Something for the start of the new year-a bunch of dogs plus a funny snow otter

Abstract background layers of textured scratches and marks-plus the funny dog in acrylic12x12" canvas 

Funny pink dog in acrylic on 8x10'' canvas

 

Funny snow otter acrylic on wood 12x7"

The abstract animal series for 2025 has begun. My goal is to have completed 31+ original paintings by June 1 of this year. Why 31 you ask? Well let me just say that I participated in the DOGGUST challenge  3 times in my life and was able to draw/paint (digitally mind you IS quicker-hello) a different dog for 31 days. If I can do that, I can paint 31 animals traditionally within 5 months. It's just sounds like and important amount anyways I guess. SO! Listed up on my soon to be new simple and not complicated website where you can actually purchase from-not a PORTFOLIO website like I have always had through Photobiz-sophisticated and sorta fancy, but no easy peasy ECOM there-and I am no longer a pet photographer. This shift to 'hand made by hand' using either PROCREATE or a messy palette on canvas has elevated and freed up my style of art. It IS loose and abstract-but I will always maintain the funny dog/cat/otter with clothes inclusion. A common thread that I am sticking with because I like it. Otherwise I get bored if it's not funny. Very soon I will have originals for sale-sold and packed and shipped by yours truly, canvas prints and prints via POD (drop shipped). I have always LOVED PRINTFUL (now PRINTFULLY? due to a merge with PRINTIFY) print quality. It is simply superb. Hope that won't change much-many artists are happy with Printful and I will stick with them until I can't. I am practicing every day and learning so much on Youtube and also experimenting with different mediums-oil is next-I can't wait til I'm ready. Photographing your artwork can be quite a lengthy challenge-I know how to do it (lay it on the FLOOR!) but damn the GLARE and tiny reflections make me mental!

This is only the beginning. June 1 is just around the corner so I gotta get messy!

 

August dog drawing/painting challenge!

Scottish Deerhound 

Kooikerhondje 

Stabyhoun

Kuvasz

Lancashire Heeler

I took on a challenge this entire month of August where you draw (paint) a different doggie dog every day - or follow the daily prompts from the instagram Doggust 2024 challenge list. I have never even heard of most of these breeds and some are pretty wackadoodle to draw! To be able to focus like a laser and choose to draw daily was never a chore for me. I draw, paint, (digitally and traditionally) as much as I can squeeze in daily. Not to mention sorting and editing through my designs for print and products for my shop for hours every day. Sometimes I feel like I’m running behind on all art projects. Because I had a late start in this digital art drawing (I’m going on my sixth year soon!) I’m always in a hurry to complete art projects. This year I have painted so much and now I’m finally documenting it in my shop and Instagram also have queued up vids for YouTube to elevate that channel. But dogs have been the focus this month for a personal goal to level up my skills (paw studies) some of these designs will eventually become prints and naturally a calendar for 2025 which I’m obsessed with and this is now a tradition (cats tooooo!). And I feel the need to design a puzzle - random interest I know. 31dog drawings in August has taught me to develop my sense of style and look that I feel pretty good about. I am running out of time so I’m making the most out of it and everything I draw matters. Dogs are my therapy.

 

Big idea that seems impossible-Chihuahua family pack pet portrait process plus completed works of art!

Completed 8 dog pet portrait!

Chihuahuas sloppy copy idea practice painting on panel board 

Cute brown girl but no details yet!

Funny guy on a poof no details yet!

Wackadoodle cutie no details yet!

Big pet portrait process of eight little chihuahuas (on a 30x40” canvas)in a funny accent chair, poofs and teacups(naturally) plus hats and shirts and possibly butterflies but maybe super simple flowers will do to keep it cohesive. Go here for funny dog gifts! https://puppycatandmouse.etsy.com/

I started with a practice painting on a 8.5x11” panel board which will soon be my preferred method choice of surfaces. I mixed acrylic and gouache and ink just to put it all together.

