Mack - Labradoodle at the Beach

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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 more variety in the colors of the ocean and 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. Be sure to sign up for the email list so that you don't miss a single step!

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!

Thundering & Texas Blanket Flower

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THUNDERING
Oil on Panel 4" x 6"

'nuff said

(available $100 unframed - email me and let me know you want it.)

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(click to enlarge)

Texas Blanket Flower

3" x 3" viewable area
7" x 7" frame

(available $100 Framed! - email me and let me know you want it.)

This is a small, striking painting of a Texas Blanket Flower. I'm not sure why they are called that, possibly because they blanket the landscape with a beautiful orangey red. They are everywhere in the spring, along the sides of the roads and in the fields. They are just about at the end of their blooming period for the year around here, so I wanted to catch one before they were gone. I painted this from life - a bouquet that my husband and I stopped and picked off the side of the road. This little gem makes a bold statement in a small area.

I bought a bunch of small frames from a frame shop that was going out of business. I am trying to paint in some of the sizes of really neat frames that I have. I like the impact of this little flower in the big frame :)

As usual, thanks so much for your interest in my artwork and your many letters and comments! I will answer them all (eventually) and really enjoy you!

Keep on' creatin'!

Liz

Reina - German Shepherd SAR

Reina
German Shepherd
KlaasKids Foundation
4"x6"
Oil on Panel

From her owner:

"She is a German Shepherd, 5.5 years old and just a pleasure to have around. She was strictly a family dog until I received her from a friend. She's been doing SAR ever since. - she's trained for human remains detection. We are volunteers with the KlaasKIDS Foundation."


The KlaasKids Foundation believes that we can go far toward fulfilling our mission by distilling the best knowledge and information through a societal approach that extends from the President’s Cabinet Table to the family’s kitchen table. We can win the war for our children’s future by acknowledging that crimes against children deserve a high priority on our national and personal agenda’s. Then, by forming and promoting partnerships with concerned citizens, the private sector, organizations, law enforcement and legislators we take responsibility to become part of the solution to fighting crime and we can take pride in pro-active accomplishments.

This is a special painting, not only is Reina a Search & Rescue dog, but her owner is active in the U.S. Air Force.

Thank you for viewing my artwork. I will have a lot to show you over the next few months :)

Bria - English Labrador 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.

Magic Horse & It's Hot!

Today's Painting

(click to enlarge)

Magic - Arabian Mare
Burleson , TX
Oil on Panel 4" x 6"
NFS

This is a painting of one of my daughter-in-law's horses. You'll be seeing quite a few horse paintings in the next couple weeks.

I have some really exciting news! I have been asked to participate in a large, beautiful mural painting. You may have seen some of the previous murals that have been created. If not, click here to see them, they're really neat. They appear to be large paintings, but are actually mosaics of hundreds of smaller paintings put together to create a larger painting.

I will be a participating artist in the Equine Mural

I'll be posting the steps as it goes along. The way it works is that they send me a panel to paint. The panel has the dark/light 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 in the column on the right so that you don't miss a single painting!

So, now you understand why I will be doing some horse paintings to get warmed up for the mural :)

BONUS DAILY PAINTING:

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Watch Out - It's Hot!
Oil on rough panel
9" x 9"

You may recognize this from a previous daily painting.

I started daily painting so that instead of trying to get each painting 'perfect' and spending days on it, I would create a painting, learn from it, and apply my knowledge to the NEXT painting, instead of improving the existing painting. Although I strive to do this, I am just not capapble of leaving things alone if they bother me.

The cup originally seemed to be falling, but was empty - now where's the drama there?

Since this was painted entirely from my imagination, I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I like the coloring and the feel of almost spilling my coffee, which is a daily occurrence for me LOL.

So I have touched-up, improved, repainted and otherwise messed around with some of my old daily paintings. I'm almost happy with this cup . . . . . if you like it, it can be yours for $100.

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

As always, thank you for letting me come into your home or office every day, and for giving me the encouragement to create! Please forward this to anyone you think is interested, and I always love to hear from you!

- Liz

Bear's Story

Bear gets to be Painting 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.

