Buddy - Search & Rescue Donation # 29

Buddy
German Shepherd
4" x 6"
Oil on Panel
Search & Rescue Donation #29

Buddy is certified for Human Remains finds, mostly he works to provide closure for the missing for the families. He is also is qualified to track for missing people, which most of the time it has been for children that tend to wander off. He and his human partner, Ron, the Canine Field Officer, work with Tazewell Emergency Management Agency. Buddy is now 8 years old, and Ron says he is an outstanding dog in what he does.

Thank you Buddy & Ron for your work!

On a technical note, I was not sure how this painting was going to turn out. It seemed like it would be too small to successfully showcase a full-body pose of Buddy. However, I'm really happy with the resulting portrait. It was challenging, but I think the final portrait turned out well.

I have finished all the paintings for my art show - whew! Now all I have to do is frame them all!

I think it's going to be a long weekend :)

Live Creatively!

Liz

Princess Zora & Chico Dog Donation #28

Long day today - finished up the portrait of the German Shepherd and completed a K9 donation painting.

First up, here's Zora, the princess - delicately gnawing on her bone -

Zora
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
Private Commission
NFS

You can see how her portrait coordinates with the painting of Indigo

Indigo
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
Private Commission NFS

I wasn't able to take very good photos for some reason. I really need to work out a trade with someone that's good at photos!

Now, allow me to introduce a hard-working dog - Chico

K9 ChicoDog
Donation #28
Oil on Panel
4" x 6"

• Underwater Detection – International Police Work Dog Association, August 2009
• DHS/FEMA Canine Search Specialist October 2006, re-cert June 2009

He and his human partner, Susan, are affiliated with:

• FEMA USAR - Missouri Task Force One, Boone County Missouri: 2006 to present
• Illinois Search Dogs, Bloomington, IL: 2003 – present

Thank you ChicoDog and Susan! You are appreciated - and please explain how he does underwater detection? does he have scuba gear?

Now I'm going to go eat a slice of homemade custard pie with fresh strawberries and get to bed - another long day tomorrow!

Live Creatively!
Liz

German Shepherd Commission

Zora
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
NFS

This is going to be a great painting - this dog has the best expression! She is a huge German Shepherd, who thinks she is a tiny princess.

Below is the photo that I am working from:


I see that I have her leg too long . . . I had it right, but it looked short LOL . . . guess I'll be fixing that when I paint again. I will be putting a 'mod' look background to this painting. This is a second commission for this patron. I painted her cat with a 'mod' background, so this will coordinate. She has another dog, so hopefully, there will be a third in this series :)

My husband has had the crud for the past week, and now my throat feels funny . . . wish me luck that I don't get sick for 2 weeks! I don't have time!!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Mekky & Two More Paintings

It has been far too long since I posted. I have some Christmas commissions that I hope to get around to putting up, so maybe I'll post more often :) The first painting tonight is a donated K9 portrait that I couldn't post until after Christmas. Tonight I also blocked in two paintings, and I'll take you along on the process.

First here's Mekky - - -

Donation #26 - Mekky
Granbury TX Police Dept
4" x 6"
Donated Oil Portrait
Oil on Panel

This was given by the Officer's wife as a Christmas gift. Her description follows:

My husband's name is Jeremy Ballew and his "partner's" name is Mekky.

Mekky is 4 years old and they have been together 2 years this last September. Im sorry but I cant remember where Mekky is from (Finland?? something crazy like that but dont quote me). He was trained as a puppy in another country and sent to San Antonio, Texas as one of two dogs to be trained further to meet the requests of the Granbury Police Department. Mekky is trained for drug searches of all types and for tracking humans. He does not use what is called a scent item when tracking (like the persons shirt or something like that), he has to have a starting place or last known location of the person he is looking for so that he can pick up the scent. He is one of few dogs that can keep a scent across different types of ground (grass, gravel, dirt, concrete, etc). Which is very impressive!!

I would have to say my proudest moment of them both is about 6 mos to a year ago. They were tracking a man with a gun. The man had run from officers on scene and they called Jeremy out to assist. One of those call outs I didnt get the story on unitl after it was over. (it scares me to think about those - I was in law enforcement for 5 years and know how easy things can go way wrong!) Anyway, they tracked the scent from a local hotel through an area of storage sheds (a business and concrete groud with privacy fence along one side) and up to a chainlink fence fence to find out the suspect had jumped the fence at a "T". So they had to go back out and around buildings to get to the other side of the chian link fence. Now they are on the same side as before of a privacy fence but around the chian link fence to continue the sniff. Jeremy has one "rookie" officer with him as back up and while doing a track is unable to have his gun out of his holster, just has Mekky on a leash. Well, Mekky comes to a spot on the privacy fence and starts to paw at the groud as though he wants to get through and then sits (which is his sign to Jeremy that he has located what he is after). Very quickly after this as they are attempting to get behind a truck parked close by and transmit this information to other officers, while doing so on the other side of the fence they hear a gunshot!!! Im sure their hearts jumped out of their chest and Jeremy said all Mekky was doing was pulling to go toward the fence and barking while he was trying to get him behind the truck. Ends up they located the subject and he had shot himself but all officers went home safe. It was a very tense night and their first "successful" track in the line of duty. Everything worked in their/our favor and they carried out what they do time after time in training. I was proud mostly because they came home, but because Mekky and Jeremy were able to locate the subject and end the harm being done to others.

