"I Smell It!", from the Painting a Dog a Day project, 6" x 12", depiction of a vizsla dog in the field, acrylic painting on board, $239. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

The above painting is from my daily project where I complete one new pet portrait each day. You can see the entire project at www.paintingadogaday.blogspot.com.

Meanwhile, this is Bart, a vizsla who most recently lost a leg and shoulder to cancer. Bart had a passion for working the fields, and this painting was worked up from photos taken prior to his surgery.

This particular painting reminded me of my own frosty mornings spent with Dad, watching the dogs (brittanys) rustle up a bird or two.

I'm been wallowing in memories lately - take a peek at my two newest gallery stretched linen pieces, derivatives of the "Tags, Toys & Treasures" series, which I've posted on my studio blog: http://www.ksantini.blogspot.com/ .

Thanks, as always, for looking.
And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family.
Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/

German Shepherd Study

This is a colored pencil study I did of a German Shepherd. This particular dog was a little lighter in color than most of her kind and I loved the far off look in her eyes. Maybe she was thinking about her life as a service dog and how important that would be to the person who needed her. Maybe she would be a police dog looking for criminals, living dangerously. Maybe she would just be some child's beloved companion, accompanying him everywhere, playing ball and being his protector. It doesn't really matter who they are and what they do, ALL dogs are special in some way.
This is a small piece 5 x 7, is framed and matted and is for sale. The price is $125.00.
Inquires can be directed to Catherine at kindredspirits@clearwire.net.

For more of my work please view my website: www.petportraitsbycatherine.com
and to see what's going on at my studio please visit my blog http://catherinetempleart.blogspot.com

Beloved Elvis will be missed by all his loving fans

Elvis was a sweet, wonderful pet who recently lost his life to cancer. His death came very hard to couple who loved, owned and cherished this amiable bulldog. Good friends of the couple who were also charmed by Elvis' loving disposition commissioned this portrait of Elvis so the couple could always be reminded of all the great times they had together.

You can view other pen and ink portraits by artist, Stephanie Grimes at the following website: www.artist-f.com.

Nick - English Setter

This portrait of Nick was painted in pastel. I had met Nick's family while traveling in Michigan. They had come to my art booth and mentioned they had a dog named Nick that they wanted painted as a gift. The next day they returned with a photograph that was amazing - a small snapshot actually. The lights and darks were a great contrast - his ears were blowing in the wind and Nick had a relaxed facial expression.

I readily agreed to use the photo as reference for the painting. My one and only concern was Nick's open mouth. The last thing I wanted the focal point to be in the painting was a red tongue smack dab in the middle of the painting. To avoid such I subdued the colors of his gums and tongue and emphasized the whites in his face.The painting came out nicely and the recipients of the gift were more than pleased.

To see more English Setter art or Sporting Dog art - please visit my dog art gallery.On her website Dawn has cat art, horse art, bird art, still life paintings, landscape paintings, beach paintings and people portraits

Beauty Spot - Carol Chretien

" In Your Eyes"

2005

(Lizzie Chretien)

" Beauty Spot"

SOLD 7-24

is a new painting using my own Dalmatian, Lizzie, as my model.

I have been painting her for the last 6 yrs and she has "starred" in many paintings

helping homeless Dals in rescue across the country and as far away as Australia.

***

Painting a Dalmatian portrait is anything but generic from an artist's point of view.

No two Dalmatians look the same! The placement of spots tells the tale of who's who. I have found that painting a heavily spotted Dal is a major challenge.

To make THAT Dalmatian on the canvas THAT particular dalmatian is what makes the portrait a success. It makes it rewarding when you capture who they are, which when said and done of any live being, will be found when you paint the look in the eyes.

The painting IN YOUR EYES above illustrates it best...

The patterns of the Dalmatian will give you their overall recognizable look and the look in the eyes will give you a bit of their soul.

***

Lizzie has been a wonderful member of our family for almost 10 yrs.

Her 10th birthday is August 24th.

How time flies.

She has been a great Dalmatian ambassador in art.

Hans & Rosie

Introducing Rosie, a spaniel mix, and Hans, a German Shepherd. Both have gone on to the Rainbow Bridge, and their owner wanted a keepsake to remember them by. What could be better than a portrait of the two dogs resting after a game of fetch at the beach? 

