"Peaches and Cream" Art Award

"Peaches and Cream" is a portrait of a beautiful Pomeranian dog that I painted in pastels on suedeboard, which is a wonderful support for creating believable animal fur textures.
This pastel painting is part of the Helping Paws Exhibition, with 10% of the sale price being donated to K9 Dog Rescue, Mandurah, Western Australia.

I am very pleased to announce that "Peaches and Cream" was awarded Second Place in the "Pastels - Any Subject" at a local show that I entered last weekend.

"Peaches and Cream" can be purchased via Paypal through my dog paintings blog. This painting is priced at $400.00AU, with the current drop in the aussie dollar that is approximately $263.00US including shipping.



To view Michelle's other work please visit her website and dog paintings blog.

The Other End of the Leash IV - One More Treat?

The Other End of the Leash - One More Treat?
•4"x6" watercolor on paper
Here is my next 'installment' I really like this one, so much so I had second thoughts about putting it up for auction, but I am sure some one will love this little guy as much as me...after all, who can resist that classic bassett face?
Even if it is just hoping for another treat ;-)

• CLICK TO BID

To view Kim's other work, visit her BLOG or WEBSITE

The Other End of the Leash...Cont'd

Here are the next 2 pieces in this little series;

The Other End of the Leash III- The Wrinkles Club
•4"x6" Watercolor on paper
And now there are three! I really like this little piece. A beautiful Shar Pei and friends...all members of the "Wrinkles Club."
I don't personally know a Shar Pei but they seem to be a very dignified dog, and proud of those wrinkles too!

Available through Ebay • CLICK TO BID


The Other End of the Leash II-Flower Girls
•4" x6" Watercolor on paper
This is the second in this series. A wonderful little moment between a girl and her corgi pet. The little girl, being a girl , has those great flowered pants while her best friend has a lovely flower charm on her collar: Flower power for both!

Available through Ebay • CLICK TO BID

Vote for Me

With the elections underway, I thought it would be fun to add a new candidate to the election. Meet Bongo. This painting is entitled "Vote for Me". The competition is tough, so he had to come up with a catchy name like one of the other candidates. Here he is known as "Maraca Bongo". He is on the campaign trail promising unconditional love and loyalty to someone who is willing to open their heart and their home to him and treat him with kindness. He is currently residing with me while he looks for his forever home. Prints of "Vote for Me" can be purchased for $55. These are 11.5" X 16" in a limited edition of 100. Each is hand signed and printed with archival inks. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a no-kill shelter to help other dogs and cats like Bongo. If interested in a print, email me at artisteff@earthlink.net. You can visit the artist, Stephanie Grimes' website at: http://www.artist-f.com

The Other End of the Leash I

"The Other End of the Leash I" • 4"x 6" Watercolor on 300lb. paper
I'm trying something a little different this week. This is a series of paintings entitled "The Other End of the Leash"
Each day I will post a painting showing a quiet/funny/loving moment between the dog, it's human and the physical leash that binds the two.
We start out with a wee Chihuahua; a fearless little dog with a huge personality.
Hope you enjoy it!
:-D
•CLICK TO BID

To view more artwork by Kim Ratigan, visit her blog or website!

English Setter Puppies by Dawn Secord

This pastel painting of English Setter puppies is titled "Waiting In The Wing".

The painting was created specifically for the English Setter Club of America National specialty.

A lot of research went into the painting - and I appreciate all those involved! The reference photos were old and the puppies were gazing downward. The puppies were in different photos looking different directions. I opened up the eyes and had the puppies gazing forward.

At first I thought of putting some object in the painting to give the viewer an idea of what the puppies were looking at. Then, on second thought, it seemed more fun to leave the audience guessing at what was the center of the pups' interest.

The original of this painting is available as well as limited edition prints. To purchase the original or the prints please go to my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/.

Thank you for taking a peek at my work and I wish you a great day!

Dawn Secord

website: http://www.dawnsecord.com/

Blog - Enjoying the Journey: http:/www.artofthedog.blogspot.com

Big and little

I was sorting through some recent dog shots to submit to a photo contest, and this is one of the ones that I found in the process. I was doing some over fences jump shots at the barn where I keep my horse, and during one of the breaks, little Murphy came in to hang out with his big friend with the long legs. Murphy grew up at the boarding stable and does well to keep out of harm's way with the horses. One of his job descriptions is rodent control, and he did manage to bag a gopher this summer, a moment of great pride for him. 

