Running Italian Greyhound

Mobs of them. I think Italian Greyhounds and Boston Bulldogs are nearly as plentiful as the Labs and Beagles of yore. They are everywhere, all sizes from small to mini to really tiny... And they just RUN!

Mini-Scnauzer

I had a great weekend with a charity gang from Giant Schnauzer rescue. The minis and giants seem to have an affinity for each other. This fellow was snapped at the pre-holiday event last year and I felt the desire to honor the little guys as well as the larger Giant I am in the middle of painting for a later post.

Divo, the Puggle

I saw my first Puggle this summer and now the world is full of them!  Our local star is Divo, the male Diva (you can read his name on his collar).  Although not my first puggle friend, he is definately the most visible these days, so we have presented him in the blog because he was one of our off-leash pioneers.

Brit - a New Tibetan Terrier

Lyriq, earler in the month was a pup from the same kennel.  Our newest showdog is Brit or CH Ivyglenn TriSong Ja'Maica My Day.  Some of those champion names are a bit extravagant.  But in this case, I think extravagance fits!

Bailey

Little Riley is the nephew (I think that is how it goes if your parents give you an oil portrait of your dog... then get another one of their own pet?) of this darling. Poor Bailey was such a sweetheart but always photographed such a worried look! I think we got a good serious attitude without any anxiety!

Frisbee Racer

This great white Lab was racing around the whole afternoon, completely oblivious to the other dogs. I think there were times, when her accompanying human was preoccupied, that she actually began throwing too.

Kayla, the Proud Sibe

This is a blue eyed regular at the park.  Its owner said he had a terrible time getting a good photo.  SO.... I have always said that cameras lie.  How about a great painting?

Dakota - Born To Chase

THIS is a dog! I mean it looks like the dogs on the dog food ads! And, when its mom comes to the park with the ball-thrower, it LIVES to get that ball. A rare moment between chases, then UP and at it again!

Elegance in Motion

Throw a ball in a crowd and it doesn't have anything to do with catching it, it is the fun of the run.  This Collie just was ahead of the pack, fur flying like streamers and ready for the next one.  Or not!

Mini Schnauzer in Style

Passing this little soldier on the grounds of a dog meet, I could not help but notice the crispness a well groomed competitor has! Razor sharp eyebrows and every inch ready for the meet! Thinking of them at the dog park, one is always amazed at how really good these guys clean up!

A Sidelong Glance

I had a few shots of this very bored little pup at the dog park.  I can almost hear the long sigh of tolerance.  How they humor us when we make them accompany us while we go talk to people and watch the other dogs play!

Valentine, the Flying Puppy

There is this galumphing black boxer pup that races around the big kids in the rough-housing side of the dog park. When hit, she rolls and bounces. I know she will grow elegant and graceful, but with the wind in her ears, you sort of wish she would never grow into her paws. I mean, is there anything more fun?

The Contender

So, this is a BOXER, get it??? 

I saw this amazing profile at the end of a leash so precise and chiseled and ready for the show ring. THIS is one that shouldda been THE contender!

A REAL Valley Girl!

Out here in the Valley of the Sun (odd, as I see nothing higher to make a valley, but NO contest on the sun part!) the Valley girl is dressed in the latest T and bored, but fashionable! This lovely Chinese Crested, may have a little fine tuning with a little more detail later, but I am off tonight for a Gallery reception and did not want to miss a day.

Dashing Doxy

I really was saving this picture for a larger piece, but it is a good thing to do a sketch and see what you can find in the reference.  I am not sure what it is that really gets me about this pose... I like the levitation, the spring loaded spine and conflict of the speed and the breed.  Actually, I will admit, my favorite part is the shadow.

Lyriq, the Tibetan Terrier

Ah, how I thought a long haired black dog would be a piece of cake! This is such a beautiful beast, but one has no clue exactly how many shades of black there are in a black dog. 9x12"

Riley

I just finished this oil commisson for a birthday.  It is a bit striking to see the difference between and oil and a watercolor!  Not much to comment on, but that Mona Lisa smile is what caught my eye on this lad! 8x10" Oil.

One More Italian Greyhound

I hope to slow down. I think this breed has a pretty good representation for me for now. I just like the sphinx-like demenor of a dog sitting watching the others play. Another little sketch of a little guy. 5x7"

Anatolian Shepherd

Not a name you hear every day, but I have done two as commissions so I have great respect for these incredibly sweet natured giants.  From a rejected pose of one of these portraits.

A Bully Babe!

I have always  LOVED the look of Bull Terriers, but I am smart enough to know they are WAY more dog than I could handle, if I ever were in the foolish position to own a dog... but THIS little girl is just what I drool for.  Talk about attitude!

Pom, Pom-Pom

PoI swear, I had never seen a dog so round! Not the ginger color gold I remember my grandmother's Pomeranian being, but a light nearly white, coat made this kiddo look like a real puff ball. Why DO they call them Poms? Obvious!

Yorkie - Reclining

Some are active players and some are the observers.  I was not sure if this fellow was all tuckered out from having raced around the park and was in a time out or just ... reclining.  Definately not out of the game but waiting to jump in when it was time.

Smiling Pit Bull

I find the happiest dogs to paint.  The owner and this little girl were sitting enjoying the day and when she turned to me, her expression just melted me. Such canine pulchritude just asks to be immortalized!

Honey, the Sweet Beagle

I have painted a larger portrait of Honey, which is on display at the Gammage Performing Arts Center in Tempe Arizona presently.  This mini sketch at the time is the essence of her sweet little personality - a darling, who lives up to her name.

A Real Treasure

This is Treasure.  A Giant Schnauzer who left the world two nights ago.  Her owner had asked a week earlier about a portrait and while we discussed photos, they decided it was time to end the illness that was slowlyt aking her energy away.

When I heard the news, I started it the night before last and finished it on Tuesday morning.  I am happy they will have this memory, even if it is only a memory.

Soulful Fellow

I have had a photo of this Akita for a few years.   A major painting never done, but I came across this great expression.  And the challenge of doing a black dog.  Just a lot of fun and the joy of painting a "person" in fur - 5x7".

Beautiful Blond

I could not resist this face in the beautiful afternoon light.  This baby was a movie star, gliding in with the sun radiating from her coat.  The sort men swoon for. 5x7"

Sparring

This piece is 11" x 22" on heavy watercolor paper in pastels. The technique is one I will be teaching in a local workshop, so I did a doggie demo for the blog! Watercolor is painted on first to lay in interesting colors on which pastels are drawn. The texture of the watercolor paper makes for sparkling color combinations and I love the richness of pastel. Unframed purchase price is $900.

Big Week for Cairn Terriers!

The little fellow from New Years was well received, but not quite... well.... We decided we wanted to see what a close up did for him.  So here is the close-up portrait.  THEN we couldn't decide.  So both went home to hang on the wall of the owners of little "DJ" (Personally, LOVE the name!)

A Festive Scotty

I finally sat still long enough to do this one.  I have sketch after sketch of great Scots Terriers but there is something daunting about that black coat. The bright eye and red harness hit the proper note for Days of Auld Lang Syne.  Great start for a great new year.

A Cairn for the New Year

A jolly little guy, perfect to wish you a happy New Year!