Sniff

I have to admit, I don't have a breed for this one, but it is a perfect sniffer. Good ears, straight tail and something worth drawing a deep breath for!

Russian Wolf Hound

Or that is what they were in the elegant Art Deco period. STILL really one of the most decorative dogs around! We call them Borzoi now.

Diamond Husky

This is a rescue from years ago. A jolly blue-eyed heart breaker! Spent a lot of time by the pool... BECAUSE IT IS HOT OUT HERE!!

Black Dane

At a Great Dane show, I had more fun taking the "less than elegant" poses. This fellow was the ULTIMATE "all ears". I just love quotation marks.

Teeny Rotti

Another one of my ultra minis (not quite the collectors size I guess) 3.5x7". Everyone needs a few Rottweilers:

Wire Fox Terrier

What a real sporty dude this guy is! I know Asta has nothing on this specimen I saw at a dog show. This is a definite smooth operator, no matter how rough they say his coat is.

A Schnoodle.

This is a second version of little Pippin. I gave the first version to the rescue vet, and forgot to take a photo. It is a regular mini portrait, but the face, is worth painting twice! If I get a chance, you may see the other. I swear, I paint to keep you all interested in the blog and when I forget, I often wonder where exactly I left my wits!

Carmine

More for the Pugsters. This is a painting I did when I helped out at the rescue events a few years ago for "In The Raw" a great local pet friendly place. I did pictures to practice and met a lot of great dogs. The owner had this little girl and she was the poster pug for our Halloween party!

Not Christmas in July, more like Birthday for Father's Day

This is a birthday give, from a dad to his daughter, but sometimes waiting is hard. She saw it and got to take it home on Father's Day! What a deal!!

Grendyl, the Terror.

Chihuahua Rescue

In thanks to the people who helped me out when my brain was frying, I am starting to catch up with some of the people who sent rescue dogs for my blog. This little one is from the Arizona Chihuahua Rescue group.

Bichon Diamond

I have been seriously promoting my little diamonds. For $85, they are complete... no framing needed, two inches deep and 5" square. Little decorative goodies a little bit different than my usual.
My favorite vet is working with me to do a lot of their rescue dogs and if the adopter wants a painting of the family member before all the love, they can purchase it for a 50% donation to the charity and 50% to me. Nice way to give $42.50 to the gang and have something REALLY nice to show off!

Leroy - Little White Schanuzer, needs a home.

This years favorite Rescue is the Giant Schnauzers. These are a great big teddy bear of a dog, and their people are very generous. No matter what size (lots of minis end up here) and no matter how much schauzer... they take them in.

This is Leroy! I met him today and YOU will love him. Drop a line if you are looking for a great dog for your family!

Running Scotty!

More of my kids in the park!  This was a fellow I did earlier, but with a ball he stole from a friend!

Teeny Puppy

I think I am on to something.  These are itsy-bitsy little pictures.  All done with the OOO size brushes.  From the one yesterday, to this one today, a lot more working on the detail and yet in under 3" they are great little images.  This pup was at the big event in the hills on Saturday.  In the arms of its owner, it looked tired and ready to go home - cooler weather or not!

Sketch of Pablo

I met this amazing little guy, on a monster motorcycle with its own cage!  Had to take a shot and hopefully, this itsybitsy 3x2.5" sketch is a little tease of a portrait to come!

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

In my attempt to at least get to know as many breeds as I can, even though I may not get around to painting them all, I did this Chesapeake Bay Retriever for a rescue group back East. You all know, if you ask nicely, I do allow most rescue groups use free license use for charitable fund raising... just ask and spread my name!

200th! A Special Couple for a Special Post

This is a commission I did for a good friend's brother and his son... the dog. The dog is his son and this little comemmoration needed to be done! Families come in all sizes and shapes. (I think it should be for Father's Day actually, but they are wating until the Fourth of July! And it is my 200th posting!

Roger

Roger was a local hero. Here he is guarding his gallery on a Thursday night art walk. His owner went out to New Mexico, I believe to work in the gallery's other home, and I really think artwalk will never be the same without good old Roger.

A Greyhound Commission

I was running through old files and found this really nice little commission from a few years ago. Oil painted as a gift. I will say about half my work is from a friend or family member to another, because nobody loves you like your dog!

You Want PUGS???

One of my followers was delighted to see my black pug posted earlier this week. Well... after my huskies, I was a real sweetheart of the puggy set. Lots of donations to events like Pug-a-palooza and Pug-stock! I will see if I can dig up my pug Carmine Miranda!!
This is a little colored pencil guy, I did for a sample piece at an event!

Memorial of a Best Friend

My client at Trisong Tibetan Terriers just lost her best friend.  I got the news and tried to finish this piece in less than a week.  I think it soothes the pain when I can get a memorial done before the scent of the pillow in the corner is gone....

Black Pug

Here is the secret:

When painting black dogs (or cats) start on a piece of black background.  Then add the details!  Not that it saves time, but it is like Michaelangelo said about sculpting a horse.   (I freely translate:) "Just take a block of marble and carve away everything that does NOT look like a horse."

Zeus

ASHRA was my first rescue. I decided to pick a breed, get to know the physiology and figured just painting the features would be a piece of cake. The SECOND dog I did, gave me the realization, just like people, there is no formula for the face. EACH animal is an individual. Painting the personality first and breed (or happy mix!) second is the trick that separates a dog PAINTING from a PORTRAIT.

Some Charity Dogs

This was Jasmine. One of the beautiful rescues I had painted for the AZ Siberian Husky Rescue Assn.  Hers was a heartbreaking story, but a haunting and beautiful image:

Red Dobie

I am making these little sketches of photos I carry in my pocket and pieces of watercolor paper torn in quarters.  More the size of a standard photograph, it is easy to sketch when I am in a waiting room or killing time.  This little Dobie was in my pocket a while and I have a lot to do today, so I decided it was time to bring him out!

NOT BO!

But it had to happen.  This is my first Portugese Water Dog.   Has my hairdo, well my bangs.  A lot of black on a dog and I will admit, they are a lot cuter when half of them is not bald.  Personal preference!  Not personal.

Aussie Rescue

Again, a volunteer shot from an Australian Sheep Dog rescue group.  I wanted to try a little different idea.  This is good old pen and ink with just a little color in the eyes.  I have some problems and some successes, but I am happy to have rummaged around to find the old fashioned technique a good old friend.

Another one of the Winners

I am showing off some of the silent auction winners I have done in my career. This hunter was a great shot of a loyal companion that the opportunity made possible. The classic style.

From the Recue Gang.

I have been a bit distracted lately. Not that I don't have any pictures, but my brain is having a hard time picking! So some friends from rescue groups are sending pix of their favorite guys.
My first is a volunteer who was helping out friends for the holiday.

SUPPORT RESCUES! Best friends from the best places!

A Youngster Saying "Hi."

I donate all the time to charities and rescue. This was the winner of a raffle for the Az Dane Rescue. A sample of my charcoal on toned paper.