This painting was done in watercolor and colored pencil. I donated a portrait to a fundraiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and this is the result. I enjoyed the challenge of making sand look interesting! I used a splatter technique with the watercolors. In the future I will use acrylics for splattering, because I realized I cannot go over the splatter with a wash of color or the wet paint will lift all the speckles I worked so hard to achieve. I find a flat brush works best when working on this effect, and I had to cut out "paper dolls" to cover the dogs and sky so they wouldn't get speckled  too. In the photo, they both had their noses covered in sand, and she asked me to leave that off. 

I am not fond of painting dogs in this type of pose, because the photo was taken looking down at the dogs. It sometimes makes the dog look awkward because of the foreshortening of the body. But in this case I think it worked out okay. When working from a client's photos, you don't always have a choice, and this was such a happy setting, I didn't want to ask for different pictures. 

I do some of my portraits in watercolor, some in pastel, and the individual picture is what determines my choice of mediums. This one just felt like watercolor to me! 

Visit my web site and my blog , Everything Pets, to read more about my art and pet related activities. 

Afghan hound in watercolor

I have just completed this new Afghan hound painting that will be made into limited edition prints. I have several Afghan hound prints but my collectors have been asking for a new one for quite a while. I am happy to accomodate.

I took a photo of this magnificent hound at a dog show in the group ring well over a year ago. I had set aside the photo to paint in a safe place, my file cabinet and was very excited when I suddenly rediscovered it and I had to paint it immediately.

Here are photos of the whole painting and also a close up detail.

Yvonne Sovereign

"Precious Moment" Irish Setter

"Precious Moment" is one of those magical moments of a mom and her baby. The reference photo was not staged.

The owner of the dogs was there with her camera at the right time and caught a magical moment. She has told me several times how excited she was to have been there at the right time and the right moment to take the photo. She wasn't sure which puppy was in the photo as most of the puppy was concealed by the mom's coat. The owner has a favorite puppy from that litter though so she tells herself that is the puppy in the painting!

In the photo the mom's head was pushed up into the side of the whelping box so I had to use other dogs as models to determine the angle of her head. My client confirmed that I had gotten the head correctly before I proceeded forward. For the painting I took the whelping box out of the composition and had the dogs laying on soft blue bedding. We all call Irish Setters "Red Dogs" when actually the color of their coat is more orange. Blue is a complimentary color to orange which is why I chose the background to be that color.

The client who commissioned the painting was very happy with the completed piece. When she was in my studio picking up the painting she was looking at the various paintings I have on the wall - landscapes - still life - seascapes and of course the animal paintings. She asked me what I enjoyed doing most. I told her it was giving the animal paintings to the client - I never realized how much happiness my paintings could bring and that undoubtedly is my most cherished part of painting.Limited Edition Prints of this painting are available on my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/.

Thank you for looking at my artwork and have a great day! Dawn Secord

New pencil commissioned drawing of Giant Riesenschnauzers by Sheona Hamillton-Grant

Here are Jack and Libby finished and framed.  This is my latest canine commission.

I worked big (The flip side to having worked so big was the difficulty I had in photographing the portrait.)

 The image is 39cm x 56 cm making it only possible to capture through digital photography. 

I really enjoyed creating this drawing, mainly because I was faced with new difficulties that needed attention. 

The size: when working this big I find I have to be that extra organised and careful not to dirty or damaged the paper.  (I also found that I went through quite a few pencil sharpeners as well!)

The colour of the subject. I found the best way to get around the monotony the dark colour could bring was to focus on the folds and waves in the dogs coats. To focus on the way the coat shaped the dogs, their expression and facial shape. This did demand a little more concentration and time but was well worth the effort. Srangely enough there is no such thing as pure black even when working in black and white. 

The third difficulty I had to overcome was not really being familiar with the breed.  I researched the internet for information and images as well as asking the owner relevant questions.  This allowed me to understand both Jack and Libby much better and know what to look for.

Sadly Jack passed away a couple of weeks before the portrait begun.

I hope I have done his memory proud.

More information about the "in's and outs" of my work can be found on my blog Black on Grey on White.  My online portfolio can be viewed at www.sheonahamiltongrant.com

New Painting - Bouvier

Just off the easel...this is a colored pencil painting of a Bouvier named Boomer. He was done as a commission (thanks!) for some very special people that have helped and encouraged me in my pet portrait business. Boomer is a wonderful, large, hairy beast who greets customers at his owners booth at some of the dog shows I attend. It is always quite startling to see this furry face emerge from under the tablecloth when customers come by especially when you don't know he's there!

