Yorkie Puppy - Commissioned Portrait in Colored Pencil by Heather Mitchell

Aptly named Princess, this spritely Yorkie was adopted by a young woman in New York. The proud and loving father commissioned me to draw this portrait of his "granddog" as a Christmas gift for his daughter.

Many layers of colored pencil strokes comprise the shiny eyes, button nose, and tufts of soft fur. I enjoy thinking about the relationship between people and their treasured pets as I work. Spending several weeks on each portrait, I get rather attached to the sweet faces, as I did this one. But it was a true gift to me, seeing the delight in my client's face, as I delivered the work. Our pets really fill our hearts.

If you'd like to honor a special relationship with a portrait, ask a question, or share a favorite pet story, I'd love to hear from you. Just click here to send a quick email. Or join me on Facebook here.

Heather Mitchell

www.HeatherMitchellDraws.com

Auggie - pastel portrait of Persian by Beth Lowell

Auggie 6 3/4" x 10" pastel (c) Beth Lowell 2012 

I don't have cats of my own, though I surely would if it were possible. (My dogs, well - they don't take too kindly to the feline persuasion.) Auggie's one of my favorites - sweet and loving. Possibly the only cat I've ever actually kissed. (Cats usually aren't as good kissers as dogs!) This one's for sale so if you are interested, please contact me.

Also, looking for a home for feral kitty Jenna. Jenna was re-homed from an outdoor colony where she got along fine with other ferals. Her new home,however, is a challenge and she's not thriving, prefering isolation.

If you can offer Jenna a safe home with the understanding that she will never be a regular house pet, or know anyone who can, please drop me a line. The cat sanctuaries are full and reluctant to take her on due to her recent behavior. No photos available - she's too shy.

Thanks for looking!

Kiss – Pastel portrait of Mastiff puppies Auggie and Anna Bella by Beth Lowell

"Kiss" 10 1/4 x 7 Pastel Painting (c) Beth Lowell 2012

I started on this one before “Glory” but had to set it down and take a step back. I wasn’t willing to abandon these pups, though. Auggie and Anna Bella are part of a rescued litter, most of the siblings of which are now participating in a one of a kind puppy training program in Texas in which they receive one year’s training tailored to each specific phase of puppyhood. When the videos are out, I’ll let you know! Thanks to Debbie Wolfe for stellar photos. If you’re interested in purchasing this painting or want to find out about commissioning your own. don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for taking a look and sharing with friends.

Beth
beth@bethlowell.com
find me on Facebook

Monet's Labrador

Artist Vanda Lavar, has painted Sweet Loretta, a lovely Yellow Labrador frolicking happily in a coastal recreation of "Monet's Garden," one can note the Santa Cruz mountains in the background. The artist also chose to include blossoms of the local variety of For-get-me-not wild flowers. Ms. Lavar's works are collected internationally and can be found gracing products worldwide in such stores as Target and also upon the puzzles produced by Schmidt toy company.

Big Sweetheart by Charlotte Yealey

15x20

Charcoal

This commission was a great change of pace from doing portraits in color. I really enjoyed capturing the closeness that Tanya has with her great dane.

"Glory" - portrait of a Havanese by Beth Lowell

"Glory" 10" x 6" pastel painting (c) Beth Lowell 2012

“Glory” is my first painting of 2012. Working on her fur was liberating! I loved being able to indulge in rich color, despite what might seem as a limiting palette suggested by a white dog sitting on beige carpet. ”Glory” is looking for a home so if you’re interested, please contact me.

Hope you’re enjoying the snow, wherever you are. We had our first of the year yesterday here in New Jersey and it’s been perfect.

Beth Lowell
beth@bethlowell.com

"Lily" a commission watercolor portrait by Molly Poole

"Lily" an 8"x 10" watercolor portrait on paper.
This pup loves to hike and explore the trails with her owner, so we decided I just had to paint her doing what she loves best! I believe this little darling is a Lhasa mixed-pickle. Her shaggy coat and the craggy rocks were so much fun to paint.
You can see more of my originals, portrait and commission info at granitedog.com or you are welcome to visit or follow me on Facebook at Molly A Poole Artist.

Colby's Chewie ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Colby's Chewie," 9" x 15", portrait of a yellow lab, done in acrylics on a panel.   Beating my head against the "painting wall" like I didyesterday, and then coming into the studio today and pulling Colby's painting out of nowhere, well, let's just sum it up by saying that life is a rollercoaster.

And I'm so glad that Colby pulled me out of the free fall.

Enjoy the weekend,

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Kiki Kelly's Snowstorm   "If Snowflakes Were Colored," Kiki's take on a snowstorm, seems to have perfect timing.   Watch for future pieces related to sunshine (I know, eh, what's that?) and sea urchins (totally random, I agree).

January Desktop Calendar ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

This year I'm gifting monthly desktop calendars built from some of my favorite Painting a Dog a Day pieces. Ideally I'll send them out on the last Monday of the previous month, so watch for more timely updates!   To implement, simply download the file directly from my website. I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link.   I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, you don't just email me with your questions. Please consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than lil' ole' me.    However I fully expect there to be some sort of hiccough or two as I sort out the best means to get the Desktop Calendars implemented (meaning I've gotta figure out the most optimal file size and all that other good stuff!), so I appreciate your patience with me!! Andre is sized to fit a standard screen height of 768 - I realize there are lots of variables that could impact how this file displays on your screen, though. Please let me know if, once you get the file installed, there are display quality issues (keep in mind, too, that options such as "stretching to fit," "tiling" and "cropping" will impact your display, so check those first!).   Meanwhile, Andre says enjoy!!!   May your winter week be colorful and bright! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

SWEDEGIS ACRYLIC ORIGINAL PAINTING DAY 8, 2012

 

"CUDDLES"

For the New Year I wanted to do an affordable painting a day all at the same price. They are painted

quickly and with love since they all represent my life. This particular piece is of my two youngest Labs. Sammy, black is 6 and Ozzie, chocolate is 4 months. 