We love our family and it just wouldnt be the same without Mekky!

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Thank you to Officer Ballew and Mekky and all the others out there who work so hard to keep us all safe. If you are, or know a K9 officer, or Mounted Patrol or Search & Rescue, please contact me to receive a free oil portrait at absolutely no cost or obligation to you.

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After quite a few technical glitches and a lot of frustration, I was finally back on http://UStream.tv tonight. I started a commission of Tumbleweed - an adorable Corgi. The photo that I am working from is great - he's sitting on a chair, I think it's going to be a wonderful portrait. This is a 4"x6" portrait, the same size that I donate to K9 and Search & Rescue dogs.

Dragon Lady
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas

Finally, I blocked in the beginnings of a painting that I think will be rather interesting. It is an oil painting of a woman with dragon tatoos. I am not sure exactly what my plans are, but it is the first of the paintings that I am starting for my upcoming solo show in Stephenville, Texas in May. I'll post the progress on the painting in the blog as it continues. I'll also be painting live on UStream.tv/PaintyLiz so join me and we'll visit awhile while I paint! If you're interested in how I go about it, I share all my tips, techniques & colors while I'm painting.

Live Creatively!

Liz

Ali - A Fire & Rescue Dog

Ali
Fire Search & Rescue Dog
Lee County Fire and Rescue
South Carolina
4" x 6"
Oil on Panel

Ali is a youngster in this painting, not matured and filled-out.

From her partner Rev. Ryan Riley, Firefighter Lt. / Chaplain:

Ali was a a rescued dog and I had searched for a good German Shepherd for a while when I found a picture of her on line and I fell totally in love with her. When we met, I think the feeling was mutual and we had a tight bond. She trained every day and was hard to shut down. She always wanted to work and play. She has only 5 rescues to her list simply because of an early retirement due to health issues. She has searched tornado areas and even looked for a runaway Alzheimers patient. Her last assignment was with the Lee County Fire and Rescue in South Carolina. She is now with a family that needed a companion and very happy to be just that for them. I miss her a lot but know that God has a purpose for all of us…..even our dogs.

Thank you Rev. Riley and Ali. We appreciate all those who work so hard to keep us safe.

I got the bloodhound done today too, and if I can find his/her story & name, I'll post it tomorrow ;)

Live Creatively!

Liz

Oskar Black German Shepherd K-9 Portrait

OSKAR
Black German Shepherd
South Carolina
Oil on Panel
4" x 6"

From his partner - "Oskar is a 2 year old black German Shepherd that was imported from Slovokia. His is trained in narcotics detection, tracking, article recovery and patrol work. We have been partners since May 2008. Today we have accounted for 9 arrests, 4 vehicle seizures, about $6000.00 cash and various amounts of drugs, to include several pounds of marijuana. We look forward to putting more bad guys in jail and make our world a safer place."

Thank you so much! We appreciate your efforts!

A few weeks ago, I showed you the beginning of Oskar's portrait. Actually, it wasn't the very beginning because I painted the entire portrait then wiped it out, because I just didn't like it. I started over, and you saw the sketch that I did - but it wasn't right either, you can see that he is too short and his head is proportionately too large - but at least his feet were in the right place :)

So, I wiped it out AGAIN and started for the (hopefully) final time. I'm pleased with how it turned out. In response to those who have asked to see the reference photos, it is below. I don't like posting reference photos because I feel that the painting should stand on its own merits and also that sometimes I am so close to the original that some think I actually trace. Those of you who have watched me paint live know that is definitely not the case. It is just trial and error, replacing those bits that don't look 'right' and refining as you go along until you are happy with it.

.I'm going to see if I can get some more work done tonight, so maybe I'll have something to show you tomorrow.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. - Maria Robinson

As always - live creatively!!

Liz

K9 Portrait - Pico - Donation #19

Portrait of Pico - K9 with Dallas Police Department

I juts got a note from the officer that handles Pico. He says Pico caught another bad guy hiding in some bushes early Wednesday morning. He's up to 5 bad guy catches now during his short 10 month career after finishing his training!

I've gotten the basic shape blocked in and will let it dry a few days before painting the actual portrait.

People have asked to see some of the photos that I am working from. The sketch is just that, a sketch - for basic placement. The details and accuracy will be worked in as I paint. I don't see much 'off' about Pico's painting so far, but give me time LOL . . .


