We are well past the holidays now so I can post paintings that were commissioned as holiday gifts. This is Lucy, beloved ranch dog and family member. Lucy lives on an olive ranch in California and was a gift from the kids to the parents, who own and operate the ranch- with Lucy's help. Lucy's main squeeze is in the background working on the tractor. One of Lucy's jobs is to make sure he takes breaks- to throw the ball of course.
Tribute to Kosmo, sweet silky terrier, 1998-2016
This is the final version of a digital painting of sweet Kosmo, a snowbird pup who lived part time in Florida and part time in Virginia. The painting was a gift from Jacki to partner Glenn, who is still aching over the relatively new absence of his much beloved dog. Kozzy had a short tower with a bell that she used to signal w her humans when she wanted something- time to go for a walk, where's my food?, it's five o'clock (five rings). Kozzy was quite the communicator- she would bring her comb to Glenn when she wanted to be groomed, and she'd sing to "Who Let the Dogs Out" during football games. Kosmo is dearly missed. (Glenn wrote me- "I opened up my Valentines gift and it brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful job- thank you!" )
Original iPad painting by Seattle dog artist, Nancy Schutt.
Presidents Day- honoring FDR and Fala, his Scottish Terrier
Happy Presidents Day to FDR and Fala. May your policies and values live again at the White House!
Marley, Portuguese water dog doesn't like the water
Another painting commissioned as a holiday gift, this one from parents to daughter. Meet Marley, the Portuguese water dog who doesn't like the water. She will wade out up to her ankles, then prance back to shore, seemingly a bit confused. Here she is at her window seat overlooking the lake in which she'd prefer not to swim. Sweet Marley, named after the extremely talented musician- (but she's a she- not that it matters).
Tribute to beloved Australian Cattle Dog/German Shepherd dog, Wolfie- Seattle, WA
Tribute to Wolfie- The Wise Man Spring, 2003- October 26, 2015
Susan and Wolf
Wolf, reservation dog, found on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. He is a dog who wasn't meant to live- but then he did. He'd been abandoned and was found lying on his side, dying. Susan took him and gave him a chance at life, which turned out to be a very good one.
Wolf exuded dignity, confidence and calmness. He was steady, consistent, composed. He would look you straight in the eye and communicate his take on things, which was pretty much always, "no reason to get bent out of shape, everything is fine."
He was unruffled, even when there was chaotic activity around him. It was like he would watch and assess a situation, and then place himself in it as a calm, non-reactive presence, modeling for us how to live in this world of change.
When Susan and Wolf and my cranky Chihuahua, Pablo, and I would take walks together in a wooded area of Seattle where dogs often walk off leash, he would choose some giant fallen branch to carry along the path then drop it for me to sling a few feet so he could bring it back, with us wondering how in the world he could carry, in his mouth, something so massive. I started throwing his log choices over the ledge into the gulch just to make it require at least as much effort for him to retrieve as it was for me to hurl. As a young dog, he was tireless. His physical stature was impressive- strong, capable, in command, and gorgeous. He knew it. Sometimes large dogs would start to approach little Pablo and Wolf would place himself between Pablo and the intruder as if to say, "You gotta get by me first". He was Pablo's protector, even when Pablo would have a snappy outburst right in his face. Wolf never reprimanded Pablo, not once. He would just turn away and walk on as if nothing happened, and he would protect that pesky little pack member again the next time.
If I were to put words in Wolf's mouth they would be, even about his own death- "There is nothing serious going on here, all is well. I am still here. Now throw the log."
( I made greeting cards of this painting for Susan to use as holiday cards- on the inside she wrote:
"May you be blessed with peace, joy, and love. In other words, a bed, a book, and a dog."
Gentle Giant Mastiff, Seattle, WA
Daisy as card or T shirt image
Working with more greeting card and T shirt ideas, taking the image from the original painting and simplifying it. This is Daisy, the sweetest, most gentle giant you'd ever hope to meet.
Original painting by Seattle dog artist.
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!
Original painting by Seattle dog artist Nancy Schutt
Dog art greeting card- black Lab in a kiddie pool
Another possible greeting card, with or without caption, I'm not sure yet. Is this the wisdom of the fool? Is this dog brilliant or a knucklehead?