You can check out other shots of various sorts on my personal blog, http://judywoodartphotography.blogspot.com 

BOO!

Here is our last Sheltie Hollow Spook. Bram is our leader, and he isn't about to let the girls get ahead of him. His favourite costume is this ghost that was made especially for him. He happily "haunts" the house for treats and was gracious enough to pose for this little watercolour painting.

From Bram, Lily, and all of us here at Sheltie Hollow, have a safe and Spooktacular Halloween.

Heather Anderson

http://www.heather-anderson-animals-in-art.com/

Labrador Retriever Painting

I have just completed one of my favorite projects. I have painted lots of labs over the years, and I just love it. This one is of three Labradors from Adora Kennels in Ellensburg, WA.  This painting is about 16 x 20 inches will go on the wall in their wonderful wilderness home. 

I always do an underpainting in watercolor (shown at left). I found with pencil that you can always see the paper underneath  unless you burnish your drawing very hard and go over it multiple times. I just don't have the patience, and am not such a purist that I have to stick to one media. So technically this is mixed media: watercolor and colored pencil, which is what I most often use. It would not be eligible for a colored pencil show or a watercolor show. But then, I'm not entering it in a show! 

For this painting I did something I've never done before. I blew the photo up very large on the computer screen and looked at it while I painted. This gave me the chance to see lots of detail I miss when I'm looking at a printed photo, even when I use a magnifying glass. The black dog's eyes were shut, so I had to improvise. The chocolate dog's eyes were squinting, so I had to open them up a bit. 

There's a lot to think about when painting a dog portrait. If a dog hunches over while sitting, then his neck will be too thick and look awkward. If he is nervous while being photographed, his ears will go back and not look as natural as they do in this painting. If the ears aren't perky, it can ruin the pose. All three of these dogs are very alert and intense.

Getting a good photo of a black dog is difficult. This dog was photographed in the sun in the snow, so there was a lot of glare, and he was closing his eyes. The best way to get a good photo is to shoot it on an overcast day. Shadows that are too strong from the bright sun hide all the detail that is in the shadows. Sometimes I have to look at photos of another dog to see all I need to know for a painting. I loved this pose- he's a big dog, very noble, and the shadows were easy to define. 

Photoshop is a wonderful tool. I can lighten the exposure so I can see detail that seems lost. I don't always get such nice samples to work from. Then again, sometimes a lousy photo makes a great painting. It may have a dumb background, poor color and all sorts of other problems, but if the pose is good, I can change all the rest. Sometimes I can see detail (especially the dog's markings) in another photo that doesn't show up well in the one I am working from. 

It seems like I spend more time on the layout and sketching than the final painting. By the time I pick up the brush, I have worked out a lot of problems. I do have to stop and set it across the room occasionally to be sure I haven't added a tree growing out of the subject's head or other dumb mistake! And when it's all done, I put it away for day or two and I then take a fresh look. If I see something I want to change, I will sometimes photograph the painting and mess with it in Photoshop to see if the change will make it better. Then I go over and fix the original. It's nice to try something without risking ruining the painting!   

"Bangs," from the Painting a Dog a Day series, 6" x 8", Yorkshire Terrier dog portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, $199 to the first buyer. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

Don't you love this little face?! I am DEFINATELY painting this dog again, only bigger, like lifesize. I want to play more with the gestures created by the clumps and wisps of fur. And consciously work my triad of color - I didn't realize until I was done that I had built this painting with olives, oranges and violets.

Can't wait to try him another time around!

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

PS Here I go again, pushing the Painting a Dog a Day book. I got the proof today, and it's more beautiful than I dreamed possible. I don't want anyone to miss out on this!! It's titled Painting a Dog a Day - the First Year, and you can get a softcover for $39.95 or a hardcover for $54.95. Orders can come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com. THANK YOU!!

Danes and Cavaliers!

I recently posted 2 new small paintings that I'd like to share...

"NAPPING PRINCESS"• 5"x5" Watercolor
First there is "Napping Princess," a beautiful black Great Dane (uncropped ears) relaxing in the afternoon sun. She is a regular visitor to our home and is a dreamboat:-)
• Click to bid on Ebay

Next we have...

"WIND WISPS"• 5"x5" Watercolor
..."Wind Wisps" To me, this post captures the cavalier at its best; always happy, eager, ready to follow you anywhere...with 2 in our extended family, we have experienced this wonderful temperament first hand.
• Click to bid on Ebay

To view more artwork by Kim Ratigan, visit her blog or website!

