Happy Thanksgiving!

It's been a busy day - but for once, I am not the one cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I do have some homemade yeast rolls baking, cranberry sauce on the stove, and am trying to find an interesting recipe for a casserole from our garden's summer squash. As always, at this time of year, I reflect on all the reasons I have to be very thankful. First of all, I am glad that I was born in the greatest country on earth. Good health and talent wouldn't be worth much in some countries, where it is all you can do to survive. Right now, in 2008 - Albino people are being slaughtered in Tanzania and Barundi because it is believed their body parts are useful in "traditional medicine" Not all "traditions" are good ones.

Bulldog Charity Painting

I know it's been a while since I've posted, but most of the painting I've been doing are gifts, so I can't share them with you. Today I finished a painting for Bulldog Rescue - I need to get a better photo, but thought I'd post what I have for now. Please check back to get the link for the auction - remember this goes to help the dogs!

BULLDOG CHARITY PAINTING
12"x 16"
Oil on Canvas

(better photo to come soon)

This painting will be auctioned to raise money for The BCA Rescue Network, Inc - non-profit organization. There are many volunteers nationwide who love the Bulldog breed and are dedicated to its continued well-being. These volunteers find new homes for more than 1000 Bulldogs per year. Many thousands of dollars are spent to provide medical care, food, shelter, and training while the rescued Bulldogs are awaiting adoption.

Please check back to get the link to bid on this painting - remember 50% of the proceeds go to help support bulldog rescue!

If you have a charity to which you would like me to donate a painting, please let me know!

Scroll down to see the steps to this beautiful portrait!

Step #1 - Beginning the portrait. This actually isn't the VERY first step, but it's the first time that I took a break to take a photograph. I started by painting in the basic shape of the dog with burnt sienna paint.

Then I blocked in the darks and lights on his body. I like to use very colorful underpainting on animals, I think it gives more of a sense of the life and vibrancy of their being.

Close-up of Step 1 You can see his face starting to emerge from the shadows.

Step 2 - Now I'm adding the details and the actual coloring of the dog - this appears to bring him out of the shadows.

Step 3 - I now have just about all his body in basically the correct coloration. I will now refine areas and model the muscles and bones of his structure to make sure he is anatomically accurate.

Step 4 - Just about done! I will probably make a few adjustments - but basically he is finished. I have modeled his muscles, and adjusted the balance between light and dark. This is not a very good photo as it was 11:00 p.m when I stopped painting. I will try to get a better photo in the daylight.

Thank you again for your interest in my artwork, and for your patience :)

Live Creatively!!!

Liz

Olive the Sphynx Cat

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted, but I HAVE been painting. Here is one of the paintings I've done recently that is not a Christmas gift. Allow me to introduce Olive, the Sphynx cat. (I am pretty sure that is her breed, if not, I'll post a correction when I find out.) She is hairless and very striking. Unfortunately, this is a memorial painting, as she recently passed away. I know she's not a dog, but I figured I needed to show you something - and she looks like she can handle herself being surrounded by all these dogs - variety is the spice of life.

Here is a close-up of her face - be sure to click the photos to see much larger views.

J.B. the Scotty has eyes :)

J.B.
Scottish Terrier
Memorial Portrait
18" x 24"

J.B. the Scotty Gets his Turn . . . Finally

Hi,

I hope everyone has survived the storms and managed to get to a safe place. I hope if you had any losses, it was just material possessions which don't matter that much in the real scheme of things. I live in the middle of Texas, we didn't even get any rain, so don't worry about me :)

J.B. the Scotty
18" x 24" Oil on Canvas

I've been working on J.B., but haven't had any good photos. Finally got a couple, although he's so dark that the camera doesn't pick up the variations very well. You may remember this is a memorial painting for a Scotch Terrier that has crossed the rainbow bridge. This is much larger than life, since Scotties aren't that large, and this is 18" x 24". It's looking good, hopefully when I get the background in, the photo will turn out better. I think all that white space is throwing it off. Also, he looks a bit bizarre without any eyes yet. Don't worry, he'll have his beautiful, loving eyes soon.