Blue Moon & K9 Bear

Blue Moon
8" x 10"
Oil on Panel
$275 framed

Or click here to email me about Blue Moon.

My son suggested that name :)

Here is the photo of the finished painting. I just love it, but I might not be in possession of it much longer, a couple people are interested in it, but I'm waiting for an answer from the first to request it.

The other painting today, 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!

Bluebird Turns His Back

Bluebird Turns His Back

8" x 10" Oil on Panel

(available $200 - click here)

Ok, the internet just does not do justice to this painting - I am so happy with this one! In real life, it is like trompe l'oeil - he looks so real, you think you can pick him up. I was not even going to paint today, the day had gotten away from me (again) and you know there's always tomorrow. Then I found out I would be out of my studio all day tomorrow, and thought, well, I'd better do SOMETHING - for one thing I have a complicated commission that I am working on. So after putting in a few hours on it, I decided to do a quick 'daily' painting. Instead of picking up my usual 4" x 6" board, I thought I'd paint my favorite glass bluebird in a little larger scale. I'm so glad I did - I love this painting. I really wish you could see what it looks like in person.

Here's a little better closeup - but still not so good. For one thing I am always taking my photos late at night. But I'm too impatient to wait until the daylight to do it. I just noticed that horizontal slash in the upper right, I'll be right back. . . . . .there, that's fixed. I also softened the shadow a bit. I am NOT going to take and format new photos tonight though. Maybe Saturday.

Kitchen Series - Mixer & Dog of the Day - JB the Scottie

Mix it Up!
Kitchen Series - Kitchenaid Mixer
9" x 9"
Oil on Reclaimed Panel

Or click here to email me about Mix It Up Kitchenaid Mixer.

This is one of a set of 6 kitchen paintings - contact me to see all 6
They are available as a group for $950 with free shipping.

I am really happy with this painting. It was a challenge to get the reflections in the bowl, and of course, I made the color pop quite a bit more than it did in real life. The part that I didn't like was the mixer body, because it is a flat blue color. Fortunately, there are enough reflections in it to add some depth. I have used this mixer for 20 years, and it's a bit scratched and not as shiny as it used to be. I think it makes a great center of interest for my still life :)

Not sure if I'm going to leave the background that color, I think I'd like it better if it was bright orange - the complement of blue. In these 'fun' paintings, I like to do things a bit more dramatically than I do in my commissioned work.

Technical note - when I paint the 4"x 6" paintings, I prepare the masonite panel by sanding, priming, sanding, gessoing, sanding and then painting with a couple coats of shellac. This makes a very slick finish that allows me to manipulate the paints immediately. The painting today was done on a plywood panel that had been primed and gessoed. Gesso is very very matte finish. The paint does not glide, it sticks like glue and gets sucked in . . . it was horrible!! I took my remaining 10"x10" panels and coated them with about 3 layers of shellac tonight, so the next one I paint won't be so frustrating!

It's so nice to be back painting and productive again. Hope you're enjoying the artwork!

Today's Dog 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 :)

Postcard #2 - Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park
4"x6" Oil on Panel

Ok, let me start by saying I HATE PAINTING LANDSCAPES. When I tell people that I am a portrait artist, everyone (espeically other artists) say "Oh, you paint the hard paintings!" But to me, a portrait is so much easier than a landscape. I don't know if it is just because I find landscapes boring (probably) but I love painting people and animals. I love to have them 'come to life' and look back at me from the canvas. A landscape just does not do that! However, I want to grow as an artist, and that means painting things that don't aren't necessarily what I enjoy. Hopefully, my landscapes will improve if I paint more than one per year LOL.

This painting was difficult for other reasons. It was a very overcast day and there are no direct shadows or highlights. I like contrast in my paintings and there are none here. The background was not as colorful as I made it, I just can't help adding some color to a grey world.

Although it is always true, with this painting it is particularly true that it looks MUCH better in person. The background is not so dark and there is more detail than shows here.

This was a snapshot from a hike my husband and I took in Big Bend National Park in Texas, down by the Mexican border when we were tent camping down there a year or so ago.

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