'What's up Dach?'

"What's up Dach?"
4"x6" watercolor on WC paper

Here is the final painting of my little black and tan dachshund (my previous wip post showed only a portion of it). Great little breed full of character. I am mulling around with another painting idea based on this one but expanded, possibly as an entry for the Art Show at the Dog Show...we'll have to see how my initial pencils turn out.

This painting is available for purchase. Please contact me directly.

ACEO- Bulldog Sepia and Tints

SOLD
"The Beautiful Bulldog"
2.5"h x 3.5"w Original Sepia Watercolour

I thought I would try and make a little ACEO to compliment my fuller paintings. This one is from my Bulldog painting, 'MY Ball,' posted on October 7th.
It is a closely cropped facial study, but instead of doing it in full colour, I painted it as a sepia print with some tints of rose for the tongue and the muzzle. I was quite pleased with it and so you'll be seeing this technique on a regular basis :-)

WIP-Dachshund

Here is a quick peek at park of one of the little paintings I am currently working on. It will measure 4"x6" and is done in watercolour. No firm title yet, we'll see what develops as this little doxie painting nears completion :-)

Bulldog painting - "MY Ball"

"MY Ball"
5"x 5" watercolor on board

Here is the finished bulldog; I really enjoyed painting him; wonderful stature, solid and how about that wonderful grin!

A side note to this painting; some bulldog aficionados may say that this guy is a little leggy, and they would be correct, as the [English] Bulldog breed as most people know it is a shorter and square canine. But this lovely fellow was a Victorian bulldog, which is a swing in breeding going back to the taller and smaller head type.

Whichever breeding you look at, I have met both these types and they are marvelous, personable and at times (dare I say) slightly stubborn dogs who are always greatly loved by their families :-)

He is available for purchase, so please post me an email, if you're interested.

WIP-Bulldog

WIP- Bulldog
5"x 5" watercolor on board

I've been painting like a fiend >:-)

Here's something I can show you (commissions are top secret until after Christmas)...
A work in progress of a lovely bulldog-- the finished piece will be posted later on this week and he will be for sale.

I am also trying to complete some Hallowe'en art...a little different, but still with animals. If it turns out, I'll post those as well. If it doesn't, well I have to invoke my artist's privilege to never show them to anyone!

The Trail of Painted Ponies

"The Front Runner"
Comp for figurine reproduction

I have some great news to share;
This summer, I entered a "Call to Artists" put out from the Trail of Painted Ponies. The theme was the Art of Horse Racing.

Well, I'm happy to announce that my design, The Front Runner, finished "first by a nose" (yeah, we put together a bad pun) and is going to be reproduced as a figurine! I am thrilled to say the least-- the people at TOPP have been great to work with and am looking forward to seeing the process of taking a 2d design to a 3d one.

Check the full results-- first, second and third place!

The Trail of the Painted Ponies is one of the premier fine art and collectibles companies in the world, in its sixth year of crafting one of the most beloved collectibles in America. It began as a Santa Fe based public art project that invited artists to let their imaginations run wild and transform life-size fiberglass horse sculptures into wonderful original works of art. The response was overwhelming and lead to the reproduction of these originals in a smaller, collectible form.

While The Trail of Painted Ponies is well known for their collectible figurines and books, they are also dedicated to supporting the arts, education, animals and the environment. To date, The Trail of Painted Ponies has proudly raised over 1 million dollars to support many worthy non-profit organizations.

Link to how The Trail of the Painted Ponies all began
Link to the Official Site with links to the many ponies available and 'retired'

Miniature- Birman Cat Portrait

Blue Lynx Birman (TJ)
3"x 3" watercolor on board

I am currently working on some Christmas commissions, so I can't show anything...just in case...however, here is another small portrait sample, this time of one of my menagerie, our blue lynx Birman, CH Gwindors Year of the Tiger, otherwise known as T.J. .
And yes, his eyes are that blue :-)

Miniature - Pony Portrait

Miniature Pony Portrait
3" x 4" Watercolour on board

I am at a one day fall show tomorrow, so am really pressed for time and I just wanted to post the final miniature pony portrait I started earlier this week.

