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

Rusty and Ruby - Mini painting

This mini painting is of two Irish setters when they were pups.   The painting was done last Christmas and for a special touch, a Christmas tree is in the background (gently implied).  It always touches my heart to paint dogs when they were puppies.  Our puppies come into our lives and we have no idea what our futures with them will hold.  When we look back, years gone by, we see those precious little faces and can celebrate our lives together.   I always say, when they are pups, we can not wait for them to grow up.  Then, in a vapor of time, those pups are veterans and we would give anything for them to be pups again.

From Donna - a little bit about the pups in the painting.

 Rusty and Ruby were our foster failures from the humane society.  They were our introduction into Irish Setters and the loves of our lives.  Rusty was a very sickly puppy but went on to become one of the most titled Irish Setters in history.  He excelled at agility and loved his reading to rover role.  In his later years, he became well known for his wagon walks where he stole the hearts of everyone that knew him.  Rusty left us in September of 2021 at the ripe old age of over 14 1/2.

 Ruby was our dog that had it all.  Brains, beauty and athlete all in one package.  Ruby went on to become the highest achieving MACH Irish Setter by earning 12 MACHs before her life was cut short by Osteosarcoma at the age of 9.   She was the most confident dog we have ever loved.

 This dynamic duo showed the world what Irish Setters are capable of and we are forever grateful to have had them in our lives.  They continue to live on in our hearts and will never be forgotten.

 Thank you Dawn for painting this gorgeous portrait of them in their puppyhood.  We had no idea at the time what a memorable ride they would take us on❤️.

Thank you to Donna and Jeff - it is always an honor to paint for you.

Book Event - Wine and Music Festival in Prosper, Texas

 October 7, 2023

Windsong Ranch - WINE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL, Prosper, TX

NOON – 6:00 pm

Windsong Ranch - WINE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL, Prosper, TX

Windsong Ranch in Posper, Texas, is having a wine and music festival on October 7th,  2023 and has invited the Visiual Arts of Prosper to participate.   The artists will be in attendance with booths and Bling has been invited as well.

Come and meet some of our artists.   Dawn and Bling will be signing books in their booth.   Look for us in the greenbelt entry area to Windsong Ranch.

We will have her books and some fine art on hand and for sale.

A painting of Kate

This is Kate, an Irish Setter.  I have painted her before in commissioned work by her owner, but also as a model in one of my paintings.

This last painting is a mini and the reference photo was taken of her while she was a senior dog nearing the end of her life.  She was loved by all who knew her.  I will cherish all the times I spent with her and have been honored to paint her.

Xander - My journey to paint this Pointer

When I lived in Southern California, some of my fondest memories were of time spent with Margaret at the dog shows.  Usually (not always) she showed male Irish setters.  Usually (not always) I showed female Irish setters.   There were times we showed each others dogs - the stories I could tell there (but I won't).

Margaret stepped outside of our box when she acquired an English Pointer named Xander.   As an artist, Pointers stop me in my tracks.  Their sleek lines and graceful movement are breathtaking.   I absolutely love pointers.   Xander was the kindest dog.  I don't ever remember him having a mean bone in his body (other than the time he chomped on a ground squirrel at a hunt test - but he was a sporting dog). Margaret knew I was waiting for the day she would say, "It is time to paint Xander."   That day came and I couldn't have been more excited.   

We sat down and talked about the painting and looked at his reference photos.   A little back story here - Xander and our boy, Drew (Bling's sire) were hunt test buddies (both boys are gone now).  The two boys were well acquainted from hanging out at the dog shows together.   To our delight at a local hunt test, Xander and Drew were in a brace together.    Margaret was handling Xander, Rich was handling Drew, and I was manning the camera with a telephoto lens.   When the handlers were instructed to release their dogs, Xander and Drew looked at each other and took off running.   I could see it in the lens.  If they could have spoken, they would have told each other "GAME ON".   Those two boys spent more time out running each other on the way to the bird field than getting to the bird field.   At one point, Drew had he lead.   He was so excited.  Xander stopped to relieve himself - he knew there was no contest when it came to speed.   Drew was lengths ahead of Xander - at least for a little bit.   Xander put it into full gear and literally left Drew in his dust.  Margaret, Rich and I laugh about it to this day.   When discussing Xander's painting compositionally, Margaret thought it would be fun to put Xander and Drew as cameos hunting in the painting and use the actual photos from the hunt test as the background.   What a fun idea.   When you look at the painting you'll see the two boys thinking about getting to business.   At the end of that day - they both did get legs towards their Junior Hunter titles - which both dogs did obtain by the end of the weekend.   

Thank you Margaret for having me paint your boy.   He is always in my heart.

Meet the Author, Dawn Secord at the Melissa, Texas Public Library Saturday, July 29, 2023

 Melissa Public Library

Summer Reading Wrap-up Celebration on Saturday, July 29th, 2023 from 11:00a – 1:00p

Location:
Melissa City Hall
Address:
3411 Barker Avenue
Melissa, TX 75454

​Dawn will be signing books in the library.  Come by for a visit!

Bailie - Portrait of an Irish Setter

 It was very exciting when the commission was received to paint Bailie.   She reminds me so much of my girls - squirrel hunters and full of rollicking personality.  It is always fun to watch the posts made about her on Facebook.   She has the most beautiful tender eyes.   

