Painting of an Irish Setter

This painting was finished recently.   I need to do better about posting my paintings.   The dog in this painting was photographed at a show.  The photos were to provide me with reference material for his painting.   We were taking photos at the end of the day, on the last day of the show, while people packing up.  So many distractions were going on and it was hot outside.   Everything was going on that you don't want going on when you are photographing a dog.

With all that said, this boy did a stellar job during his photo shoot.   I isolated about 10 of my favorite photos of him for the painting.   Then I took those photos and paired them up with a head study and a stacked photo for his people to review.   His owners loved all the photos and ultimately gave me the artist liberty to choose the photos for his painting.   

In the main photo for his head study, I loved the angle of his head and the sunlight peeking through the trees.   Those dabs of light reflecting on his head and ears gave the painting a realistic outside feeling.   As always, I don't copy a photo exactly.  Light was added where needed, shadows were subdued or added where needed.  His ears were blowing so the hair was adjusted slightly.   A great deal of light and shadows were added to his muzzle.   My painting is an opportunity to give the art collector something truly unique and different from the photos they may have.   Not diminishing photos at all - they are a work of art as well.   As a fine artist, I want each painting to feel like a painting that was created using specific reference material so the likeness of the animal is captured correctly.   I want people to know it is an original piece of art - tangible - valuable - and something that was created specially as they ordered it and with the creativity of a true piece of real art that came alive as the artist sat at an easel.  I got my hands dirty with raw pigment, my clothes get dirty too, I used fine art materials, and I had to clean up the floor and easel around me when I was done.   Real art in process.  I so enjoyed painting this gorgeous boy.   Thank you to his people for choosing me to do so!

A painting of Josie

This is a painting of Josie.   I was contacted about painting a dog as a Christmas present.  The couple who approached me, who were about my age, wanted a painting as a gift for the husband's mother.   

When the photos of the dog were texted to me, I was smitten.   Josie was the cutest little dog. Her photos showed her spirit and softness all mixed together.   I imagined a senior woman sitting in her living room with her beloved dog, Josie, sitting on her lap.   Having an 89 year old senior mother myself whose constant companion is a small lap dog, I immediately knew the bond between Josie and her owner was immense.

Each painting I create is approached as my only painting.   100% of my attention goes into the painting I am working on.   It is important that my focus on that painting is not distracted by a waiting list.  When working on this painting, there were multiple people the painting would touch.  I painted Josie for her owner.  I also painted Josie to give the very best painting to the couple giving the gift.  When all is said and done, the gift is also given to me - the gift of being honored when chosen to paint for someone.  This gift is not taken lighting.   Each painting truly is an honor.

Pure Dog Talk Podcast: Dawn Secord and No Ghoulish Green Monsters Here

Huge thank you to Laura Reeves for featuring my children's picture book, No Ghoulish Green Monsters Here, on her podcast, Pure Dog Talk.  The website for the book is ADogBling.com

Children's Picture Book, No Ghoulish Green Monsters Here, featured in Pure Dog Talk Podcast

I am so excited to share that my children's picture book, No Ghoulish Green Monsters Here, has been featured in the Pure Dog Talk Podcast.    It was wonderful to be interviewed by the host, Laura Reeves.   We had a wonderful discussion and I hope your schedule allows for you to take a listen.   Here is the link:

https://puredogtalk.com/captivate-podcast/664-no-ghoulish-green-monsters-here/

A huge thank you to host, Laura Reeves.   It was so much fun talking with you and sharing our love of pure bred dogs.   My sincere goal with the book was to use my dog, Bling, to help children learn about self esteem, responsibility and team work.

There are some great canine references on the Pure Dog Talk website.   www.puredogtalk.com

For more information on my book, or to order the book, go to my website at www.adogbling.com

Oil Painting of Giddy - an Irish Setter

 This is an oil painting just finished of an Irish Setter named Giddy.  

