran out of photos. It is for an organizer of a great little animal charity, Lucky Dog. Her Mom's dog is not just lucky, now it is immortal.

One of Those Black Dogs

I am always getting two questions: "How do you paint White dogs?" and "How do you paint Black dogs?" I use every shade of not quite black and not quite white that I can.

A few more!

I have a few more commissions (YES!) and here is the lovely little Yorkie... Roxy!

More Dots

This lovely young lady is staying here while her Mom, a dear retiree, moves back home to a community of her peers. Because she is going along, her kids have commissioned this memory to take along and remind her of her friend until she returns next winter.

Buddy Love - For You to Rescue!

I did a wonderful event this weekend for Lucky Dog Rescue and demonstrated this portrait of one of their little charges. This is Buddy Love and ready for YOU to love! Email me.

Tomo

Look familiar? This is one of the responsibilities of being a portrait painter. The owners are always bragging on how snowy white this kid is. My golden light was a bit too yellow and I did a bit of tweaking and we think this is the image. And I signed it...

Mom's Neighbor

It is all in the family here. This is my mother's best Summer friend's little dog. A bit of a puppy when they first met, I think it has grown into a much more mannered little thing, but the friendship rose above juvenile rambunction and this is their Christmas gift from her.

Mr. Lucky

This is a dog in charge. While taking the photos for his portrait, if we did not talk TO him he was not allowing the conversation to continue. The recently adopted Mr. Lucky is indeed a Lucky Dog!

This is one of my DIAMONDS, on its side... I think that makes it a square. How very normal!

Anyone Want a Calendar?

I am thinking of offering a calendar of my runnin' dogs from the adventures in my dog park for Gifts this year.

I have to design and get the goodies going, but was wondering if any of you all would be interested in ordering 12 of your favorites on to hang on a wall?

If so, comment on your favorites or drop me an email and help me choose. If you don't want to buy it, you can STILL comment and we can vote for our favorites.

Pick a date or a breed etc.

deejaystar@yahoo.com

dj*

Lady

We have waited for the perfect hairdo and right look and for some reason all of the stars aligned and Lady, who I met about this time last year, is finally immortalized!

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Truman

This was the winner in the Silent Auction for Friends of Animal Care and Control. It is a memorial. Took a while to even get the photo because the winner and I were crying too much to talk about it!

Giving Thanks

Well, I am a bit shy of my DAILY dog, but starting this on Thanksgiving last year this is the titular anniversary of the blog.

Thank you all on this great Thanksgiving day!

Ready to Chew.... um... HANG the Stockings!

Titus and Troy, ready for the holidays and a Christmas Card!

My Kid, the Cat.

...also known as the dude. Yes, I am getting obsessive, but today I did the unthinkable! I decorated him. I will say I was amazed. He seemed to think he was looking pretty studly, so I just had to immortalize him!

Amazing Ears!

I met this little Papillon last Friday at a wine tasting event. Sitting on the floor next to her, she came in meekly and shy. I do my favorite little sound to perk them up and WHOOSH, these ears flew open like wings! I was nearly knocked off my heals!

Shadow

I either missed it or looked at my reference so long I THOUGHT I had painted this beautiful dog. I met Shadow's owner in the park today and mentioned I had a great painting of his dog! So, since I can't find it, here is another... we will keep checking!

Change of Species

From a photo donated as reference to a group of artists, I did this little Maine Coon as a demonstration, first for a very festive wine tasting and then finished Saturday at an outdoor festival. More dogs to come as Christmas nears, but even kitties need a little representation as gifts!

Such a Clown!

I regret I have forgotten this little girl's name, but she is a commission for my vet. This is the diamond canvas which is a 5x5 and hangs very simply on a nail anywhere you need it. Same price as my minis $90.

Aussie...OOOPS!

I still get a little nervous posting gifts, but this is a great one! Mom and Dad love this good old dog. They know he won't be around long so we are cautiously sending emails, hoping the son won't see it and spoil the Christmas surprise.

The Christmas Gifts are Starting!

This lovely couple is a great gift from a son to Mom and Dad of the best dogs a family could have. What a really special treat to remember the rest of the family. Sure beats an Ipod!

Bark and Wine Winner

Remember, when you are getting the Christmas shopping done, I work pretty fast at this time of the year...

I received the photo from the silent auction winner at last weekend's Bark and Wine event and am ready to deliver this weekend! SUCH A CUTIE!!!

Dog from the Dark....

Sounds so mysterious! Nahhh. I was painting last weekend at the Bark and Wine event and the sun set and I had more to paint... I was pretty amazed how LITTLE I really screwed up. Here is the last of the three from Valley Rescue.

A Hand Me Down Commission

I am so grateful for this one. A good friend and artist just didn't have time for a rush order. YOU KNOW ME! I got the picture yesterday and helped her with her own holiday rush:

Another Rescued Chihuahua

My Bark and Wine buddies on Saturday had a crew of

great dogs available. By the time I got this one started,

I am happy to report, I believe it was heading to a home!

Max

I did a rescue group - Valley Dogs - this evening, and wanted to be prepared. This is Max. the son of the organizer. And that teeny green is the TENNIS ball in his mouth. Rescues are the best, but I am going to have a very hard time labeling this one... some Sharpei, some Mastiff????

Chuy, the Chihuahua

The organizer of my last charity dinner knew a good thing when she saw it and ordered the first of my mini-portrait specials for the year! This little Chuy is all personality... and apparently some tongue as well!

Almost Done

I have some shadows to fill in but I would say, if their mom likes them, I do too!

First of a 5 Dog Portrait

Just in case you did not know, I have a sick kitty. I also have a wonderful vet. I am painting a portrait of her 5 animals in on nice relatively small piece. I got her GREAT Dane started tonight and will end up probably finishing the rest by the weekend's end.