I’ve had so many interruptions during the process which completely drains all my mental focus and energy(why does one freeze and feel paralyzed when staring at your artwork?)which can be utterly frustrating, discouraging and I may feel it is impossible, but still I know deep down in my gut I am close to the finish line and will feel joy and satisfaction when that final brush stroke hits and I just leave it. I am working at my pace my own flow and excited about new projects once this great one is in the hands and on the wall of it’s owner!!

Back at it with traditional pet portraits

This pet portrait of my dear small dude of 16 years was therapeutic for me. I’ve painted furby many times but never quite felt the sort of depth and feeling in my paintings before. He was never groomed properly like a Pomeranian should be. I gave him baths in the sink and called it good. The use of pink as a background is pleasing with the blonde and golden fluff colors. Such a tiny nose he had. 😑 I miss him so much. Currently working on a series of pets painted traditionally as to mix up my mediums. I really believe I can confidently paint both digitally AND traditionally. It works! I love it and am excited to begin!

The painted pet portrait series will be listed and for sale on eBay very sooooon!

Acrylic paint on 8x10 canvas. 💔😭💔😭💔

 

Fur-bruary 28: Moxi the Shorkie

 So I've finally reached the end of the month of Fur-bruary! The ultimate goal was to  be consistent in daily posts that included my work as a photographer and painter. To view the progress of my art and to commit to every day social media! It’s hard to motivate myself but not impossible. (Wine and coffee helps) What was more of a challenge for me personally was the Doggust (August) month last year where I actually illustrated/painted a different dog everyday. This final image is of a sweet and dear mutt named Moxi who belonged to my sister lucy. She was obsessed with her mama and was always by her side. I dog sat her a few times and her description of fun with me was collecting landscape rocks as a game. That and modeling for pet portraits. I miss her. Final pet portrait painted in oils/gouache and dry ink in procreate on my iPad pro. 

Fur-bruary 26: Blue Pug

 Blue pug was one of my favorite oil paintings of the dog series of last year. I felt the blue and green tones for a black dog brought some fun and whimsy to his darling personality. The google eyes are irresistible and I’m super happy with the results!

Fur-bruary 22: Elaine The Miniature Aussie

 This cute as a button min Aussie posed beautifully at the pet event. Her blue eyes are so unique. Painted her with oil paints in procreate. 

Fur-bruary 13: Jennifer The Doberman Pincher Puppy

 This lil gurl came to me on a surprise visit from a friend. Snapped a couple of pictures which resulted in these super shots I’ve always loved as photographs and then also as a super fun abstract illustration/painting with artists crayons in procreate. 

Fur-bruary 11: Gracie The Magnificent Mutt

 She’s a super duper glorious senior citizen doggy. A mutt, mix or mongrel. These photographs were shot with a 50mm 1.2 lens. So the buttery bokeh is extra luscious. This lens is ideal for slow moving pets. And Gracie is totally chill and was mostly comfortable with a having her picture taken. She was a beautiful and loyal family member and I’m so happy to have photographed her and then painting her using oil paints in procreate. Gorgeous. 

Fur-bruary 8: Stella The miniature Wookie/Yorkie

 

Sweet and shy lil Stella the Yorkie rescued from a puppy mill she was always standing by her mammas side (feet!) this is a favorite photograph of mine showing the bond of human and pet. It was a delight to paint her in oil pastels using procreate. 

Fur-bruary 7: Bob The Big Eared Boston Terrier

Big ears and cool lookin spots on this cool dude. Dog park events were always fun and exciting and a joy to meet and greet new pet people and there furry companions. This is one that I enjoyed painting with the oil brushes. Black and white and lost and found pink and blue pops of color. 

 

Fur-bruary 3: Felix The Short Coated Collie

 

Felix is quite a goofball. That long collie nose and silly tongue are the hallmarks of a Lassie doggie. I knew this backyard very well. The old vintage screened in patio has been replaced by a big box store shed. This home belonged to my late husband and Felix belongs to his brother. Many memories remain on this property that has no home living on it today. These pet portraits will last a lifetime.