Here is a little close up of his nose, which shows more of the variation and colors of the painting better than the larger photo above. You can click on the photos to see a larger version.

In a total change of subject, I have one of those little plastic ponds outside my back door. I've stocked it with 10/$1 goldfish which have grown and reproduced - it's wonderful. Last summer a couple frogs found it and I've been serenaded nightly ever since. They filled the pond up with tadpoles, and now we have a little frog nursery - they are growing out of their tails and climbing up onto the lily pads - thought you'd enjoy a few pics of my baby frogs :)



You can't really tell it from these photos, but they're tiny!

Hope you and yours are safe, warm & dry tonight -

Live Creatively!

Liz

Mimi - a beloved Yellow Lab

Mimi
8" x 10"
Oil on Panel

This is a Christmas present to someone who doesn't get on the internet, so I can share it with you ahead of time. You may have seen the beginning of this painting on UStream.tv - All the segments are recorded there, although I did a tiny bit of 'adjusting' after I signed off on the final video.

Jennifer, who commissioned the painting wrote me a sweet email saying:

"Liz, You've outdone yourself again! I can't stop myself from checking out Mimi's portrait online again and again and cannot wait to see the original. You've done a fantastic job capturing who she is: her spirit, her gentle and kind way and her focus, likely on her own shadow! :) The only downside is having to wait until Christmas to share it with my mom! She will be speechless! I cannot wait for you to paint my two black labs together."

Congratulations to new collector Jennifer B. on her commission of Mimi - and I can't wait to paint her black labs either - although I already painted one of them, since they are Search & Rescue dogs - Thanks again for all your hard work and dedication!

If you are considering a portrait for Christmas, now is the time to get in touch with me so I can make sure that I incorporate you into my schedule.

Thank you for listening & looking - and
Live Creatively!

Liz

Forest - Portrait of a Search & Rescue Dog

This is the first step of a small commissioned painting. This is Forest, a beautiful search and rescue

Donation #16 - Garren - Police K9 Service Dog

Garren - Police K9 Service Dog

German Shepherd
4" x 6" Oil on Panel

From his partner:
I work for the Beaverton Police Department

Police Officer Memorial Portrait Dedication

The Police Officer portrait that I painted a couple months ago was formally dedicated on Friday. I attended, but due to mis-communication and some glitches (plus the fact that I'm basically a hermit and am not always in my "assertive artist" mode) I ended up not being in the room at the time it was being dedicated. It was standing room only. I met the Dallas Chief of Police and a lot of great Police Officers, Lieutenants and others. I truly appreciate those who put themselves in harm's way on a daily basis for us!! (Especially those among us who are totally ditzy . . . . )

The ceremony was featured on the nightly news and here are some shots from the broadcast.

the screen says "Police Officer Remembered"

eBay Videos & Camo - Boykin Spaniel in Oil

Here's what I did tonight -

Camo - Boykin Spaniel

8"x10" Oil on Panel
congratulations to Jennifer, another new collector
Thank you for your patronage :)

Wow 2 posts in one day - well, not actually, since it's after midnight here.

Donation #15 - Summit - Australian Shepherd DAWGS

(click to enlarge)

Summit
Australian Shepherd Search and Rescue Dog

From Karen, his handler:

Donation #14 - Wahsatch - Golden Retriever Search & Rescue

Wahsatch - Golden Retriever
Search and Rescue Dog with
Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs

Number 14 in my series of Search & Rescue dog portraits donated

Stella Reclining

Stella Reclining

5" x7"
Oil on Panel

This is a commissioned portrait of Stella reclining on her couch :)

Damp Paisley

Paisley - Border Collie
Search and Rescue Dog

4" x 6" Oil on Panel

Well, today I had a bit of a quandary . . . . I have one painting that

Justus - Portland Police Department

Today's painting is Justus - an absolutely gorgeous German Shepherd with the Portland Oregon Police Department. Thank you very much Ryan and Justus for putting yourselves in harm's way to protect the rest of us!