The Bouvier was bred for herding and protecting cattle in Belgium and the name translates to "Flanders Oxdriver". They have a thick, coarse coat, a thick beard and prominent eyebrows and although they can look very fearsome are actually good natured, calm and trustworthy.
Thanks for looking!

Catherine
Please visit my website: www.petportraitsbycatherine.com
and my blog: http://catherinetempleart.blogspot.com

Blond Ambitions - the cocker - Carol Chretien

"Blond Ambitions" is a new oil currently available on eBay with 20% of the sale dedicated to the Cocker Spaniel Rescue New England.

The painting is inspired by "Dolly" a little cocker girl in their care who was a diabetic dog turned in by her owner at 5 yrs old due to the owner's own terminal illness.

She is blind but surgery will help restore her sight when the funds are raised for her operation. She is in foster care and has many good people helping to sponsor her on-going medical expensenses for insulin and eye meds. CSRNE is listed with Mission Fish on Ebay.

In October I will be donating a piece of original art to help CSRNE's yearly fundraising event for the rescue called the Joey Fund.

It is a blessing to know that good people are doing the hard work out in the field with these special needs animals that take even more to help and rehab preparing to find that forever home they all deserve.

Investigation Dog, Elijah is an Old English Sheep Dog Mix.

Meet Elijah. Elijah is an English sheep dog mix who was in the investigation program in Hillsborough county Florida. Elijah was also the first investigation dog to get to enter the new "Jagger Park". The park was created especially to give the investigation dogs a more comfortable life while they awaited the decisions of the court.

Elijah is no longer in the investigation program. He is now a very lucky boy who was placed with a loving family with a big yard to romp in. Elijah's portrait is for sale. All of the proceeds go to help provide little comforts to other investigation dogs like Elijah while their life is on hold at the county facilities. You can read more about the investigation dogs at my website: http://www.artist-f.com.

Stephanie Grimes
Pet Portrait Artist
www.artist-f.com

Boston Terrier Pups in Colored Pencil

These Boston Terrier pups were a recent addition to the Canine Art Guild's Pot Luck show. I was experimenting with using a colored art paper. These are done with colored pencils on Canson pastel paper. These little cuties are looking for a new home. The price is $250.00 and the piece is already framed and matted. Inquiries should be sent to kindredspirits@clearwire.net

Blessings and thanks for looking!


Catherine Temple
Visit my website at http://www.petportraitsbycatherine.com

For more about my art please visit my blog at http://catherinetempleart.blogspot.com

Coton Topknot

"Coton Topknot," 6" square, Coton du Tulear portrait, acrylic on board, from the Painting a Dog a Day series, $165. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

My newly learned oil painting practices are oozing into my acrylics. This painting pretty much summarizes what I would like to be able to do all the time - lots of controlled edge work, and subtle colors that just bleed into each other. This is such fun!!

Painting a Dog a Day is a daily pet portrait project who's sales support rescue and shelter efforts. If you are interested in commissioning a portrait of your own pet, please email ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com for additional information.

Thanks, as always, for looking.
And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family!
Kim

Kimberly Kelly Santini
http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/
distinctive pet portraits
& 4-legged paintings

http://www.paintingadogaday.com/
come. sit. stay.
enjoy the art.

Founding member of the Canine Art Guild
http://www.canineartguild.com/
the gateway to canine art on the web

Painting for the Australian Terrier Club of America

This painting was done to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the Australian Terrier Club of America. A fairly rare breed, I was privileged to meet some dogs and learn about them during this project. The idea is to depict characteristics of the breed, showcasing activities they excel at.

The club provided me with over 350 photos to choose from. Australian Terriers are earth dogs, going to ground after their quarry like many terrier breeds. Their main prey is snakes, which I featured by portraying the puppies playing with a toy snake. These days you are more likely to find agility competitors than obedience, so I featured an agility dog in the montage, jumping through a tire. The central dog is a champion named Parson Brown.

This painting is similar to others I have done for the Labrador Retriever Club, Evergreen Golden Retriever Club, and Puget Sound Irish Water Spaniel Club. I also did one on my own of Shetland Sheepdogs, which I issued as a limited edition print. The print sold out an edition of 200. I have done a few private commissions featuring a montage of one dog involved in several different activities.

The Australian Terrier art was made into trophies for the club’s specialty: Framed gicleé prints, framed ceramic tiles, keepsake boxes with tiles on top, and a short run of posters were created from the original art. A club member purchased the original painting, which is done in watercolor and colored pencil. The entire project took a full year from initial conversation to delivery of the finished trophies.

