Buddy - Search & Rescue Donation # 29

Buddy
German Shepherd
4" x 6"
Oil on Panel
Search & Rescue Donation #29

Buddy is certified for Human Remains finds, mostly he works to provide closure for the missing for the families. He is also is qualified to track for missing people, which most of the time it has been for children that tend to wander off. He and his human partner, Ron, the Canine Field Officer, work with Tazewell Emergency Management Agency. Buddy is now 8 years old, and Ron says he is an outstanding dog in what he does.

Thank you Buddy & Ron for your work!

On a technical note, I was not sure how this painting was going to turn out. It seemed like it would be too small to successfully showcase a full-body pose of Buddy. However, I'm really happy with the resulting portrait. It was challenging, but I think the final portrait turned out well.

I have finished all the paintings for my art show - whew! Now all I have to do is frame them all!

I think it's going to be a long weekend :)

Live Creatively!

Liz

Princess Zora & Chico Dog Donation #28

Long day today - finished up the portrait of the German Shepherd and completed a K9 donation painting.

First up, here's Zora, the princess - delicately gnawing on her bone -

Zora
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
Private Commission
NFS

You can see how her portrait coordinates with the painting of Indigo

Indigo
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
Private Commission NFS

I wasn't able to take very good photos for some reason. I really need to work out a trade with someone that's good at photos!

Now, allow me to introduce a hard-working dog - Chico

K9 ChicoDog
Donation #28
Oil on Panel
4" x 6"

• Underwater Detection – International Police Work Dog Association, August 2009
• DHS/FEMA Canine Search Specialist October 2006, re-cert June 2009

They are affiated with:

• FEMA USAR - Missouri Task Force One, Boone County Missouri: 2006 to present
• Illinois Search Dogs, Bloomington, IL: 2003 – present

Thank you ChicoDog and Susan, his partner! You are appreciated - and please explain how he does underwater detection? does he have scuba gear?

Now I'm going to go eat a slice of homemade custard pie with fresh strawberries and get to bed - another long day tomorrow!

Live Creatively!
Liz

Zora Part 2

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted a dog painting! I've been busy painting different types of paintings for my solo show. I do have a couple dog commissions that I will share with you as I go along. This is Zora, the giant German Shepherd that thinks she is a princess.

Zora
16" x 20" Oil on Canvas
(Closeup of painting)

This is the second update to her portrait. Today I spent all day working on the background - it's really going to be striking. It is a retro-type fabric background. It is a companion piece to Indigo the Cat's portrait, which I did just about a year ago.

Indigo
16"x20"
Oil on Canvas
Private Commission NFS

I hope some of you can make it out to Stephenville to see my show. The reception is Thursday, May 6, but if you let me know you're coming, I can meet you out there any day. The show runs through the end of May.

Back to the studio!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Base, in Uniform

Practically by the time I finished typing, I was sick! I didn't get out of bed for almost a week. Today was the first 'normal' day in the studio since my last post. I sure hope you don't get this, it's awful. I still have laryngitis, so my hubby is enjoying the peace LOL

On to today's painting

Allow me to introduce "Base" a beautiful English Bulldog. His owner admires Robert E. Lee and for a gift, his wife had Base painted in Lee's uniform. I do extensive research to make sure that I get the details accurate in these uniformed paintings.

Base
English Bulldog
Oil on Panel
5" x 7"
Private Commission

This is a very small one, only 5" x 7" - I never thought it would work out to do one this small, but it really turned out great! I'm enjoying doing the smaller paintings, and they are more affordable while the economy is so awful.

WIN A FREE 4" x 6" PORTRAIT!

Send me a photo of your choice - the photo that gets the most votes will win a free portrait! This will be a monthly contest. So find a great photo and send it in! Remember, the backgrounds can be changed.

Can't wait to see the photos!

Live Creatively!

Liz

German Shepherd Commission

Zora
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
NFS

This is going to be a great painting - this dog has the best expression! She is a huge German Shepherd, who thinks she is a tiny princess.

Below is the photo that I am working from:


I see that I have her leg too long . . . I had it right, but it looked short LOL . . . guess I'll be fixing that when I paint again. I will be putting a 'mod' look background to this painting. This is a second commission for this patron. I painted her cat with a 'mod' background, so this will coordinate. She has another dog, so hopefully, there will be a third in this series :)

My husband has had the crud for the past week, and now my throat feels funny . . . wish me luck that I don't get sick for 2 weeks! I don't have time!!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Forest, Australian Shepherd Search & Rescue Dog

Forest
4" x 6"
Oil on Panel

Tonight's painting is an Australian Shepherd search & rescue dog, Forest. Unfortunately, it's a memorial painting, as Forest has passed away. I finally got together with his partner and she was able to watch me paint online through http://www.ustream.tv/channel/daily-painting-by-liz and see Forest's portrait come to life. I recorded the sessions so if you can watch it at any time.

I forgot to get his information, so I don't have his story, but I will post it on his page at Portrait of a Hero - http://www.PortraitOfAHero.com

If you have a search & rescue or K9 dog, or if you know someone who does, please allow me to paint a portrait of them free of charge in gratitude for their service. Contact me for details.

Here is a portion of the session during which I painting Forest's portrait



Live Creatively!

Liz

Golden Love

Donation

Golden Love
7" x 7"
Oil on Panel

This is a painting that will become the logo for the Emerald Coast Golden Retriever Rescue. The original will be auctioned off on ebay and they will get 100% of the funds.

It's late, and I'm tired so that's it for tonight! I hope to be painting live on Ustream.tv again soon.

Live Creatively!
Liz