Art with a Bark

Flavia

noreply@blogger.com (Judith A. Johnson) — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 21:10:00 +0000

A Christmas gift for my sister of their new beloved Flavia

8x10

watercolor

NFS

noreply@blogger.com (Judith A. Johnson) — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 21:31:00 +0000

Whistler's dog: a study in blackened tan
24x30 oil on linen
NFS

judithajohnson.com
judithajohnson.blogspot.com

George

noreply@blogger.com (Judith A. Johnson) — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 19:05:00 +0000

This little guy went home today. The client picked him up and was overjoyed. It makes me so happy to do these portraits and to have them well received. I think this is one of my best so far, too. Good old George.

11x14 watercolor
judithajohnson.com
judithajohnson.blogspot.com

Chug Chug

noreply@blogger.com (Judith A. Johnson) — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 21:49:00 +0000

There was a snow day today which allowed me some extra time today to finish this commission of two Chugs in plenty of time for them to dry and be delivered! Though not a fan of "floating head" portraiture, I am happy with how these came out.

11x14
oil on panel

Judith Johnson

judithajohnson.blogspot.com

judithajohnson.com

Pug by Anne Marie Propst

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Marie Propst) — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 20:29:00 +0000

Pug

8 x 01 inch acrylic on linen

Anne Marie Propst

www.artannepropst.com

My Tennis Ball

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Marie Propst) — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 17:32:00 +0000

Original oil commission

14 x 16 inch oil on board

Anne Marie Propst

www.artannepropst.com

Poppy Gray, a Frenchie Portrait by Kimberly Kelly Santini

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Kelly Santini) — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 01:09:00 +0000

"Poppy Gray," 12" x 16", dog portrait of my favorite little Frenchie, my live painting project from last Friday. Poppy is acrylics on museum quality panel (and he has a lovely home, thank you so very much!). All inquiries may come to me.

What a week I had in Louisiana!

First off, it was four days of herding cats, err, students. They were fantastic at pushing paint and excelled at keeping my strength up (grits and bread pudding and fresh seafood, baby!). I don't think I've ever had a group that bonded immediately and laughed so hard.

Then I got a whirlwind introduction to New Orleans courtesy of the real Stella Gray. More extraordinary tastes combined with new friends, live music, a moonlit walk along the Mississippi, and beautiful objects made for an excellent cap to my week.

Many many thanks to the Louisiana Art & Artists Guild for hosting the workshop, my students for putting up with me, and the remarkable Dianna Knost of AKA Stella Gray for the perfect end to an absolutely magical week.

Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork,

Warmly, Kim

"What's Up" new drawing by Sheona Hamilton-Grant

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 14:36:00 +0000

After 8 weeks of giving them all the cold shoulder, I warmed up my scribble friends and got tucked into a new compositionally unusual dog portrait. The reason threefold:

I hadn't drawn a dog for ages
wanted a break from the traditional head portrait
Couldn't resist those wee eyes.

The result threefold:

pencil shavings on the floor once again
back in the groove
new drawing on the board

What's Up

21 x 29 cm

Pencil on Paper

Available

Up next a horse, a beautiful bay stallion. Back soon ....

The Bond of Sisterhood!

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Brassfield) — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 00:35:00 +0000

Jessica and Lucy

16x20,Oil on Gessobord

I received this order in October, paid in full on Etsy. I panicked because I knew I was already booked until after Christmas. The client assured me she just wanted to get in my queue and it was no rush. What a wonderful client she turned out to be! Not only did I receive this awesome photo to paint from, the dog on the right, Lucy, is not even her dog! She is the sister of Jessica and belongs to someone else! I was astounded that someone would pay for a portrait of someone else's dog. It turns out that Jessica and Lucy are very bonded. Although they don't live together, they spend a lot of time together and it was just natural to paint them together. Like I said, a most wonderful client. Thank you Michelle!!

Cynthia Brassfield

www.crbrassfield.com

www.canineartguild.com

Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy by Gail Dolphin

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 11:28:00 +0000

This is a new little watercolor I just finished of a littermate of my dear Rhodesian Dante. I lost him in 2005, but always remember this little girl. It is a small image measuring 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" and will be headed to the "Art in the Park" show I am doing with the Sebastian Art Club on Saturday March 21st.

www.gaildolphinart.com

Feeling Zen by Kimberly Kelly Santini

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Kelly Santini) — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 03:00:00 +0000

"Zen Dog," 36" x 14", acrylics on panel, depicting Zevon, a friend's newly rescued family member. This is Golden acrylics on a Raymar panel and can be yours for $2999, including s&h within the contiguous US. In process photos are on the Studio FB page. pARTy details are here. Inquires may come directly to me.

