German Shepherd Dog - Chance

Chance - 10" x 14" oil on hardboard/masonite

There are quite a few advantages in painting dogs for a living and one of these is that you meet such very nice people and make good friends. One of my friends, made through my paintings, is Lisa Husar. Lisa is a professional photographer and she specialises in photographing wildlife. I am not exaggerating when I say that her photos are stunning - if you don't believe me, have a look at her website teamhusar.com and you will see I am right!

Lisa commissioned this painting for her neighbour and friend after the tragic loss of his beautiful bitch, Chance. As is usual for me, this painting was quite tough to paint - as the painting grows, so does my sadness in the knowledge that the dog is no longer. I suppose some people would think this very odd, but I know that my fellow artists who paint animals will fully understand; when you become so involved with a painting, it is as if, while you are creating them, they live, and when of course you know they don't.............sadness is bound to follow. 

I hope that when the painting is dry and I am able to ship it out to the US to Lisa and she presents it to Chance's owner, that he will not only appreciate her kindness and generosity but also that the painting will bring him some comfort in remembered happy times.

All You Need Is Love

All You Need Is Love - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

I have recently updated the home page of my website and put a little slideshow on it. This is one of the paintings which I included in the slideshow as I think it clearly demonstrates the affection well loved dogs have for their owners - ah sweet! I contacted the photographer of the reference photograph, Noel Zia Lee, to check that she was happy with this - and she sent me a very nice email - thank you Noel.

This painting is sold and a donation from the profits was made to Old Dog Haven - doing so much to place unwanted elderly dogs in forever homes.

If you would like to commission a painting, please click on the shop link in the menu above or email me at info@azpaintings.com

Rottweiler pet portrait

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

The August challenge on the Daily Painters International Art Gallery blog was "Reflections" and so I thought this painting, completed last year, would be a suitable entry. I also posted it in the Artists International Gallery and was amazed at the incredible amount of comments (all nice by the way!) it received - and from a bunch of very talented artists. Of course I was absolutely thrilled.

If you would like to commission a portrait please either click on the link in the menu above (shop), or email me at info@azpaintings.com

My thanks to MandCo at Flickr for the reference photograph

Strictly for the Dogs!

A friend on facebook posted the following and I thought it worth repeating... 

 *******

It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.

 

 *******

 

 

 

Saluki Head Study

Saluki - Ch Glenoak Ishaara 20" x 16" watercolour

As Dean Grey at Exploding Doughnut commented that he had never seen a saluki before, I thought I would post another one here - this time a head study.

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