Serenity by Anne Zoutsos

Serenity by Anne Zoutsos - 6" x 6" (approx) 0il on hardboard/masonite

The model for the painting is my own Hazel. The sunshine is streaming through the window while she sits on her daddy's lap being cuddled and she is completely content - perhaps most humans can only wish to attain this level of serenity.

A 10% donation will be made to Save The Dalmatians once this painting is sold. They always need assistance and if you would like to help more directly please visit their website at www.savethedals.org/

SOLD

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

Saffron by Anne Zoutsos

Saffron by Anne Zoutsos - 6" x 6" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

The painting of this labrador retriever is a study in light and shade and has been most enjoyable to paint.

I uploaded the new photo above to replace the one posted yesterday as this is a little more accurate.

A donation of 10% will be made to Old Dog Haven once this painting is sold.

Available to purchase on ebay at a starting bid of $99 - please click the link below to bid

SOLD

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


My thanks to Envina Magno for releasing the reference photo under Creative Commons

Daddy's Girl by Anne Zoutsos

Daddy's Girl by Anne Zoutsos - 6" x 6" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

The model for this painting is my own Hazel cuddling up to her daddy. Those of us fortunate enough to own one of this breed will know of their belief that they are lap dogs and their insistence that the only place they want to be is on the lap of a beloved owner. Hazel shares her love of cuddles equally between my husband and I!

For those thinking of acquiring one of these dogs, bear in mind that Dalmatians are demanding dogs. They have a need for daily exercise - and not just a quick walk on the leash - and also a need to be with humans. They do not thrive being outside dogs but belong in the house as valued members of the family; then you will be rewarded with a companion whose sense of humour, fun, a love of life and deep affection will enrich your own life.

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

Available to purchase on ebay at a starting bid of $99

SOLD

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

Elegance

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

This painting is based on a photograph sent to me by Anne Stark who bred her. This dog has the sweetest, melting expression. She is a whippet and if you've ever met one of these dogs, you'll know that they can run!

A 10% donation will be made from the sale of this painting to STOLA - saluki rescue; a case of one sighthound helping others.

SOLD

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

Thanks to those supporting animals in need

Perchance to Dream by Anne Zoutsos

Perchance To Dream - 6" x 6" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

It's funny how when I've finished a painting a title just slips into my mind. Sometimes I have a title in mind and so the direction of the painting is set. Other times, I am drawn to paint but have no idea of what to call the finished work. Nearly every time, in these circumstances, if I wait a little while, a title jumps out at me and I feel I have to call the painting by it. In this instance, I originally named the painting something else, but after about five minutes, Perchance To Dream came to me and wouldn't go away - so thank you Shakespeare!!

A 10% donation will be made to Old Dog Haven when this painting is sold to help in their efforts so that more dogs will be able to rest in comfort and safety.

SOLD

My thanks to Pam Boutilier for the reference photograph

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

A Bluebell Walk In Chantry Woods

I thought it might be fun to show our two girls out on a walk last week. These photos were taken in Chantry Woods, a woodland near where we live and so a frequent haunt of ours. Angel just loves climbing trees - as far as her paws will allow her to! In this photo she was thinking about trying to climb up further but we told her no! In the other photo, Hazel and Angel are sniffing around before rushing off into the bluebells. It really was beautiful there - not only to look at the bluebells but the scent was glorious too - lovely!

Little White Dog by Anne Zoutsos

Little White Dog - 5.75" x 7" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

When you look at this happy, well cared for little dog it's hard to imagine that this is a rescue dog - and yet it is! Here he is dressed in his red jumper and clearly enjoying life to the full. This little one was lucky to find a loving owner - how many more are there in desperate need of a home of their own?

10% donation to Old Dog Haven - helping senior dogs, so often hard to place in forever homes.

If you're thinking of getting a rescue dog, please take a moment and consider whether you might be able to take a senior - they deserve to spend their golden years in comfort and can give a very special love to their new owners.

This painting is available at auction at a starting bid of $99

SOLD

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

My thanks to mbtrama for releasing the reference photograph under Creative Commons

Black Beauty

Black Beauty - 10" x 8"oil on hardboard/masonite

It's hard to believe that this dog was found on an internet site selling used goods. Talk about treating dogs like bits of furniture, when all you have to do is look in their eyes to see a living, sensitive creature - words fail me.

This dog - together with 2 others bought from the same site - now live with a family who value them. Thank goodness for people such as these.

10% donation to Old Dog Haven - helping senior dogs in their golden years.

