Beloved Springer Spaniel, painting created twenty years ago- Seattle, WA

Quoting a fb post by clients whose dog, Emma, I painted 20 years ago. Today is Emma's birthday."Today was the 25th anniversary of our dear EmmaDog's birth. We will always adore this painting of her you did for us, Nancy Schutt! You titled it "The Chosen One". And she was. A shout-out to ALL of you who helped take care of our paralyzed Springer Spaniel back in the day. It certainly took a village. Thank you ESPECIALLY to the 10 people who allowed us to go on vacation from time to time: we will never forget your dedication."   Stephanie

Happy Birthday Emma!

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Original painting by Seattle dog artist Nancy Schutt

Dog art greeting cards

I'm considering producing a line of greeting cards, all in the same style of flat color backgrounds, and using images from earlier paintings for the dogs combined with a sketch depicting a setting. Not sure if they should be captioned or just images, themed or not. Caption ideas?

Original dog painting goes home to Japan

Two daughters ordered a painting from me as a gift for their mother, a doctor who lives in Japan with her beloved pups. The daughters live in the US and had to carry the painting on the airplane, and had a little bit of difficulty with it, but the painting arrived safely and they sent me photos, and this note:

We had trouble figuring out how to transport the painting after finding out that they won't let me carry it on with me on the plane.  So we bought a suitcase big enough to fit the painting and we fretted about the possible damage... but I bubbled wrapped it, wrapped in blanket and it worked out perfect!

She was completely baffled that we brought something so big and special! haha. She thought that painting captured the personalities spot on!  It fits perfectly in her cozy small living room where she can enjoy it often.

This whole experience of creating a painting for our mother, working with you to make it reality was a true gift! Ema and I really enjoyed it!  

I hope our path will cross again soon!  

Thank you Nancy, will always remember your kindness!

Love, Meri & Ema

   

Back home in Seattle

Good to be back home in Seattle!This is Audrey contemplating the classic Seattle scene.

Scans of dog art, the way to go to document a portfolio- Bellevue, WA

I have been taking my paintings to Bellevue Fine Art Reproduction for the past few years so that I can document my work in the highest quality possible on earth. Thank you BFAR! The images are awesome! I just had to offer to the world my appreciation for the fine work done by Scott, Tomoko, Redd, Syd, Amanda & JJ the dog.

Come to think of it, I think JJ needs a portrait. She asks every time I come by. But this is William, lover of kongs and all things fun, and a fine scan indeed.

German Shepherd with bluebirds and butterflies- Zeus in Puyallup, WA

This is Zeus, who posed for me for a painting of another German Shepherd. I didn't have adequate photos of the original dog from which to create a portrait and the dog had died, so I had to recruit a local "look-alike" as a model. The client rejected this painting so I started another one and continued working on her portrait until I achieved something she liked. But I kept this painting of Zeus, since I liked the portrayal. I wasn't sure what to do with it. It is years later now from when I first painted this Shepherd, but I recently felt inspired to finish it. I changed the background and placed this large and rather fearsome-looking animal in a girly lavender background of butterflies and bluebirds. I like the contrast and the implications. Zeus is a sweetheart of a dog.

Tribute to Phil

I painted this portrait of Phil, Celia, Izzy, and Justus the cat, in 2010. Phil passed last Saturday. I like to use the present tense when someone passes, as I think they are still with us even though they are no longer in physical form. Phil is one of those people who brings to mind words that describe the best qualities of humans- he spills over with compassion, kindness, gentleness, generosity. He spent most of his life advocating for the most vulnerable in our society, in our world. He came to dog-love late in life, with Izzy being his first. He was smitten! and continues to have dogs as a central part of his life.

Izzy and Justus crossed the bridge ahead of Phil, and I'm pretty sure, they were there on Saturday greeting him as he joined them. Celia is doing ok.

A funny little story about this painting: Phil and Celia brought the painting back to my studio a few weeks after taking it home. They noticed a problem which they wanted corrected, and which I remedied. However, I had already had the painting photographed so Celia is still missing her sock in this version.

