Art Show At The Dog Show!

The "Art Show at the Dog Show" http://www.artshowatthedogshow.com/ has the accepted artwork up on their site now. Almost 600 pieces were entered by approximately 200 artists.

The piece I entered "The Look of Love" (which features a German Shepherd puppy). It was wonderful to be excepted into the show. 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 http://www.dawnsecord.com/ and click on the German Shepherd Gallery or click on this link.

If you are interested in commissioning a portrait of your dog information is listed on my website.

Laguna Beach - Plein Air Oil Painting

I spent the last three days plein air painting with a group of fabulous artists. The workshop was hosted by Greg LaRock. Not only is Greg an incredible painter but he is an incredible instructor - a winning combination.

On the third day my husband, Rich, brought Jewel (our veteran Irish Setter) down and joined me for the day.

My body is telling me I spent a ton of hours in the same position and since it is early in the morning it is best to take a couple aspirin over a glass of wine.

Hope you enjoy the photos. The painting in pictured here is not finished but will be in the next week or so. Please check back on my web site at http://www.dawnsecord.com/

Have a great day!

Painting in Process

I'm working on several paintings right now. That way I can stand back and get a fresh eye when looking at them. One painting has one dog in it, a second painting has two dogs and the third piece has three dogs in it.

Here is a peek at one of them.

More to follow later.

Rich's Collection

I started this landscape painting several years ago. My husband, Rich, would not let me sell it and insisted once finished it would be part of his private collection of my work.

So, for Christmas I took it out of storage and dabbled with it a bit. Added some fun greens, blue greys and a few darks. Finally I signed it and surprised him with a completed painting.

Now it is officially finished, framed, and being enjoyed by my husband.

Palm Springs Kennel Club

Monet in the Show Ring

Drew in the Art Booth

"Monet" Rusticwood Spellbound Free-stacking

I showed my girl, Monet, at Palm Springs this past weekend. The weather was awesome - no wind - no rain. Lots of sunshine and a gentle breeze.

It is so much fun to show our dogs. They get to enjoy being out of the house, visiting people and getting lots of treats. Monet was also my official greeter in my art booth. Drew and Jewel also helped in the booth. Family Fun!!!

Monet is learning people in dress clothes usually have really great "stuff" in their pockets.

Western Art "Working Boots"

This article was in the newspaper the day after Christmas. Was a great Christmas surprise! To see more of my work please to go my website at www.dawnsecord.com. Thanks for taking a peek!

Santa Barbara December 26, 2009

My husband, Rich, and I took our three dogs to his parents home in Santa Barbara. They are dog lovers and have a golden retriever. The dogs all got along beautifully and played together in the backyard overlooking the ocean.

Drew and Monet played chase all day long. Don't know what it is about that ocean air - but our dogs went crazy!

We had a great day and were all quite tired when we drove home that evening!

Ho Ho Ho from the Secord Pets

Here are two of my pets.....Monet who is an Irish Setter and Cash who is a blue point Siamese Cat. Monet is about 15 months old in these photos and Cash was about three years old. It is two years since those photos were taken and oh my gosh how time flies!

Hope you enjoy the photos. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Dawn Secord

http://www.dawnsecord.com/

Morgan

This is Ch Rusticwood Dance To The Music "Morgan" aka Goober. The photo reference for this painting was of a young Morgan - approximately 5 years old. Morgan just turned 12 years old on November 4th. She is a very special girl to her human family and the portrait of her was/is a Christmas gift.

My husband and I had the privilege of meeting Morgan this past summer while we traveled in Georgia. She still has a beautiful mahogany coat and has a real sweet temperament.

Merry Christmas to Morgan and her family!!

To see more dog art please go to my website at http://www.artofthedog.com/ or http://www.dawnsecord.com/.

Irish Setters can pass obedience class!

These are two of our dogs - Monet and Drew. Monet - our feisty three year old girl and Drew - our crazy boy who is 21 months old. They are both Irish Setters.