"Nosey," from the Painting a Dog a Day series, 4" x 6", wirehaired pointer portrait in acrylic on board, $199 to the first buyer. Inquiries to ksantini@sbcglobal.net .

Proceeds from this painting will benefit the Oakland Pet Adoption Center (http://www.oaklandpetfund.org/), my local shelter, making wonderful progress towards turning us into a no-more-homeless-pets community!

This guy must've followed his nose a bit too far, as he was at my shelter a few weeks back, waiting for his owner to catch up with him. There were several pointers, along with a mess of hounds and beagles. The crisp fall air brings out all sorts of critters to chase and track, and I suppose the temptations were too hard to resist for those dogs.

"Nosey" will be stunning tucked into a wide frame, placed somewhere special.

Thanks, as always, for your time in looking at, and sharing, my paintings with your friends and family.

Kim Santini
ksantini@sbcglobal.net
http://www.paintingadogaday.com/

Miss Witch

Whisper does things her own way. This year, she wanted to be a Witch at Halloween, just like Lily, but can Sheltie Hollow have two witches?

Of course we can, as long as one little witch comes up with a creative way to wear her hat. Now all we need is a third little Sheltie Spook and we'll be ready for the big night. Stay tuned.

Tribute by Catherine Temple

I finally fulfilled one of my goals this year to enter a duck stamp contest. This was my entry for the Louisiana State Duck Stamp. Their theme for the past few years has been "Retrievers Save Game" and this years' dog was the Chesapeake Bay Retriever which is the breed I own. Since I am also an avid duck hunter combining the dogs and ducks seemed like a good indication that this would be a good contest to start with. I tried many combinations of poses, backgrounds and ducks and (finally!) after my fifth attempt achieved a design I could feel comfortable with.

This piece was done in gouache and features my first dog, Jake. I have named the painting "Tribute" because, even though I have painted him many times, this painting really captures him the best. The pose is from a photo I took of him on one of our hunting trips and captures him in the prime of his life, staring intently into the distance watching for ducks.

This painting will reside with me as it has too much meaning for me to part with. However, I am planning on making prints available in the near future. Please watch my website and blogspot for information on when the prints will be available for purchase. Thanks for looking!

Catherine Temple
www.petportraitsbycatherine.com
www.catherintempleart.blogspot.com

Alaskan Malamute

This fellow is the most recent of the Alaskan Malamutes I've been painting for their upcoming national specialty -- which I'll be attending in a couple of weeks. The painting is an original 16" x 16" oil on canvas and is available for purchase. If you're interested in the original (or in the limited edition giclee reproductions on canvas that will be available in a week or so) you can email me at karen at kmdogart.com

I have been very happy with the way this painting turned out. I don't often work with so much blue, but of course the snow just cries out for the cooler colors. So it's been a fun venture doing these Mals set in the snow. I've got another in progress on my easel right now. My first Malamute painting as well as horses, Lhasas, etc. can be found on my blog at karenmcclelland.blogspot.com. Or my limited editions (just the dogs, usual size is 100 - 200) are available at www.kmdogart.com. The Malamutes will be up there within the next couple of weeks.

I do accept a very limited amount of commission work every year, so if you like my touch with a brush, drop me a line.

Cheers,

Karen McClelland

Another Plug for "Helping Paws"!

"Waiting" Giclée available through "Helping Paws" Show

As a participating artist, I want to keep this innovative Canine Art Guild show fresh in everyone's minds! If you haven't already voted for your favourite painting in the show, please be sure to do so. Remember, it's the shelters or rescues that benefit, so you will be helping out the dogs merely by voting. That said, with the holiday season fast approaching, fine art always makes a special gift, and this show is full of wonderful work.

My partner group is Border Collie Rescue Ontario. I've worked with BCRO a few times, doing some fostering and training, and as I've mentioned in the little blurb that accompanies my show entries, one of my dogs comes from BCRO. Finn, my older dog, was a private rescue ten years ago – it is Finn who is featured in most of my Border Collie work. I'm itching to paint Swish, the little female I got from BCRO. The challenge with Swish is getting good photos, because she doesn't stay still for long! With a name like Swish, would you expect anything else?

BCRO also has a blog, which I hope you take the time to visit. Thanks to all who have already voted and made purchases from the "Helping Paws" show!

Finn (left) and Swish

Irish Setter and Cowboy Boots

Painting of an Irish Setter by artist, Dawn Secord. Dawn is a member of the Canine Art Guild.