Justus
German Shepherd
4" x 6" Oil on Panel

From Ryan Hilsenteger, his partner:
"Justus is a full bred, two year old German Shepherd, purchased for $7,500.

Bulldog Pub Sign

Today I painted a GORGEOUS German Shepherd Police Dog live on UStream
You can see the painting from start to finish if you go to my video page there. I will not be posting him here until I get all his info, so if you want a sneak preview, check it out.

(click to enlarge)

30" x 22" Pub Sign

This is a pub sign that I just finished. This is not a REAL pub sign, it was a wedding gift - I could hardly wait for the wedding day so I could show you! I absolutely love the way it turned out. The internet, as usual, does not do justice to itl And it was a lot of fun to paint!

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It was great to see my 'fan club' today in my studio, and please come back! I will be broadcasting LIVE on UStream while I paint Monday through Thursday, and weekends on occasion. If you're at all interested in my techniques and style, or just my fantastic wit - make sure you're signed up on my notification list so you can actually watch me paint. I will be narrating every move I make, along with the colors and any tips I think of during the sessions. Please join me :)

Click here to get an email notice when I will be online painting LIVE

Theo - Golden Retriever Search & Rescue

Theodore - Golden Retriever
Search & Rescue Dog

4" x 6" Oil on Panel

This is Theo, a Search & Rescue dog - I don't have his information yet, but I wanted to show you this beautiful boy! I painted this start to finish on UStream - Live! Join me tomorrow when I paint another one. I'll be doing quite a bit of work tomorrow, I'm going to be online starting at 9 a.m. Central Time Tuesday.

I am very glad that I decided to do live painting broadcasts. It is definitely motivating me to get into the studio. I had a hard time getting things to work correctly today, but finally got going about 4:30. Tomorrow morning I should be more punctual . . . If I can get the wire I rigged up to hold the camera! And remember to focus it LOL . . . this is a learning curve for me. But it is so nice to have people to talk to while I paint, and I love showing how a painting goes from start to finish.

I'll be in the studio at 9 a.m. tomorrow, and probably painting on and off all day long, so please join me! It was great to see some of you there! I will be broadcasting LIVE on UStream while I paint. If you're at all interested in my techniques and style, or just my fantastic wit - make sure you're signed up on my notification list so you can actually watch me paint. I will be narrating every move I make, along with the colors and any tips I think of during the sessions. Please join me :)

Below is the video of me painting Theo's portrait. There are more videos on my show page at UStream

Click here to get an email notice when I will be online painting LIVE

Thank you again for your interest in my artwork -

Live CREATIVELY!!

Liz

Angelic Rottweiler

I will be working on this painting and others LIVE Monday. I am scheduled to broadcast at 4 p.m Central time Monday, but would like to start earlier. I might be painting tomorrow, as well. If you'd like me to send an email out whenever I know when I am going to be online - please sign up for my PAINTING LIVE list. It is separate from this list, so make sure you're on both :) Click here to sign up

My tentative painting schedule is -
Monday - 4 p.m., Tuesday - 9 a.m., Wednesday - 10 a.m. & 4 p.m., Thursday - 9 a.m., Friday - NA out of studio, Saturday - TBA, Sunday - TBA (Central Time)

I really enjoy visitors in my studio, and I will answer any questions and give you as much information as I can, so please drop by, if only for a few minutes.

Vesuvius
Angelic Rottweiler

16" x 20" Oil on Canvas

This is a work in progress - one of the few commissions I get that are not surprise gifts. It's nice to be able to share with you. I will be 'toning down' the halo - it looks too much like a metal ring suspended over his head right now. More work soon!

Monday I will be working on this painting, and the equine mural. I also have a bulldog charity painting scheduled to work on this week, so please stop in, it's going to be fun!

Thank you for your interest in my artwork, and

always LIVE CREATIVELY!

