A New Painting . . . . and a SCAM

"HEY! YOU WITH THE OPPOSABLE THUMB!!"
Mackenzie

Labradoodle
24" x 20"
Acrylic on Canvas

Wow, it's been awhile since I posted. I do have some paintings, but no photos! I am so far behind. Allow me to introduce Mackenzie. She is my dog. I've wanted to paint her for quite a while, but I can't ever get the photo that I really want. I still didn't, but I like this one. When she's trying to get you to throw the ball for her, she looks up at you with the whites showing in her eyes - I love the look, but when I take the camera out she stops doing it! I have a lot more sympathy with those of you who tell me they can't get a good photo of their dog. Now I understand why I work from so many bad photos LOL

I waited until today to send this out so that I could get a good daylight photo. The painting is so bright that it's hard to get an accurate photo, but it's pretty close. I think the close-up below is more accurate.

You'll notice that the copyright is a bit different on this one - I have started a new website - what? 5 websites is not enough? plus 2 blogs? Ok have I mentioned that I have ADD . . . oh look a chicken . . . anyway, if I were a firearm, I'd be a shotgun. Anyway, this new website - WackyPup.com has more crafty type things, and will also have my wackier paintings. Mack will be the first to be showcased. It will also include things from others, like my sister who builds things from wood. If you have something that you think could be marketed through WackyPup.com give me a hollar and we'll see if we can work something out.


I'm using a different type of paint - Chroma Interactives. I'm excited to announce that I was approached to become a working artist for Chroma. This is the first painting I've done with the new paints. They are an acrylic paint that has a much longer open time than traditional acrylics. I don't usually paint in acrylics for exactly that reason - they dry so fast that I don't have time to do any blending or manipulation of the paint. Even oils dry too fast for me most of the time (but then I use a lot of liquin LOL) I LOVE these Chroma Interactive paints! The colors are fantastic and they handle well. I'm going to have to use them more to get accustomed to the properties, but so far it looks like they will be a wonderful addition to my studio. I'll be writing more about them as I find out more techniques to use them.

Now, the scam I mentioned. A while back, I painted a portrait of a golden retriver named Theodore, owned by Scott Shields. I just found out tonight that Scott is a fraud. He also owned another dog, Bear, who was purported to be the most successful rescue dog ever, won medals, and gathered a lot of publicity and money for Scott and his sister. The stories that Scott told were LIES and the dogs weren't even trained as rescue dogs.


I was one of the many who were taken in by Scott's stories. However, I am leaving Theo's painting up, albeit as a FAUX Search & Rescue dog, because it is not his fault that his owner is a fraud. He is still a beautiful golden retreiver, and I'm sure that if he had the opportunity to become a REAL search & rescue dog, he would be very eager to do it! If he understood what had been going on, he would be ashamed of his owner, but since dogs give unconditional love, he doesn't have a clue. So, this is a tribute to all the dogs we own that love us no matter if we deserve it or not.

Thank you as usual for your patience, I should be painting a bit more often over the next two weeks, because I'm supposed to be in an art show at the end of the month and I have nothing to bring LOL!!

If' you're going to be in the Fort Worth area on April 25 come by the Will Rogers Memorial Center and visit me at the Funky Finds Spring Fling - It's FREE and pet-friendly and looks like it's going to be a lot of fun. I'll be painting and doing dog caricatures . . .

Live Creatively!!

Liz

Portrait of a Hero - Donation #20 - Dakota

Dakota
Belgian Malinois Search & Rescue Dog
FLTF2

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From Julie, his handler:

Dakota, 3, was imported from Germany to be a patrol dog, but fortunately for me biting was not is forte. For a Mal he has a sweat personality and likes to please. He negotiates rubble like a gazelle and searches extremely fast, sometimes blowing right by scent and has to work his way back. He likes to take direction and isn't as serious about his work as Lilly-Belle, but he also has a strong work ethic. Dakota, is my "Flash dog" and Lilly is my "steady girl" they make a great pair.

FLTF2 is a Federal Search team sponsored by Miami Fire Rescue. I am a 23 year fire fighter with Miami. Both Lilly-Belle and Dakota are Type 1 FEMA certified disaster search dogs.

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Thank you Julie, Dakota and Lilly! We appreciate your hard work. I will be painting Lilly's portrait soon.

I am so happy with the way this portrait turned out. In this instance, I deleted the background from the photo and put in a generic background. I love the look on Dakota's face. However, I just realized that I never finished his collar LOL . . . so I guess the painting isn't exactly finished. I will post an updated photo when I add his bright orange collar.

“Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion . . . . I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.” Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (American Writer, b.1922)

Live Creatively!

