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!

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"

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!

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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. 

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"

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Golden Evening

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.