In other news, I just got some software so that I can digitize artwork into designs to be sewn by an embroidery machine. I'm planning on drawing up a series of dog sketches that can be made into embroidery for kids and adults. I don't want to do the actual embroidery, just create the patterns and let others embroider it on their own items. What do you think? If you have any comments, suggestions, requests or ideas, let me know. Also, if you have an embroidery machine and would like to receive some free designs in exchange for test sewing them for me, I'd appreciate it, although it might be a while before I figure out how to do it. I have a Janome 350E and the software I got is the Pfaff Creative Digitizing v6 - I haven't gotten started with it at all yet, but I've read the instructions LOL . . .

Our car with 250,000 miles on it finally died and we're biting the bullet and getting a NEW Acadia - I'm all excited! We just have to find the perfect one - and the perfect price HAHAHAH my house cost less than this vehicle LOL

"Not what we have but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance." - John Petit-Senn

Live Creatively!

Liz

Oskar Black German Shepherd K-9 Painting started - Donation #17

Hi all,

Gee, should I just pick up where I left off and pretend it hasn't been 3 MONTHS since I posted?? Should I whine and "explain" that I was busy with Christmas commissions and then about the time I finished up - my computer crashed (ok, it got a nasty virus) and I couldn't write and wish everyone a Merry Christmas, which I feel bad about! And top it all off with a mumbled apology about getting ennui and not wanting to do ANYTHING???

Ok, well, I won't! I'll just introduce Oskar, a police dog a dual-purpose black german shepherd imported from Slovokia who works with the police department in South Carolina. I'll have to get more clarification about what is 'dual purpose' . . .

This is one of my free K-9 paintings to handlers of Police Dogs, and Search & Rescue Dogs. Please email me if you have a K-9 or S&R dog, or know of one who would like to receive a 4"x6" oil portrait free of charge. This is my way of saying thank you to all those who put their lives on the line for us.



I actually painted Oskar's entire portrait, but just was NOT happy with it. I started completely over, and this is the result so far. Oskar is in a difficult pose. This is one of the situations where you really have to pay attention to the 'negative' shapes, such as the shape of the space between his front and back legs. I am going to let this painting dry for a few days so that when I come back in with the next layer, this basic sketch won't be disturbed.

I also have some Christmas commissions that I want to share with you soon.

So, keep your eyes open, your spirits up and live creatively!!

Liz

Mother's Love & Justus

A Mother's Love
8" x 10" Oil on Panel
$250

click here to contact Liz about this painting

This was painted LIVE on UStream - start to finish.
Come by and watch! The first 1/2 of the painting process is shown below this post.

My daughter-in-law's horse Magic and her baby boy "Stitch" were the models for this painting. The photo was taken when he was only a few hours old. He is now 3 and sort of learning how to be a big boy . . . at least he had a saddle on for a little while, there's hope for him.

If you've been by my Daily Painting by Liz site today, you'll have noticed that I've been working hard all day. I wanted to make the remaining paintings available for purchase easier to find. I did manage to make a section with the few pieces I have - but mostly - I spent the day junking it up!!! Auuuughhhh! I do know a good website when I see one, I'm just incapable of recreating it. I just have so much stuff I want to show you and then, of course, I love color, so a little color here . . . a little color there . . . and the next thing I know, it's all cluttered up and icky looking. But it's been a very long day and I"m going to call it quits no matter how bad the site looks now LOL. My son is going to fix it up for me, he is a web-guru and has been asking me for years to let him fix it for me . . . so I am finally saying 'uncle' and letting him have a go at it. I'm sure it will be an improvement!

The second painting today is Justus - an absolutely gorgeous German Shepherd with the Portland Oregon Police Department. His partner wrote a really funny story about Justus's third capture and I hope you take a minute to go read it at Portrait Of A Hero - and appreciate those who put themselves in harm's way to keep the rest of us safe. Thank you very much Ryan & Justus!

Justus
German Shepherd
4" x 6" Oil on Panel

Come by and watch! The first 1/2 of the painting process for "A Mother's Love" is shown below. Justus's portrait is also viewable on UStream.tv I broadcast LIVE on UStream while I paint Monday through Thursday, and weekends on occasion. If you're at all interested in my techniques and style, or just my fantastic wit - make sure you're signed up on my notification list so you can actually watch me paint. I will be narrating every move I make, along with the colors and any tips I think of during the sessions. Please join me :)
Click here to get an email notice when I will be online painting LIVE

Thank you so much for your interest in my artwork - check back again soon, I post new artwork almost every day!

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 :)

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.

White German Shepherd Charity

It's time for my charity painting once again -
This time it is a striking white German Shepherd.



Oil on Panel 4" x 6" unframed

ALL FUNDS RAISED WILL BENEFIT
WHITE GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE

CLICK HERE TO BID

Detail of brushstrokes on painting - much larger than life-sized

I hope you will consider bidding on this painting to help raise funds for White German Shepherd Rescue operations.