FOXHOUND IN PROGRESS

Got back to my Foxhund last night after having looked at it for a few days or was it staring at me saying don't leave me like this. Anyways I now think I know where I'm going with it. The plan is too incorporate him into a rich autumnal background blending his colouring with the background and avoiding that cardboard cut out look. That's the plan anyway lol.

Hope your having a great day where ever you are :))

Foxhound Oil on Board

http://www.e-mccrindleart.co.uk/

Chesapeakes in Pencil

This is my latest portrait commission for a very good friend of mine and a lady that shares my love of the outdoors and hunting. These were two of her favorite hunting dogs, Punkin and Belle, a pair of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Both dogs have gone over the bridge now and are greatly missed. She had asked me to do this picture a year ago, but couldn't quite bring herself to go through all the photos that would be needed for reference. As we all know from losses of our own special fur friends the grieving process takes time. As a fellow pet owner and as an artist painting pets being able to help in the healing process from these losses is a double blessing... one for the person you do the painting for and one for you knowing that you've given something special to someone else.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day! Give those furry friends in your life extra hugs today...they are never with us long enough!
Catherine

www.petportraitsbycatherine.com
www.catherinetempleart.blogspot.com

Valentine - Carol Chretien

WON'T YOU BE MINE?

8x8

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

SOLD

with 20% to Dachshund Adoption Rescue & Education (DARE)

***

This new piece is created using "OSCAR" as my model that inspires the painting. His "mom" is a volunteer for a BEAGLE rescue (BONESBEAGLES.org) that I work with and she often sends me pics of her little crew of fur-babies. Oscar is one of her loves...and his face is a lovely heart-shape that just invited the idea of a Valentine.

One of the blessings of working with rescues from coast to coast and creating art to help fund their efforts is that I have formed some truly wonderful friendships and have so many references of their pets to inspire new work.

These are usually adopted animals who have finally found their forever families and now when I paint them or am inspired by them it is evidence that they continue to help and advocate for other wonderful animals still waiting for THEIR own families to find them.

Paying it forward never seems to end which is a fabulous effect of the work of everyone in rescue.

Any questions about my work please email carolchretien@aol.com

and stop in to visit a new place to view or purchase my work at CarolChretien - 1000 Markets

Whippet on pillows

I haven't posted anything for a while, but I have been painting like crazy! I just put the finishing touches on this one today. It is 16 x 20" oil on linen canvas. I will be showing my paintings at the American Whippet Club National Specialty in Atlanta, GA in April and that is where this one will first be displayed.

Yvonne Sovereign

Latest Commission..."Donny and Mae"

This is my latest commission that I delivered to the clients last weekend. They were so very gracious and thrilled with the painting and they made me realize once again how very lucky I am to be able to do what I do, which is to paint that which I love and touch people's lives in a positive way in the process. It is extremely rewarding for me as an artist to see that instant emotional connection that happens when the owners see their painting for the first time. I've gotten hugs, tears and even a lovely bottle of french champagne. I love my job! So a big shout out to all my clients, you are truly the best. I have been so blessed to be a small part of that special and unique relationship that exists between you and your wonderful dogs.

Two In The Snow

After a weekend of snow, yesterday was spent shoveling [yes, yet again] and digging out. I was left with the job as my husband had to head to work. At least that is what he said!Our JRT and PWC pups are really dwarfed by the walls of snow left by our plow guy. But they are having fun looking for squirrel holes and deer tracks in the paths we have especially plowed for the pooches.

I did get some time to get some sketches done between shoveling events and back and forth's to the barn and horses. A graphite of a young buck seen in our back woods is almost done...and will be a painting at some point! I have also started a BIG casein for my "From The Loft" series. These paintings are being done with a mixed media of casein, acrylic, and charcoal. I guess I will post "In Progress" shots of the new one as I go. You asked for it...I always want to keep you happy!!And then I am also working on works to be shown this summer in Saratoga, NY..at Equidae Gallery.I have been asked to do a casein demonstration there too during the show...and I have a show coming up in Lexington too in May...more on that later!

This day is a special day...my radio will be tuned into the inauguration of our new president Obama. I am sure every one will be watching this historic event.

Foxhound work in progress

Worked on the Foxhound this morning for a couple of hours. Looking at it there probably doesn't look much difference but I've been developing the muscle tone on his neck, shoulders and chest. Just managed to get it photographed outside before another burst of sleet and rain......brrrr. Glad to have an inside job today :))

Eager oil on board

Eager oil on board detail of area being worked on

http://www.e-mccrindleart.co.uk/

http://art-fromscotland.blogspot.com/

Elin Pendleton - "Flush" Spaniel and Pheasant Acrylic

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is now in the painting, and it's on it's way to the jury for the Art Show at the Dog Show in Wichita next month. I did this as a series of lessons on my blog.

This 12 x 16 acrylic is called "Flush", and hopefully will be shipped to Wichita for the show in March, if accepted. On February 4th, I'll know if any of the four got in. Just around the corner!

Workshops on my Color System in Georgia, Maine and Florida--information can be found HERE.
You can see my entire blog here.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Elin Pendleton - Art Show at the Dog Show Painting

One for the Art Show at the Dog Show, a dog and girl in bright sunshine on the water, holding a pole and reeling in the red bobber. This is a 12 x 16 acrylic, finished in time for entry to this national show.

On the design, look at the line that the distant water's edge creates. It is just above the girl's knees, showing that we are looking UP at her--and she is drawn with that in mind--her shoulders are in perspective with the nearer one higher than the opposite one. The dog is below the horizon line, and so we're looking DOWN on him. You can see this in action by laying a straight edge along the dock edge and also through her shoulders--the lines will intersect at the water line on the right side!

The entry for the Art Show at the Dog Show has gone to Express Mail, and now I wait for the reply to see if this one or the others are going to get in. While I wait, I can't sell any of these, although you've asked about them on my blog. If they go to the show, they can be purchased online through their web site. None of them are over $500, and this one is $300.

I really like the painting, because that kid could be me at about age nine, however the dog would have been a dachshund instead of the wire hair terrier. (And my hair never looked that good!) In using the Color System on human skin, I flip the boxes, and paint the shadows warm and the lights cool--thus she seems to glow with life because of the reversed contrasts of temperature. Come to one of my Color Boot Camps to see this in action! My goodness I have four in 2009, one's already filled.

On my blog, I share with you the third acrylic dog painting done for this art show, in three stages.

You can see my entire blog here.
Workshops for 2009 are HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Kim Ratigan: Another Entry

A Regal Grace
8.5" x 6" watercolor on WC board

I finally decided to go ahead and enter this as my second painting for the Art Show at the Dog Show. My main concern all along was that people might view this piece as just a nice boxer portrait...
In the end, however, I felt it had enough presence to be more than just a portrait and entered it along side "Heart and Soul".
This painting will be for sale in the future, depending on whether or not it is accepted. If you are interested in A Regal Grace, please email me, so I can keep you in mind regarding it's availability.

To see more of my work, please visit my website www.justagallery.com or my painting blog,

Jack Russell On Watch

Here in Morrill, Maine it is bitter cold today. I guess this cold has blanketed the North East. I threw more hay out for the horses, and the dogs only go out for short time..an in and out... and I am spending the day in the studio where the sun beats in.

This morning I did this 6 x 8" casein of our JRT ..she likes to look tough and alert! What I see, when she is surrounded by snow, are the shadows and the play of color on the snow. She is SO BIG and brave in her own mind. But she IS a cutey, that's for sure!

I painted this work on a toned board that I prepared and I let the background show through the paint as I glazed and scumbling....I like the effect it makes.

I will be putting this small painting on my website and it is available for purchase.
Time for a cup a joe....hot and steamy!

Summer memories

Where I live we've been in the depths of extreme cold (even by Canadian prairie standards) for way too long. You can easily forget that any season other than winter exists. Maybe that's why I latched on to this shot this evening when I was sorting through my photo files of the past year. This is just the total antithesis of where we're at now.

I took this at a friend's place, where I was doing a horse shoot in the pasture. Her friendly flat-coated retrievers were accompanying us, and of course where there is water, you'll generally find the retrievers. She was just giving a good shake when I caught this moment, one that I'm glad to remember here in the depths of the cold and dark.

You can see more of my photos and text at my home blog Thanks for looking. Judy Wood

Kim Ratigan: Heart and Soul

"Heart and Soul"
6.5" x 8.25" watercolor on paper,
We saw this wonderful pair of shelties during a dog show last summer and my husband quickly snapped a picture of them. I have done them up in watercolour and have titled it "Heart and Soul" which reflects the closeness this pair share, the mirror-like quality of the pose and a symbol (of sorts) that I saw while painting and strengthened it just a bit, so it stayed fairly subtle. Can you see it?

This will go on to the Art Show at the Dog Show, hopefully be juried in, and we'll see what happens after that. It will be for sale at some point. If you are interested, please email me, so I can keep you in mind.

