A Kiss From A Rose

 

A Kiss From A Rose - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

 Another revisit to a previous painting as I simply couldn't resist the idea of using this painting with a Dalmatian instead of Alaskan Malamute as previously featured. It is one of my favourite paintings and seemed to call out to be painted so near to St Valentine's Day.  I hope you all enjoy seeing it as much as I enjoyed painting it.

When this painting is sold, I will make a donation from the profits to Save the Dalmatians, a charity based in California, who have made some inspiring saves of this wonderful breed. May I suggest you visit their website to see some of what they do and perhaps with 'love in the air' at this time of year, you might feel able to make a donation to help them with their work.

£67 (approx $104) plus £5 shipping

 Donation of 10%  to Save the Dalmatians

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped

Background based on a photograph by Photos8.com

A Prettier Pug

A Prettier Pug - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

This little pug is one I have painted previously and decided to revisit again. Previously I gave the donation to Old Dog Haven and will do once again when this painting is sold. Old Dog Haven specialise in finding forever homes for elderly dogs and this is the reason they are one of my favourite charities to support.

So often when people are looking for a dog, they understandably either want a puppy or young dog - so where does this leave the poor older dog, whose life has often been turned upside down and left them in confusion and misery? Well, frankly, it's a question I don't like to dwell upon too much. However, the wonderful people at Old Dog Haven have done something about it and I would recommend a visit to their site where you can see some of the dogs they have helped, and some still waiting for their special home - (just click on the name to go to their site). Please consider helping if you can.

I will be donating 10% of the profits from the sale of this painting to Old Dog Haven

£67 (approx $106) plus £5 shipping

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before shipping

Any queries, please email me at info@azpaintings.com

My thanks to Mary Vogt for the reference photo

Honesty - (yellow Labrador dog)

 

Honesty - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

I am at a loss to understand how anyone could ever look into the eyes of a dog and be anything other than caring and kind to it. If the eyes are the windows to our souls, then dogs must have magnificent souls indeed.

A donation of 10% of the profits from the sale of this painting will be made to Noah's Bark Pet Rescue

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped


My thanks to Marvin Kuo at Flickr for making his photo available under creative commons.

Reflections Of A Westie

Reflections Of A Westie - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

The reference photo of this little Westie was again supplied by Anne Stark, breeder of Pipers Whippets and Dachshunds.  I generally try not to paint 'cute' dog paintings and I hope this one doesn't fall into that category; however, as she has such a very pretty face, I fear I may have!

When this painting is sold I will be making a 10% donation to Noah's Bark rescue organisation from the profits to help give some less fortunate dogs a chance at a decent life, which in my opinion, should be the right of any dog born into an affluent country, but which sadly is so very far from the current situation.

£67 (approx $108) plus £5 shipping

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped

Golden Retrievers

Bear & Nita - 20" x 16" oil on hardboard/masonite

I am very pleased to share my latest commission with you all.  It has been a struggle to get an accurate photo of the colours showing correctly but I have finally got them quite near!

I was particularly honoured to receive this commission as it is from the amazingly talented wildlife photographer Lisa Husar of Team Husar Wildlife Photography and features her pet golden retrievers, Bear and Nita. I can highly recommend a visit to their website - the photos are really incredible, absolutely stunning. I have no idea how they manage to capture the images they do and if you're thinking about buying a photographic print, do visit their website as I am sure you will be as captivated as I have been.

If you would like to commission a similar painting please visit my main website: www.azpaintings.com/commissions.html for details of prices and sizes and how to order or of course you can email me at info@azpaintings.com

Beagle's Window

Beagle's Window - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

Having been very busy with commissions, I am now trying to get back to painting one or two small paintings a week.  I still have a few commissions to go, so it may be difficult to fit the little paintings in but I will try my best!

The beagle in this painting is one I have featured before, being one of two beagles owned and photographed by newandrew at flickr. I wanted to paint this picture as I like the 'double aspect' of the beagle's head - with it being able to be seen from two different angles at the same time. I intend to continue to explore the effects of light and reflections during this coming year as I am fascinated by them!

This painting is being sold with a donation of 10% from the profits to Old Dog Haven where they do such marvellous work with homeless senior dogs.

£67 (approx $109) plus £5 shipping

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped.

Christmas Is Coming!

Christmas Is Coming! - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

If this painting seems rather familiar to some of you, it is because I only posted it on this blog fairly recently!

I am sure that the artists among you will understand how sometimes you complete a painting but it remains at the back of your mind as one you would like to make alterations to - well this was such a one. I felt that the face lacked a little definition before - not helped of course by the constant difficulty of getting a decent photograph.  In any event, I took the painting today and worked on the face quite a lot and then of course couldn't resist fiddling around with the background!

Anyway, here is the new version and I hope you like the alterations.

When this painting is sold, I will be making a 10% donation to Save the Dalmatians.

If you haven't visited their site yet, I would urge you to go along and have a look.

