Here are Greg and KD, newly in love.
FREE Demo on Painting Pet Portraits at Daniel Smith, Sunday July 22 - Seattle, WA
Daniel Smith Artist's Supplies in Seattle at 11, 12, and 2:00 on Sunday, July 22.
4150 First Avenue South Seattle, Washington 98134 (206) 223-9599
Best known for her lively and colorful, acrylic paintings of dogs, Nancy Schutt will demonstrate the techniques she uses to create the free-style and personality-rich portraits.
Nancy will also talk about the importance of the part of the painting that isn't dog, and how color and composition determine the ultimate success or failure of a piece.
Not just for acrylic painters, Nancy will be demonstrating and talking about things that will interest artists of all mediums!
Dog Art Portraits and the People They Own- Seattle, WA
I have been working on double portraits lately, in this case, a quadruple portrait of Jack Russell Terriers Axel (on the chair) and Dash, cat friend Eva, and the human in the mix, Robin Gainey. The timing of finishing this portrait worked out quite nicely with the show at Robin's book release party (post below), where the painting was displayed along with other dog paintings. When I was interviewing Robin and the cast of characters for the painting at the home appointment (and photographing and sketching the crew), I asked Robin why Jack Russells were her dog of choice. The immediate response was, "For entertainment!"
Dash certainly provided it during the interview. He was everywhere, but mostly in a position of questioning everything that was going on with a direct and inquiring in-your-face gaze, like a really smart 7 year old who can't stop interrupting. His preferred location was the top of the chair, while Eva the cat kept some distance, and Axel the Elder patiently observed the scene.
Book Release Party and Dog Art Show- Seattle, WA July 2012
Photos from the book release party for Robin Gainey, author of "Jack of Hearts". I attended the party because a painting that Robin commissioned from me 8 years ago is on the cover. The painting of Shimoni was a gift for a friend of Robin's who lives in Italy. Two years after Robin commissioned the portrait, she finished writing the story who's main character is a Jack Russell named Shimoni. Here is Robin's Seattle celebration of the release of the book and an art show of some my paintings of dogs with their humans. In the last photo on the far right is a portrait of Robin and her two Jack Russells, Dash and Axel, and cat, Eva. Preparing for the Dog Art Show.
And what a Party! 
A Jack Russell Terrier is the Hero in a New Book, Cover Image is Dog Art!
"Jack of Hearts", a new book where the hero is a Jack Russell Terrier, has been released as an eBook. It was written by my friend, Robin Gainey, and I believe you might be interested in making this a summer read. The novel is a dog's point of view of infidelity. The story is about Shimoni, a well-to-do canine who discovers his master has strayed. Determined not to lose half of everything in a messy divorce, Shimoni does his best to get his people to reconcile. The book is set in Rome and the Tuscan countryside. My painting of the real Shimoni sports the cover!
Some pre-publication reviews: A wonderful, funny and touching novel. Shimoni is not simply a dog, he is our guide; he is our friend. Stay by his side, stay with his heart, and he will take you places you havent been, and show you things you havent seen: after reading Jack Of Hearts you will understand the true depths of love and devotion. Garth Stein, "The Art Of Racing In The Rain"
This novel has freshness, originality and a huge heart of gold. Shimoni is one of the most unforgettable narrators I've ever read, and does he have a story to tell! I loved everything about this book. Susan Wiggs, NY Times Best-Selling Romance Novelist, "Just Breathe"
The book trailer: http://tinyurl.com/6wvu83w
Go here to buy a copy, or visit the website of your favorite bookstore or Amazon for Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/7mb7l4m
Invitation to Working Artists Program by Chroma Paint as Dog Artist- Seattle, WA
I was contacted by Chroma Paint, an Australian based acrylic paint manufacturer specializing in quick drying paints that can be reactivated and reworked, even after the paint is dry.Chroma makes Atelier Interactive Paint, and has offered to send me 12 complimentary tubes of my choice of colors to try, as well as the Unlocking Formula and some glazing mediums. In return, I will send them samples of work created with their paint and give them feedback on how I like working with the paint. Nice! Chroma has developed an "Unlocking Formula" which can be sprayed on the dry paint to reactivate it for reworking. I am especially interested to see if these paints and mediums will resolve a problem I've had for years- mixed paint drying out on the palette. The dried out edges of palette paint end up leaving tiny bits of dried paint on the canvas, which then become small bumps- not a texture I would like to have on the canvas.
Dog Painting Interview Appointment for Custom Pet Portrait (of five dogs!)- Seattle, WA
Recently I had an appointment for a dog painting, of five dogs!, (though one is missing in this photo.) I started the painting, which is thus far about not just the dogs but the entire setting of a house on acreage. I kept feeling at the appointment that this painting should be more than a portrait of dogs, but a portrait of a life with dogs. Look for the painting to appear on the blog as it gets closer to completion!Here you see how much the dogs loved me! ...or was it the treats?