I am still pondering whether or not the second entry will be sent off...

See ore of my work at www.justagallery.com or on my blog at www.kimratigan.blogspot.com

American Cocker Spaniel Portrait

I think I am finally getting my breath back after the rush of Christmas portraits. The months leading up to Christmas were wonderfully hectic, and now I am enjoying the quieter pace of January where I have time to put my brush and pencils down once in a while to sit back and enjoy a cup of tea while it is still hot, and to watch the sparkle of snow diamonds outside my window.It is always a delight to paint a beautiful furry face, and to me, they are all beautiful. But sometimes, a certain one brings back lovely memories of a dog I have known. This was the case with this pretty ASCOB American Cocker Spaniel. She reminded me of the days long ago when I couldn't wait to help out at a kennel full of these delightful little dogs. My favourite was a personable blond, very much like this one. As with most of my portraits, this was done in Coloured Pencil over Watercolour.

Heather Anderson

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

Elin Pendleton - Art Show at the Dog Show Painting

"Guardian" is finished now, and I'm quite pleased with the final image. Why I didn't make the wings black and tan as well? I thought about it (knowing that if this were a real creature, they most likely would be), and then decided that with the amount of bounce light coming and going on the dog and child, the white wings would enhance that, which I really wanted. So white they stayed, even tho' I deepened the shadow sides with the "sky trio" (you Color Boot Camp graduates know which ones!)

Paintings get to me sometimes, and "Guardian" does that. I have a hard time explaining it. In a feeble attempt, I'll say that, to me, it embodies the response of being loved, cared for and safely watched over. I may continue with this concept and express it visually in different ways in upcoming works.

Tomorrow the image goes off to the Art Show at the Dog Show (opens a new window), and who knows whether the judge will accept it? Will he/she have the need for the safety this painting conveys? Some people might think it is too sci-fi. Not me. Now, if it doesn't get accepted, I do not take it personally, nor think less of the work. Sometimes paintings don't fit with the wholeness of a show, or they've already juried in enough of that type. I'm at a point in my career where I paint for me, and if that doesn't please a judge, that's their loss. My work now touches enough people that one or two judges can't dent my belief in what I do.

So why enter juried shows? I find that when there is a gathering of specific people interested in a specific type of art, it is in my best interest to be a part of that. ASaDS is a show where the gathering of dog people validates my entry fee, the shipping and time involved.

You can see my entire blog here.

Color System information can be found HERE.

If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Big News!

The beautiful, glossy magazine Dogs in Review, 2009 Annual issue is out. There is a wonderful article by Sue LeMieux, Canine Artists Extraordinaire, which features some of the top dog artists today. I am delighted to announce that I am included in this group. There is a two page spread on each artist which includes color photos of their work and a nice writeup. Get your hands on a copy if you love contemporary dog art! How exciting is that?
Yvonne Sovereign

Engish Setter and Irish Setter by Dawn Secord

This pastel painting is of two lovely girls, Devon, an English Setter and Amber, an Irish Setter.

Their parents had commissioned me to paint the girls some time ago. We kept trying to get together to take photos and it is amazing how difficult such a small task can become!

We decided to get together at our local club's doggie fun day. The girls were photographed separately in several different locations in the park. We all had so much fun. Devon was a little princess and each photograph was a pose in and of it's self. Amber, on the other hand, was the queen and much to busy to be photographed. At discrete moments she would honor us with a gaze and if I was quick enough I could take the shot. Thank goodness for digital cameras on a speed setting!

There were several great photos of each dog that would work for the painting and the final choice of reference poses and the background of the painting was left to my artistic creativity. I picked poses that were complimentary to each dog and then complimentary collectively. One photo of the girls standing together gave me the reference point on how tall to make each dog when placing the dogs in the painting.

Thank you Devon and Amber for being so cooperative and thank you to Cathy and Dave for asking me to paint your girls!

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

Have a great day! Dawn Secord, Artist.

Enjoying the Journey:

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

Tribute (Augie's Collar), from Painting a Dog a Day

"Tribute," from the "Tags, Toys & Treasures" series, also part of the Painting a Dog a Day project, 12" square, acrylic on canvasboard, still life depicting dog collar and tags, $529. 10% from the sale of this painting will be donated to my local shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center. Inquiries may always come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

I have a similar painting hanging in my studio. It's a favorite because if reminds me of what I had, what I have, and what will come to me. The proverbial circle of life.

This piece is the first painting of 2009's Painting a Dog a Day. Painting a Dog a Day is my daily painting challenge - I complete one pet portrait each workday through the course of the year. I'm well into the third year, and would love for you to come and join me! The entire project is documented on the blog, along with information on how you can train your email to fetch the daily paintings.

Thanks, as always, for sharing my art with your friends and family,

Kim Santini

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

www.turtledovedesigns.com

Irish Setter by Dawn Secord

This is the second painting I've done of Bodhi, an Irish Setter.

The first painting I did of him was several years ago and he was jumping through an agility ring.
This painting was a head portrait.

I photographed Bodhi during the Irish Setter National Specialty in Arizona. His owner thought it would be fun to put the red rocks of Arizona behind him.

Bodhi is a very special dog and it has been an honor to get to know him, his owner and paint him in two different settings.

To see more of my work please go to my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/. Thanks for taking a peek!

Labrador Retriever by Dawn Secord

This is Misty, a Labrador Retriever mix.

I met Misty's parents several years ago at a show. The following year they came to talk to me about painting Misty. It was so exciting to hear they had waited a year to find me at the next show and wanted to proceed with the painting.

We scheduled a time for them to bring Misty to my home for photographing. Misty was such a good girl. We took so many wonderful pictures of her it was difficult to choose which was the best candidate for the primary reference photo.

Misty's owners didn't want to proof the painting over the internet - but chose to do so in person. They were very happy with the painting. The kindest and most heartwarming compliment they gave me was to ask me to paint another one of their pets.

To see more of my dog art, cat art or horse art please visit my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/. Thank you for taking the time to view my work!

Surf Side - Carol Chretien

The painting above, which sold to help SAVE THE DALS rescue, is an example of the kind of joy I am lucky to have with Lizzie (my 10 yr old Dal girl) for inspiration. she inspired the painting from one of our trips to the shore.

Today I have posted the image on a new Blog for my art... http://1000markets.com/users/wwwcarolchretien ...this new place for Artisans to show and sell their work has many nice features and easy to use.

One feature is the blog posting that allows me to highlight some of the rescues in need.I like that you can list your work in categories too.

Painting ocean scenes and Dalmatians just go together so nicely.

Hoping to get some new ones done soon for the Dal rescues I support. It's a whole new year!

Christmas Commission; Kim Ratigan

"RAMBO" Pug - NFS
Commissioned Portrait • 5"x 7" coloured pencil/watercolor


Nothing too exciting to show from the easel yet, so here is another Christmas commission; RAMBO is a very handsome little pug. The final portrait is shown above and original sketches are shown below.
This fellow had so much personality going for him that I did a number of poses from the client's reference shots!
~Kim

Please stop by my blog or website to view more of my work!

West Highland Terrier with his Family

Jack, the lovable Westie, graciously posed with his Family for a Pastel Portrait.
Jack was a bit shaggy but since I spent awhile in the dog show, grooming and boarding business, well it was no trouble to neaten him up! I took the photos the end of October thus had to re-invent the garden but since the background is secondary to the subject, that also was no problem. The Morgan family was delighted with their 24x 30 pastel portrait!
Portraits of animals with their owners is a large part of what I create so I enjoy the opportunity of working close to life size.

English Setter Puppies

My first painting of the New Year is the first in my new series featuring the sporting breeds. It's title is "The Line Up" because these three English Setter pups look like they just got into something they shouldn't have and are now lined up to determine who the guilty party is. I think they are mostly guilty of stealing hearts!

This painting is 11" x 14" done in gouache and the original is for sale as well as prints and note cards. If you are interested in purchasing any of these please email me at kindredspirits@clearwire.net.

As always, thanks for looking and have a wonderful New Year!
Catherine Temple
www.petportraitsbycatherine.com
www.catherinetempleart.blogspot.com

Ready To Go! - Carol Chretien

"Ready To Go!"

Carol Chretien

I am an oil painter but, as all artists do, you want to try new mediums from time to time.

I am not ever happy with the results and fall back to oils...but I gave myself a challenge to blow the dust off my box of soft pastels and try my hand (once again) at this medium. It really surprised me as it emerged from the chalk.

I was inspired by this beagle from a collection of images of adoptable beagles at BONES.

http://www.bonesbeagles.org to see their good work and BEAUTIFUL beagles.

This painting is 8x10, on board, matted and available at 85.00 directly from me.

carolchretien@aol.com 20% goes directly to the rescue when sold.

Happy New Year....a year for new horizons, new work for rescue through the sale of art.

wishing all a healthy and creative year!

Carol