£67 (approx $107) plus £5 shipping

German Shepherd Dog - Zac

Zac - Watercolour 20" x 16"

Here is one of my recent(ish) commissions.  I am told that the person for whom it was commissioned as a gift absolutely loved it - which I can assure you is very important for an artist :)

To commission a similar painting please email me at info@azpaintings.com

Merry Christmas

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my collectors and followers and all those who have supported my work over the past year, many of whom have become good friends.

Merry Christmas to everyone and a prosperous and fulfilling New Year and may all your pets be loved and cherished.

Anne

Lacy - (a West Highland White Terrier 'Westie')

Lacy - (a West Highland White Terrier 'Westie') - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

I apologize for the lack of posts recently but life has contrived to get in the way of my ability to complete any small paintings! I expect you can understand when I tell you that we have had our house carpeted throughout (well almost) and have had relatives visiting, not to mention decorating the house for Christmas - which has still got to be finished. Additionally, I have been completing commissions - one or two of which I will be posting on this blog. My next commission is one I started some while ago but which has had to be put to one side as it quite a large painting for me, and I need to have an adequate number of hours to properly get 'into' the painting without interruption. I am looking forward to getting back to it - in fact I am feeling very impatient to get going with it again!

Meanwhile, I have just slipped a small oil painting in amongst the mix.  This one features a West Highland White Terrier and the reference photo was once again supplied by the very successful breeder of  the Pipers whippets and miniature dachshunds, Anne Stark.

West Highland White Terriers not surprisingly originated in the Highlands of Scotland and were working terriers. They were required to follow fox, otter and badger over and under hard, rocky ground. For this work they had to be game, hardy, agile and sure-footed, able to spring from rock to rock.

My advice to anyone thinking to purchase a puppy, is to go to a reputable breeder (well you should always do that anyway) as they can have a tendency to skin problems. In fact if only everyone wanting to buy a puppy would go to a reputable breeder, the horrendous puppy farms would then cease to exist.

A 10% donation from the sale of this painting will be going to Noah's Bark. As Christmas is very near now, do you think you could make a special present this year and give a donation, however small?

£67 (approx $109) plus £5 shipping

SOLD

Please note that this painting is straight off the easel and will need several days to dry before it can be shipped and therefore WILL NOT be ready for Christmas.

If you have any questions, please email me at info@azpaintings.com

Back with a functioning computer

Just to let you all know that I am back with a fully functioning computer again and now have access to all correspondence and images. 

I apologise for the lack of new paintings - it's not that I haven't been painting, but I am busy with commissions and commissions take a great deal longer to complete than do my small oil paintings.

If I get permission from the owners, I will share some of the portraits with you.

I hope you're all better ahead with your Christmas preparations than I am!

Important Notice

This is just to let you all know that my computer has died and I have no access to emails received since January this year or photographs sent since that time.

If you are waiting for me to contact you, please email me at info@azpaintings.com.  I have access to my old (exceptionally slow!) computer so will be able to receive your emails.  I will eventually be able to retrieve the information at present inaccessible, but it may take some time.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to my American friends :)

Christmas card - In The Purple

Christmas card from the original oil painting - In The Purple

Today's card features a champion saluki. She is owned by fellow artist and friend Cori Solomon, who kindly allowed her use as a model.

If you would like to purchase this card, you can do so here - http://azpaintings.com/xmas.html#18 or of course you can always email me at info@azpaintings.com.

The donation from this card will be going to STOLA - saluki rescue.

I hope you like it :)

Christmas card - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Christmas card from the original oil painting - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

If you would like to purchase this card please visit http://azpaintings.com/xmas.html#5 or of course you can always email me at info@azpaintings.com :)

If you're not looking to purchase any cards, I wonder if you would consider making a donation to charity? The charity I am thinking of is the one which will benefit by any sales from the card above, and that is Save the Dalmatians. You can click on the link to go to their website and any donation, however small, will be welcomed by them in the never ending job of rescuing members of this wonderful breed of dog.

Christmas card - All I Want For Christmas Is You

 

Christmas card from the original oil painting - All I Want For Christmas Is You

And isn't that the truth............. :)

To purchase this card please visit http://azpaintings.com/xmas.html

 

The donation will be going to Save The Dalmatians

Have a good weekend everyone - if I get time I will post a new card every night - or day if I was more organised but that's unlikely!

Christmas card - Black Beauty

Christmas card from the original oil painting - Black Beauty

The donation from this card will be going to Noah's Bark who do a really fantastic job. 

The reference photo for the painting was taken by Meneer Zjeroen and the lab shown was found on a site selling used goods and animals!!!!!!!!!! Now a beloved pet of the photographer.

The card can be seen and purchased here http://azpaintings.com/xmas.html#16

Please email me at info@azpaintings.com if you have any questions.

Christmas card - Mine All Mine

Christmas card based on the original oil painting - Mine All Mine

This card features a liver-spotted Dalmatian - something of a rarity in Christmas cards.

The original of this painting (which of course doesn't include the Christmas greetings) is available for sale for £67 plus postage - it can be seen and purchased here http://azpaintings.com/originals.html#3

The Christmas cards can be purchased here: http://azpaintings.com/xmas.html#15

Both the original painting and the cards carry a donation to Save The Dalmatians - a wonderful organisation doing fantastic work helping this lovely breed.