 I asked Bailie's family to tell us a little bit about her.   Here is a poem that was shared:

DON’T DRINK BAILIE’S IRISH CREAM

Our pretty Bailie

Full of love and joy

She’ll scream like a banshee

When there is kibble to enjoy

 

When we’re feeling down

Or when she wants a hug

She’ll nibble our chins to town

And with her toys she gives tugs

 

She moves well in the ring

And in the yard runs so fast

When squirrels the trees do bring

She gives chase, their lives don’t last

 

She hates the roar of thunder

When storms come our way

Her little body shudders

In the tub she’ll safely lay

 

She is our precious Bailie

Who sleeps on her back

She makes us very happy

                                                                    Our love will never lack.

Thank you to Bailie's family for having me paint your beautiful girl!

Illustrating a new book featuring Easy Company and the dog, Draftee

I was not going to announce this yet, but hearing AMC (cable channel) is running a marathon on the American war drama series, Band of Brothers, on Memorial Day, prompted me to do so.

The series created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks is based on the real life "Easy Company". Easy Company had a medic named "Doc Roe" and his grandson is publishing books based on Easy Company during their training and following them through their participation in World War II. I've been hired to illustrate a children's picture book by Doc Roe's grandson, Chris Langlois. It is an exciting project. The children's picture book has Easy Company rescuing a young dog during a historic training mission in Georgia in 1942. The dog would be named "Draftee".

Thank you to Mr. Langlois for the honor of illustrating your book. It has been an amazing journey thus far. I can't wait to see the project finished. The following photos are promo items created for the book.

For more information on Chris Langlois and his grandfather, Doc Roe, follow him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/DocRoePublishing

Painting of Trevor, an Irish Setter

 Trevor was a special dog.   I was thrilled when I was asked to paint him.  Many years ago, I spent time with his canine mother (then young) and was captivated by her eyes.   Years later, I was commissioned to paint her using some photos taken of her when I first saw her.   With that backstory, it is exciting that Trevor's painting is finished.

Several photos were discussed for the painting.  Ultimately, the photo with his beautiful face won the heart of his owner to be used as the primary reference photo.   

Each painting request received as a commission is an honor.  There is an incredible feeling of purpose when painting another person's pets.   Thank you Barb for having me paint Trevor.

I asked Barb to share some of information about Trevor and here are her thoughts reflecting on his life with her:

6/7/2020

Today I said good bye to my beloved Trevor. Morrigan Party LIghts CDX, RE, AXJP, OAP, OF. He was born 4-22-07 to my heart dog Jenna and Pam Gale's Bagger. He was the 4th born from the Party litter. I named him Trevor because it means wise in Irish! He was the dog who challenged me to learn to be a better trainer, better dog owner and better person He had a love of life that was unparalleled and taught me so much about enjoying the moment, He has been my demo dog in obedience for years to show students what an awesome obedient dog you can have in a large dog. Trevor's greatest love was agility. He did not need treats or toys. He just loved the sport. Whether he missed a jump or weave entry he just loved to run. I had posted that Trevor has been sick off on on since March. My goal was to give him what ever quality of life I could give him. He still wanted to go for walks and play with his Frisbee even up until yesterday.. Today he told me he was ready to go to the rainbow bridge and be with his mom. He was such a special boy. My heart is broken

Portrait of an Irish Setter pup by Dawn Secord

 This is a portrait painted in pastel of an Irish Setter puppy named Killesandra.    The portrait was commissioned by a daughter for her parents.  In the reference photo used, her ear was tucked under the edge of the coffee table.   I changed the ear in the painting to show the ear folded out and resting on the top of the table.  Thankfully artists are not limited by what they see or don't see.  

Killie, as she was affectionately called, was less than a year old when her life was cut short.    During that time, she had a profound impact on her family and is dearly missed.   Losing a dog at any age is horrific to those who love them.   Their lives are just not long enough.   Losing a young dog is especially difficult.

Here is a poem written by one of her family members.

KILLESHANDRA

You joined our family as a wee little one

Another Irish lass full of fun

We planned on taking you to dog shows

And soon were reminded that’s not how life goes

Your energy levels were hard to contain

From catching rodents, you would not refrain

You jumped really high, almost clearing the fence

We put up a screen to act as defense

You loved to run and loved to chase

The rest your head with an adorable face

We hoped to breed you to your big brother Row

And watch your puppies run to and fro

Then one day we saw something amiss

You were sick, but still had such bliss

A doggie doc said the news was not great

A shorter life would be your fate

We confirmed with our local pet vet

Knowing ten months was the best we would get

As so, with tears in our eyes we let your go

To cross the bridge colored in rainbow

You went to play with our pups in the past

Being sure for eternity you would have a blast

Losing a pet is always hard it is true

But always know we will forever love you.

Painting of Rocky - a White German Shepherd

I've been so negligent in posting finished paintings the last few years.  Not all those who commission my work want their painting posted.  Paintings of our special pets touch our hearts and I totally understand how some people would prefer for their painting to be kept private.   With that said, I don't post any paintings until I've spoken with the parties involved with the painting and know their wishes.  

This is a painting of Rocky.  He had the most amazing personality.   He never met a dog he didn't like.  He had a full life and crossed over the rainbow bridge at 15 years old.

White animals and black animals can be the most challenging to capture in a painting.  The lights and darks are already the color of the animals.  When creating highlights and shadows on animals that are black or white, I use a variety of colors - yellows, blues, purples and turquoise (subtly) to enhance the paintings.   I'll also make some areas darker than the photograph and some areas lighter.   While it is often referred to as artist liberty, it is a balance of instinct and composition.  Usually, the collar is removed from pets unless the owners prefer the collars to be left on.  With Rocky's painting, the darkness of his nose and mouth really set his face in front of his body.   Very little creative shadowing was necessary to define the distance.

He was a sweet soul and loved dearly.   I'd spent time with him in person and he was truly a special dog.  Below is the reference photo I'd taken of him for the painting.