Pomeranian

Pomeranian - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

I'm still busy with commissions at the moment but just squeezed this little painting in - generally painted in the evenings while most people are relaxing or sleeping - well that's how it feels sometimes! Actually, if I am honest, I find it very difficult to just sit and watch tv and either like to have a crossword to puzzle over or a painting to work on. I love the pensive expression on this little dog and did toy with the idea of naming the painting 'Pensive Pomeranian' but thought better of it. 

The donation (10% once sold) from this painting is going to Save The Dalmatians. I have been following the progress of a dog named Fletcher, rescued from a shelter and suffering from pneumonia. A poor, painfully thin dog with no appetite and very ill indeed. However, the rescuer has taken him to the vet and Fletcher is on antibiotics and every sort of food which the rescuer can think of. The most recent update on him is that he is starting to eat on his own and gives his rescuer the most beautiful Dalmatian smiles. For those interested, I will let you know how he progresses. If you would like to help Save The Dalmatians direct, please visit their website where you can make a donation through paypal - it only takes a few minutes and every single dollar helps.

UPDATE: Fletcher is doing very well. He has now regained his appetite and is eating well and possibly just starting to put on a little weight. He is coughing much less and gives his rescuer the most wonderful smiles. He loves to lie on his back for tummy rubs and is a very affectionate boy. It is absolutely impossible to understand how he could have been abandoned. It looks as if he has a home waiting for him once he is fully recovered, although I think his rescuer is going to have a tough time letting him go!

  SOLD

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

With thanks to RowdyKittens at Flickr for the reference photograph

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?

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

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.

Beagle Reflections by Anne Zoutsos

Beagle Reflections by Anne Zoutsos - 7" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

This painting follows on my theme of shadows and reflections both in the material and in the emotional sense.

A donation of 10% will be made to Bones Beagle Rescue once this painting is sold

SOLD

Thank you for looking

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

Inspiration taken from a photograph by newandrew at Flikr

Hey!! by Anne Zoutsos

Hey!! by Anne Zoutsos - 7.25" x 7.25" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

I had decided not to paint any more Dalmatian pictures until my "Dalmatian week" which I am planning to hold shortly. This plan was changed when I read that Save The Dalmatians are in real need of donations as theirs have been considerably reduced lately. Hopefully this painting and the following one will help in a tiny way with their resources.

The Dalmatian in this painting is my Angel with her octopus toy; however, she has 'spotted' something!

A note - this toy was put away for some time as both Angel and her mother Hazel were very unhappy when it was first given to them. It is one of those toys which when pressed make a noise which continues for some time. Normally, both Angel and Hazel adore these toys, but this one had a human voice and this totally worried them! However, with much persuasion that it was okay to play and bite it, it has now been adopted with much enthusiasm - maybe too much..........

10% donation to Save The Dalmatians when sold - if you don't want to purchase a painting, please visit their website and if you can possibly spare it, make a donation to help them save members of this sweet breed of dog.

SOLD

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

Reservoir Dog by Anne Zoutsos

Reservoir Dog by Anne Zoutsos - 10" x 8" oil on hardboard/masonite

More fun with lighting - this time shadows - and with the name of the painting!

10% donation to Old Dog Haven (I'm hoping to be able to make another donation to this charity helping senior dogs in need). These dogs are so often overlooked in favour of young, lively, attractive dogs and yet some of these oldies can still give their younger cousins a run for their money. Those of us who own dogs know that as they age, they become more and more attuned to humans and it must be almost unbearable for some of these oldies when they find themselves homeless, sometimes through illhealth or death or just as often it seems, callousness. If you don't wish to buy a painting, could you consider making a direct donation? If so, click here and you will be taken to their website where you will see how you can make a donation.

SOLD

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

Partly based on a photograph by paulaloe at Flickr

Reflections by Anne Zoutsos

Reflections - 5" x 7" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

I thought I would have fun with this painting by adding lots of reflections in the floor. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed painting it (which was a lot!)

10% donation to Old Dog Haven once sold. Those who read my blog regularly will know that this is a charity I often support as I feel that homeless old dogs in particular have a tough time finding a forever home.