I'm sort of pleased with the result, my sticking point being the background. If I had to do it again, I think I would changed the colour to a lighter, more muted blue. It seems to be fighting with the pony for presence right now.

:-)

Happy Birthday Guinness!

A little off topic today...

While I'm not Irish by birth, I am by marriage ;-) and therefore will pay hommage to that great Irish icon; perfection in black and white, the Guinness pint.

Happy Birthday Guinness!
250 years young!

Non-Guinness paintings will return tomorrow...

Thank You and Miniature WIP

WOW! I am floored with the great responses I got from visitors! I really appreciate the time that everyone has taken to leave such wonderful comments--Thank you so very much!

There were so many fabulous cupcake renditions, I wasn't sure what to do... then I saw "my painting" when a visiting dog friend struck the appropriate pose while I was preparing dinner. Multiply by two and there it was! Really fun to do Too!

Now I would like to take the time to thank Karin Jurick for sharing her beloved Jack with us and starting such an interesting challenge blog to begin with.

Next up on the easel is this miniature pony portrait. Look for the finished painting later this week.

Pupcakes!

"Pupcakes"
4.5"w x 5.5"h Watercolour on board

I have been busy with some commission work and a special project (more news coming soon!)

I managed to squeak in with a painting for the Different Strokes for Different Folks challenge. While I finished it tonight, I was late in sending it off to Karin for posting...so you might see it there or you might not. It depends on how busy Karin is to deal with us tardy artist ;-)

Anyway, this is a cute little painting that I am sure all of you dog lovers out there can identify with...

And a little thank you to my husband, who cleverly came up with the title!

Miniature - Malamute

"Northern Light"
2.5"w x 3.25"h
Miniature watercolor on WC board

Here is another new miniature; a portrait of a gorgeous, happy Alaskan Malamute. Not sure of her name, we met her on a walk one afternoon at the park, so I am using a working title of "Northern Light"

This piece is available for purchase. If you're interested, please contact me directly :-)

Mini Boxer- A Bit of Regal Grace

A Bit of Regal Grace
Miniature Watercolour,
2.25"w x 3.5"h, completed size 5.5"h x 7.5"w

Wow! It has been a long summer, but school is back in full swing and I have a new painting to share!

I am getting ready for a few fall shows and wanted to introduce people to a Pet Portrait in Miniature. So I took my painting "A Regal Grace" and recreated it...at 3.5"x2.25"
It is shown above in a small frame, complete size 5.5"w x 7.5"h, ready to hang or display on a small, tabletop easel.

Puppy Sketch

Well, I'm still here; got some sketching in but no finished paintings. My hat is off to all those daily/semi weekly painters who consistently come up with such beautiful work!
It isn't happening here :-D

We'll be on holiday soon, and with a gang of people around, I think I can sneak off to do some painting, so be prepared when I get back!

For now, here is a little sketch of the lovely Journey, who has brightened our lives for the last 3 weeks! She sure is going to leave a empty spot in our lives when she returns home....

P.S. Because I don't think my sketch did her great justice....here's Journey via our digital camera!

Back on the radar!

It is crazy how fast this last month has gone...I literally have not had time to post, let alone get to my art board for any length of time.

I was working during the month, had summer camps and play dates to drive kids to and took care of a few summer projects with my husband (or should I say I directed them).

Sadly, we also lost a two very dear four-legged friends this month through quick and totally unexpected occurrences. We miss them dearly and are still somewhat shocked.

But I do have some good news this month...we are puppy-sitting! One of Suede's daughters has come to stay for a little summer vacation. She is adorable and constantly on the go, I have a few good pics and will try to put them up tomorrow.

For today, I leave you with a little sketch I did of our old Airedale, Duke.