This painting is available at a starting bid of $99 from ebay

SOLD

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

My thanks to Meneer Zjeroen for releasing the reference photo under Creative Commons

Daily Painters

Another Kiss - Their Lives In Our Hands - Over My Shoulder

On a little self-congratulatory note - these are the last three paintings I listed on Daily Painters (I have uploaded another one today) and all three of these paintings received the top number of views for their days :) Lucky me! I exhibit my paintings on Daily Painters every Monday and every other Wednesday.

Sealed With A Kiss

Sealed With A Kiss - 6" x 6" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

I am particularly fond of paintings which feature a close relationship between human and dog as does this, the latest of my 'kiss' paintings. So many of the bull breeds have a poor reputation and yet these dogs can be the sweetest of companions. Cesar Milan, the 'dog whisperer' describes them as gladiators and I think this is an accurate summing up of the character of many of them and because of this they need to be trained to mix well with other dogs - ideally when they are young. Remember that like all dogs, they need to know their boundaries, a leader/s they can respect (human) and love.

Spoiling a dog isn't loving it but loving a dog isn't spoiling it.

10% donation to Old Dog Haven - helping senior dogs in need

SOLD

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

My thanks to Lorkan for releasing the reference photograph under Creative Commons

Contentment by Anne Zoutsos

Contentment by Anne Zoutsos - 5.75" x 7" oil on hardboard/masonite

The miniature smooth dachshund featured in this painting is called Henry at home and Champion Pipers Mr Longfellow in ths showring and is top winning male in his breed this year. His owner, Anne Stark, has very generously made many of her photographs available for reference, so helping raise funds for dogs not as lucky and loved as Henry.

10% donation to DARE dachshund rescue

SOLD

Over My Shoulder by Anne Zoutsos

Over My Shoulder by Anne Zoutsos - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

I love the look of fearlessness on the puppy's face in this painting as it peeps over the shoulder of its young master, safe in his arms. I hope you can almost feel the warmth of the puppy's breath on your neck as you view this painting!

As in several of my other paintings, the title is based on a song title - this one was by a UK band called Mike and the Mechanics. A nice song and sung live fantastically - and one which once you've heard it, you can't get it out of your head!

(Addendum - if you should wish to listen you can find it here http://www.goear.com/listen.php?v=e088309 - I'm whistling to it now!)

A 10% donation will be made to Old Dog Haven once this painting is sold, to help in their efforts to find forever homes for elderly dogs no longer - nor one suspects, ever- loved.

Thank you to all for helping animals in need.

SOLD



My thanks to AydinGrace for making the reference photo available under Creative Commons.

Their Lives In Our Hands

Their Lives in Our Hands - 5.75" x 7" oil on hardboard/masonite

The beagle puppy in this painting is helpless and vulnerable. It is being kept safe and secure in loving hands. Unfortunately there are dogs to whom hands signify cruelty and pain - a horrific thought. Thankfully, there are many people who give up their time, money and even peace of mind in order to help these dogs, having to sometimes go into terrible conditions to rescue them. Those of us who care for dogs can all do something to help, however small and if you're not in the market for a painting at the moment, perhaps you could spare a donation.

A 10% donation will be made to BONES Beagle 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 Steve Pollock for the reference photo released under Creative Commons

All's Well That Ends Well

All's Well That Ends Well - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

Well, despite Angel sticking her nose into the heather where the bees were busy at work, they ignored her and she carried on her happy way.

With all the lovely weather we've been having here lately, both Angel and Hazel have been able to spend quite a lot of time in the garden sunbathing. They don't like lying on the grass however as they like being toasty warm, so always wag their tails when I ask if they would like their blankets spread out on the lawn for them - which I of course do for them.

I am sure that most who read this blog will share my incomprehension of the abusive treatment meted out to so many dogs - dogs whose only crime seems to be that of having been born.

10% will be donated 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.

Mind The Bees Angel!

Mind The Bees Angel! - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

The model for this painting is my own Angel and is based on a photograph I took of her in our garden recently. She was checking to see what all the bees were doing in the heather.

This painting is the first in a two part series.

10% will be donated to Save The Dalmatians to help Dalmatians who aren't loved as Angel is.

SOLD

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

Roman At Rest

10" x 8" oil on hardboard/masonite

When I was approached by Anne Stark of the famous Pipers whippets and dachshunds with a request to paint her first Champion whippet dog, Roman, I was delighted but also rather daunted. The reason for this concern was that several of Anne's dogs have been superbly painted by other artists including to my certain knowledge, the extremely talented artists Mark Adams and Jeanne Illeyne. However, it was of course impossible not to want to paint such a beautiful dog and so I accepted the challenge to portray Roman in my own style. I hope I have managed to convey his expression of both alertness and sweetness - not always an easy combination, but for me the expression is really the crux of a detailed dog portrait - it has to be right.