Goodbye Florida! Sunny, a golden retriever in a tropical paradise

Saying goodbye to Florida today after a good long stay here with my Dad. Sunny, actually a Hawaii dog, lives in the Pacific version of Florida, so she is representing the tropics today.

If there's a dog in it, is it still art? Presentation on "kitsch", Seattle, WA

I finally edited the video of a presentation I did last year as a "Pecha Kucha", a style of presentation where each presenter is given 6 minutes to show 20 slides for 20 seconds each. The presenter has no control of the slideshow. It was tricky! The topic was "Kitsch- Bad Art Gone Good", link below to youtube vid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=557plP37R24

Enjoying Palm Beach, FL.- beach dog

Feeling sorry for the people of the north. It's 3 degrees in Chicago, 79 in Palm Beach.

Looking forward to the New Year- from a dog point of view

Contemplating the coming year.May your horizon be calm, expansive, and warm, with your dreams on their way to you.

Merry Christmas! a day late, but joyful nonetheless! Just ask a Jack.

Pablo is Master of the Studio- art dog in Seattle, WA

• My Chihuahua, Pablo, rules the studio, and the Universe. I obey, and so does pretty much everyone else.
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Happy Turkey Day! The dogs would like that . . .

Dog Art in New York City- Buddy in Central Park

Another painting I did years ago with New York City as a backdrop. This time it's the other huge landmark, Central Park, which provides the setting, and was a favorite spot for Buddy. Buddy's person said that at the time, take-out Chinese food and Cokes were the picnic items, and Buddy NEVER tried to get into the fare. He was only interested in the ball. The photo is a panorama shot I took last week when i was in NYC walking through Central Park. It highlights the use of artistic license in the painting!

  

Digital dog art- Ivy and Sucia at home in Seattle

Ivy and Sucia, a digital painting created on the iPad, soon to be an actual painting. Ivy, the black adolescent, is a Rhodesian Ridgeback/Yellow Lab mix from South Africa. Sucia is a Catahouia Hound rescue dog from New Orleans. Quite the duo. No one comes into this house without their permission. This painting was ordered as a wedding present but without enough time to create the actual painting before the big day. Since I can create a painting on the iPad in a couple of days, a print of the beloved pair was presented as the wedding gift with the painting to come later. Now time to get out to the studio and turn this into something made with brushes and canvas and paint that comes in jars.

Chihuahua runs free in the arboretum- photoshoot with Julie Austin

My feisty Chihuahua Pablo at his photoshoot yesterday, doing one of the things he does best- posing. Always ready for his close up.Lively and lovely session in the gorgeous fall colors at the arboretum with talented, energetic, animal-lovin photographer Julie Austin Photography There will come a time when I don't have Pablo in the flesh and blood, but I will always have his spirit in my heart, and in these photos.

 

Dog Art Wedding Gift- Portland, Ore.

Tis the season of weddings! Opening the gift of a print on canvas of Arlo, a digital painting created on the iPad.Congratulations to Jocelyn, Colin, and Arlo on your marriage! All three of you.

Greyhound rescue dogs- digital painting created on the iPad

Fuzzy and Time, greyhounds who spent their early years at the track are retired. Now they are "40mph couch potatoes"- either bolting or lounging. Their human companion and greyhound rescue advocate, Robin, says about greyhounds, "they are like potato chips . . . you can't have just one." She says that they are sweet, loving, calm, and funny. I want to hear why they are funny.Digital painting created on the iPad.

Little Daisy- long, loving life.

Another beloved dog has passed. Little Daisy was sweetness embodied: joyful, loving, and so treasured. What a gift they are, these beings who come to teach us what unconditional love is.From Daisy's human companion: "Our sweet Little Daisy peacefully departed this world in the arms of her family earlier in the evening. She was the light of our lives and will be missed more than words can say." I will miss you too, Little Daisy, furry bright flower.