Barney

This is the dog that started my career. Little Barney was a the new pup of a friend who said, " Paint dogs."


So I did!

Second Friend's Dog

This is Titus.  A bit more somber, I understand, than his friend Troy.  These are very fast personality sketches for larger paintings.  I love little for energy and immediacy, but do not let ANYONE tell you dogs are easier to paint than people.  If we all had hair on our faces, it would be MUCH harder to see the soul underneath.  That is the challenge of Pet Portraiture.

For a Friend

This is just a dash off for a friend who has been helping me so much recently.  I did a big piece for a gift and noticed she has a birthday coming.  I am going to slip this into the package as a thank you note.... there are TWO in the set, but they may end up an oil painting, so these are just ideas.

HUMP DAY!

I have decided to do a whole year, and today is my 183rd (that is half way) post.
I shall celebrate with my CAT:


SO...maybe I will add one more dog at the end!

Welshman Walking

I am trying to dash off some gestural dogs. Big oils all over the house and I have to run off to get my dogs in! This was a participant in a dog show, all over one color. I am trying to time these very close and paint until the essence is achieved.

Schnauzer Smile

This adorable little fellow stuck his sweet nose in my face and smiled his toothless grin! Were it not for the dog breath, I may have gotten a better reference photo but this loose little sketch tells me everything I need to know about this guy.

Silverpoint French Brittany

This is a spare! I have been working on a big HUMAN portrait so I am a bit busy. BUT this is from a few silverpoint drawings. Done in actual silver on gessoed paper, it is a real precious piece in more ways than one.

Stretch

The motto of the Greyhound: "Eat! Stretch! Rest!"

IG's apparently are no exception!

Itch

I have a lot of pictures of certain breeds.  Some days they come en mass!  One such breed is our little Italian Greyhound.  I have a good representation of them in the blog - lots of dog I don't - but what the heck!  I am going to paint up a few of them, just because they NEED to be painted eventually.  No time like the present.

White Scottie

YES, they come in colors.  Although I think this might more properly called Wheaton color... or is Wheaton a place... I know that color comes in terriers.... maybe straw colored?  You know a dog who is a dog is MUCH easier to talk about.

This IS a Scottie.  And it is not black.

Chocolate Delight

A really cute little guy in the park, looking like that rest is about over!  

Colorful Bulldog

This is an older demonstration of my pastel over watercolor.  Most of these samples have been double dogs, but here is a lovely gal, all by herself.

A Sketch of Lady

Lady's mom is a big supporter but we never got around to actually doing Lady!

This is a nice little personality piece from a fancy dinner we all attended recently.  (Yes the dogs were at the table as well!)

Chow Chow

Up close and personal, this is a quickie, because I am off on a trip and may not get to the technology to do anything else!

All lovely apricot fur.

Frisbee Pro

At a recent charity event, there was a show of professional frisbee dogs. This is one of the stars between tricks. I think I have a mid-air we may see painted soon.

Brittany in the Wind

This is a regular Brittany Spaniel that was just tearing across the grass! Not to be confused with the Epagneul Breton.... another dog with which I have some dealings...

More Shepherds and Throwing Thingies

I have a lot of the usual head shots, the classic standing shots, but I love my runners!

Lonesome Young Yorky

Sigh.... between the two beauties, this young gentleman, I believe he is called Sam, is always a bit befuddled and a perpetual onlooker.
Hang in there, boy!

Second Pom

These two girls are best buddies. And SISTERS! The intruder, whom you will meet tomorrow, is sweet and befuddled little newcomer. A man among chicks!

Diva, Definately a Pom

This is the first of two Pomeranians and a Yorkie that are roommates.  My friend house sat and I could not resist painting the these three charges.  (that is what they would call the kids we were supposed to have leared how to baby-sit in Campfire.... does that apply to pets to???)

Weimariner on Canvas

Another of my little diamonds.  This is a little more contemporary of a park regular.  Every shot has his ears dancing around his face.

This was a scouting trip to a pet store. This Corgi and little Bassett pup took a second out of their frolic to see what the paparazzi were doing and then right back to the brawl!

It is a pastel, 11x14" which sells for $600

Happy Birthday from Tyson!

My sister-out-law has a birthday today and her brother commissioned this picture from 40 years ago, of her old sheepdog.

Hope you like it!

Boston on Red

Yet one more of my little 5x5" mini canvases.  I figured the stark black and white and red was a bit edgier.  Or not...

Another oldie.

I admit it.  These are from the archives!  I have a big couple of commissions to start and the groundwork is taking more time than I wanted.  Maybe one will be ready for something tomorrow. If not, another oldie.

This is one of the first dog park kids from a few years ago.  I had not been doing watercolors much at all and it was sort of meditative to get into it again!

Foo-foo Poodle

Okay, that is being judgemental!  But when you see a full blown show dog, these baby's defy gravity.  It is an older sketch from a previous dog show, but I like the loose and immediate style of this very NOT spontaneous dog.

Newest Westie

Just for tonight, I got running late.  I HOPE this is done, but it may be tweaked a bit.  A brand new commission for an 8x10" watercolor of a shiny white little Westie I met about a month ago at a pet show.  How cute is that???!

Havanese

A great clown of a dog.  This is a performer I saw this weekend.  One must admit, they are loaded with personality.

The Saint and the Girl - A Demonstration

I was out all this sunny day at a Pet Rescue event. I donated a nice 8x10" watercolor that was purchased at the silent auction by a nice neighbor, and vet who is a former client.
I like to paint during the auction so people can visualize a couple of things. First, imagine their dog or themselves in the piece and second... visualize a BIT bigger! My gift certificates make a nice dent in a larger piece! This is 18x22 and would sell for $1400 as a commissioned piece.

Good Old Ginger

This is actually one of my first watercolors. Done years ago of an old roommate, she is worth bringing out to say hello.

Out and about... no paints

So I grabbed a pencil.