It's Long Past Time for a pARTy

Have you ever attended a pARTy before? The idea is simple - someone shares the rights to one of their photographs, and challenges creatives to make artwork inspired by the photo. All of the work is then displayed collectively, for the whole world to see the variety of interpretations and possibilities resulting from the one image.

Now here's the good part - Photographer Juliet Harrison granted us permission to throw a pARTy in Zevon's honor! So here's the details:

The reference photograph is here. Please respect that this photo is being shared purely for the creation of artwork, and is not to be repurposed in any other way.

The idea is to create your own interpretation of the photograph. Please respect each artists' creations and do not copy any of the other art being displayed (because that would be violating copyright law).

Send jpgs of your finished work, watermarked with your name/website, to me. Include in your email any text you would like to appear in the caption.

I will add all artwork created by March 31, 2015, to a photo album on my Facebook page created specifically for this purpose.

Ready? set? paint!!

Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork!
Warmly, Kim

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Brassfield) — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 16:55:00 +0000

2015 has started off with a bang! Usually things slow down after the Christmas rush. This beautiful girl is my first official portrait for 2015. She was an awesome subject to paint and I fell in love with the red couch she was reclining on. I'm sure the rest of my clients for the year will be equally as beautiful and I'm looking forward to a fantastic year! Bonnie (in memoriam), 8x10, Oil on Gessobord.

Cynthia Brassfield

www.crbrassfield.com

www.canineartguild.com

Focus

noreply@blogger.com (Judith A. Johnson) — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 18:23:00 +0000

After a long absence filled with fun I decided to have some more fun with watercolor. This was an image I'd had on my desk for a long time. It is an Australian Cattle Dog who can get things done with a look.
5x7 watercolor $80
judith.johnson56@gmail.com

Snow Much Fun by Kimberly Kelly Santini

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Kelly Santini) — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 02:19:00 +0000

From January 2012, "Snow Much Fun," 36" x 14", acrylics on panel, depicting the singular muse Nita, the golden retriever extraordinaire who lives life large. This piece was done in acrylics on a museum quality panel and resides in a private collection. However, reproductions on a variety of surfaces and items remain available. Inquires may come directly to me.

#InstantReplay

In light of the storm on the east coast, I thought I would re-run one of my all time favorite paintings, "Snow Much Fun." It's a compilation piece done from multiple photos supplied by (and used with permission) Team Husar Photography. If my memory serves me right, this was one of the first times I'd painted Nita - I've lost count by now how many paintings she and her brother Bear have starred in!

I don't mean to make light of the seriousness of blizzards. Just hoping all in the path of the accumulation and winds are staying warm and safe, and sharing a reminder that someone, somewhere, is always having the time of their life.

Hoping your turn comes soon.

Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork!
Warmly, Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

English Cocker Spaniel by Dawn Secord

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Secord) — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 15:01:00 +0000

Payne - from puppy to adult

This is Payne - he is an English Cocker Spaniel. If you've never met this breed, have to tell you, they are just adorable.

My husband I have been fortunate enough to travel with Payne and his family for a number of years.   This painting has been planned for quite some time, but his family was waiting for him to mature so that his painting could show him at different ages.

The photos used for the painting were taken in different lighting scenarios - one with back lighting, several inside with no natural lighting, and one ideal photo taken outside in good lighting.   The challenge was to get all his coloring correct and make all three images balanced in value.

Several times while painting, my mind was playing tricks on me and I'd really have to rework an area.    My mind would say, "If that was dark, and you want it light, then what should we do with the values in the shadows?"    Right brain left brain thing I think.    Our minds do not doubt a photograph. However, in a painting, if something is off ...lets say anatomically, but that anatomy is what the photo had, the human eye assumes the artist did something incorrectly. Even if the painting shows just what the photo did. For that reason, I'm very cautious in what reference photos I use.   There are often changes needed in the painting that are not in the photo.   Or things are left out of the painting that are in the photo.   Just depends on the dog, the photos and the lighting.   Painting from photos can be a lot more complicated than one may think.

Thank you to Payne's family for having me paint your precious boy. He is like a big stuffed toy - but he gives kisses where a stuffy does not....