This is a pastel painting of Luc, an Irish Setter. His human mom sent me a photo of him laying on his father's lap. Instantly I was drawn to the jeans and cowboy boots. Being from Texas - this scene just melted my heart.

The lines of light that are being cast from the blinds gave an interesting feeling to the composition. In the photo the lines of light were also across Luc's face. With artist liberty I chose not to include those as they took away from this gentle boy's expression.

To see more of my work please go to my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/.

As always - thankyou for looking!

Dawn Secord

website: http://www.dawnsecord.com/

blog: enjoying the journey

http://www.artofthedog.blogspot.com/

Eskie Witch

Halloween is coming, and the dogs here at SHELTIE HOLLOW are gettng excited. They love to hear the scratching of leaves on the pavement when the wind blows, and love to sniff the wonderful rich aroma of the drifts of autumn leaves. They really seem to enjoy putting on a costume. I think they are looking forward to the Trick-or-Treat cookies they get each year. Lily, our American Eskimo Dog, thinks she looks very charming in her witch's hat and orange bow. We hope you agree.
This image is available on my website as cards or as a small print.

Painting a Dog a Day - in Book Format!

For two years now, I've been painting a dog a day.


Well, sometimes I'll sneak a cat or horse in, but it's been primarily dogs.


I'm at over 800 paintings now, and it's been quite the journey. And now, for the first time, you can hold a chunk of that journey in your own hands.

"Painting a Dog a Day - The First Year" is now available in both soft- and hardcovers!!

The book includes 100 generously sized 8" x 10" pages of full-color images, including my favorite pieces and stories, along with an essay highlighting the first 15 months of paintings. I've also interjected bits of hindsight and random thoughts about art-making. My opinion may be biased, but I think that it's a beautiful publication, one that Dog-a-Day collectors and animal lovers alike will enjoy perusing.

Like I said, the book is available in both softcover and hardbound editions, and will ship out December 1st via priority mail, in plenty of time for the holidays. It will make a great gift - so check your list twice, and then place an order.

The softcover edition is $39.95; Hardcover (with dust jacket) is $54.95. Shipping and handling will be an additional 4.95 - and I'll gladly combine shipping on multiple volumes. Just ask for a quote.

To order, send an email to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com with the subject line "BOOK". You may also simply send a paypal payment (ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com) for the total amount due, or mail a check directly to the studio (346 N Anderson, Lake Orion, MI 48362). Please include Michigan sales tax if shipping to a Michigan address.

If you pre-order your copy before November 1st, I'll have plenty of time to personalize an inscription. PLEASE NOTE: Pre-ordering guarantees holiday delivery.


Any questions may always come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

Thanks, as always, for your time in looking at, and sharing, my paintings (and now my book!) with your friends and family.
Kim Santini
ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com
http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/

Sculpture-Jack Russell Terrier work in progress

This is my first blog! I have always wanted to learn how to produce bronze sculptures. Several years ago I took my first workshop with Sandy Scott on "Sculpting Birds in Flight". It was a very challenging workshop, but I learned so much. Unfortunately, I never really followed through with completeing anything. I have a nice Owl which was started in the workshop, and everyday that I walk into my studio, it begs for my attention. This past June, I took my second sculpture workshop with Louise Peterson on "Sculpting the Dog". Once again inspired to sculpt, I absorbed so much from Louise and really wanted to get going once I returned home. This is a head study of our Jack Russell Terrier, "Gromit," which I have been working on at a snails pace to finish. I really have struggled with rendering the fur, although I think I am making strides to get to the completion of this piece and venture on to my next. The image included here only shows one side view. I have worked on adding more "mass" to the back of the neck since it had an hour-glass shape. I think now if I smooth out some of the areas of the fur, this piece will be ready. I welcome ALL comments, suggestions, etc.

Why do I paint, and do I want to continue?

Photo I'm working on for this project. This photo is not one of my own, I found it on an artist challenge project in a forum I frequent. I'd credit the author, but they didn't list their name. When my painting is finished, I'll be posting it in the challenge results.
Excerpt from my blog, on going experiment, rediscovering why I love to paint.

I have discovered reasons I love to paint and I'm only in the second day of this experiment. The experiment is- After a summers vacation, of taking photos only, I want to know if I'd like to continue painting and taking photos, or go to photography completely and forget the painting.

Here are reasons I'm discovering, why I'll probably continue to paint.....

Reason number one for me to continue painting is this: When I woke up at 5 am, I immediately remembered this painting was sitting on my desk, ready for some more paint! Painting gives me a good reason to get up. I don't lay there and waste an hour, waiting for daylight. As winter approaches, I'll have even more hours to paint before daylight arrives.

