Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: February 2009

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Hannah - Irish Setter

This Irish Setter is "Hannah" Ch. Winfree's Love Of My Heart. The painting was done from a professional photograph - with permission of course.

In April of 2007 I had taken photos of Hannah while attending the Irish Setter Club of America National Specialty in Ocala, Florida. Hannah's owner knew what photo she wanted me to use for the pose - but wanted me to meet Hannah in person and take photos of her for additional reference material.

Hannah is one of those special dogs that can look right into your heart. The above pose is so precious - the tilt of her head and the softness of her eyes tells you what a priceless princess she is!

To see more of my work, purchase limited edition prints or to commission a portrait of your dog please go to my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Art Show at the Dog Show - Annual Art Exhibit

On this past Monday, 2/2/09, I received my acceptance letter from the Art Show at the Dog Show.

This is a prestigious exhibit of canine works to be displayed March thru April in Kansas City, Kansas. For more information please go directly to their website at http://www.artshowatthedogshow.com/.

This juried show is the 23rd annual exhibit. It is always wonderful to view the works submitted and various winners. The collection of work is from many wonderful canine artists and to be included is an honor in and of itself.

Painting is my passion - as is showing my dogs. I can never tire of the exhilaration of watching a painting come to life - and I can not imagine tiring of gaiting around the rings with my dogs. The joy is in the act - whether painting or showing. Anything above or beyond that is icing on the cake. The joy is in simply being there.

Thank you to the judges who juried my work into the show. The piece I entered is of two English Setter puppies gazing outside their window into a forested area with a meadow beyond. The original of this painting will be in the exhibit, however, limited edition prints are for sale on my website. You are also welcome to call my studio toll free to purchase 866-393-7111.

To see more of my work please go to my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/

Monday, February 2, 2009

German Shepherd Puppy

This painting is the first in my puppy series being specifically created for my exhibit in May at the Pinnell Gallery - Art of the Dog.

I was at a dog show last year and a lady walked past our motor home with this three month old German Shepherd puppy. His movement was spectacular. Love to watch the Shepherds! Once my eyes stopped staring - my mind said - photograph this puppy. So, I ran after the lady, explained I was an artist and asked for permission to photograph her puppy. She was very kind and had a litter mate that she also brought out so we could photograph the puppies playing.

This painting is not yet titled but will be for sale through the gallery. If you are interested in purchasing the painting before the show - please contact me at my email fff@linkline.com or my toll free studio number is 866-393-7111.

This painting may be coming out in print. If you are interested in signing up for a print please email me at fff@linkline.com.

To view more of my work please visit my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/.

Thanks for taking a peek at my work! Have a great day.

Monet - Rusticwood Spellbound

Monet just received her third point towards her AKC (American Kennel Club) conformation championship. Monet is our third show Irish Setter - but not our third Irish Setter.

Her aunt is Jewel - my heart dog. Actually, that is the reason we wanted Monet. She was our little piece of Jewel since we never bred Jewel.

Coincidentally - Jewel had her third point when she was 27 months old - and Monet is 27 months old. Monet (Rusticwood Spellbound) has also won a Puppy Best in Show and a Best in Sweepstakes. She is a wonderful girl and we are thankful everyday she is in our home. She is an extreme dog - extremely smart - extremely good - extremely naughty and extremely nice.

In the near future she will be featured in one of my paintings. To see my artwork please go to my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/.

Have a great day!

Pastel Painting in Progress - French Bulldog

Here is a painting in progress. The pastel paintings are done very much in the same way an oil painting is done. I start with a base color. Usually I work with a precolored surface. With oil painting I would lay in a foundation color so the white canvas wouldn't show through. So this is the same basis. Since I am right handed I work from left to right unless it is a landscape or still life in which case the entire surface is worked uniformly. With pet portraits, so I don't damage an area that is completed, the surface is worked from left to right. While working an area of the subject I lay in mid tone values first - then work light to dark. With pastels an artist can "fill the tooth" of the surface so it is important not to over work any areas. Once the entire subject is painted I go back and reinforce the lightest lights and darkest darks. My greatest area of interest is the eyes. If the eyes aren't right the entire painting will look odd. If the painting is about a sleeping animal it is important to convey the comfort of the animal.

Oil Painting in Process

The following pictures show an Oil Painting in process. The first images show my beginning sketch. I use a common pencil, ruler and an eraser. Once the beginning sketch is satisfactory the sketch is secured with a layer of black oil paint. When the first layer is dried I apply a base color over the entire canvas. I love working on a burnt sienna foundation. There are paintings where I start just working directly on the white canvas and there is no base layer or foundation. It really depends on the painting. From the base foundation I start layering colors. It is a slow process due to drying time. This is where it really becomes fun. I should really make a recording of my husband saying, "You're done - stop messing with it!" Thanks for taking a peek. This painting is of a cat named Lynxy!