Have a ball! Golden Retriever shows us how. Denver to Durango, Colorado.

Back to Seattle from a trip in the unbelievably gorgeous San Juan mountains in Colorado with my dad, sis, and niece. Had a ball!This is one of my first dog paintings, of my sister's Golden Retriever, Zeb, named after Zebulon Pike, explorer for whom Pike's Peak in Colorado is named. We didn't visit Pike's Peak, but other peaks which I think were impressive, remote, and beautiful. Zeb is no longer of this world, unless he has reincarnated in some other form. He was a very good dog- gentle, spirited, a ball freak and a bit goofy. We still miss him.

Studio in the setting sun- backyard, Seattle, WA

Studio in the setting sun. Looks tilted but that's the camera. A hummingbird is visiting too. A small backyard green space can be a such a refuge for urban wildlife, and me. I've seen peregrine falcons, doves, all kinds of finches, warblers, cedar waxwings, and racoons. This is in the middle of a big city, on a standard lot. Creating green space matters. We all need it. Strikes me as odd to say "creating" it, since green space was here way before we were.

Theo- big ole furry dog, loved by all- Seattle, WA

Theo- or "The Sheriff" as he is affectionately known at the dog park. The big guy would take it upon himself to break up any fights at the park, as peaceful coexistence is his dogma. Theo got cancer over five years ago and went through a very expensive treatment involving 3 surgeries. His human companion told him "now you owe me five years!" Theo has given that and more, and is still going, even though the cancer returned two more times. He is an admirable fellow, for many reasons. Calm, joyful, and loved by many, this painting was a gift to Theo's human companion from an admirer from the dog park.

Who Let the Dogs Out? Snohomish, WA

Five dogs, all rescues, share a peaceful home in Snohomish, WA.From left to right, Allie- who is certain she is alpha to the world, Pearl- the equanimous Buddha, and watcher of all creatures in trees, Lou-the real pack leader; tolerant of all and friend to all, Ruthie- the gentle one, but can be sneaky and crafty, and Gussy- the Diva, who knows she is the prettiest. This may have been the most fun I've ever had painting!

Big Splash by a Big Dog- LEAP!

It's that time of year!

A painting of a life must include the dog. Seattle, WA and the Utah desert.

A portrait of Woofie and Ron, a painting of a life. Every image in this painting is representative of experiences from their life together- moving towards the desert from Seattle, the rattlesnake that nearly took Woofie's life, the magical ability of Ron to transform his life through courage and self investigation, the jay that teaches fearlessness, the cairn guiding the route, the yellow and black guitar shape representing Ron's creative accomplishments. The tree is the bodhi tree, under which we all may sit. Ron knows enough to actually do it. The box represents the unknown gifts that we receive when we are seeking.

Coastal Canine magazine likes my dog art! Santa Cruz, CA

Coastal Canine magazine recently did an extensive interview with me for their summer issue. The magazine serves the central CA coast (dog lovers of course), and exactly the people I'd like to include in my client base!  I surely would not be averse to a trip to Carmel to meet some new clients! Full article in an upcoming post when the magazine comes out.

Manny- Chocolate Lab who thinks he's doing the right thing.

Manny tries hard to be a good dog, but he's not real sure what that is.Manny was found wandering the streets of Wenatchee. The person who found him brought him to a shelter. Manny is 106 lbs and 8-10 years old and nobody wanted him, so his time was up. Somebody at the shelter (kill shelter) convinced PAWS to take him, which is where Nina and Dave found him. Nina says Manny is just a great dog. He is very loyal and follows them from room to room. He loves tennis balls and swimming in Lake Washington, after all, he is a Lab. He is looking forward to spending his senior years lounging by the fire and getting into any unattended food he can find.

Chicken love, intelligence, and whispering.

I was quite taken by some chickens recently, and I think they deserve space here even if it is a dog art blog.

I went to visit friends on Vashon Island this weekend and got a bit of a lesson in chickens. I am assured that they are very smart, something I never heard about chickens before. They know their names and come when called by name, they communicate when they are sick or want something, they like sitting on laps and being petted, and they come running with the news that there is a raccoon in the area. My friend must keep a child's gate at her open door or they will make themselves at home in the living room. Maybe my friend is a chicken whisperer. I came home with fresh eggs, each one identified by my friend as to who laid it- Amelia, Winnie, Buela, Bertie, Gladys, Maxine, Henrietta . . .

Oh yes, there was a Black Lab too, Rosie, who almost killed my dog three years ago. Really. But that's another story.

Georgia mutt Riley as an iPad painted dog portrait- backyard in Athens.

Riley is a dog who looks like a living cartoon character. And he does have a crooked nose. Lives in Georgia. Can you tell?

Painting of dog walking the tracks has a problem,Yellow Lab dog is the solution!

I knew something was not quite right with the earlier version of the painting of the dog walking the train tracks, and yesterday when I was walking Pablo I saw the answer to my problem. The answer was Kate, a Yellow Lab that we passed on our stroll at Interlaken, who had such a fine wiggle as she walked, and was patient and kind to my temperamental Chihuahua, so I videoed her walking towards me with it in mind that she might be the solution to my painting problem. And she is. This is Kate, also know as "Katherine!", when she is distracted and not doing as told. Kate is well behaved, sweet as can be, ball crazy, and working on becoming a therapy dog.

Dog walking the tracks, or just the tracks? Both versions, iPad dog painting.

Dog or no dog on the tracks? No train.

Lab and Mutt as iPad dog art painting- two dogs that understand Portugese.

Lisa e Brama are Brazilian. This is the message I received from their person, Sophia, who also speaks English!"The painting is thoroughly perfect, really wonderful!!! You captured their expressions very well! The colors of their hair, their eyes, their ears, so cute!! They look like the reality! I looooove the painting :)

Thank you again! Warm hugs,

Sofia."

Dog Art on Doggie Bags- Seattle, WA

Doggie bags featuring two of my paintings are now available at All the Best Pet Care in Seattle. This is the second generation of bags, but unlike at Christmas time they are not full of goodies, you have to fill them yourself. Room for lots of treats!

Shilo 1998- 2013, Husky dog art as iPad painting tribute

Shilo was the beloved companion of my friend, Linda. We both said our goodbyes on a beautiful May day, in my backyard.The vet arrived and was kind, gentle, and respectful, and a hummingbird hovered overhead as Shilo passed. It was heartbreaking and it was as it should be. She was a lovely dog and is dearly missed.

Chubby Chihuahua as an iPad painted pet portrait- Bellingham, WA

Pawblo on his porch in northwest Washington. This is not my Pablo, but Pawblo, and he really is a hefty little guy. That's not artistic license.

The two Ellas, as iPad painting dog art, and the very dog.

From a client who picked up her canvas print of her dog, Ella, portrayed in an iPad painting. "Nancy, I thought you might enjoy this pic of Ella hangin' out with her likeness. That's Vernon on the back if the couch. That's how we roll around here, animals all over everything It was a pleasure to meet you and adorable Pablo today. Thank you again for your time and talent. I love Ella's painting!" Susan

iPad painting printed on canvas- digital dog as wall art

My client ordered a canvas print of my iPad painting of her dog, Maggie. I picked up the print and put it on my wall to see how it looks as wall art. I have to say that Bellevue Fine Art Reproductions does a very high quality job printing the images, both on canvas and paper. Thank you Scott! It looks fabulous. Coming to your home soon Sally!

Playback of creation of Australian Shepherd painting on the iPad--Gracie

iPad painting of Bichon Frise, Little Daisy. Dog art created digitally.

Little Daisy relaxing in her back yard, painted on the iPad.