Posted in daily painter, Dogs, Pet Portaits, tagged daily painter, daily painting, German Shorthair Pointer, GSP, impressionism, pet portrait, Pointer, Rescue dogs, Virginia Artist on December 29, 2009| Leave a Comment »
“Remembering Choco” is an oil on 9″x12″ canvas panel. He was a gift from a mom to son who had recently lost his German Shorthair Pointer.
Pointers are gorgeous dogs full of life and intensity. This painting was done as a composite since I didn’t have a photo of Choco. But I did have several photos of German Shorthair Pointers that I have taken over the years including this one which is one of my favorites. He looks so great against the red barn wall.
Posted in daily painter, Dogs, tagged daily painter, daily painting, impressionism, long-haired dachshund, oil painting, pet portrait, Virginia Artist on December 28, 2009| Leave a Comment »
“Jake Walsh” is an oil on canvas panel measuring 8″x10″. He was a Christmas present from his human sister to their mom and dad.
Jake is a sweet long-haired dachshund that lives in Warrenton, Virginia.
I did several pet portrait commissions over the last few weeks but didn’t post them on the blog so as not to spoil the surprise in case any of the recipients view my blog. So this week I can post all these lovely babies.
Posted in daily painter, Dogs, tagged daily painter, Dogs, Virginia Artist on December 11, 2009| 3 Comments »
It was a year ago today that Miss Rosie left us. It’s so hard to believe that it has been a year.
Rosie was the sweetest little Cairn Terrier that we rescued. She came to us via a wonderful rescue organization called Col. Potter Cairn Rescue. They do wonderful work with cairns, especially saving them from puppy mills. And that is where they got Rosie.
She spent the first seven years of her life in a puppy mill, just churning out baby cairns at every opportunity. No one knows how many puppies she had but we are pretty sure it was a huge number.
Then she was rescued and life really changed. She went to a foster home where they worked to teach her that “humans” are good and won’t hurt you. It took her quite a while to grasp this concept. We got her about three months after her rescue and she was still very scared of people. But slowly she came around. It took about a year for her to really trust me and even longer before she trusted Allen. But once she did, she was the best.
She connected first with Jeffie, who was the basset/lab mix, who was also a rescue. She loved him and would play with him everyday. He would chase her and she would chase him. Here they are with Jeffie tickling her tummy. 🙂
The best part of rescuing a pup like Rosie who has a sad history is that when she learns to play, or chase a toy, or roll over for her belly to be petted, you feel a joy that is so hard to describe. And as Rosie blossomed, we were all full of joy for her.
Once she learned that life could be good she settled in to be the biggest, little princess you have ever seen. She relished the good life. And she was a perfect little girl.
One of the funniest quirks she had was after we would go for a long walk, especially in the hot summer months, she would find the nearest puddle of water and lay down in it. We even set up a little flat pool for her to cool down her belly when she got home from walks. It was so funny to watch.
She was always a little heavy, due to all the puppies she had. We didn’t call it fat, we called her matronly.
And then she got her wheels! She loved to ride when we went on especially long walks.
This was her “Town Car”.
And this was her “Off Road” vehicle that she kept out at the cabin for rougher terrain.
I still can’t believe that it’s been a year since that sweet little angel was with us. She was such a good girl and a great rescue story.
I thank you all for indulging me and allowing me to remember Rosie.
We miss you Rosie!
Posted in daily painter, Dogs, tagged daily painter, daily painting, dog, Lab, pet portrait, Virginia Artist, watercolor, Yellow Lab on December 1, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Everyone loves a Lab. What’s not to love??? This Yellow Lab is a watercolor on paper. It is matted and framed and available for $195. This painting is currently on display at my show at Philip Carter Winery in Hume. That show will be on display until January.
Posted in daily painter, Dogs, tagged Bulldog, daily painter, daily painting, Dogs, impressionism, Virginia Artist, watercolor on November 20, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Everybody loves a bulldog! Just look at that face. This Bulldog is a watercolor on paper and is matted and framed and is available for $195.
I am taking orders for pet portraits for Christmas so if you would like to give pet lover the perfect gift just give me a call or email and I’ll get busy on it.
Thanks-
Posted in daily painter, Dogs, Pet Portaits, tagged acrylic, daily painter, daily painting, impressionism, Pet Portaits, Rescue dogs, Virginia Artist on November 17, 2009| 1 Comment »
Meet Hawthorne. He was a lovely little guy from Memphis. His parents asked me to do his portrait for Christmas this year. This painting of Hawthorne is an acrylic on canvas measuring 18″x18″.