Liz

Brutus - German Shepherd K9

(click to enlarge)

Brutus
German Shepherd K-9 Dog
Portland Oregon Police Bureau

Brutus' description & story from the Bert Combs, Retired Police Officer that handled him

Brutus is a sable colored male German Shepherd. When he started with the Portland Police Bureau he was 1 1/2 and full of puppy. Now that he's nearly 7 he's still mostly puppy however being retired that's working out just fine.

Brutus has a great nose but would only hunt when HE wanted to. Thankfully, during one very eventful week he assumed the role of a real police dog and found three armed robbers on three different calls.

During one call we were unable to get started with a track. District officers had set up a great perimeter so we began a yard by yard search on the west end of the perimeter. Working into the breeze Brutus put his nose up as we entered the first yard. With any other dog I would have assumed he was working air scent but with Brutus I was never sure. Kids toys in that yard told me they probably had a pet and was a likely source of his excitement. We cleared that yard but Brutus seemed interested in the adjacent yard.

As we walked up the driveway he immediately ran to the side of the unattached garage. Heavy brush kept him from traveling down the side. I peeked in and thought I saw something at the other end. We went around to the backside and Brutus stuck his nose around the corner and began to wag his tail. I knew he had just found a rabbit or maybe even the bad guy. Of course, it was the bad guy all curled up in a little ball. He had been out of prison for 15 days and returned to prison for another 11 years. At trial the bad guy actually praised Brutus for being "a good dog."

What a great story! Thank you both for all your work & dedication to keep us safe!

In this painting, I was trying to show Brutus' eagerness - he was actually lying down in the photo that I used for a reference. I painted this online LIVE on UStream - it was fun and it was really nice to have all you visitors to talk to! Please come back and visit again when I'm painting! I'll try to send out a notice to my email list with enough time for you to get there while I'm painting. Make sure you are signed up for my email notifications if you haven't done so already.

Equine Mural Update

I started working on the panel tonight - LIVE on UStream!! It was a lot of fun - I'm not done with it and it's completely from my imagination. I'm going to do some research to get more details for the horse. One of the drawbacks to doing things from your imagination is that you miss a lot of the small details that really add credibility to your painting.

Come by and visit the next time I'm painting live - I'd love it!

Mack - Labradoodle at the Beach

(click to enlarge)

Mack Discovers Water that Plays

Labradoodle at the Beach
Oil on Panel
6" x 4"

You probably remember this painting from a month or so ago. I mentioned that I was revisiting some of my daily paintings. One of the reasons that I am doing 'daily' paintings is so that I will do quick studies, learn from the process and move on, instead of trying to create a totally satisfying finished painting as I do with my commissioned portraits.

Well, in theory, that's a good idea. However, I can't stand to have paintings that aren't as good as I think they should be. So, the other day, I took a bunch of 'completed' daily paintings and fixed them up a bit.

Here is the original painting:

The original is actually very close to the actual photo that I worked from. However, I felt that it lacked the color that I like to infuse my paintings with. The adjusted painting has much warmer colors in the shallow water and sand. I did this by putting away the reference photo and just working on how I 'felt' about the beach. I didn't change a hair on Mack, I think the painting had already really captured her excitement and goofiness at discovering waves.


Tomorrow, I have a commission to work on, but I am hoping to get a few color studies done for the Equine Mural panel that I received. I would like to get the painting completed over the weekend, but since I have no idea what I'm going to paint, that presents a challenge.

I just finished a great commission that turned out really well. I don't want to send it away :( It's a pub sign, and I can't wait to show you. As soon as it has been presented to its recipient, I'll be able to share! You're going to love it.

Also, I finally have the majority of the Search & Rescue paintings packed and ready to mail tomorrow. I'm going to miss having them around. Guess I need to paint some more.