Close of of the lovable mug:

Bentley, part 1 - The Last Demo from the Fair

Poor old Bently. He was a casualty of the economic recession. His mom wanted a set of portraits and we had prepped the canvases and I started drawing when suddenly, a panicing email asked me to put this on hold until their personal economy stabilized. I SOOOO understand!

But I had one more day at the Fair and wanted to do an oil. So I have the bulk of him done. Lots more subtle detail in the fur so when his mom gives me a call, we are ready to go.

The Hero Award Winners

Saturday was the wonderful event (how often do you get serenaded by a lady in a gown playing piano and a German Shepherd singing along??) honoring the Friends of Animal Care and Control.

These six amazing animals where honored with drink and fine food and great people:

Got a problem...

I am on a little break because I have a problem.

In this economy, I am a happy, marginal painter, making a living but not much of a profit and I now have a sick cat.

I am going to have a few paintings that I am trading to his vet for what the diagnosis and testing, and probable medication to control it are, but he has a tumor on his thyroid. EASY treatment of three days with radiation. Cat comes out fine and a bit radio-active, but it kills only the tumor and the procedure has a 99% success!

Problem is .... got no cat insurance and no spare income.

So, if any of you want to get a running jump on the holidays, and ease the panic attack of your friend, the blogger, NOW is the time to order your portraits.

Half joking half serious. I am scrambling for the extra income as the procedure is not cheap.

So.... while we are on a short break for my minor breakdown, lets let let YOU resist this demanding feline!!

(no not art, the real cat....)

I ask your forgiveness....

I have literally skipped three days this year. So close to the end and I am slacking. BUT I am house sitting and stuck without art supplies.

I promise to re-post today and the missing ones with notes on them when I get the time. It is a goal to make it a full year, and as I am smelling the barn, I am starting to trip!

This is going to be post 327, I believe. I started on Thanksgiving and want to finish out the year with an equal number of puppy faces. As Halloween is a great time for good faces, check in and see what jolly mugs I post, but for now, I am sort of stuck!

BUT DON'T GIVE UP ON ME! I will try to pop in and say hi anyway, just... this high tech is great when you LIVE on a computer. When you get out in the real world, you have to improvise.
Thanks for all your support.
Onward and upwards!
dj*

Two Bullie Buddies

I took this photo last year and I have thought and thought about how to paint it. I needed a subject for my second State Fair demo in watercolor and pulled out a 16x12" piece of watercolor and did this tonight as my demo. There may be a bit more detailing, but really, I am very happy with it as is!

FACC Heros, pt. 2

I am going to finish this at the event on Saturday but want to bring it along so you are getting my progress piece. I think it will be pretty cool by then!

Charity up to my NECK!

Sorry, guys.

This is a multi face project and at present, incomplete (I hope I can make the grade up in the summer...) I did a demonstration today for a couple of great pet charities: Happy Tails Service Dogs and Litter League Rescue group. I started the six portrait piece I will finish on Saturday for the Friends of Animal Care and Control benefit. As two are cats, you have one and again, a half dog and three more to go. HANG in there, with Christmas rush about to start, I feel this is the lull before the storm!

Demo Dog at the Fair

I worked on a pastel over watercolor at the fair. A bit wild but great fun... I mean he started out PURPLE AND BLUE!

First Place Pastels at the Arizona State Fair...

Sorry, this is not a dog. My other life is creeping in!

I will be demonstrating for opening day tomorrow at 1 pm. Our artist's reception is next Tuesday and I will be hanging out with the crowd, shaking hands and chatting! Feel free to hit the Fairgrounds and come by and say hi! I will probably do dogs there...farther and farther behind.

A Walkin' Beagle

This lovely fellow was playing in the park last week. I fear a rash of Beagle pix. There are some pups that are just Muses on four legs!

Shy Boxer

This little girl was meekly meeting all the noisy boys at the park. Polite and demure, she just looked so shy!

Flying Catch!

I am making a few more trips to the park. These athletes are my favorite!

2 Jacks

It is that time of year! The charity shows are everywhere. This was another of my oil commissions. They are also a good hand in poker.

Bramble, The German Wire-Hair Pointer

This was a commission from a charity event. Great dog! I was taking photos and got so many lovely soulful shots, but the owners were not... well, they couldn't put their finger on it. So we went outside and he said "BIRD!" and a WHOLE different dog showed up!

2 and a Half Schnauzers

Sorry for the lack of dogs for the past few days... but I am making up with this nice little recent commission!

YES, I am running behind.

So I am going to give you the show from yesterday:

GSD Pup

I know, the normal among us call them German Shepherds. I have been hanging with the doggie set too long and am into initials. Saw this baby on Sunday in the dog park. YIPPEE! I did not come home with heat stroke!!

My One-Woman Show Opening.

I don't know how to do these on the side for only one post, but I hope that ANY of you who live in the Phoenix area and have time tomorrow, might want to come by and see my work.

I have a humble reception in a really nice venue. All my own stuff. Veggies and punch. Starting at 2. Click on this one to see the details large:

Simon, the Welsh Springer Spaniel

This is a real trip down memory lane! I think I did this portrait about 6 years ago. Simon's Dad was on my client list and came to a recent show, with a sweet white faced senior citizen doggie in tow. And it was Simon! A shy but very lovable dearheart, had some better social skills but I was shocked at how my friend had matured. Glad to have captured him at his handsome best!

Sample Airedale

I came across this recently. It was one of my earlier watercolors, but a breed that I KEEP falling in love with...

and as you see, so did my cat!

Jaeger

This is one of two pieces I did. There was something in the animal that I did not quite get in the portrait, so I re-did it. The owner couldn't make up her mind... so she took them both!