Custom Paintings of Dogs on Exhibit at Mioposto Cafe- Seattle, WA
I was invited by the GM of Mioposto Cafe in the Mt. Baker neighborhood of Seattle to show some paintings of dogs. I keep about a dozen paintings in my own personal collection that I have done over the years, specifically for showing now at then at various venues. I'm also attached to some of them, and purely don't want to let them go. Therefore, this show is exhibit only, though I certainly encourage any visitors to the show to commission a portrait of their very own dog, and themselves!
Typical Appointment for Custom Dog Painting- Seattle, WA
When possible, I interview the person and it's owner (the dog) so that I may sketch and photograph the subjects, and learn more about the personalities of the dogs. I also learn more about what the person wants in the painting. These are photos of a somewhat typical dog appointment- I say somewhat because the subject, a very curious Jack Russell Terrier, was more involved in the interview than my usual subjects.
Dog Art Business Card from 2004- Seattle, WA
My business card from circa 2004. This poem was written for me by friend Ron Henry, specifically for the back of the card. The painting is of Rudy, beloved companion of dog photographer, Bev Sparks. Bev wrote to me recently about the painting- "we still love our Rudy treasure." And Rudy was a treasure, for sure.
Tribute to Bunker and Luna- Pit Bull Art
A few days ago I received an email from a client from telling me that his dogs had passed. "Mr. Brown- Bunker, had enough this March. He went on his own terms: woke me up for his regular walk around 6ish, did his business, made it most of the way around the block, then just lay down and left this world. He was a good dog... Luna passed last year- it was much harder for me, but I think painless for her. She lost her sight pretty quickly, most likely from a tumor behind her eye, but still had some spunk. Slowly, over the next 6-8 months she became less & less involved with the world around her, wasn't really eating much, didn't care about getting out of bed or going for a walk, starting having trouble sleeping, etc. Eventually I had to make the decision to bring her to the vet for the shot- it was very challenging, and I'm sure I waited longer than I should have. I truly appreciate being able to see B & L when they were happy every time I see your painting." Aaron
This news always gets me. I had to stop what I was doing and sit for a bit. I feel like the dogs I've painted are MY dogs. My Bunker, my Luna, have moved on. And even though I haven't seen Bunker or Luna since 2005, I miss them, and I mourn their passing. Yes, Bunker and Luna were both very good dogs. I'm so glad I met you, Bunker and Luna, and was able to paint you. Rest in peace, my dogs.
Rescued Beagles as Fine Art Dog Paintings
I often donate prints to animal welfare groups. These Beagle prints are going to a fundraiser for Southern Nevada Beagle Rescue Foundation. Beagles are compliant and unaggressive by nature, which makes them sweethearts but also primary subjects for laboratory experiments. It is heartbreaking to know this, but heartening to also know that SNBR and other groups are working hard to help alleviate the suffering of animals.
Nancy Schutt Dog Paintings Featured in Modern Dog Magazine
I was asked to be the featured artist for the Summer issue of Modern Dog Magazine, on the stands June 1, 2012. Hot dog!
by Sara Lima
Arsen the Cat, Cat Art Painting- Seattle, WA
This is a small watercolor I did for a friend, who, strangely, prefers cats!
Seattle's Sunny Skies!
I thought I'd make a departure from dog themed art and post one of my small watercolors as a thank you to the Universe for giving us such gorgeous weather in Seattle these past two weeks.
Jack Russells, Start to Finish Dog Art- Seattle, WA
The full process of interview, sketches, then two stages of the painting, one in progress and the final version. Meet Axel and Phoenix, darned adorable Jacks.
Angus- Labrador Retriever Painting in Progress- Seattle, WA
When working on a painting, I often try various color combinations before deciding upon one particular composition.Angus had many variations, almost entirely in the background, except for some changes in his expression. His person preferred the serious Angus, but as always, my preoccupation was with composition and color.
Lulu- the Very First Dog Art Painting? Chow Dog Art- Seattle, WA
I have at least six different paintings that I think of as my very first commission- I have no idea which was the actual first. It might be Lulu- an aloof but charming red Chow. Lulu had such a relaxed and peaceful presence, and quite the lovely smile. This is the only image I have of Lulu, scanned from a snapshot I took with a small "point and shoot" camera, well before I started using digital anything- 1997!
Cataloguing Work and Discovering Forgotten Dog Art- Seattle, WA
I've begun the massive project of organizing and cataloguing all of my work,to include not just the image files in different sizes and formats, but the sketches and stories and record of details about the work. I have been discovering older work that I had fogotten about. This is "Lauren and Diogi", and this very small file is all I have as a record of this painting, which was my first double portrait of a child with her (appropriately named), "D.O.G." Lauren was three, and quite smitten with both Diogi, and Grover.
Seattle Times article, Nancy Schutt Dog Art Wine Label
with a tip of the hat to Mutt Lynch "Out of Reach" wine, which sports my painting on the label...