When discussing the painting with the owner and the photos she had sent me, the conversations really showed her love for the beach.   She had several photos of Giddy at the beach and I created some composition choices of making Giddy larger or smaller at the beach.  Was the painting going to be a painting of a landscape with Giddy being part of that scene?   Or, was the painting going to be about Giddy with a landscape behind him?   Ultimately, it became a combination of the two.   

With the landscape being important, I asked if she wanted an oil painting or a pastel painting?   For the most part, if my paintings are a head study, I love the pastels.  If my painting is going to be a landscape, an oil painting is a lovely choice.   Diana went with the oil painting.

Wanting to provide the beach and cliffs a texture with dimension, I chose to paint on board with an ever so slightly sanded surface.  There is a visible as well as touchable dimension to the painting as a result.   I love using a palette knife when working in oil.   As with most of my oil paintings, this painting was completed with palette knives as well as brushes.    

In the reference photo, there are not any clouds in the sky.   I chose to change that and give a movement of air by introducing a slight flow of cirrus clouds.  The goal was to make sure the viewer's eye found something interesting to take in while looking at the sky.  For the cliffs, brush work and palette knife work made them another fun feature to bounce around in.   There is nothing like a palette knife to give an artist a somewhat controlled but yet uncontrolled feeling when painting rock formations.   When painting the water, I inserted more wave movement than in the reference photo while keeping the feeling of a quiet surf with waves gently rolling in.   For continuity of water and not to break the painting in half, the water was continued to the bottom of the painting even though the reference photo did not reflect that.   I always tell people, I don't copy a photo.  The reference photo is a road map to where I am going, but that doesn't mean I won't take artistic liberties to make the painting better.

Of course - our main subject, Giddy.   Looking at all the photos of him, he is totally all Irish - rollicking, aristocratic and has the soft facial expression that draws so many to the breed.   There was nothing for me to change when painting him.    I downplayed the shadow cast across his body by the afternoon sun.   There was no need for that dark of a shadow in the painting.  His left eye (in the painting) was really obscured by shadows in the photo.   It took a while and thankfully all the other reference photos I had of him to pull that eye out of the darkness and show both his eyes in the painting.

I asked his owner, Diana, to share a little bit about him and this is what she said:

Giddy nudges me with his snout and bumps me gently with his head to show affection. When we’re on a walk, if I pat his head he might give me a head-hug/love nudge while we are walking. He is obsessed with the lure for FastCAT lure coursing. He likes riding with his head out of the sunroof, and is well-known in my area for that. It brings a smile to people.

Thank you Diana for having me paint your special boy.   I can't wait for you to see the painting in person!

A pastel painting of Cinder - an Irish Setter

This is a painting of Cinder.  I've been sitting on it for about a week evaluating the finished painting.   This is quite the norm for me.  I like to step away from a finished painting to give myself time away from looking at it daily.   If I still don't see anything that needs an adjustment, I know my job is done.

I am so glad Cinder's owner chose the reference photo she did for this painting.   The expression in his eyes is mesmerizing.   There is a softness that just warms the heart of the viewer.    At the bottom of this post - look for a link of a video of me finishing the painting - utube video.

I asked her if she could share a little bit about Cinder for those who enjoy viewing my art.  Here is what she shared:

Thank you for having me paint your special boy.  There is no greater honor than to paint for someone.   

Enjoy this Utube video of me finishing the painting:   https://youtu.be/9mGMicIBruk

A pastel painting of Roody - Irish Setter

This is a painting of Roody.  He is a young male Irish Setter that I had been following on Facebook.  It was so exciting to receive an email from his owner that she would like to commission me to paint him.  We were both going to be in North Carolina in May of 2024.  We set up an appointment for me meet them along with Roody to take reference photos of him. 

It was so fun to meet Roody and his owners in person.   He was such a great dog to photograph for reference material.   I have to say, he was a great sport.  There was so much going on around us while we were taking the photos.   The chaos (with zip lines overhead etc) didn't affect him at all.  He took it all in stride.   A true Irish!  There were so many great photos that we could have used.  His owners chose a photo that was soft and showed the endearing side of this lovely dog.   