Monet graduated from basic obedience class last Wednesday. This was her third time in such a class. However, this was a new instructor, a new training facility, and this instructor kept meatballs in her pocket. Monet was going to LOVE this class....

Drew .... well .... Drew. He sure had a great time in class. His undivided attention however was not on me but on the fattest little corgi named Tabitha. Treats didn't matter, coaxing didn't matter. Drew is in love. Poor little Tabitha had his big clunky paw set down on top of her little head more times than I care to confess!

These pictures were taken to see if they really knew "wait". As you can see it kinda worked. Notice a few of the pictures have no treats in them....hum.....or should I say "Yum"!

Annie - Ch Jewelset's Special Attraction ROM

I first met Annie in Rhode Island in 2005 at the Irish Setter National Specialty. Her owner approached me to photograph her for a painting. This painting was to be a gift to another party.

For the past five years I've admired Annie at the various National Specialties. Once again (to my excitement) I was asked to paint Annie. This time it would be for Annie's human mom to keep and not to be a gift. The same original photograph taken in Rhode Island was used. The only changes were to add the graying to her muzzle that had come in with age. Additional photos were supplied and the painting was started.

Anie is a regal ageless beauty and thank you so much for the opportunity to paint her and her kids. To see more of my work please go to my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com/.

Ready & Waiting Greeting Cards

A number of people have asked me to restock this Irish Setter greeting card. Until now, all greeting cards have been sold until that particular card sells out and then I pick a new image to put on to cards.

The model for this card is my girl, Jewel. She was a real stinker and kept spitting the leash out of her mouth. It was all quite fun and each time I look at these cards I picture her pitiful face pleading with me to just take her for a walk and to quit messing around like some crazy paparazzi!

The greeting cards can be purchased directly from my website by clicking here or feel free to call me or email me! 866-393-7111 or fff@linkline.com. The image is also available in limited edition signed prints - click here to go to my prints for sale web page.

Thanks for taking a peek at my work!

"Working Boots" Western Art

This painting was juried into a Western Art show in Texas. The show has a special purpose that touched my heart. Proceeds from the sale go to assist the medical costs that insurance does not cover for children with cancer.

The boots belong to our friend, Wayne. His wife, Judy, and a dear friend, is in remission for cancer. When I found out about the show, I knew I had to paint something for it.

It was an honor to have my work selected for the exhibit by the jurying process.

Hope you enjoy the artwork!

"Niklas" the Borzoi

This is Niklas. He lives in beautiful San Diego over looking the ocean. When my husband and I went down to photograph him he was rollicking in his back yard. He'd sit and look out over the ocean. His owners said that is one of his favorite past times.

We took numerous photos of Niklas looking out at the ocean and some more conventional photos for a second painting which will be a head study.

Niklas is a spectacular dog. He is gentle and sweet yet full of life. It is always heart stopping to watch a Borzoi gleefully bound around their homes.

Watch for another portrait of Niklas in the near future! To see more Borzoi paintings on my website please click here!

"Dillon" Irish Setter

This is "Dillon" Am. Can. Ch. Rusticwood's Airtight Alibi. I've known Dillon for many years and he is a wonderful dog. We photographed him at a number of dog shows trying to get the perfect shot of him for his portrait.

Ultimately three photographs were the primary reference material for this portrait. One photo was the main pose. However, that photo had draw backs. His eyes were squinting as he was in the sun and his neck was hanging a bit funny due to his leash and his owner holding his head up with her hand. From the photos taken of him there was a perfect eye photo giving me his eye shape and eye color. That photo was used as my visual aid to create his eyes in the painting. Another photo had him standing at ease with no restrictions on his neck. That photo was used to create the natural look to his neck.

I always tell people we take lots of photos because I won't know what will be needed until the painting is started! This painting was a perfect example of needing multiple photos.

Thanks Dillon for being such a good poser! More paintings of Irish setters along with many other breeds are on my web site. Please click here to go take a peek!

For information on commissioning a painting of your dog, cat or horse - click here!