As usual, thank you so much for your interest, your encouragement and your patience :)

Live creatively,

Liz

Marlowe - Bloodhound SAR & Equine Mural Update

Marlowe - a Search & Rescue Bloodhound
with CARDA

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From his owner, Lori (She and her husband have 3 certified dogs.) -

We are certified and deploy with CARDA through out California and locally with the Los Angeles Sheriff's dept. Volunteer Search Dogs. In both groups we search in the wilderness and urban environments for lost people. Usually lost hikers and Alzheimers patients. Marlowe is a scent specific Trailing dog. With the use of a scent article from the missing person we set out to get a direction of travel, find clues or trail many miles to the missing person.

Marlowe is a 7.5 year old Bloodhound. certified for 4 years. He is also an AKC Champion show dog. but don't let that make you think that he's "snooty". He just LOVES to ride in the pick-up truck

About CARDA - California Rescue Dog Association:

The purpose of the California Rescue Dog Association(CARDA) is:
•To provide highly trained volunteer search dog teams for search and rescue deployment;
•To train and promote working dogs for search and rescue;
•To set the standards by which search and rescue dogs are to be certified;
•To act as a principal testing agency for the certification of search dogs;
•To further the public knowledge of, interest in, and the use of search and rescue dogs;
•To promote the positive image and protect the interests of the search and rescue community in the State of California;
•And to encourage and foster good relationships between CARDA and legislative and law enforcement bodies.

If you are a member of Search & Rescue, K-9 or Mounted Patrol, please allow me to paint a small portrait for you at no charge, in gratitude for your service.

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Equine Mural Le Cadeau Du Cheval - The Horse Gift" UPDATE

A while back, I mentioned that I will be a participating artist in the Equine Mural Le Cadeau Du Cheval - The Horse Gift"

I'll be posting the steps as it goes along. The way it works is that they send me a panel to paint with an existing color & composition shown. I have to come up with a painting that uses the basic composition, but is an independent painting in its own right. Then it will be combined with hundreds of other paintings to create one giant mural.

I will post pictures of the panels and the ideas that I come up with here and in my blog. Be sure to sign up for the email list so that you don't miss a single painting!

5/22/08 - I received my panel today -

Pretty boring, eh? But at least it has blue and purple in it I'm thinking of a white horse running in the surf? or maybe in a snowstorm?

The sooner I get the painting done the more exposure it will get because right now there aren't many paintings completed. So next week, I'll try to make some time for it in my studio schedule. I'm working on about 4 commissions (I think, I sure hope I haven't forgotten someone) right now. I can't wait to show you one of them, it's another pub sign and it is turning out just fantastic!! I really enjoy painting pub signs, they're fun.

I've also been giving some thought to my "artist's statement" and my way of looking at life. I have lost some commissions and showcases because I am just way too enthusiastic - kind of like it's my first painting ever! Well, I'm sorry that some people want a jaded, blase, 'sophisticated' persona - life is just too short. I DO get excited about every single commission I receive. I consider it a great honor to have someone invite my art into their home. So, if I'm too unsophisticated for the snobs, so be it! I approach every day with joy and optimism - I love all weather, all environments, most animals and some people. LOL

As always, I really appreciate you taking the time to stop by and check out my artwork!

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Bria - English Labrado Retriever SAR

Bria
English Black Labrador retriever Search & Rescue Dog with DAWGS
4"x6" Oil on Panel

From her owner, Jennifer:

Bria is a four year old English Black Labrador retriever who has been training for search and rescue since 2005, first with my husband Matt and for the past year, with me. Having recently become a certified Field Assistant myself, my goal is to be a dog and handler team able to work in the field together by the end of 2008.

Bria has been called a natural and is so incredibly focused and in her element while she is working that just watching her makes me beam with pride. I’ve told my teammates time and again that only hope I can be as good of a handler as she is a search dog. While Bria is not working, she is seeking as well as giving love and attention to everyone around her and will occasionally romp and play with her fellow dog teammates, that is if there’s nothing available for snacking.

Disaster and Wilderness Ground Searchers (DAWGS) is a volunteer search unit dedicated to the training of search and rescue dogs, handlers and support personnel in order to provide professional and highly-skilled search and rescue teams in the event of emergency response events. Formed in 1997 and operational in the spring of 1998, their primary search area is the state of Connecticut, although they are willing to assist disaster relief efforts and lost person searches wherever they are needed."