SOLD

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



Broadly based on a photograph by MandCo at Flickr

Dog Tired by Anne Zoutsos

Dog Tired by Anne Zoutsos - 5" x 7" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

I think there can be few creatures in this world who live life to the full as much as dogs! They seem to wake up full of optimism and ready to laugh with joy at the slightest prompting - when I say laugh, I am sure dog owners will know what I mean. They need so little to make them happy. Yet, they are also ever ready with solicitude when an owner is sad; instantly prepared to give up their games in order to give comfort. How fortunate we are who own dogs - lucky us!

Perhaps then we should repay some of the happiness given to us so freely, by helping dogs whose owners haven't been able or willing to give even the little that dogs need. This painting has been created with the intention of raising funds for charity and 10% of the purchase price will be donated to Old Dog Haven who do such a wonderful job helping senior dogs enjoy the lives they deserve. If you don't wish to purchase a painting at the moment, perhaps you could spare the time and just a little money to visit their site and make a donation - I know it will be very welcome.

SOLD

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

My thanks to ricardo-pereira at Flickr who provided the photograph on which this painting is loosely based

Spotted! by Anne Zoutsos

Spotted! by Anne Zoutsos - 5" x 7" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

Spotted indeed! Not only in appearance but also having been caught coming down the stairs from having a sleep on my bed! She shares a sofa with her mother Hazel but it seems that sometimes she finds that it isn't soft enough for her and so takes herself upstairs to stretch out in comfort on the duvet. Oh well, I don't really mind. My dogs are loved - unlike some others. The donation from this painting will be going to Save The Dalmatians to help in a small way in their constant efforts to help members of this loving and sensitive breed in need. If you click on the link it will take you to their website and if you're not really looking for a painting at the moment, maybe you could spare a donation direct to them.

SOLD

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

Thank you for looking

Little Friend With Bells On by Anne Zoutsos

Little Friend With Bells On by Anne Zoutsos - 5" x 7" (aprox) oil on hardboard/masonite

I saw the little spotted toy in the painting several years ago and of course immediately bought it! When you press its paws, its ears rotate, jingling the bells tied on them, and it plays Christmas tunes - it has a small selection of them which I can't remember off-hand although I know 'Jingle Bells' is one of them. I love this little ornament/toy - well not so little really as can be seen - but Angel isn't quite sure about it when its ears move around and I don't leave it for her to play with as if I did, I don't think I would have my lovely little Christmas companion for very long!

10% donation to Save The Dalmatians once sold

SOLD

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

If you're not looking to buy art at the moment, perhaps you could spare the time to visit Save the Dalmatians and maybe make a donation to them direct? Every dollar counts.

Thank you for looking

Parson Jack Russell Terrier by Anne Zoutsos

Parson Jack Russell Terrier by Anne Zoutsos - 5" x 7" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

This is my second painting featuring the little Parson Jack Russell, Ditto. This time I have altered the photographs kindly sent to me by Anne Stark of the Pipers Whippets and Dachshunds by changing the lighting and background - and adding a little bit of the terrier's head which had been cut off in the photo. I find it a very interesting exercise to change the lighting in a painting to see what differences it can make to the whole atmosphere of the finished work. I think this is something I shall explore in different ways in the future and in fact already have plans for a very unusually lit painting - watch this space!

I find the atmosphere in the painting reflects warmth and contented alertness.

A donation of 10% will be made to Old Dog Haven once this painting is sold - a charity giving comfort to homeless dogs in their senior years. Please consider giving this very worthwhile charity a donation direct to them at their website.

SOLD

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

Pretty Bubbles In The Air by Anne Zoutsos

Pretty Bubbles In The Air - 5" x 7" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

I find that a great many dog paintings and drawings are not quite to my taste, being somewhat overly cute. I must admit that occasionally I am in a particularly sugary mood and may paint one myself (!), but generally prefer to paint different aspects of dogs. I particularly like to portray the relationship between human and dog but I also sometimes enjoy painting something which is just unusual. The painting above depicts of course a chocolate labrador, but the addition of the bubbles blown into the painting, add visual interest and I can't help wondering what the lab is going to do next...

Once this painting is sold a donation of 10% from the profits of this painting will be made to Malibu Pet Companions. This charity funds medical care for homeless sick and/or injured pets.

SOLD

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


My thanks to Geoff Steams at Flickr for the reference photo of the labrador used in this painting

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 - 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!