Border Terriers by artist, Dawn Secord

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Secord) — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 06:35:00 +0000

Border Terrier Portraits

Several months ago a secret project was completed. Three individual portraits of three border terriers were painted that were to be given as Christmas presents. After the paintings were commissioned, the senior dog of the three, Chloe, was unexpectedly lost to illness. I saved her painting until last to paint. Chloe held such a special place in Amy's heart, it was very emotional for me to paint her.

It has been so much fun being part of secret Christmas presents. This year has been a record in creating them for folks.

Over the past six months paintings have been completed and shipped off to be given to loved ones on this special holiday.

These three paintings were shipped to Amy's mother to keep the paintings out of her home so her husband wouldn't find them. Thank you to "Mom" for helping Amy keep her surprise.

I'd shipped the paintings a few months ago. It has been a long wait for Amy to post the paintings on Facebook so that I could in turn post them myself.

Thank you Amy for letting me be part of your Christmas!

Australian Shepherd painting by artist Dawn Secord

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Secord) — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 05:12:00 +0000

This is a painting recently finished that was a surprise Christmas gift. Turbo, is a rescue Australian Shepherd. Years ago Turbo was in a shelter with no family. He'd been there for several months which was unusual for the staff to keep an animal that long. Some very kind people came along and found that he was slated to end his stay the next day. They couldn't allow that to happen and Turbo went home with them.

Turbo is now 12 + years old and having health problems. When his owner, Lori, came to me to paint him as a Christmas gift for her husband, my heart melted. Lori sent me a number of photos of Turbo. The one that made me take a deep breath was the one of him years ago laying on a bed with the most adorable blonde haired child. That child came to my home tonight with her parents (now a lovely young woman and a college graduate) to pick up the painting.

What a wonderful life this family has given Turbo and what a precious gift of love he has given them in return. It was an honor to paint him for them. Merry Christmas to the Robertsons!

Irish Setter Painting by Dawn Secord

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Secord) — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 05:59:00 +0000

This is a painting of Tori, CH Jewelset What Dreams R Made Of, ROM.

The painting was to be a surprise Christmas present for Tori's family. I asked the person who commissioned the painting to give me some background on their relationship with Tori's owners. Here is a glimpse of what she told me:

"Through Julie and Kim, I discovered the excitement of going to dog shows and I've met so many nice people, I've held newborn puppies for the first time in my life, I've share victories and championships with them, they took me to my first National in Ohio, and have had more fun than I ever thought possible. I knew Tori was very special to Julie and Kim and I hoped with all my heart that this gift would bring them as much joy and happiness as they have given to me. Thank you, Dawn, for helping me do this... XOXO"

It is always a joy to paint for people. There is something special about painting an animal for someone, that as an artist, I never expected. It is almost impossible to put into words. I can tell you, my heart skips a beat when I'm finished with the painting and hand it over to those who commissioned the work. I had the same feeling when we had our puppies and handed the puppies over to their new families. You have something you love in your hands that you are letting go of, but you know it is going to the home where it is supposed to be. In that moment - there is warmness in my heart.

I hope you enjoy viewing the painting as much as I did painting it. Thank you to Pat for allowing me to be part of your surprise. Merry Christmas to all!

Illustrations by Dawn Secord, Artist - children's book, "Show Dogs Escape to the Seashore"

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Secord) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 15:18:00 +0000

Book signing in San Diego - would love to see you there!

Our book, Show Dogs Escape to the Seashore, has been well received and won several awards.

Marsha has been awarded:

The Mom's Choice Award for Excellence

There is one illustration of a cat in the book. To our humor and delight, the cat illustration is currently our award winning illustration.

Certificate of Excellence by the Cat Writers' Association, Inc.
Best Cat Illustration of the Year 2014 (Single Illustration category) by the Cat Writer's Association, Inc.

In addition, Show Dogs Escape to the Seashore has been nominated in three separate categories for the prestigious Maxwell Medal by the Dog Writers Association of America. The categories are:

Best Single Illustration (in all genre)
Best Series of Illustrations (in all genre)
Best Children's Book

Winners will be announced in New York City at the annual Dog Writers banquet - the Hotel Pennsylvania on Feb 15, 2015

Books are available for sale on the book's website at

http://www.showdogsescape.com

If you are interested in one of the original illustrations, please let me know. A number of them have been sold. Please email me if you have a question concerning the originals - they are not yet on the book's website.

dawnsecordart@gmail.com

The next public book signing will be in San Diego, California at the landmark Hotel Del Coronado.