I will say at times I may paint something other than a Lab. I may. haha. I send it first to the people who are on my newsletter list and since they are all Lab people, well I guess that answers the big question of what will I paint tomorrow.

This piece is done in using Golden Open Acrylics on an 8" x 6"  RayMar acid free Canvas panel.

If you would like to see this piece please click HERE

Thanks, Sheila

SHEILA M.WEDEGIS

Palm Bay, Florida 32907

EMAIL ME

Snow Much Fun ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Snow Much Fun", 14" x 32", acrylic on panel, starring Nita-the-Fierce-Snowball-Hunter, hopefully headed to this year's Art Show at the Dog Show. Inquiries may come to me.

Here is another painting I've prepared specifically for this year's Art Show at the Dog Show. This one I did during the holiday break - it's a big portrait, and took me several days to complete.   You may recall the far left pose as one I painted before - at the time I was unhappy with certain elements and wanted to give it another shot (the background is certainly lovely, but poor Nita has no neck and shoulders as painted, and it's painful to look at!).   Originally I sketched Snow Much Fun with a different airborn pose on the far left. It didn't take me long to figure out that I needed the more inviting "come on and play" Nita to make the piece even more irresistable.   Any who, the tunes were cranked (I'm digging on the new Florence + the Machine release) and the paint was flying (just like the snow) while I worked on this piece.   My favorite bits are the super loose brushwork - many of the marks look like doodles. And the joy apparent in Nita's face led to some joyful color selections as well (I am in love with that turquiose blue-green that I sketched her with!).   There's PLENTY of views of this painting in process on the studio Facebook page - just visit the "Mobile Uploads" folder and step back a few days, since I worked on it at the tail end of last week and over the weekend.   I need to also thank Nita's mom for sending the most extraordinarily yummy photos ever. It's no surprise that stellar paintings start with stellar references. Perhaps I should dedicate a sidebar one day next week to taking good reference photos.....   Now what to paint next? I have one, maybe two, more Art Show at the Dog Show slots to fill..... You have the weekend to shower me with suggestions!!   Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Just a couple of joyous details from the attached painting, "Snow Much Fun."

But, Mom.... by Kimberly Kelly Santini

An in process detail of my newest painting, "But, Mom....", 12" x 16", acrylic on panel.

I chose an ambitious composition for my next piece, a larger painting created specifically for The Art Show at the Dog Show, an annual juried exhibition in Kansas that focuses exclusively on canine artwork.   It's always fun to work up more complex concepts than a traditional portrait approach would not necessarily embrace. And after the holidays, when I've done primarily portraits for the prior 3 months, it's especially fun to lose myself in a storytelling piece.   As with most of my work, you can see multiple views of this painting (above is just a detail) on the studio Facebook page.   I regularly get emails asking about my processes and it often takes me days to respond personally - you are welcome to comment on the FB images if you have particular questions, and then I can answer them more quickly and in a public forum where they could potentially help/answer anothers' concerns.   Here's to a fabulously colorful New Year, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Special Thanks   Special thanks to photographer and artist Judy Wood for taking the photographs that inspired this painting.   Judy's ace at capturing moments like this and then "teasing" me with the photos. With her permission, I have built many a painting using her imagery. It's invaluable having another set of eyes that "sees" compositions in everyday settings the same way I do.   If you are an artist who works from photographs, I recommend you read this article about copyright lawwritten by Robert Vavra.   And then I'll keep my fingers crossed that you can find a partner like Judy to supplement/capture your own inspiration!!

Doberman Painting by Dawn Secord

This painting is 17" x 27" and features Kayla - a new champion. Kayla's owners have each of their Doberman's painting when the dogs finish their American Kennel Club (AKC) Championship. As a fun addition to the painting, an AKC ribbon is placed in the painting along with the dog.

I had met Kayla's owners at a dog show where she was not present. Traveling to Northern California allowed me to meet up with the owners and Kayla and be able to photograph Kayla in person. She was an awesome model and I obtained some wonderful reference material from our photo shoot.

The ribbon is a ribbon one of my dogs had won. So, I had a real life ribbon to paint from - an added plus.
Thank you to Kayla's owners for choosing me to paint their beautiful girl!

Dawn Secord, Artist
http://www.dawnsecord.com/
http://www.artofthedog.com/
www.dawnsecord.com/commissioninformation.html
www.dawnsecord.com/printsforsale.html

Paco The Wise

This is Paco, a Toy Fox Terrier who was commissioned recently by Phyllis Pennington. Paco is admired for his intellegence and spunk. His regal attitude is reflected in his royal demeanor. Paco was painted by artist Vanda Lavar, known for her children's illustration and portrait work.

Sue Linton - Shelby Oil portrait - bulldog puppy

Shelby

30 x 40cms

Oil on gallery wrap canvas

Can be hung unframed

For Sale

$750

Here's my latest non commissioned portrait. I needed a photo to paint a demonstration painting from at a dog show so I ran a competition on my Facebook page and Shelby was the winner! Isn't she cute? I couldn't resist that look.In the photo she was hanging over the back of someone's arm but I decided to have her resting over a table instead.
I bring your photos to life in paintings that will touch your heart!
I create portraits in Oil and Pastel from your photos.Satisfaction guarantee.Commissions accepted worldwide.

Website -www.suelinton.com.au


Blog - www.suelintonartist.blogspot.com

You can follow my art at my Sue Linton Artist Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sue-Linton-artist/326640555492

I hope you , your pets and loved ones all have a relaxed and Happy Christmas and a healthy 2012!