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In this painting of Bria, I was trying to portray what her handler calls her personality of "calm, sweet and peaceful with a gentle soul". Remember, these are just small, quick ol sketches, not full portraits. Because it was late, this photo was taken with a flash, and I will try to get a better photo up soon, she really isn't quite so blue in the actual painting.

Thank you, Jennifer, Bria and all the other handlers & dogs out there that dedicate so much time and money to save us from harm.

If you are a member of Search & Rescue, K-9 or Mounted Patrol, please allow me to paint a small portrait for you at no charge, in gratitude for your service.

Bear's Story

Bear gets to be Dog of the Day for 2 days. I just got his information and it is wonderful and I want to make sure you appreciate this fine fellow

Bear
German Shepherd
Police Service Dog - Dallas, TX
Oil on Panel 4" x 6"

Bear was born in October 2005, in the Czech Republic. He came to the Dallas Police Department in November 2006. Bear finished his training in May 2007. In less then a year, Bear has located two lost children, apprehended two burglars, a car-jacker, and a suspect wanted for murder.

Thank you to Bear and his partner Sr. Corp Nails.

K-9 Bear

Today's painting is a K-9 officer (?) I'm not sure what you call them.

This is Bear, a Police Dog with Dallas Police Department

Bear
German Shepherd
K-9 Officer - Dallas, TX
Oil on Panel 4" x 6"

His partner got in touch with me to do a FREE oil portrait - I think it turned out great - Bear is sure a handsome guy!

Thanks again for your interest in my artwork. I had over 800 people on my list until I moved it to Google . . . . I'm slowly trying to build it back up - you can help me out by forwarding this to anyone you think might be interested.

Thanks!

JB Scottish Terrier oil painting

(click to enlarge)

JB

Scottish Terrier
4"x6"
Oil on Panel

I have a collector who has been commissioning paintings from me for years - just about from the time I started. He has one of my first paintings, and I'd really like to get it back and fix it up LOL. I painted this as a gift to him. It is one of his many Scotties that he has rescued and takes such extensive care of. I hope I come back reincarnated as one of his dogs! He does so much for the dogs, he deserves this!

The painting is signed, but the website copyright appears only on the internet.

Barley - Chocolate Lab Search & Rescue Dog

Barley - a Search & Rescue Dog
with Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs

From her owner, Andre' - "Lady "Barley" Blue and I are active members of Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs.

"RMRD is an all volunteer, non-profit canine search and rescue organization based in Salt Lake City, Utah. We currently have approximately 30 dog/handler teams and we respond to searches in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada and Arizona and had four dog teams respond to ground zero following 9/11. More about our organization can be found at rockymountainrescuedogs.net

"My dog, Barley, is a seven year old chocolate lab who has known nothing but search work since she was born. We have been with the team since January of 2002 and we have responded to many searches and spent countless hours of training in avalanche SAR, water SAR, wilderness SAR, collapsed structure SAR and tracking skills."

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The shadow in this painting created a composition that is bold and colorful and I really enjoyed painting it. Her eyes are not really evil glowing orbs like they appear in the photo - I really have got to take better photos!

If you are a member of Search & Rescue, K-9 or Mounted Patrol, please allow me to paint a small portrait for you at no charge, in gratitude for your service.

Tucker - Chocolate Lab SAR Dog

Tucker
Search & Rescue Dog with DAWGS

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From Marianne, his handler:

Tucker is a 2 year old chocolate lab. He is originally from Corry, PA where I picked him up at 8 weeks old. He became involved in search & rescue at 4 months and has loved it ever since. Tucker's favorite things to do is swim, hike, play tug-of-war, fetch tennis balls, and destroy stuffed toys. He is a quick learner, strives to please and gets along with everyone. We do just about everything together and is adored by everyone that meets him.