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
Big dog relaxing in front of her portrait- Snohomish, WA
Allie, lucky rescue dog, at home with her family portrait.
Pasado Safe Haven, an animal sanctuary
I visited Pasado Safe Haven yesterday as I have become a community sponsor of this wonderful animal refuge that harbors a wide variety of animals- chickens, pigs, horses, cows, donkeys, geese, sheep, goats, and of course, dogs and cats. Pasado rehabilitates the animals, provides vet care and training, and places rescued animals in new homes. They adopted out hundreds of animals this past year to homes that were thoroughly checked out to ensure good placement. Pasado also does anti-cruelty work by investigating cruelty reports and working with law enforcement to remove the animals, and by promoting harsher cruelty penalties; and they've been successful in prosecuting cruelty cases. Pasado is doing remarkable work for animal welfare, and I am so happy to team up with them and support the work they do. "Love Bash", a fundraiser for Pasado, is coming up mid August, so go have a nice dinner and bid on some of the many items that have been donated to help keep Pasado going! Visit www.pasadosafehaven.org
Poochapalooza- A county fair for dogs, Marysville, WA
Poochapalooza is this Saturday! A full day of fun times for dogs and the humans they own! Wiener dog races! Pie eating contest! Highest jumper! Best kisser! Fastest sprinter! and much much more!!!
July11, in Marysville, WA. 10-4
Even if you don't enter your dog in a contest, it's tons of fun to watch and be part of the most hilarious dog event of the year!
Painted portrait arrives and is on the wall! (Jack Russell terrier and kitty cat)
From the happy family who lives with Casey Jones and Mr. Poppers and received the painting that I shipped to them last week."Dear Nancy We unpacked the picture and hung it in our kitchen. We truly love it. You have captured our special pets perfectly. It is a true treasure. We cannot thank you enough for this marvelous tribute to our furry friends. Again many thanks!"
Two rescues in one painting (Jack Russell terrier and a cat), plus one bunny. New York City.
Casey Jones, Mr. Poppers, and the neighborhood bunny as an actual painting, alongside the digital painting which preceded the final painting on canvas. I work out most of the composition and colors in the digital painting, but an actual painting has it's own life and dictates, so it never looks quite like the digital version- as it should be. Casey and Mr. Poppers are standing at the front porch entryway to their home just outside New York City, where they, the family, and the painting all live. The neighborhood bunny likes to taunt them. They give chase, but never catch up.
Story told from the viewpoint of a Jack Russell Terrier- Seattle, WA
Jack of Hearts by Robin F. Gainey is out in paperback (Shimoni, the Jack Russell terrier on the cover is a cropped version of one of my paintings). Robin says "My novel, Jack of Hearts, is #5 on my publisher's Best Selling Paperback List after just one month!!!" (It's about the observations of a JRT in Italy who shares life with some not so valiant humans). Get it!
Two Golden Retrievers, digital sketch created on the iPad
Meet Jodi and Moose, sisters for brothers. The family got Jodi and Moose as pups so each son could have their own dog. They would like a studio painting of the, now quite large, sister dogs. I start a studio painting with an iPad sketch of the proposed painting. It's not meant to be a finished painting for printing on canvas, but rather a mock up for a studio painting created with brushes and paint on canvas. I do create digital paintings for printing on canvas, but they have more detail and a more finished look to them. With this painting, that will happen in the studio.
Back home in Seattle
Good to be back home in Seattle!This is Audrey contemplating the classic Seattle scene.
Kosmo, Australian Silky, in Pompano Beach, Florida
Beachside Kosmo, beloved companion of Jacki, of Beachside Fitness here in Pompano Beach. Cool Kozzy.
Beagle Belle, Penny the sort-of-Lab, and Pepper the cat- Miami, FL
Progression of a digital painting created on the iPad, of Belle (Beagle) and Penny (variety pack) with Pepper the cat (who doesn't like to leave the house) at home in Miami. The progression shows how much a painting can change as it is developed, and it's not done yet! Client feedback is helping to determine where the painting goes, and I'm waiting now for further suggestions and preferences to determine the next step in the painting. I will post the final version when we get there.
Bertie in Heaven- London, Englan
Bertie may no longer be in this physical form, but he's still very much with us. Two versions of Bertie.
