A Quiet Place by Anne Zoutsos

A Quiet Place - 7" x 5" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

There is no doubt that I do enjoy 'messing around' with light and shade in my paintings and it's something I am going to try and explore in different ways. I also very often enjoy portraying a sense of calm and peace in my paintings. I once read that fulfilment isn't brought about by being 'happy' but by being contented and I think that maybe when this is related to dogs, it is very true indeed. Although of course we want dogs to be happy, this can be very transitory - when for instance a visitor arrives at a rescue centre. Security and contentedness is what we should be striving for, for them - dogs in need of rescue and our own beloved pets.

Once sold a donation of 10% will be made to TBAR - True Blue Animal Rescue

SOLD

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

Based on a reference photograph made available at Wet Canvas

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

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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!

The Caress

The Caress - 6" x 6" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

I think that you only have to look in the eyes of this dog to see the love that is shared between owner and pet. We can only wish that some day all dogs will be safe and secure like this one.

10% donation to TBAR - True Blue Animal 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 Sara Goldsmith for releasing the reference photo under Creative Commons

Bliss by Anne Zoutsos

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

I was drawn to create this painting by the expression of pure bliss on the dog's face while sharing a moment of affection with its owner. Dogs ask for so little to make them happy - sufficient food and water, shelter, exercise and affection and not really much more. This makes it even more incredible that so many dogs' owners cannot be bothered to meet these basic needs. Fortunately there are people willing to help rescue and rehome these dogs and it behoves we other dog owners to do our bit to support them.

10% donation to TBAR - True Blue Animal Rescue when 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

My thanks to Jimmie Perkins for the reference photo released under the Creative Commons

Mellow Yellow by Anne Zoutsos

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

I don't suppose it will be a surprise to the slightly older viewer that this painting's title comes from the song written and performed by Donovan - which I really like and always makes me think of summer.

I love the look of the sunshine which almost seems to be sparkling on the yellow labrador's coat who looks out with confidence from honest eyes. I hope those who look at this painting will have their spirits raised and maybe even be able to feel the heat of the sun which is shining on the cosy dog.

10% donation to TBAR - True Blue Animal Rescue (I couldn't even read the stories of the dogs awaiting adoption and didn't get as far as looking at other animals needing homes)

Please, if you live in the area, consider offering a loving, permanent home to one of these needy animals - or if you live further afield, perhaps you could afford to make a donation.

SOLD

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

With thanks to jarapet for making the reference photo available under Creative Commons

Lucky Girl by Anne Zoutsos

Lucky Girl by Anne Zoutsos - 6" x 7"oil on hardboard/masonite

The story of this dog, and thus the name of the painting, is as follows -

When this dog was a very tiny, young puppy (presumably an unwanted stray) she somehow became stuck in the wheel structure of a car and it was only by supreme luck that the driver heard her howl when she started the car. With assistance from her father, the driver managed to extricate the little puppy who was alive but whose leg was badly gashed. The pup was taken to a vet who stitched the leg but thought that it might need amputating.

Sadly the pup's rescuer was not able to keep a dog and so took her to kennels in the hope that someone would want her. However, she could not forget the look in the puppy's eyes and so rushed back to the kennels and took her home! The pup did need an operation on her leg but didn't lose it and it healed well.

And now..... the puppy has grown into an affectionate and happy dog, rewarding her rescuers with love and a joyous attitude to life which her owners find infectiously enriches their own lives.

Lucky family!

A donation of 10% from the profits of this painting will be made to TBAR - True Blue Animal Rescue - helping animals less fortunate than this one.

SOLD

This painting is recently off the easel and will need a few days' drying time before it can be shipped

The inspiration for the composition of this painting came from the work of Ali Cavanaugh - an incredibly talented artist whose work can be viewed here (thank you Ali for your kind message)

My thanks to Kris de Curtis at Flikr for permission to use the photograph of his little Chicca

Chinese Crested

Chinese Crested

16" x 20" Watercolour

A head study of a Chinese Crested dog.

Actual size of dog's head is 8" x 8" - painting is sized to fit a mount and frame 16" x 20".

Visit my main website at www.azpaintings.com to commission a similar painting.

10% to TBAR True Blue Animal Rescue



SOLD

Perfect Peace

Perfect Peace

10" x 8" Oil on hardboard/masonite

This is my latest painting which was inspired by the topic of 'Nature' on an art blog. The expression that nature was "red in tooth and claw" came to mind although I wasn't sure where the saying originated. On investigation I discovered that it was penned by Alfred Lord Tennyson, a poet I had read as a child and whose poems I love.

However, I decided to portray nature as I would like to see it rather than as it is, this time inspired by a rather more famous book - although I've discovered that it is actually a misquote from the Bible but it suited my needs. In my painting the lamb is snuggled up against the protective lion whose magnificent mane tumbles over the lamb's little back. The lamb looks out fearlessly knowing he is perfectly safe.

The colours in the actual painting are somewhat richer than shown here (I have a day later changed the photo which shows the colour a little more accurately)



10% from the profits of the sale of this painting will go to

Tbar True Blue Animal Rescue who have been so involved in helping the animal victims of Hurricane Ike.

SOLD

This painting is available direct from Anne at info@azpaintings.com or visit

www.azpaintings.com

(please allow for drying time as it is shown direct from the easel)