The reference photo of Roody used for his painting.  Thank you to his owners for having me paint your special boy.   

A painting of Charley - A Standard Poodle

 It was so exciting to get this commission.   Painting a breed of dog that has curly hair is always exciting.  All those curves - the curls - the waves the fur makes.   It is like playing to correctly capture the depth and to almost feel the soft texture of the dog's coat.   It is time consuming.   It can not be rushed.

I always add blues and purples when a black or white animal is being painted.   The human eye may not see the colors in photos, but in real life, the colors are here.

Multiple photos of Charley were sent to me.  To assist Charley's owner in deciding upon the primary reference photo that I would use as my roadmap to create Charley's painting, our favorite photos were placed on a collage.  That way, we could look at all the photos at once.  Once Charley's owner identified her favorite, I went to work.

Charley's owner shared the following about Charley:

He is lovingly called Charley Bob.  When he sits up straight and tall or is minding his manners, we call him Charles Robert.   He loves his walks along the Kerrville River Trail along he Guadalupe River.  He is very popular with he regular walkers and cyclists on the trail, and they say Hi to him before they even acknowledge us!  He practices Yoga, and is proficient i three poses: meditation, upward dog and downward dog.  He is young and rambunctious but is trying really hard to connect with his kinder, gentler side.  He's smart and fun; he's a keeper!

Reference photo of Charley to create his painting.   

Jackson - a portrait of an Irish Setter

This is a painting of Jackson - (GCHG Ramblin' Red Slamdunk Buckpasser MH RN DN CGCA TKA)

I have watched him grow on line and at shows since he was a pup.   It was exciting to receive a call from his owner, Gerry, asking me to paint his portrait.   When I hear people talk about Jackson, I always hear "He is such a fun dog."   Beauty and brains with personality.  Who can ask for more.

Here are some words his main person shared with me:

Jackson loves everyone!  He is a versatile dog that excels in having a job to do whether hunting, rally or conformation.   He has the sweetest personality.  He has his Master Hunter title thus the nod to the pheasant in the background of his painting.   He has also had many achievements in the show ring with his breeder/co-owner Peter Kubacz most notably Best of Breed at the 2024 ISCA National Specialty, Best in Show and Multiple Best in Specialty shows.   As he enters his senior years, I am seriously considering therapy dog training so he can make visits to our local nursing home and share his love.

It has been an honor to paint him.  Thank you Gerry!

Thunder and Wizard - Two Irish Setter dogs: Artist, Dawn Secord

This is a painting of Thunder and Wizzard.  The original photo was taken in a "landscape" orientation. 

When planning this painting, I thought painting the dogs in a "portrait" orientation would allow the dogs to become the focus of the painting.   In the original photo, my eye saw a beautiful landscape scene with two dogs in it.   Changing the painting's orientation made the focal point the dogs with the background being a landscape.   I discussed this with the dogs' owner and she fully agreed and gave me the go ahead to change the orientation for the painting.

It is never my goal to copy a photo - that doesn't take as much thought or creativity.   My goal is to use a photo as road map to my paintings to make sure that the essence of the dog(s) that I've been commissioned to paint is kept true.   As an artist, I need to see what is worthy to be kept from the photo and what needs to be removed or strengthened.  Are shadows to strong or too weak?  Do the eyes look tired or concerned rather than relaxed and happy?   Does the background steal the show by being the focal point?   

Photos are fabulous and I am in awe of how photographers do what they do.   However, as an artist, I have an opportunity to change things and it is always my quest to paint something special - something unique - that those commissioning my work will cherish.

A painting of Holly - Irish Setter

This is a painting of a dog named Holly (Woodglen Holly My Valentine CD, RE, RATS, CGCA).   I was so excited when the commission came in.  Holly's owner wanted a painting showing Holly at her different stages of life.  In the painting, images of her include a puppy photo, competing in a dog event and as a senior dog.  For the background, I was sent images of oak trees in her yard.

Before, during and after painting Holly, I was overwhelmed by how much this dog is loved.   Dogs are such a major part of our lives - our family.

