Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Youtube Video
I put together a montage of some of my search & rescue paintings - please help me get the word out about the free portraits - I need more dogs to paint!
Please comment and rate the video, and PLEASE FORWARD IT to everyone you think might be interested.
Thanks!
Live Creatively!
Liz
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Bria - English Labrado Retriever SAR

English Black Labrador retriever Search & Rescue Dog with DAWGS
4"x6" Oil on Panel
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."
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.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Jet - Search & Rescue Dog
JET
Black Labrador
Search & Rescue Dog
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.
Thank you, Chris, Jet and all the other handlers & dogs out there that spend so much time and money to save us from harm.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Object of My Affections III
Black Labrador Retriever
4"x6" Oil on Panel
Since Black Labs love everyone and everything and all food, the object of this Black Labrador's affections could be anything you could conceivably throw, including the couch, or an eagerly anticipated food treat
My goal was to capture the intensity of a black lab as they wait for you to throw something (anything!)
The painting is signed by the artist, the website copyright appears only on the internet.
Thank you for your interest in my artwork, all replies answered, please forward to your friends!
Liz

