Winter Sheltie Pup Painting in Oil

"Winter Sheltie Pup,"  8"x10", oil on canvas,

(available on ebay at 8:30PM EST)

My husband lost his job last week, so as you can imagine I've been painting like the dickens in my studio...and I have to say although this is one of the most stressful things I've ever gone through, painting is by far the best therapy!If you are interested in having your pup immortalized in paint, feel free to drop me a line!

Beautiful Asha, Australian Shepherd Dog Portrait in Oil

"Asha," 9"x 12", oil on canvas,

10% will be donated to Heeling Hearts ACD Rescue 

 

I am really thrilled with how Asha's portrait turned out! I actually used a couple different photos to create this piece as I wanted the gentle face from one photo to be paired with the playful ears of the other. I so enjoy painting Australian Shepherds, because their coloring is just so unique! If you are interested in having a portrait done of your precious pup, feel free to contact me!

Westie Atop a Vintage Suitcase, Painting in Oil

 

"Westie Atop a Vintage Suitcase," 9"x 12", 
oil on stretched canvas,
(SOLD, THANK YOU!!)

(10% will be donated to Coalition to Unchain Dogs)

 

It's been awhile since I've done a vintage inspired dog portrait, so I decided to paint one this past week. I decided on a Westie as I find them so fun to paint, and with a name like 'Baron von Gizmo II' how could I resist?! This piece may already be spoken for, but if not, it will become available in the next couple of days. Keep in mind only 11 weeks remain until the holidays!;)

(*photo used with permission: flickr id terra2055)

(*note: I replaced the photo, but there is still a glare coming from the right, I'll have to see if I can get a better photo in the next day or two...paintings always look better in real life!:)

Golden Retriever Attacks Canadian Goose!...

To read the whole story click here :)

Abby & Ivy, Sheltie Sisters...Painting in Oil

"Abby & Ivy," 18"x 24"  (nfs, private commission)

I'll need to get a better photo of this piece as soon as the sun makes an appearance today, but I think I am finished. I ended up removing what was a bannister from a porch on the right of the painting because it just didn't seem to add anything to the composition and may have, in fact, been a bit distracting. I wanted the focus to be on Abby & Ivy, so I also lightened up the background a bit. Overall I am really pleased with how this piece turned out! Both these girls are such beautiful dogs, it's been a pleasure having them spend some time with me in my studio :)
(*Update: I replaced the photo, although I still feel the piece looks much more vibrant in person :)

Currently On my Easel...

"Kadie," 16"x 20" $475

(nfs,private commission)

(in progress)

"Abby & Ivy," 18"x 24"

(nfs, private commission)
(in progress)

Still working on both of these portraits...they are both fairly large so it will be awhile before they are complete...stay tuned!:)

Meet Mathew Mead's Pup, "Oscar"...& A Giveaway at A Gift Wrapped Life!

Oscar, 11"x 14", oil on canvas (nfs)

I just wanted to share some awesome news! I recently was commissioned to do a surprise painting for none other than interior designer/stylist/author/editor Matthew Mead! Linda MacDonald over at Restyled Home asked me to do a painting of his pup, Oscar, for him and his wife as they were coming to her home for a photo shoot as they are launching a new magazine soon called Flea Market Style! You can read more about it here. Linda will be sending me a photo of Matthew and his wife with my painting very soon! Just so thrilled to hear that they are pleased with how it turned out! It was a true pleasure...thank you Linda! :o)
To have a portrait done of your precious pup feel free to contact me!

** Also!! A GORGEOUS GIVEAWAY will be taking place at
A Gift Wrapped Life! Click Here to learn more!

**AND I just selected the next lucky WINNER from those who originally entered my 1st ever Blog Art Giveaway...and can I tell you I had actually selected this one person but was sad to find that they are no longer following me for whatever reason :o( and I kind of felt like, well that's going against the rules of the original contest...so, I thought about it, re-checked again to see if maybe I was wrong, but no this person is no longer a follower so I chose another entry...and the winner is!!!Mason Dixie of
Who Says Dogs Don't Blog: the Day and the Life of Mason Dixie

***I also wanted to give a very SPECIAL THANK-YOU to my husband, Jonathan, it is his birthday today and I want him to know just how much he means to me...he has been so supportive of my work, loves me at my best & at my worst, and is my very best friend in life...someone once told me I'd never find my 'Prince Charming'....well they were wrong....mine came by way of the land down under, and yes he is my prince! :o)

Westie & Vintage Leather Chair Portrait Painting in Oil

Westie & Vintage Leather Chair, 8"x10"(SOLD,Private Commission)

As usual it is a beautiful cloudy day here in Michigan so I have not been able to get a good photo of this Westie portrait for the director of Westie Rescue of OC & Beyond...I know I should embrace the grey skies and somehow be thankful for them, but doggone it, it's supposed to be summer already!@#! Anyway, check back in the next day or two and hopefully the sun will cooperate and allow me to take a better photo. If you would like your precious pup's portrait painted feel free to drop me an email...I think it is a great way to celebrate your pup and for those who have lost their beloved furry friend, it is a great way to keep their memory alive! :o)**Update: Sun appeared, so I was able to get a better photo!Who-hoo!

Westie Portrait in Oil...Back at the Easel

(Westie Commissioned Portrait in Oil...In Progress)

Today was a good day, I'm starting to feel a bit better after my recent dental work and was able to get some more work done on this Westie commissioned portrait I started a few weeks ago. I actually have four Westie portraits that I'm working on...I'm thinking pretty soon I may just start to get type-cast as the 'Westie artist', not that I would mind, I really enjoy painting Westies :o) I don't actually own a Westie, my Godmother does, and I have done charity work for a number of Westie rescue groups, but my 2 dogs are not too fond of the smaller pups. I actually have a New Zealand Huntaway/Kelpie (Taffy) and a Yellow Lab/Stumpy-Tailed Red Heeler (Jedha). Both were rescued off the streets of Cairns in Australia by my Aussie husband. We had them flown to Michigan last July all the way from Sydney as we would never have dreamed of leaving them behind!Their blog is Aussie Dogs Up & Over~Jedha & Taffy's Adventures in America :o)

A New Home on Etsy...

3"x5" oil on primed canvas (SOLD)

Well I finally closed my doors on ebay the other day and will now be selling my work primarily on Etsy. There just have been too many changes in the past couple years on ebay and after 3 years or so I have decided to bid ebay adieu and join my fellow artists on etsy. I will also be getting back to doing some still life pieces and Master portrait studies along with my Painting a Pup a Day project...I have to take a break from painting pups from time to time or I go a little batty...So, I hope you will enjoy following my new journey selling on etsy...it certainly was a pleasant surprise to see a couple sales already! A great welcome to a wonderfully creative and inspiring site!