Pug Portrait in Process

This is Pugsley and his portrait is in process. He is a therapy dog and just an awesome all around companion. He lives in Southern California and I had the delightful experience of meeting him when taking photos of him for his portrait.

He had recently had cataract surgery so most of the photos we took of him were in the shade to keep his eyes comfortable.

In the primary reference pose he is leaning towards the left. His expression in that particular photo was fabulous - we all agreed it was a wonderful photo to base his portrait upon. For the portrait I sketched him with his legs straight under him eliminating the leaning to the left which had made his left shoulder look a bit odd.

He is just as sweet as he looks!!

Dawn's Etzy Store

Well, I took the plunge and created an on line store. (Actually - this was done by my husband, Rich and this is his project.) The store is hosted by the website "Etsy". This site specializes in hand made items such as art.

If you are interested in visiting our new store the address is:

http://www.monetsecord.etsy.com/

We were having a little fun and set the site up under our dog, Monet. Don't ya just love the internet!

If you have a moment drop me an email and tell me what you think!!
fff@linkline.com

Jewel in the Art Booth

Jewel is always in my art booth. She is retired from the show ring and currently a therapy dog. For the most part - I take her everywhere.

This is her convertible and how most people see her when she is at the shows with me. What else can I say about Jewel - she is the apple of my eye - my constant companion and the biggest food stealer in the house!!

Irish Setter Puppy "Wanna Play"

This is the fourth and final puppy painting for my upcoming exhibit at the Pinnell Gallery.

The painting's model is an Irish Setter puppy who runs our home and is in charge of all the toy inventory. Monet was about four months old when I took this photo of her on our patio. It was late afternoon and the sun was shining on her at an angle. The shadows cast by the setting sun on this feisty puppy were amazing. It has been two years since I took that photo. I knew it would be a perfect painting some day and that day has come.

Monet's slogan for life is "Wanna Play". She is always up - always happy and always stealing toys. Actually, I "toyed" with the idea of naming the painting "Mine".

If you live in Southern California I would love to see you at the exhibit. Here is the information: Pinnell Gallery, 124 N. Main Street, Fallbrook, CA 92028. Phone: 760-728-8870.

Boxer Puppy "I See You"

This brindle boxer puppy was so much fun to photograph. She was running around the yard - chasing toys and just a joy to watch. Her name is Chili and we affectionately call her "Chili Dog".

"I See You" is the name of the painting and if you look closely you will see the puppy is looking at a lady bug on a blade of grass. The pastel painting is one of the puppy series I am completing for my upcoming exhibit "The Art Of the Dog" to be on display at the Pinnell Gallery. The show opening is the first weekend of May, 2009. This painting is for sale - if interested please contact me at fff@linkline.com

If you are interested in commissioning a painting of your dog please contact me!

Thank you for viewing my work - have a great day!

Basset Hound Puppy "Give Me A Hug"

Here is my latest painting for the puppy series that will be on exhibit in the "Art of the Dog" show at Pinnell Gallery beginning the first weekend of May, 2009. This pastel painting depicts a ten week old Basset Hound puppy.

The name of this painting is "Give Me a Hug". Those little eyes were so cute and pleading that "Give Me a Hug" just seemed to fit. If you are interested in purchasing this pastel painting before the show please email me at fff@linkline.com . The painting will need to be shipped to you after the show.

For those of you who live in Southern California - I hope to see you at the show in May. If you need more information - please email me or call me toll-free at 1-866-393-7111.

Have a great day!

Don't Forget Cash!!

Yesterday one of my girlfriends was over and we were working on the website for her horse ranch, Cottonwood Ranch. I was showing her the St. Patrick's day photos I had taken of my pets. All the while, my Siamese cat, Cash, is sitting on the desk facing her demanding attention. Then I remembered I had photographed Cash. The photos range from tolerant cat to a rather cranky cat.

So Judy, here is the picture of Cash you insisted I blog!

Drew Secord - Happy St. Patrick's Day

Drew is our youngest Irish Setter. My grandfather was Irish and was always going around his home and garden singing Irish songs and just being a really fun man. He had red hair and blue eyes when he was young.

"Bapoo" as we called him (when I was young I couldn't say Grandpa and somehow I came up with that name!) bred and showed Kerry Blue Terriers. He would have loved to see my Irish Setters. I hope he is looking down on us and smiling his Irish Smile!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to ALL!

Irish Setters: Shannon, Ginger and O'Malley

These three Irish Setters live in New Jersey. I had the opportunity to meet Ginger and O'Malley in Florida in 2007. We took pictures of both of them at that time for a portrait. Then Shannon was added to the family. We decided to wait on the portrait until Shannon matured and then add her into the painting.

In 2008 we met up again in Arizona at the Irish Setter Club of America National Specialty and I took more pictures. They are all absolutely wonderful dogs - great little "posers" and very cooperative for our project.

The painting was created from three individual pictures. The painting was great fun to create and I shipped it off today to its home in New Jersey. That is always the tough part - letting go! To a fun note - what perfect timing - shipping a painting of Irish Setters on St. Patrick's Day! Happy St. Patty's day to Anne, Shannon, Ginger and O'Malley!!!

If you are interested in commissioning a portrait of your animal(s) please contact me toll-free at 866-393-7111, email at: fff@linkline.com or go to my website to print a commission form!

Have a great day!

Art Show At The Dog Show

The "Art Show at the Dog Show" www.artshowatthedogshow.com has the award winning artwork up on their site now. Almost 600 pieces were entered by 200 artists. The piece I entered "Waiting in the Wing" (which features two English Setter puppies) won a placement in the pastel category and has sold. It was humbling to be excepted into the show, wonderful to receive an award and the icing on the cake to have my work sold.

There is some beautiful work up on the site - I would encourage all who are interested to take a minute to view the artwork.

To see my painting - please go to my web site www.dawnsecord.com and click on the English Setter Gallery or click on this link.

Remembering Aspen

Little Aspen:

Adopted December 1994—February 18, 2009

Little Aspen came into our home as an adult cat that we rescued from a local shelter. She had been scheduled to be euthanized the next day.

When we brought our two Irish, Amber and Malibu, into the house to meet our new pet, Aspen, she just laid on the floor and watched them “rollick” past her. To our amazement she was unaffected by the dogs. We knew immediately she was meant to be in our home. Though she was tiny and weighed only eight pounds it was her self appointed task to train all new red dog puppies that came into our home over the past 14+ years. Running in the house deserved a whack in the head. Putting paws on the desk top deserved a whack on the head. Putting faces on the kitchen counter absolutely deserved a whack in the head. When the dogs passed her they walked slowly and respectfully. For rather naughty behavior a small chase might ensue with a red dog in flight from the enforcing feline. When the red dogs were behaving within the rules they could all be found lounging together.

She is now whacking Amber and Malibu in the heads again (and anyone else misbehaving) at the Rainbow bridge.

We miss you so much little angel. We will love you always. Dawn and Rich

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/.

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/

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!