Reason number two: The funny things that happen when you're painting.... For example, I layered burnt sienna over this dog, then hit it with the hair dryer and a long brown booger ran out of the dog's nose and across the rest of the painting. Now that was funny. You might have to click the image above and see a larger version to get the full effect.

Reason number three: In 20 minutes time, I've drawn my dog, and even though it has rough spots, it looks like a dog. One of my most fun reasons to paint...to take raw materials, and create something that wasn't there before.

Reason number four: In 20 minutes time, my dog is complete with shadows, and light, form and shape, and the beginnings of personality. I've corrected the placement of his eye, and corrected the angle of his nose-need to do more work on the nose..... I've noticed his forehead is wrong and will be working on that next. I'm totally involved in the process of painting. The painting has taken on a life of it's own, and it's telling me what it wants me to do next. I absolutely love the feeling this painting has created inside of me.

Reason number five: Even though I work from photos, I draw the image myself. I begin on a plain white sheet of paper, and draw with my paint brush. It's so hard to explain the connection I feel between the image and the end of my paint brush, but there's an incredible pull from the image, directing my lines onto the paper, it's like I'm not doing this myself, but I'm pulled into the process. It isn't a push, or a nod, or a bump, it's a strong, steady pull, from the subject to the end of my brush.

I've painted animals from life, and although the process is fun, I don't enjoy it like I enjoy working from a photo. I don't want to have to worry about what the animal is doing next and try to imagine how they looked in the preceding five seconds.

And taking the photo itself is part of the process. When I'm taking photos of an animal, I get to know who that particular animal is...I see if he's funny, or smart, or kind of dumb and clutzy.

I like taking the photo that best captures his personality and habits.

Reason number six: There's something about painting that takes the photo one step further. The photo requires a mechanized process and a type of machine (for better words) to make the image happen. But the painting is "MINE"! No other person could copy this painting exactly as I painted it. Look at all the work around this country that's copied, the copy never looks exactly like the original.

You can go to an art class, where 30 artists in the class are working from the same photo, and no two paintings will look exactly alike. When I post this image to the forum, it won't look like all the other paintings the rest of the artists will paint.

So, you can see, I've discovered photos and paintings are both part of my process. I'll keep doing both.

Remember, you can feel free to leave a comment before you go! Perhaps something I've posted has got you thinking....

Perhaps you don't agree with something I've said....

Maybe you'd like to take some art lessons, and try this yourself. If so, don't be afraid, jump right in and do it! The feelings you receive while you're painting are worth it. Let me know, and I'll help you get started.

Maybe you're painting and wonder why you do it! I'd like to hear the reasons you continue....
Donna Ridgway

Email Me if you have questions, or want to inquire about purchasing a painting.

Remember, you can find horse art , Western art, Mule and Donkey art
wildlife art, cow art, and animal paintings. My reference photos are for sale on my website.

The new CAG "Helping Paws Exhibiton 2008" goes online.

The fifth Canine Art Guild online exhibition is now live...!

"Helping Paws 2008" is now online!

A wide and varied display of dog art can be viewed (and the best: all is for sale! Definately worth a visit!). Each and every artist entered has pledge to donate proceeds of their sales to a  shelter or charity of their choice.

Over the last few weeks you have been able to have a sneak preview here, on "Art with a Bark", of some of the work being created for the show.

Below is one of my three entries: "Forgotten Son".

"Forgotten Son"

Graphite on paper, 19x30 cm

380 Euros (20% donated to DCGR)

Too many of our canines are very badly treated, abused and neglected. 
Forgotten Son is all about how strong and important the bond is between "man and his best friend". 
This young girl is lost in reverie as her beloved dog shows her undying loyalty, support and affection. 

Through my art I would like to heighten the awareness of how these gorgeous, quiet and loyal canines are in dire need of a warm safe bed.

The Dumfriesshire & Cumbria Greyhound Rescue is a Scottish charity focused on re-homing retired or abandoned Greyhounds. As a charity they not only use what they raise for kennel fees, vet fees, fostering expenses and advertising but also try to raise public awareness of the plight of dogs at the end of their racing/coursing careers. To date over 500 ex racers and coursers have found new homes.

More of my work can be seen on www.sheonahamiltongrant.com or you can see the steps in  "the making of" Forgotten Son on my studio blog Black on Grey On White.

Thank you for time have a lovely Sunday, Sheona