Sunshine Came Softly by Anne Zoutsos

Sunshine Came Softly - 7" x 5.75" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

As well as loving dogs, I also love painting and this work was inspired to a large extent by the play of light and shadow on the dog's face and I really like the atmosphere of quiet which is created.

The title of the painting comes from the song Sunshine Superman by Donovan. I had initially wanted to call it 'Sunshine Came Softly Through My Window Today' - the first line - but thought it was just too long (although that's what it is called in my head!)

10% donation to Old Dog Haven once the painting is sold

SOLD

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

My thanks to Eliya Selhub for providing the reference photograph under Creative Commons

The Drinking Fountain by Anne Zoutsos

The Drinking Fountain by Anne Zoutsos - 10" x 8" oil on hardboard/masonite

When we lived in London the local parks where we used to walk our girls (dogs!) were Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens (in fact these are in effect one park, separated by a road but under which you can walk from one to the other). You could in those days walk your dogs off leash and I'm pretty sure this is still the case. In fact I heard, although I have no idea whether it is true or not, that the Queen has said that as long as she reigns, dogs will be allowed off-leash in Royal Parks. I hope it is true - she certainly does love dogs! We used to take long walks in these lovely parks and in the summer the dogs would get thirsty. They would sometimes swim in the Serpentine - and drink from it - but also a favourite place to drink was a drinking fountain in Kensington Gardens. No-one ever minded and in fact people would always laugh to see them enjoying the spurt of water when we pressed the button.

When I saw this photograph it reminded me of those happy days and so I had to paint it. I hope you will enjoy looking at it as much as I enjoyed creating it.

10% donation to Old Dog Haven - always in need of funds to help them help older dogs live out their senior years surrounded by loving care.


SOLD

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


My thanks to Robert Pogorzelskia for releasing the reference photograph under Creative Commons

Tranquility by Anne Zoutsos

Tranquility by Anne Zoutsos - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

The model for this painting is my Angel and here she is portrayed in a tranquil mood. She is such a good, happy girl - and very, very clever, probably the cleverest dog I have ever owned. She smiles a lot and one day I will paint a picture of her smiling - and if you know Dalmatians, you'll know how funny they look when they smile with their teeth bared almost as if ferociously snarling but of course the body language is very different with their tails nearly wagging off their bodies! I adore smiling Dalmatians! A well loved and well exercised Dalmatian is a wonderful friend but they need their owners' time.

As someone who loves Dalmatians I cannot understand how anyone could ever abandon one, and yet this happens only too often which I find very distressing. If you have time and like lots of walking/jogging/biking why not think about a Dalmatian as a friend to accompany you on your outings and keep your lap warm when you're indoors. Save the Dalmatians always have dogs in need of homes - please take the time to visit them and maybe you could spare a little donation?

A 10% donation will be made to Save the Dalmatians once this painting is sold.

SOLD

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

In Safe Hands by Anne Zoutsos

In Safe Hands by Anne Zoutsos - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

This is almost a preview painting as although it is finished, the photograph isn't that great as it is late at night and so taken under artificial light. I will take another photograph of it tomorrow and repost then. I have now changed the photograph; it is so hard to try and get an accurate copy and I still haven't quite managed but it will have to do. I wish I could find a foolproof method!

This painting came about from the latest dog breed project on Wet Canvas and as soon as I saw the selection of photographs I knew this had to be the one for me to paint. Those of you who know my work will know that I have painted several dog/hand paintings - it is a favourite subject as I enjoy portraying the close relationship dogs have with humans.

10% donation once this painting is sold to Old Dog Haven. This is one of my favourite charities as it is often the older, maybe physically less attractive dogs who often have such a difficult time finding a loving home in which to spend their later years - when they should be safe and secure.

SOLD

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

Ditto by Anne Zoutsos

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

Well here is the finished painting. It's been a challenge but an enjoyable one!


10% donation to TBAR - True Blue Animal Rescue

SOLD

Ditto (3) - Work In Progress by Anne Zoutsos

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

A bit further on ....

Ditto (2) - Work In Progress by Anne Zoutsos

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

Well, here is Ditto again a little further on. I have done a lot more work on the dog and she is coming together nicely. You can now see how much work there is in the chair - I must admit not one of my favourite types of subject. Still, it will be an interesting challenge and I am actually quite looking forward to getting into it properly to watch it grow!

As I said in my previous post, once finished and sold a donation of 10% is being made to TBAR.

If you go to their website you will see they are in even more desperate need than usual (and they always need funds) owing to the rescue of 57 horses. I wonder if you will be as astonished as I was to read that although these horses have been removed from their previous owner's care that no charges have been filed. I wonder what you have to do to an animal to be charged with neglect and cruelty?
ADDENDUM - someone very kindly emailed me to let me know that the owner has now been charged and is at present in jail.

If you're not wanting to purchase a painting, please visit TBAR and think about making a donation - without donations nothing can be done to help these animals.

Ditto - Work In Progress

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

This painting is based on a reference photograph again sent by Anne Stark of the Pipers whippets and dachshunds. The dog is a Parson Terrier and is a champion (USA) and is owned by Anne Stark's sister. As a breed, they are very game little dogs always ready for play or a hunt, loving an outdoor life but equally happy living the life of a cherished pet in the home as can be seen here - or will be seen when I have finished the chair!

Sweet Smile by Anne Zoutsos

Sweet Smile by Anne Zoutsos - 7" x 5..75" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

I think that most of us who love dogs will smile to themselves when they see the laughing, smiley face of the dog in this painting. How happy he looks and delighted with life. Not to worry, he is happy and much loved but it could have easily been so different as this dog was saved from death by a matter of just a few days. Every time I write something like this I can hardly believe it - the thought that such a sweet, lovely dog could so nearly have been wiped off the face of the earth - for what? Had he just become too much a nuisance to bother with?

I feel very strongly that it is important for those of us who care, to try and make up for the wrongs done by others and if you're not interested in purchasing a painting at the moment, please consider dipping into your pocket and helping a deserving charity. A 10% donation will be made to Old Dog Haven once this painting is sold and perhaps you might like to have a look at their website here - Old Dog Haven - they really do so much to help dogs in their golden years have the sort of lives they deserve.

SOLD

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



My thanks to tomsaint11 for releasing the reference photo under Creative Commons