Bloodhound K9 & Canine Masterpiece

Bloodhound
whose name I can't find :)
Oil on Panel
4" x 6"

You may remember when I blocked in this painting MONTHS ago - it's finally gotten back on the easel and I've just about finished the dog portion of the painting. The background will be the police car, and that should be painted Monday. I really wish I had the video camera set up for this piece, there were quite a few 'learning opportunities' as I worked on getting the perspective right. These dogs have such amazing heads.

I should be doing some still lifes - I am scheduled to take a workshop from an artist whose still lives I admire greatly - Qiang Huang. I'm fortunate that he is located within a few hours of me. I'm really looking forward to his class and hopefully getting enthused about painting still lifes!

I've got some very interesting commissions going right now - another 'canine masterpiece' - this time interpreting a Renoir painting with Mastiffs. To whet your appetite, here is the painting that I will be adapting - Alfred Sisley and his Wife by Renoir.


I'll bring you along step by step as it progresses. It looks like it will be a lot of fun.

Live Creatively!

Liz

Roxey's Story & Pico Finished

(click to see larger)

ROXEY
Belgian Malinois
4" x 6"
Oil on Panel

First let me introduce you to Roxey. Her partner, Officer Douglas R. Beckman of the University of Illinois Police Dept. tells about her:

Roxey was our departments first Police Dog. She was a Belgian Malinois from Holland. I was blessed in her picking me out at the kennel by placing her paw upon my shoulder as we walked through the kennels looking at 100's of dogs before we made our selection. Then for over 9 years we worked together as friends and partners. Roxey had over 1600 calls for service and recovered over 400 lbs of illegal drugs. She was responsible for seizing thousands of dollars of drug money and vehicles. Roxey was also responsible for recovering 17 handguns and assisting in the arrest of 100's of felony and misdemeanor suspects. Roxey retired on Aug 4, 2008.

On Sept 27th 2008 I lost my partner and friend. Roxey had been injured 3 years prior looking for a home invasion suspect and had been on some very strong medication so she would be comfortable after her back injury. Roxey never slowed down. The day of the 27th I was able to have my daughter tell Roxey to catch the bad guys one last time and my wife to be with me as she passed. It was truly the hardest thing I have every done. Roxey is always with me and has made me a better person as well as an Officer. When I got my new partner I new I had to get someone with a different look and personality so I wouldn't be able to compare just by looking at them. Now more than ever, I'm gratefull I was able to do that with my new Partner Quinty. Thank you very much for everything you do it does mean alot to the Officers and family we spend so much of our lives with them it is hard to put in words. Roxey was truly my family's Hero.

---------------------------------------------

Thank you Officer Beckman and your new partner Quinty.

Portrait Notes: After I finished the initial sketch, it was obvious to me that I had her a bit fatter than she was, so I modified that as I painted. Although I often change the backgrounds of portraits, I really liked the bold graphic of the Police car behind Roxey, and thought it made a great background, so I left it that way. This is one of the portraits that doesn't photograph very well. I might be able to get a better photo in the daylight.

(click to see larger)

Pico
German Shepherd
4" x 6"
Oil on Panel

Here is the final version of Pico's portrait. I tweaked his ears a bit, added more color to his coat and filled in the background. I'm very happy with both these portraits, and very grateful to the Officers that work so hard for us.

It seems like all I've been doing for Daily Paintings (ok I know they're not daily) are dogs. I really plan on some other paintings, so hang in there and I'll get some still lives or landscapes on the easel soon. I dropped my favorite glass bluebird and broke her tail off, so I'm planning to paint a tragedy painting soon.

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” Epicurus (Greek philosopher, BC 341-270)

Live Creatively!! (and gratefully)

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!

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!