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 :)