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.

Rex - Mini Pin in Uniform

Rex

Rex

Miniature Pinscher
(Mini Pin)

14"x18" Oil on Canvas
(click to enlarge)

I hated taking down Spiffy's portrait! Rex is a nice guy to replace her, though. He's wearing a United States Union uniform from the Civil War. When I do a painting like this, I do a lot of research to find a real uniform that suits the dog, unless the client has a specific idea already.

I have set up a new category on my website to showcase some of the more creative portraits I've painted. I have done a number of Pub Signs and some dogs in uniform. I'd love to do a cat in uniform! I didn't have them on my site, but I spent all day fixing that!

Click here to see more dogs in uniform and some really neat pub signs.
As usual, all the photos are clickable so you can see larger more detailed photos.

Thanks again for your interest in my artwork - let's all get creative!!!

Liz

Spiffy Finished - and an angelic portrait started

TWO PAINTINGS AGAIN TODAY - WHOO HOOO!!

SPIFFY'S PORTRAIT IS FINISHED

I have a new favorite painting! I absolutely love this painting - what do you think? do you like the bolder more impressionist style?

The internet doesn't do justice to the painting - the enlargements are a bit better, so make sure you click on them to see.

Also started a new commission today - Vesuvius - a beautiful, wonderful Rottweiler who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. This portrait will highlight the angelic side of him. It should prove to be interesting!

Vesuvius
16"x20" Oil on Canvas

Thanks for your interest in my artwork- if you like my art, please forward this to your friends :)

Thanks!

Keep on creating!!

Liz

A Jacket for Jet & A Colorful Poodle

I had a great day in the studio today! After I straightened out the mess with my website about paypal not working for the notecards - how frustrating! And google has locked me out of my original "Daily Painting" group, so I had to start a new one without access to the email addresses of the existing membership - so join again!! Forward this to anyone you think would be interested - let's get this list going again!

JET
Black Labrador
Search & Rescue Dog

Original Oil Painting 6"x4"

This is Jet - a Search & Rescue Dog with D.A.W.G.S

After I completed the painting, Chris, his handler, reminded me that I was going to add the jacket :) - So he gets two days of being dog of the day!

The orange of the jacket really makes it 'pop' - a big improvement over the original. Probably why I meant to do it in the first place LOL

Thank you, Chris, Jet and all the other handlers & dogs out there that spend so much time and money to save us from harm.

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I also got a quite a bit of work done on the poodle. I am doing this as a surprise for my husband's 80+ year old aunt. I am not sure how adventurous her taste in art is, but I love this painting. This little guy was "Spiffy" - and he passed away a few months ago. Normally, I start out very
colorful like this, and then tone it down with layers of more muted colors. I remember a famous equine artist said that "people want a painting of their horse, not my impression of their horse" He would go so far as to bring his paints out into the field to exactly match the horse's hair.

"Spiffy" 12"x16" Oil on Canvas
(click to enlarge)

I do try to make the paintings more colorful, but very realistic. You can't tell on the internet, but my paintigns have a lot more color than the actual animal has. I feel that this gives the aura of life to the painted surface. As I was painting Spiffy's portrait, I felt that his personality was shining through. Although I met him during his last months, he still had a wonderful personality, although he had slowed down quite a bit. I really hope that she likes the painting as colorful as it is. If not, I will tone it down and make it more realistic. It's just paint :) I'll paint my dog like this, and then I can keep it!

(click to enlarge)

The light was not good when I took this photo, the painting is not as dark as it appears here. I should get the background in while the paint is still wet, but I'm really tired and wanted to get this up on the 'net before I called it a night.

I have another project beginning to take form in my mind. I'll tell you more as I have more information.

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.