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.

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! 

Bloopers on puppy Bling...

Tomorrow is St Patty's day and I always try to take photos of my Irish Setters with a little fun holiday gear on them.  This year we have a pup in the mix.   Bling just turned 5 months old and we've been working on her obedience training with a friend and her lab puppy for two weeks now. 

My husband ran an errand so I grabbed my camera and took the dogs outside.   I tried a practice run and Bling stayed in place - though she chose to lay down rather than sit.   Hum... why not throw the holiday stuff on the dogs and see what happens.

Bling was a bit distracted by bird shadows on the deck and a kitty cat walking by.   To my surprise, she held her sit stay (except when the cat came along).   The other three, Monet, Faith and Drew are all pretty used to me posing them for my paintings.  

If you look at each photo, the older dogs hold their poses for me the entire time regardless what Bling is doing.   It was pretty funny.   This entire session took about three minutes.   For a five month old Irish Setter pup, 3 minutes is an eternity.   Hope you enjoy the photos!