Disaster and Wilderness Ground Searchers (DAWGS) is a Connecticut based volunteer K-9 search and rescue organization. DAWGS is dedicated to the training of search and rescue dogs, handlers and support personnel in order to provide professional and highly-skilled search and rescue teams in the event of emergency response events.

Thank you, Marianne & Tucker for your dedication of time and money to save us from harm.

If you are a member of Search & Rescue, K-9 or Mounted Patrol, please allow me to paint a small portrait for you at no charge, in gratitude for your service.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEND ME AN EMAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROJECT

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Now, on the art side of things - I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this painting! This is hopefully the beginning of a trend LOL . . . I've had some really successful paintings lately. I don't know what exactly I love about this painting, it's just the look I've been going for with my art. It wasn't a particularly easy painting, some just fly off the brush (like Spiffy) but most are like this one - some success and then a lot of struggle (in this case the colors on his face were tough to get) At least at the end of the day, I'm happy with the painting :) It, of course, looks tremendously better in person, the colors just don't come across on the internet.

. . . I should have asked Marianne to explain the bell he is wearing. I assume it is so that they know where he is when he is searching. Or maybe he just likes to pretend he's a cow :)

The painting is signed, but the website copyright appears only on the internet. Your replies are appreciated :)

Rex - Mini Pin in Uniform

Rex

Rex

Miniature Pinscher
(Mini Pin)

14"x18" Oil on Canvas
(click to enlarge)

I hated taking down Spiffy's portrait! Rex is a nice guy to replace her, though. He's wearing a United States Union uniform from the Civil War. When I do a painting like this, I do a lot of research to find a real uniform that suits the dog, unless the client has a specific idea already.

I have set up a new category on my website to showcase some of the more creative portraits I've painted. I have done a number of Pub Signs and some dogs in uniform. I'd love to do a cat in uniform! I didn't have them on my site, but I spent all day fixing that!

Click here to see more dogs in uniform and some really neat pub signs.
As usual, all the photos are clickable so you can see larger more detailed photos.

Thanks again for your interest in my artwork - let's all get creative!!!

Liz

Spiffy Finished - and an angelic portrait started

TWO PAINTINGS AGAIN TODAY - WHOO HOOO!!

SPIFFY'S PORTRAIT IS FINISHED

I have a new favorite painting! I absolutely love this painting - what do you think? do you like the bolder more impressionist style?

The internet doesn't do justice to the painting - the enlargements are a bit better, so make sure you click on them to see.

Also started a new commission today - Vesuvius - a beautiful, wonderful Rottweiler who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. This portrait will highlight the angelic side of him. It should prove to be interesting!

Vesuvius

16"x20" Oil on Canvas

Thanks for your interest in my artwork- if you like my art, please forward this to your friends :)

Thanks!

Keep on creating!!

A Jacket for Jet & A Colorful Poodle

I had a great day in the studio today! After I straightened out the mess with my website about paypal not working for the notecards - how frustrating! And google has locked me out of my original "Daily Painting" group, so I had to start a new one without access to the email addresses of the existing membership - so join again!! Forward this to anyone you think would be interested - let's get this list going again!

(click to enlarge)

JET

Black Labrador
Search & Rescue Dog
Original Oil Painting 6" x 4"

This is Jet - a Search & Rescue Dog with D.A.W.G.S

After I completed the painting, Chris, his handler, reminded me that I was going to add the jacket :) - So he gets two days of being dog of the day!

The orange of the jacket really makes it 'pop' - a big improvement over the original. Probably why I meant to do it in the first place LOL

Thank you, Chris, Jet and all the other handlers & dogs out there that spend so much time and money to save us from harm.

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I also got a quite a bit of work done on the poodle. I am doing this as a surprise for my husband's 80+ year old aunt. I am not sure how adventurous her taste in art is, but I love this painting. This little guy was "Spiffy" - and he passed away a few months ago. Normally, I start out very
colorful like this, and then tone it down with layers of more muted colors. I remember a famous equine artist said that "people want a painting of their horse, not my impression of their horse" He would go so far as to bring his paints out into the field to exactly match the horse's hair.