Thank you to Holly's family for having me paint her.  It was an honor.

A Painting of Samantha

 I was at a dog show recently talking to a friend about my art.   It is fun to look back at where my journey with dog art began.   Back in the 90's, my work was hanging in a wild life gallery in Laguna, California.  My husband and I had lost our first Irish Setter and had found a new pup from a breeder.  We'd set out to get a pet quality female and ended up with a show quality male.   That was before the internet and it was difficult for people not in the show world to find pups.

We decided to try showing and my world to new friends opened up.   I painted a friend's dog as a gift for her helping me with my pup and his training.   Thus began my entrance into painting dogs.

Here it is, almost 30 years later and one of my greatest joys is painting people's animals for them.   When I was commissioned to paint Samantha, my heart was heavy.   I knew that Samantha had passed and she was very special to her human family.  When emotions are involved, my work is more of a mission than a journey.   My goal was for the painting to give the family a piece of their Samantha to hang in their home and warm their hearts.

I asked Samantha's owner, Katie, to share a few words about Samantha.   Here is what she shared:

    Samantha was the love of my life.   My best friend.  It was a privilege and great honor to have her at my side for 12 years.  Sam was up for the challenge with any venue and gave it her all.  Such a gentle, and loving soul.  Until we meet at the bridge.   Dawn thank you for creating such a beautiful portrait of my Samantha.

Katie's kind words make every moment I spent painting Samantha timeless.  Thank you for the honor Katie.

An Irish Setter and her handler

 Every time a painting is completed, I say, "I loved painting this."   And... yes, I LOVED painting this.

The painting features a dog that I knew many years ago with her handler and her handler's daughter.

Funny thing - reminiscing, this very same handler helped me in a pinch in 2000 with a young Irish I was showing named Jewel.   She was a junior handler at the time.  She was such a sweet young lady and so professional considering her tender age.   Jumping ahead many years later, I remember sitting across a restaurant table with her discussing the name of her unborn child.

The dog in the painting was named Lucy.   Lucy was the same age as my girl, Monet.  We showed against each other more times than I can count and always enjoyed our time together.

When the commission came in to create this painting I was beyond excited.  The primary reference photo showed Lucy giving kisses and reaching up with her paw to the then toddler.   A different photo of Lucy was used in the painting - a better head shot of her.   I decided to make Lucy closer to the people in the painting than she was in the reference photo.   I also have the toddler reaching up and petting Lucy instead of her little hands in her lap.

It is so important to me not to copy a photo.  I absolutely need reference photos to guide me to capturing the subjects correctly.   All the while, I can not be held captive to copying a photo.  I look for ways to make each painting stronger than the reference photos.   It can be a balancing act deciding how much to deviate from the reference material.  Of course, there are times when the reference material is perfect - exactly what needs to be painted.

This painting was creating using soft pastels and measures 11 x 14.  It was an honor to paint all the subjects.  The painting was a commission - a gift from one friend to another.   I truly hope those involved in this project enjoy the final product as much as I enjoyed painting it.

Podcast Interview with Debra Hamilton - Why Do Pets Matter

 A huge thank you to Debra Hamilton for interviewing me on her podcast, Why Do Pets Matter.

Click on the link below to listen to the podcast:

Dawn Secord ”No Ghoulish Green Monsters Here” on ”Why Do Pets Matter?” hosted by Debra Hamilton EP 206 | Why Do Pets Matter? Hosted by Debra Hamilton, Esq. (podbean.com)

https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/dawn-secord/

Reach for the Stars - a new greeting card

 I am excited to share a new Irish Setter greeting card is now available. The image, Reach for the Stars, is also a print. I make a rule not to release prints and cards of the same image at the same time. Sometimes rules are made to be broken. The greeting cards are a larger size and measure 5" x 7" are blank inside - $16 for a package of 8 cards and 8 envelopes....so excited about these cards. Thank you for modeling Bling Matisse.

The cards are available on my website at DawnSecord. com http://dawnsecord.homestead.com/GreetingCards.html