Once I select photos, the club reviewed them to be sure I picked dogs that are good representations of the breed, I prepared a sketch for approval, and then did the final artwork. At that point there were a few little alterations to be made, and then it was done.

I had the art professionally photographed and put on a disk for me. The file was about 86 MB.I used Photoshop to add a banner and prepare the various sizes to be imprinted on tiles, etc. The photographer printed the largest gicleé prints, including a test print before we started. I have my own printer so I printed the smaller gicleé posters (12 x 16) that the club sold for a fundraiser. Dye sublimation was used to make the tiles.

I’m looking forward to doing more breeds in this montage format. I am currently researching Australian Shepherds, and collecting photos to paint from. I need the photographer’s permission to use the photos, and I always look for well-bred dogs that will appeal to a variety of viewers. Please contact me if you have photo to contribute to this project!

Visit my web site at http://www.terryalbert.com to see more of my artwork. And enjoy my Everything pets blog at http://everything-pets.blogspot.com.

 

Where Are the Ducks?

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, a native Nova Scotian, is a canny fellow who has a unique and creative way to lure ducks to the shore. In my new watercolor painting, "Where Are the Ducks?", the Toller stands on the shore of a foggy inlet waiting to dance into action as soon as a duck appears.

Happiness is.....

Happiness is......a wet dog on a hot summer day!! This is my dog Maggie down at the river this morning on our walk. This is pretty typical for her any day of the year even in January! Oh, to get so much enjoyment out of just splashing in the water!
I love the splashes in this shot and as soon as I get some extra time I'd like to paint something similar of her. I think the splash pattern would be a great challenge.
I have some commissions in the works and spent most of my week in the prep stages, gathering reference material and making sketches. As soon as I start adding some paint I'll post it here. I'm also trying my hand at a painting for the Michigan duck stamp contest. This will be a first for me so we'll see how that goes.

Last Tango By Catherin McMillan

Last Tango

Earlier on this year I was invited to be the feature artist in the UK Saluki International magazine. After collaboration with one of my clients (a well know Australian Saluki Breeder Cathy Smith) over photos to use this was one of the images I chose to work with. I love the way the dogs look like they are waltzing in the snow. My idea was to show this wonderful breed in a different light from that that is normally seen. The original now resides in Denmark with the owner of the photograph Minna & Kjed Krogh.

I have created limited edition giclee prints of Last Tango in an edition of 100. Size 30cm x 40 cm Price $125.00 & delivery.

Contact Catherin directly to p urchase catherin@animalarthouse.com

The Comfort Zone - Carol Chretien

"In the Comfort Zone" is a new painting that is offered to help Willing Hearts Dalmatian Rescue.

This model is my own Lizzie doing her interpretation of "The Princess and the Pea" and she is great at it.

A comfort zone for me is painting Dalmatians because all my life I have lived with one, except for a few years that we lived in an apartment when I married.

Dalmatians have a reputation at times for being "hyper" but I think that is really unfair. They are an active breed who are people oriented and as long as they get their fair amount of attention and exercise (like every dog deserves!) they are great companions. Children and dalmatians go hand in hand and I know this because my brother and I were little when my Dad adopted a 6 month old dalmatian from a home that was tired of her.
Imagine, being tired of a 6 month old puppy. She was not treated very well but my Dad brought her home and she romped and played with us as our best friend until I was well into high school. My Dad did a great thing for all of us the day he brought her home.

Always research a breed. Even when adopting a new family pet...know as much as you can before you make a decision and remember mixed breeds are wonderful pets too so include them in the equasion.
When you adopt you save another life. When you work with a responsible breeder to take home one of their pups you should be well acquainted with that breed.
Once you and your new dog become best friends you both win!

The painting above is available on Ebay.
Dalmatian interiors napping pillows sun CHRETIEN WHDR - eBay (item 120277725677 end time Jul-05-08 04:50:35 PDT)

Blue Merle miniature oil

Paintings are piling up in my studio so time to show off a few and offer for sale! This is a little study of a blue merle border collie with blue eyes. It is 6 x 8" and done in oil on board. This little girl came to visit me with her breeder. I know it is an unusual color for a border collie but she was so beautiful I had to paint her. The price for this piece is $100.

Yvonne Sovereign

You can contact me at canineart@windstream.net

I can take credit cards or paypal!