Liz

Donation #15 - Summit - Australian Shepherd DAWGS

(click to enlarge)

Summit
Australian Shepherd Search & Rescue Dog

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From Karen, his handler:

I met Summit on a mountain top in New Hampshire a day after I lost his beloved big brother, Forest, in an accident. Before meeting Forest I had always assumed my soulmate would have two legs, but he showed me that sometimes, for some people, their soulmates have four. I had no idea how I'd carry on without my dear friend, but he came to me the night he died in a dream and said his goodbyes in the sweetest of ways that still brings me to tears and he left me with a vision of an ice blue eye. I didn't know what it meant and didn't give it much thought until I made my way up the winding mountain road to meet a lil Aussie pup whom the day before I didn't even know existed. I knew as soon as I saw the lil blue merle pup with the ice blue eye and so much white fur that he looked like he came straight from the clouds in heaven that Forest had lead me to him. The journey that I thought had come to an end became a new beginning and has sustained me ever since. Summit is truly a blessing. He is a kind dog, full of love and endless kisses, always by my side and always ready for an adventure. He is a fine search dog who is successfully following in his big brother's pawprints. Forest must be so proud of us.

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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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This is #15 in my series of Search & Rescue and K9 paintings. If you or someone you know is a member of Search & Rescue, K-9 or Mouted Patrol, please allow me to paint a small portrait at no charge to you, in gratitude for your service.

On a personal note, I spent the last week in Florida on an Einstein vacation. You know what that is . . . "it's all relative" I dutifully packed all my art supplies and had grand hopes of getting some really great paintings done . . . . and all I did was lay on the beach and read trashy novels LOL . . . . guess I'll have to go back without any paperbacks and actually get some painting done!

I'll be painting LIVE tomorrow, not sure what time.

As always - THANK YOU SO MUCH for your interest in my artwork, and . . .

LIVE CREATIVELY!

- Liz

Damp Paisley

Paisley - Border Collie
Search & Rescue Dog

4" x 6" Oil on Panel

Well, today I had a bit of a quandary . . . . I have one painting that I have all the info for, but I wasn't truly happy with . .. . and I had this painting that I just completed (videos on Ustream.tv/paintyliz ) but no information about the dog . .. which should I post. Of course, the better painting won out - I really had fun painting this, and it's the first time I've painted water, so I'm really happy with it! Karen, Paisley's partner, is a fantastic photographer and sent me this marvelous photo. I changed it a bit, made a little less 'action' going on in the water so the dog would stand out, but the greens & yellows are from the actual photo. Paisley will have his very own page at Portrait of a Hero - so when I get his info, I'll put it on his page.

I also futzed around with the equine mural painting again, I am going to photograph it and send it in and get it away from me! And painted the edges of the angellic Rottweiler so that the client can hang it without a frame. Not bad for not getting started until 4 p.m.

Tomorrow, I'm in the studio, LIVE from 9 a.m. onward. Hope to see you there!

As always, thanks so much for your interest - LIVE CREATIVELY!

Liz

Zia - Border Collie Search & Rescue Dog in the Snow

Zia - Border Collie Search & Rescue Dog

I never got the information about this dog, so all I can tell you is that her name is Zia and she is a beautiful Border Collie who has worked in Search & Rescue with Grand County Search and
Rescue Dogs (Colorado) for two years, and is very enthusiastic about avalanche work.


The Search & Rescue with Grand County Search and Rescue team has evolved over the years from an informal jeep posse under the wing of an authentic western sheriff to a well-trained crew of volunteers known for their professionalism. Within the ranks of the core Grand County SAR team, specialized units have been formed to tackle the diverse rescue challenges presented by the awesome canyon country surrounding Moab. The regular schedule of general SAR training, along with additional training for the specialized units, ensures that the volunteers of GCSAR are ready to do the best job during your worst times.

I am definitely doing the HAPPY DANCE today - I've been working on the angelic Rottweiler and it's looking great - I'll show you tomorrow! I've shipped out a few commissions this week, and things are getting back under control. I am so happy with this painting of Zia - it was so much fun to paint.

BIG NEWS - I've discovered UStream - I will be broadcasting LIVE while I paint in the next few days. I haven't gotten it completely set up, but if you're interested drop me a note with the time of day that would be best for you. If you're at all interested in my techniques and style, make sure you're signed up on my notification list so you can actually watch me paint when I get it set up. I will be narrating every move I make, along with the colors and any tips I think of during the sessions. Please join me - you will be able to chat with each other and with me. I can answer your questions as I paint. I will be painting some small daily paintings, and working on the equine mural painting. I have some commissions, but they are gifts so I can't show them as I paint. I might show the angelic Rottie, though. I still have a little bit more work to do on him. So, sign up on UStream and get ready to come into my studio!!


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.

~~~~~~~ UPDATE ON EQUINE MURAL ~~~~~~~~~~

My husband came up with a great idea for the equine painting, so I'm going to get it started tomorrow. I saw a white horse, but on what background? snow? water? - He said since we're in Texas, I should paint one of the horses from "Lonesome Dove". Turns out that Woodrow F. Call rode a white horse, as far as I can tell. So, now I have a plan . . . let's see how it turns out :)\

Thank you for your interest. I can't wait to be able to interact with you directly on UStream!

As always - live life creatively!!

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!

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.

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 :)

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. Because it was late, this photo was taken with a flash, and I will try to get a better photo tomorrow.

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.