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

Uintah - Golden Retriever SAR Dog

UINTAH
GOLDEN RETRIEVER
SEARCH & RESCUE DOG

This is the first painting in my new project of painting Search & Rescue, K-9 or Mounted Patrol animals.

Kacy is Uintah's partner - here is what she says about Uintah:

"Uintah and I are with Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs. www.rockymountainrescuedogs.net We are an all volunteer rescue team who provides our services to any police agency requesting them. We do wilderness/area searches, avalanche rescues, water recovery, disaster recovery, human tracking/trailing, and cadaver. We train weekly with our dogs and then once a month as a group.

"Uintah is a 2 1/2 year old Golden Retriever. She was my graduation present from my husband. I drove from Connectiuct to Wyoming on my way home to Utah to get her, and we have been inseparable since then. She was named because of the Uinta Mountains here in Utah and is living up to her name. She is an amazing search and rescue dog, because there is nothing in this world she loves more than people. She gets a huge smile on her face when someone-anyone-is paying attention to her. She is wonderful with kids and older people, and she becomes a little ham when anyone has a camera. Her favorite trick is wave bye-bye, but she can also spin, rewind, stick-um-up, be shy, play dead, high 5, shake, and crawl. She is truly my best friend, my partner, my entertainment and my world."

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.

As usual, thanks for your interest in my artwork and the encouragement and emails!

Liz

MACK'S FIRST DAY AT THE BEACH

4" x 6" Oil on Panel

unframed
(copyright does not appear on actual painting)

Last summer, we took our dog, Mackenzie to the beach for the first time. She had an absolute blast! This 'snapshot painting' memroializes her joy in finding water that played with her!

On a side note, I think I am going to have to paint over the signature and do it again. I have a tendency to sign right along the edge, which makes it hard to frame the painting without obscuring the signature.

Also today, I started a commissioned portrait of "Spiffy". He was a very sweet little guy that lived a long and happy life. He is much missed.

This first installment is sketching his position on the canvas. I was debating whether to add his tail, which is not viisble in the actual photo, but I think I will do without it, since he didn't hold it up very often. I'm still thinking about it. Also you can see that I have his bottom a bit too far to the left. I'll fix that in the upcoming sessions.

Thank you for your interest and great emails! I enjoy hearing from you all!

- Liz

Charity Painting for Columbia County Humane Society

Hi,

Well, it's certainly been a while since I sent out a painting. I have a very exciting announcement tonight - if you are a search & rescue dog handler, or know someone that is, please get in touch with me. I am very grateful to those who dedicate so much of their time and resources to helping others. I would like to give a FREE 4"x6" oil portrait of their working dog to any S&R handlers or police handlers that contact me. So, please help me get the word out!

At the request of various rescues, I have started offering either a 100% 4"x6" charity painting or 50% of a larger (12"x16" - 16"x20") painting. Now, without further delay - here is this week's 100% charity painting.

HENRY

Original Oil Painting
Oil on Panel

4" x 6"

unframed
(copyright does not appear on actual painting)

100% of All Funds raised benefit
Columbia County Humane Society

Click here to bid on eBay

Please spend more than you might otherwise. You will be getting an original work

of art from a highly collected artist, and 100% of your money goes to the rescue. The artist takes absolutely no money from this auction, she pays the listing fees and shipping fees out of her own pocket. You will be helping the animals and getting some fine art in the bargain!

Closeup of Brushstrokes - larger than life

This painting is of Henry, a handsome male beagle that was found by a local animal lover. This poor boy was trapped in the median of interstate 20. Henry had been hit by a car that broke one of his back legs. Can you imagine the fear he felt, the pain of a broken leg unable to move out of harm's way while watching cars approaching so close at 65 mph. He had the good sense not to try and drag himself back across the interstate where he came from. Henry has been adopted and is living in a forever home.

If you have a non-profit organization that and you would like me to donate a free painting & auction it off for you please click here to contact me. It does not have to be a dog-related rescue - any non-profit charitable organization will be considered.

Thank you again for your interest in my artwork. Hopefully you'll hear from me again soon! Please reply to this email if you want to contact me. I will answer all emails.

- Liz