If you take a look at Anne's website, you'll find it packed with photos of gorgeous dogs including of course the handsome Roman - it's well worth spending time there if you're a dog addict like me!

SOLD

Another Kiss by Anne Zoutsos

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

I think that the love between children and their pets is a precious thing. The reason I decided to create this painting was because I feel that if the desperate situation in relation to unwanted dogs is to be altered, education is the only really viable solution. There must be many ways to introduce pet care into the school curriculum which would cost next to nothing to implement. Over the years I've noticed that even 'hardened' children very often relate very well to dogs and I think that a properly structured system of school visits by well behaved dogs together with interesting and thought provoking discussion could and would reduce uncaring dog ownership in the future. Well, my thoughts anyway.

For now we have to try and ease the difficult lives so many dogs and other pets suffer. A 10% donation from this painting when sold will be made to Malibu Pet Companions.

SOLD

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

My thanks to BdwayDiva1 for releasing the reference photograph under Creative Commons

Happy Birthday Hazel

10 today!

On a personal note - my Hazel was 10 today and had a lovely birthday :)

Swim! by Anne Zoutsos

Swim! by Anne Zoutsos - 5.75" x 7" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

Having seen this photograph in the Wet Canvas dog breed project thread, I took the opportunity of painting a picture depicting a labrador doing what most like doing best - other than eating of course! - and that is swimming. Most labradors adore swimming and being natural retrievers, love swimming after sticks thrown by their owners. This labrador is instead retrieving a 'dummy' as used in gundog training.

There are, I am sad to say, far too many dogs whose lives are not filled with fun and happiness - far from it and it is up to we owners of loved dogs to spread that love a little further afield. Perhaps you have a space in your home for a new member of the family, or maybe you could foster a dog in need until a permanent home can be found. If not, perhaps a small donation could be spared?

10% from the sale of this painting will be donated to Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay. 

I will be painting a Dalmatian painting very soon to try and help some more.

SOLD

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

My thanks to K Taylor-Green for the reference photograph

Little Dog by Anne Zoutsos

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

I think that probably one of the worst things that can happen to any breed is for it to become popular. When this happens, the breed suffers from the effects of indescriminate breeding by those with no care or knowledge and who have no interest in the puppies they breed other than to try and make money out of them. These innocent puppies end up in homes where they are not loved or cared for and are discarded when they become a 'nuisance'. The puppies' poor mothers are nothing more than breeding machines to be got rid of when they wear out. Sadly little Chihuahuas have become a 'fashion accessory' for some people and therefore of interest to the puppy farmers.

If you own one of these tiny dogs, please bear in mind that they are not babies, nor are they toys. They are little dogs and need the things that all dogs need - rules and boundaries, exercise (yes even these little dogs need to be taken out for walks for mental stimulation as much as the physical challenge), proper food and love.

The dog being cuddled in this painting was rescued and is now safe and loved.

10% donation when this painting is sold is Old Dog Haven who do so much to help senior dogs in need.

SOLD

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

My thanks to Ed Bierman for making the reference photo available through 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

Sunny Pug by Anne Zoutsos

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

This is the companion painting to my 'Pretty Pug' - a well cared for dog, living a happy, sunny life. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for a disgracefully large number of dogs. The people at Old Dog Haven say in their website that 'We think dogs are elite at age eight (and above)' and I think they are probably right! Sadly it is these very dogs who often have such a hard time finding new homes and it is thanks to people like those at Old Dog Haven that they stand a much better chance of a good life for their remaining years. Please take time to visit their website and perhaps consider making a donation.

10% donation to Old Dog Haven once this painting is sold.

SOLD

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

My thanks to Mary Vogt at Morguefile for the reference photograph

Cosy Corgi by Anne Zoutsos

Cosy Corgi by Anne Zoutsos - 6" x 5.75" (approx) oil on hardboard/masonite

This painting came about as the result of a dog breed project on Wet Canvas (the site for artists). I was drawn (sorry, I can't stop punning!) to paint this dog as I particularly liked the complementary colours of the red against the black and white. This dog is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi and I love its pretty, alert expression.

Unfortunately there are many dogs whose lives are not happy. I find it hard to understand how someone can share years of companionship with a dog and then tire of it when it becomes old. I love puppies and young dogs with their energy and enthusiasm for life, but nothing can compare with the depth of love and affection of an older dog. Old Dog Haven takes in these older dogs and finds forever homes for them to end their days. If you live in the locality, maybe you could think about taking one of these seniors and giving it the love it deserves.

10% donation to Old Dog Haven when this painting is sold.

SOLD

This painting is recently off the easel and will need a few days drying time

My thanks to M McGarrett for the reference photo