I love doing pet portraits. They are probably my favorite paintings to do because I love dogs so much. The best part for me is seeing the photos that the “parents” send of their little fur children and reading their story. Hawthorne’s folks have given me permission to share their story of Hawthorne.
I received an email from Hawthorne’s mom requesting the painting followed by a mailed packet with photos and a letter. Here is how she described him…
“We found him – and then loved him. He was all boy. If there was a fence board loose he would find it; if something was left in a waste basket he’d eat it; early on he ate the arm of my leather chair! But he was quite intelligent and soon figured out that behavior would find him looking for a new home!”
“If I had to guess I say he is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Beagle. If there was a party, he wanted to be in the center of it; If Sam was camped out on the sofa Hawthorne was there too. Sam called him the “Little Buddy” – and he really was.”
“He was one good-looking guy and carried himself well pretty much into old age. ”
These are the kinds of descriptions that I love. I can really get an idea of what Hawthorne meant to his family because of her letter.
I love to meet the pet when I can but when that is impossible, a description like the one of Hawthorne works really well.
Several years ago I was asked to paint a portrait of Maggie, Hawthorne’s sister. So when I got the photos of Hawthorne his parents shared some photos of Hawthorne and Maggie together. I had to include them because they also help you to get a feel for Hawthorne’s personality.
So that’s how I get to know my subject if I can’t meet him. I thought you might enjoy seeing how my process works in this way.
And I love Hawthorne’s story and photos. I hope his folks will like his painting. It’s on its way home to Memphis to join his sister’s painting hanging in their home. Nice to meet you Hawthorne!
Posted in Dogs, tagged Dogs, Small Town Life, Virginia Artist on November 6, 2009| 2 Comments »
Today’s painting is a watercolor of a basset hound dog. It is on display at the show at Philip Carter Winery (www.pcwinery.com ) in Hume.
I posted this new basset painting today in honor of Truman. His birthday is Sunday and he will be ten years old. That doesn’t sound like a lot but it is pretty old for a basset hound.
Truman came to live with me when he was 5 1/2 weeks old. He was so cute…most bassett puppies are.
Look at that face at 6 weeks old.
And he was spoiled from the very beginning. Here he is at 4 months.
Truman has always been a pretty good sport. Here he is posing with a bike helmet on to teach children the importance of bike safety.
But he’s not always all about work. Sometimes he parties. In this case maybe a little too much. It looks like he may have “passed out!”
But then he gets right back to work guarding the front door….
And the back door….
And sometimes he stands guard at the window watching out that no squirrels or bunnies invade from the front yard. (Well, he doesn’t actually stand guard. It’s more like lay on the arm of the sofa guard.)
And all that work can make an old guy tired so he curls up in the chair for a rest sometimes.
So here’s to you Truman. Happy Birthday! We love all your antics and the fun and joy you have brought to so many….even if you are a poot head.
We love you anyway.
Posted in daily painter, Dogs, tagged daily painter, daily painting, Dogs, impressionism, Opening reception, Virginia Artist, Virginia wineries, watercolor on November 5, 2009| Leave a Comment »
The Weimaraner is a beautiful grey dog, often called the Grey Ghost. This watercolor painting of the handsome pup is currently on display at Philip Carter Winery in Hume.
The Opening Reception for that show will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 15th. Please mark your calendar and join me for wine and cheese. And enjoy the beautiful countryside at the winery.
Posted in Dogs, tagged candy, costumes, Halloween, kids on October 31, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Truman and Jed wish you all a Happy Halloween.
There is a special event for kids for Halloween downtown in Front Royal tonight so we will be at Delilah’s handing out candy. Come see us!
Posted in Dogs, tagged Dogs, rescue, Rescue dogs, shepherds, Virginia on October 26, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Yesterday would have been Boo’s birthday. She was a wonderful rescue shepherd who lived with us for a short time at the end of her life. She was 12 when she came to us. She was an elegant old girl who brought much joy to our lives in the limited time that we had her.
We were lucky that she “found us”! And we loved her very much.
She left us in April 2004. It’s hard to believe that it has been five years since she was here.
This is a painting of Boo that I have in my living room. I see her every day and am grateful for the time we had with her.
As a tribute to her I would encourage anyone thinking of adopting a pet to consider a senior. Older pets need good homes and they are often the best pet to bring into a busy household because they don’t need housebreaking and training. They just need love and companionship….and they give all of that and more back to you. Think about it.
We miss you Boo.
The Studio 
