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!

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

A Painting of Lyric - Irish Setter

This painting is of a lovely girl named Lyric.   Lyric is no longer with us.   

It is always such a heart tugger when asked to paint a dog that has passed.   It is a bit emotional...I have to admit.   

Looking at the photos of Lyric I realized how much she was loved for her mom to want a painting of her.  Each painting I create is from a special moment.   The painting captures a dog, cat, horse or bird at that moment the camera took the photo.  The painting may capture the moment in a sunset when the clouds were gently sweeping across the sky.   The painting may capture a moment when a wave shows a gorgeous brilliant color as the water rolls towards the sand.   

The paintings that tug at my heart differently are of a cherished animal that is no longer with us.   I know how hard it will be for the animal's owner to receive the painting.   I also know how much joy it will bring as their hearts heal.   I've been in that owner's shoes looking at paintings I've created of my own pets who have passed.   There is a special bond I with a painting of my beloved pets that have gone on and are waiting for me.    I have peace and a warm heart looking at those paintings.   Hopefully, Lyric's mom will feel a special joy when she looks at Lyric's painting.   Thank you for having me paint your girl - it truly is an honor. 

A painting of Finn

Here is a painting I've just finished of Finn.   I had the pleasure meeting him in person and taking photos of him.   The pose everyone liked of him the most had his ears flying in the wind.   His leash and collar obstructed clean lines of his neck.   I little adjusting here and there and Finn was staring back at me from my easel.

I asked Finn's human mom to share a few words about him.   Here is his story!

    

CH Captiva One Last Time, BN, RN, RA, THDN, TKN,CGC

Sir Finn is my heart dog, best friend and soul mate!  He is the kindest most gentle soul you can ever meet.  He loves me unconditionally and shows me that every single day.  Finn reads me like no other and is there for me always.  When I lost my mom, he was the one that helped me through it all and then loosing Liam too.  Finn’s therapy work excels with Alzheimer patient.  They can grab him or be rough and he will just lean into them and look into their eyes.  This boy of mine will try to do anything asked of him.  When people come to our home, Sir Finn is the dog they want to take home.  I am truly blessed to have him in my life!

Thank you Dawn for truly showing the love in his eyes.  It is just perfection! 

Fern: NZ SPR CH and SPL GR CH Lanascol Question Answered

Facebook is so awesome and allows us to peek into people's lives in ways never before available.   We see fun pictures of friends and family.  We see wonderful pictures of peoples' travels.  And for me, I see lots and lots of pictures of peoples' dogs.  There is an Irish Setter in New Zealand that I've loved to follow and admire.   Her name is Fern.  Those in the dog show world know her as NZ SPR CH and SPL GR CH Lanascol Question Answered.

When her owner approached me to paint her it was such a thrill.   We met when she was traveling here to the US and were able to talk in person.  She returned to New Zealand and started sending me me reference photos of Fern for the painting.   Each photo was lovely - so many great shots.   Long story short, the project became a two image painting.  The main image would be a head shot of Fern and the second image would be a movement shot.

Fern is a classically beautiful setter.   One main change that was made from the reference photo to the painting was the reflection in her eyes.  The reflection in her left eye (the right side of the painting) was wonderful.  The reflection in her right eye in the photo was pretty subdued.  This was not that apparent when looking at the photo.  However, in the painting, it felt out of balance.  So, I put a much stronger reflection in the right eye.  Not as much reflection as in the left eye as the right eye is partially shadowed in the photo.   But the painting was stronger with more light in that right eye. 

It is so important to me that people do not have me "replicate" a photo.  Actually, that word makes me cringe when I hear it.   My goal as an artist is to create a painting using photos as reference material.  I equate it to a map.  When driving to a new location don't you need directions to get there?    Cameras can capture a wonderful image of the dog.  If it were not for photographs, it would be really difficult to paint a dog.  My dogs are trained to be models and they will only sit still for as long as they think is appropriate and then go galluping to the kitchen for treats!   In a painting, an artist can change whatever they want to from the reference photos.  We can make weaker areas strong or tone down strengths of a photo that are over powering.  We can fix a twitching nose that is pointed the wrong direction in a photo.   We can open eyes that are squinting.  We can straighten hair that is kinky.   In the painting I can put detail where there is none in a photo or I can eliminate details from a  photo that really are not needed.  As a professional artist, my job is to capture the essence of the dog and create something special.   I look to the photos as help to give me details to capture that animal for the person who commissioned me to do so.  (In no way do I intend for this post to downplay photos or photographers.   From taking photos of animals avidly for over 40 years, photography is an art in and of itself and to be admired and respected.)

When it came to creating the background of Fern's painting I was given artist liberty - no preferences.   A great deal of time was spent looking at the painting and deciding what to do with the background.  Fern's classic look set me in a "Rembrandt" mode - classical paintings.   The background was created in the environment of the old masters.   A subdued palette with lights and darks.   Hope you enjoy viewing it as much as I did painting it.   Huge thank you to Carolyn and Paul for having me paint their special girl!

Fern painting completed (the copyright mark is not on the painting)

Duet - Portrait of an Irish Setter

I was commissioned to paint Duet last year.   I'd taken some photos of her in Georgia when I was there last April.

Her owner really enjoys the playful side of Duet - who is quite charming.   Knowing Duet's portrait was to focus on the fun loving Duet, we took photos of her playing with toys, chasing toys, watching toys - anything and everything with toys.  We just didn't get the perfect reference photo.  My camera had been malfunctioning on me and the focus was delayed.  So frustrating to be out of town and having your equipment fail.

Some months passed and I was sent a number of new photos of Duet.  One caught my attention immediately.  Duet's head was cocked a bit to the side and there was a sweet yet slightly mischievous look in her eye.  I contacted her owner and we both agreed - we had our reference photo.

Duet lives in the in a lovely area with flowers blooming all around her.  When asked about the background for the painting, her owner told me, "She also is know for running through the flowers…mostly lavender, white and purple lilacs and white and pink peonies."  It just was perfect to add some fun girly colors in the background.

It was great fun painting Duet and capturing that rollicking side of the Irish Setter that they represent.

Commissioned painting of Brandie.

This painting is sitting her in my office and ready to be shipped out tomorrow.

This is "Brandie" CH Jamonds Brandie Wine Back with a Shamrock. I understand she is points away from her Grand Championship as well. I met Brandie back in 2013 - she was WB at the 2013 ISCA National Specialty - shown by her breeder and dear friend, Jackie Drummond. 

She is a gorgeous girl and very loved by her owners, Bob and Rita Schmidt. I was so excited to be able to paint her for them. On a fun note, Brandie is a sister to my girl Faith (Brandie is from a repeat breeding so Faith is older). They both have the darkest eyes and gentle expression.

I met up with Brandie again in 2014 and took some photos of her. More photos were taken in 2015 and this painting is a result. The time allowed Brandie to mature and what a beautiful head and expression she has.

The painting is being shipped to Bob and Rita tomorrow. I can't wait for them to see it in person. The paintings are so much better in real life. There is a dimension and vibrancy that is lost when looking at the image on a computer screen.

New Commissioned Painting just finished.

This is Boo "Bruschi" - also known as BIS BISS GGCH Greengate the Boss at Beaubriar CGC, RN.

I met Boo back in 2006 in Michigan.   He was a very young dog at that time and absolutely adorable.   The one thing that was undeniable was his incredible personality.   He was a gorgeous baby, but I had no idea he would grow into such a beautiful adult.   I've asked his family to share a little bit of what he has done in the show ring.

He has won 2 BIS (Best in Show) and 28 BISS (Best in Specialty Shows)

Was #1 male IS for at least 1 year. Retired now, was ranked as #3 Breed and #3 All Breed when he was retired.

Owned and Loved by: Rick & Nancy Fiacco

Co Owners: Shelly DeChambeau, Bernie Elliot

Boo is one of those once in a life time dogs. 

Reference photo for the painting:

Portrait of Major for Emily

There is a very special story behind this painting.   At the 2014 National I was approached by this cute 15 year old junior handler, Emily, who was just learning to show dogs.  She didn't have her own Irish yet, but was showing dogs for others to learn the ropes.   She was so smitten with my artwork that she secretly commissioned me to paint her mother's dog as a gift.   Shortly after speaking with Emily, her mother approached me.   She wanted to commission me to paint Emily's first Irish setter once she had it.   Oh gee - what to do.   Funny thing is, this has happened to me before.  So, I knew what to do - I said  yes to both of them and would figure it out later.

Eventually, I told Emily's mother what was going on and we all laughed about it.   Her mother wanted me to keep the secret from Emily and let Emily think she was commissioning me when in actuality, the painting would be for Emily.

Now it is 2015 and Emily has her first Irish Setter, his name is Major.   Emily is so in love with this pup.  I was able to meet him in Georgia and can easily see why she loves him so much.  This pup has such an amazing personality, he even let a 3 year old stack him  (Major is pictured below with his breeder's granddaughter).

I asked Emily to share her thoughts about Major and this is what she told me;

Major is a fun loving, happy dog who has never met a stranger. He is My Heart Dog. I have never loved a dog like I love him.  He, at a young age, went to a nursing home and did amazingly well for a puppy.  I plan on getting his CGC next year and hopefully he will be a Champion next year too. He is one of those dogs you meet and he leaves an impression on you.

Thank you to Emily and her mom, Tammie, for letting me be part of your family and create this painting for ya'll.   I look forward to watching Emily and Major in years to come.

And of all the coincidences, her pup Major is out of Harmony, who is a litter mate to Drew (our male and Bling's father).   So Bling and Major are cousins.   Just a crazy coincidence.  

Three Generations of Irish Setters - Pastel Painting

When I was approached to paint three generations of Irish Setters, I was thrilled.

I was able to meet all the dogs in person and take photos of them.  The center image was to be painted larger than the others is she the foundation dam.   Her owner wanted her image to be larger and stand out from her puppies and grand puppies.

The two upper images are her get - female on the right, male on the left.   From the female, a litter was whelped which produced the two lower images - two young males. 

Knowing the dam and the sire of the two young males, it is amazing how much resemblence I can see to various dogs in their pedigree.   The pup on the left most certainly reminds me of his uncle - upper right.  The pup on the right most certainly reminds me of his sire.  The pups are three now and I've seen pictures of the pup on the right.  As an adult he is a beautiful blend of his sire and dam.

It is so interesting to watch dogs grow and, like people, see how they develop and who they resemble.

Thank you so much to their owner for having me paint their portraits.   It was truly an honor to paint your family.

If you are interested in commissioning me to paint your dog, my email is dawnsecordart@gmail.com or go to my website for more information  http://www.dawnsecord.com http://www.dawnsecord.com

Irish Setter Painting - Suzanna

This is a painting (soft pastels) recently completed of a beautiful dog named Suzanna.  She lives in another state so the painting was created by using photos supplied by Suzanna's owner.

The primary reference photo is shown below.   It was not necessary to show all of what was in the photo.   Sometimes less is more.   My goal was for the viewer to rest their focus on Suzanna's face.  There were other photos considered, but we collectively kept coming back to this one.    I understand she is the family clown.    One thing is for sure, she a beautiful girl.

Thank you to Suzanna's family for trusting me with creating this special painting for them. 

Commission of Emma

This is a recently finished commission of Emma.   When her family approached me to paint her I was thrilled.  Another art collector had suggested to them that I paint Emma as I had painted their senior dog, Ruby.   As an artist, nothing is more heartwarming than to know someone is asking me to paint their dog because someone else is so pleased with their painting.  

When they brought Emma to me to take the photos, my heart melted.   She is a veteran girl with the softest eyes and the most amazing ears.   We took a ton of photos of her and it really was a hard decision to determine which photo best represented Emma.

The painting was done a few months ago, but the family allowed me to hang on to it until the ISCA National Specialty so I could have it there on display.

If you'll be at the National - and want to see the painting in person - please come by my art booth!

Thank you to Emma's family for choosing me to paint her portrait and thank you to Ruby's family for suggesting it to them!!

New Irish Setter Greeting Cards "Steady!"

There are new greeting cards available on my website at http://dawnsecord.homestead.com/GreetingCards.html

The cards feature two Irish Setters in the field on point.   This artwork is also available in a limited edition print.

The cards are blank inside and packages include 8 cards and 8 envelopes.  The packages are $15.00. 

Have a great day!

Irish Setter Flag

The new flags are in.   We are really excited with them.  They measure 2' x 3' and the cost is $25.00.

If you want to purchase one, go to my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/printsforsale.html

Irish Setter Flag

The name of my painting shown on the flag is "Rockets Red Glare".