"Spiffy" 12"x16" Oil on Canvas
(click to enlarge)

I do try to make the paintings more colorful, but very realistic. You can't tell on the internet, but my paintings have a lot more color than the actual animal has. I feel that this gives the aura of life to the painted surface. As I was painting Spiffy's portrait, I felt that his personality was shining through. Although I met him during his last months, he still had a wonderful personality, although he had slowed down quite a bit. I really hope that she likes the painting as colorful as it is. If not, I will tone it down and make it more realistic. It's just paint :) I'll paint my dog like this, and then I can keep it!

(click to enlarge)

The light was not good when I took this photo, the painting is not as dark as it appears here. I should get the background in while the paint is still wet, but I'm really tired and wanted to get this up on the 'net before I called it a night.

I have another project beginning to take form in my mind. I'll tell you more as I have more information.

Jet - Search & Rescue Dog

JET
Black Labrador
Search & Rescue Dog

(click to enlarge)
Original Oil Painting
6" x 4"

This is Jet - a Search & Rescue Dog with D.A.W.G.S

In this painting of Jet, I was trying to portray his eagerness to help and his muscular body. His handler sent me a number of photos, but this one really stood out because he was so alert he was ready to jump out of the picture. I changed his pose a little bit for compositional reasons, but basically, this is the photo. Remember, these are just small, quick ol sketches, not full portraits.

Jet was rescued from a shelter at 4 months old, at 2 years old he had earned his advanced certification for wilderness search with Disaster and Wilderness Ground Searchers (DAWGS). Now almost 7, he is one of the more experienced dogs in the group. His boundless enthusiasm and energy, unacceptable problem attributes for him in his original “pet” home, became strengths for him once he was taught a job to do and given frequent opportunities to practice it.

Chris Chorney - Jet’s handler - is a founding member of DAWGS and Operations Leader. 7 years ago he decided to expand his understanding of search management by getting a dog and becoming a handler. He never expected to get as challenging or rewarding a working partner, and as good a friend, as Jet.

Disaster and Wilderness Ground Searchers (DAWGS) is a volunteer search unit dedicated to the training of search and rescue dogs, handlers and support personnel in order to provide professional and highly-skilled search and rescue teams in the event of emergency response events. Formed in 1997 and operational in the spring of 1998, their primary search area is the state of Connecticut, although they are willing to assist disaster relief efforts and lost person searches wherever they are needed.

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Thank you, Chris, Jet and all the other handlers & dogs out there that spend so much time and money to save us from harm.

Charity Painting to benefit Lone Star Bulldog Rescue

Charity Painting to benefit Lone Star Bulldog Rescue
and check out "Computer Tools for Artists" on eBay

Original Watercolor Painting - click here to bid
11" x 14"

This is a watercolor painting that I did a few years ago. I am auctioning it off to generate funds for Lone Star Bulldog Rescue

From the Lone Star Bulldog site: Here at Lone Star Bulldog Rescue we accept Bulldogs whose owners can no longer keep them, and retrieve Bulldogs from shelters and undesirable situations. We then rehabilitate them before placement by providing necessary medical treatment, as well as spaying and neutering all dogs that come into our care.At this point we thoroughly screen applicants before making placement decisions, as well as informing interested adopters about rescue and our requirements. Then we place Bulldogs in suitable homes as soon as reasonably possible, so they can start their "new lives" quickly.While these Bulldogs are waiting for their new homes they are fostered in the home of someone in our rescue.

Any of you artists out there will be interested in the book I have on ebay - there are only a few hours left - check it out - Creative Computer Tools for Artists - it shows you how to use your computer to help with compositional decisions, color choices, lots of great ideas for using the power of your computer to help you make better art! I really learned a lot from it. You might be interested in looking at it - click here to view the auction for the book, or search for aportraitforyou on eBay.

Thanks again for your interest and emails!

Liz