If you require any information please email me at info@azpaintings.com

Christmas card - Little Friend With Bells On

Little Friend With Bells on - Christmas card from the original oil painting

This is, as you can all see, another of my Dalmatian Christmas cards.  The 'Little Friend' in the painting isn't just a pretty toy - it can talk and move.  Well sort of - if you press its paw, its ears rotate and make the bells jingle very prettily and it barks out a series of little Christmas songs - with really quite a nice singing voice for a dog!

The donation from this card will be going to Save The Dalmatians and it can be seen and purchased here

http://azpaintings.com/xmas.html#8 or you can email me at info@azpaintings.com for more information.

Christmas Cards - Do You Hear What I Hear?

Christmas Cards from the original oil painting - Do You Hear What I Hear?

Although the majority of my Christmas cards feature Dalmatians, I do have a few others!  The card above comes from a painting of a lurcher. For those who don't know, lurchers are usually crosses between a sighthound ie greyhound, saluki etc and a collie type of dog; the aim of which is to produce a dog capable of great speed when hunting, but also a little more obedience than a pure-bred sighthound.

The dog in this painting was unwanted and abandoned but has been fortunate enough to have been adopted by a loving family.

The donation from this card will be going to Old Dog Haven.  This charity does invaluable work helping find homes for dogs in their golden years.  It always seems incredible to me that anyone can own a dog for many years and then dispose of it when it becomes elderly - amazing and extremely distressing.

Please visit http://azpaintings.com/xmas.html#3 to purchase this card or email me at info@azpaintings.com for any more information.

All Was Calm All Was Bright Christmas Card

Peace At Christmas - card taken from the original oil painting - All Was Calm All Was Bright

Well, I had planned on showing a Christmas card a day but as usual life has conspired to get in the way! However, here, a little later than planned, is my next featured Christmas card.  I love the sense of serene calmness in this painting and so the painting seemed to name itself.

I hope you enjoy it - I certainly had great pleasure painting it :)

This Christmas card, along with a few others, is available to purchase at http://www.azpaintings.com/xmas.html

or if you would like to email me, my address is info@azpaintings.com

I nearly forgot to say, this card's donation will be going to Save The Dalmatians, one of my favourite charities.

Christmas cards

Christmas card from the original oil painting - Silent Night

I thought I would just post a reminder that I have a selection of Christmas cards available for sale.  They all carry a donation to a small selection of animal charities - this one's donation will be going to Save the Dalmatians.

If you have any queries - please email me at info@azpaintings.com

Spencer - an English Setter

Spencer - 10" x 8" oil on hardboard/masonite

It's difficult at this time of year to be able to complete many small paintings, as naturally enough we artists are always busy painting commissions, so I thought you might like to see one of these. 

It is particularly flattering when a fellow artist buys a painting and I have been very lucky enough recently to have sold one of my small paintings to a very talented artist friend of mine and the painting above was commissioned by an equally talented artist friend - a real honour. 

I hope I have done justice to this lovely boy, with his kind and honest expression - his sweetness shone through for me while I was painting and his owner knows I was very sorry to see the painting go! A lucky owner indeed to have been blessed by owning such a gentle, loving dog.

SOLD

Drum roll please.........................

Drum roll you might ask? My website is finished!!!

AZPaintings is finally revamped and while there are a few things which need tweaking, basically it is there - hooray! :)

If you get a chance, do pay it a visit - accessible through the navigation bar above. I hope you will like it and find it easy to find your way around. Also, if you do notice any mistakes, please let me know!

Right, back to painting :) :) :)

Through The Eyes Of A Dog

Through The Eyes Of A Dog - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

This young dog was a stray - hard to believe of such a beautiful pup.  Now he is happy and safe in a loving home. Perhaps it is just as well dogs can't speak; I wonder what tales he would tell of the things he has seen  - and then I know I would rather not hear them.

When this painting is sold, a donation of 10% will be made to Noah's Bark. 

£67 (approx $110) plus £5 shipping

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped

My thanks to JDurham at Morguefile for the reference photograph

Christmas Is Coming!

Christmas Is Coming! by Anne Zoutsos - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

I don't think it will surprise those who know me that at Christmas time we hang stockings on the mantlepiece for our dogs!  Admittedly we don't leave them alone overnight with the dogs.........  In the painting here, Angel looks as though she is deciding what to put on her list for Father Christmas.  This particular stocking is one of my favourites - surprise, surprise! It is gorgeous and soft and Angel always wants to play with it, but as with a couple of other special Christmas Dalmatians, she is only allowed a gentle play under close supervision.

Look carefully at the top of the mantlepiece and see if you can 'spot' anything there.

This painting comes as a reminder that Christmas is rapidly approaching - especially for artists like myself for whom it is the busiest time of year, so if you are thinking about commissioning a painting, it will have to be soon!

My new website is nearly ready, so do check it out often as there will be a selection of prints and cards available to purchase.

£67 plus £5 shipping

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped