Finley an Irish Setter

 Each time a person contacts me to paint for them my heart skips a beat.   There is something special about painting for someone.  In the past, my art has hung in galleries, and that was amazing.   However, here is something special about a custom commission where you develop a relationship with the collector(s).  

When Ken contacted me about painting Finley, I couldn't wait to get started.  The photos of Finley oozed of his personality.   All Irish for sure - a gentle and loving dog - imagining a mischievous boy mixed in with some rollicking and laughter.  I can only imagine his shenanigans! 

I asked Ken to share a little about Finley.  Following is the story of Finley....

Here’s a little backstory on Finley:

I have always owned Irish setters. After my third one, Maggie, passed away I swore I’d never get another as she was such a great girl. 

One day, after she had been gone for ten almost years, I accidentally selected a YouTube video of Irish setters puppies playing and running around. I knew that I just had to have another!

It took me a while but I finally found a breeder who was going to have a litter very shortly. 

When the litter was old enough to have a forever home I visited the breeder to check them out. All seven of the puppies were let out of their pen and free to run outside in the yard. All but one briefly sniffed me and went away. That last one came up to where I sat, sniffed me and then lay his head right on my sneakers for about 10 seconds. I knew that pup was the one for me, whether male or female. 

I told the breeder “This one is mine” and she placed a little blue collar on him. His dad’s name was Finnegan and his mother’s name was Gracie so I did a kind of mashup and named him Finley. He has been my constant companion ever since. 

Thank you to Finley's family for choosing me to paint him!

Finley's reference photo

Book Trailer - Bling's on the Trail of a Fluffy Puffy Tail

 A huge thank you to Halcyonliterary.com / Halcyon Literary Group for creating such a wonderful trailer for my 2nd children's book, A dog Bling series, "Bling's on the Trail of a Fluffy Puffy Tail.

Click on link to view trailer: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1595554382239238

They have featured my book on their Facebook page. They are a wonderful group and I'm excited to share them with you. Here is the link to see the post about my book: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591446400052

BOOK LAUNCH!! Bling's on the Trail of a Fluffy Puffy Tail

 Celebrate National Book Day and the Official Book Launch for Bling's on the Trail of a Fluffy Puffy Tail!!! If you live in North Texas, would love to see you at the book launch - June 6th, McKinney Texas at Neighbor Books 1pm - 3 pm!

Bling's on the Trail of a Fluffy Puffy Tail - Book # 2 release

 I am so excited to announce my children's picture book, Bling's on the Trail of a Fluffy Puffy Tail, book 2 in my series, is here and for sale.

This children's picture book features my Irish Setter, Bling, as the main character.   In this book Bling shows children about setting goals.   Even though Bling encounters disappointment and discouragement, she does not give up.   She ultimately is able to accomplish her goal showing children a valuable lesson about resilience, perseverance and accomplishment.  Ultimately, Bling shows children about empathy and helping those in need.

website - adogbling.com

email - adogbling@gmail.com

Jameson the Irish Setter

 

Years ago I painted a dog named Reilly. It was an amazing painting.  One of the greatest honors is when an art collector returns to me to paint for them again.   Reilly’s owner, Marsha, has another Irish Setter, Jameson, and I was able to meet him and photograph him for his painting.  I fell in love with him immediately – cooperative for the photos and a true sweetheart full of personality.  

Jameson’s official name is Kilkieran's Like Father Like Son.  Jameson is Marsha's first exposure in the world of dog shows.   This picture is taken from Jameson's first national specialty in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  

Reference photo of Jameson.   He was so precious laying on the floor looking up at Marsha.   How could she not choose this photo to use as our primary reference photo for his painting!

Thank you Marsha for having me paint your precious baby boy.

A painting of Prada, English Setter

I've painted for Prada's owner in the past.   A few years ago she showed me this breathtaking photo of Prada in the field.  It was taken by a professional photographer.   With permission of the photographer, Prada's owner commissioned me to paint her.   Prada is no longer with us and I understand she was immensely cherished by her owner's husband.   I would be painting Prada as a gift from wife to husband.

Those of you who know my painting, know I like to use photos as a road map while using artistic liberties to make the painting be a painting - not a photocopy of a photo.  With this painting, the photo was so fantastic that there was not much that I wanted to omit or adjust.  To keep Prada's coat as if it was illuminating and retain the "sun kissed" look (what her owner loves about the photo), I encapsulated some of the foliage with purples and blues.  These were the primary colors used in Prada's coat in addition to the obvious earth tones and I wanted the color in the composition to be bouncing and reflecting on and off all tangible items in the photo.  As mentioned, I did not want to gravitate from the photo, just soften the foliage around her and the shadows cast by her head over her shoulders.

The first picture is the painting I created of Prada.  The 2nd photo is a somewhat size ways view of the painting to show how dimensional the painting is.

I asked Prada's owner to tell us about Prada.   Following is what she said:

    

Prada..BOSS, GCH Monimar SeaIsland's The Devil Wears Spots, JH.

OFA CHIC The reference photo was taken by Joe Deese. Prada was 7 & 1/2 months old in the photo and had just found her first quail in the bird field. Prada was my foundation bitch, bred by Mary K. Iverson (Monimar ES). She loved to hunt and had beautiful style in the field. Never missed a bird. She was a great mother to her 12 puppies. She is the dam to multiple CH, GCH-GCHG, BISS, BOSS, Specialty WD, WB, BW, Group winning & group placing get. Dam to Top 5 & Westminster Select Dog (2022) Jake, BISS, GCHG Sea Island's Wrapped Up In Magic. Prada also has get with performance titles in several venues, Therapy dogs as well as Great family pets. Prada was a great house pet, loved my grandkids and they loved her. She was my sidekick, my Prada B, mainly shown by me. Prada helped raise the pups from my other litters, she loved puppies! Prada was the love of my husband, Kurt's life. she will always have a large piece of his heart. There will never be another girl like Prada, she was beautiful and sassy with so much attitude! Prada was pretty close to Perfect.

I was so excited to paint Prada.  A note of sincere appreciation to the photographer for allowing me to use his photo for reference.  Of course sincere appreciation for Prada's owner, Frazier, for choosing me to paint this truly special girl.

Here is the original reference photo used for the painting.

A painting of Stevie

The dog in this painting is named Stevie.    Her owner approached me and wanted a painting of them together.   A quest ensued to find the perfect photos for the painting.    Diane sent me photos of her looking down to mix with photos of Stevie.  She sent photos of Stevie looking up.    I told her we had enough photos for me to accomplish the painting that was at hand.

On a whim, I decided to scroll through her Facebook photos.  Upon doing so, I found a candid photo of her reaching down to lovingly pet Stevie who was looking up at her.  It was perfect - it was natural and not staged.   So of course I contacted Diane about my "big find".    To make this even more perfect, that was the day Diane met Stevie.   Stevie came to her as an adult.

Of course, I changed the background.   The photo had challenges to work with.  It is an old photo with a very small resolution.   It took some time, going back and forth, trial and error, to create the detail I wanted in the painting without having the reference material to confirm my thoughts.

The painting is done, Diane is thrilled and my heart is full.   Stevie is now 12 1/5 and I know this painting will forever show the bond that started immediately between the two.

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

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.   

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!

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

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.