1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, telephone 619-435-6611
Signing will be from 11 am - 3 pm on Saturday, December 20th. The location will either be in the signature room on the mail floor or outside the Blue Octopus Toy Store. Would love to see you there!

Borzoi by Artist, Dawn Secord

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Secord) — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 19:01:00 +0000

Borzoi - New Limited Edition Reproduction

New "Borzoi" reproduction is available. http://dawnsecord.homestead.com/Borzoi.html

The limited edition, museum quality prints, are 8" x 10" and available for $50.00.

Hope you like the art. It was amazing when the dogs were photographed for this painting. Just love the Borzoi - so kind and regal..

In Memoriam...

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Brassfield) — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 01:12:00 +0000

Charlie

5x7

Oil on Gessobord

So often I'm asked to paint a beloved pet who has passed away. Some have been commissioned as gifts from loved ones, some from close friends and many are commissioned by the grieving owners. I hear stories of these wonderful furbabies and I grieve with each and every one. I've lost a few of my own over the years and I know how heart-wrenching it can be.

I've seen an increase this year, even painting a few who have been at the Rainbow Bridge for many years. It is an awesome feeling that I'm creating a memorial that will be cherished for years to come. With my art, I hope to bring a happy memory that might heal even a tiny part of a broken heart.

For those who have loved and lost, they are never really gone as long as you can remember them in your heart.

Cynthia Brassfield
www.crbrassfield.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brassfield-Creatives/196984086983174
http://www.canineartguild.com/

Still Waters (Bear) by Kimberly Kelly Santini

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly Kelly Santini) — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 15:25:00 +0000

"Still Waters (Bear)," 16" x 20", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of a Golden Retriever I've painted more often than my own dog (and hope to paint many, many more times), acrylics on a museum quality panel. Ask nicely if you would like one of these portraits starring your pet.

Some faces are so timeless, I could never tire of painting them. Such is Bear's - I hope to get to create many more pieces inspired by him.

Provided fate continues to allow that. While running errands today, I was delayed by a feral pregnant kitty. I tried unsuccessfully to lure her close enough for a good look (or a quick drive to a warm bed in my garage), but she outwiled me. After a fruitless 45 minutes, I left her a chicken breast, messaged my friend who's an animal control officer, and went on my way.

Only to discover emergency crews caring for the injured at a serious car accident which occurred exactly at the point I would have been sitting, waiting to turn into my next errand, had I not been delayed.

Karma came in the form of this wild little tabby today. I am so grateful for her intervention.

Hug those you love, including your senior dogs. And throw some good out into the world, because you never know when you'll need it to come trickling back your way.

Thanks for following along with my artwork,

Warmly, Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Sunflower Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 15:54:00 +0000

A new watercolor I just finished of a handsome dog relaxing on a bench. He has that piercing gaze that hounds often give you. I also tried something a little different with my background colors. The finished size of the painting is 11" x 14. It will be part of my show at the upcoming grand opening of the Vero Beach Dog Park.

www.gaildolphinart.com

Irish Setter painting by artist, Dawn Secord

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Secord) — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 21:24:00 +0000

This is my newest print release. Sometimes the most difficult thing for me to do is to come up with a name for the painting.   So, thank you to Karolynne for the suggestion of the name, Getting the Point!

Getting the Point started out as an idea to change up my style a little bit. Almost like wanting a new hair style. The change folks that are familiar with my work will notice is that the back ground is different.   The colors are more muted and a little less detailed. My goal was for the painting to be all about the dog and less about what was going on around the dog.

I started with a sanded board and did a light layer of pastel that was then brushed with turpenoid to create an under painting that was more like a watercolor painting.   Once that layer dried, I began layering subtle dry layers of pastel. Those layers were "smudged" with my fingers and actual paint brushes to feather out any significant detail.

For the dog in the painting, the color was strong and detailed as usual. The photo of this dog was taken while she was out in the field working. I saw the reference photo and knew immediately that I had to paint her. To date, all of my Irish Setter hunt scenes have featured a male dog. So, it was thrilling to have a female to add to the collection. I love seeing the dogs doing what comes naturally. The pheasant in the painting was photographed by me, out in the field, a few years earlier.   In an ideal scenario the pheasant would have been further away from the dog. However, to keep the gaze of the dog correct and keep the subjects as up close and personal as possible, the pheasant needed to be placed closer to the dog.

The original painting sold at a show. It happened so quickly.   I hadn't had time before the show to take the painting in to be professionally photographed for reproductions.   Fortunately, the reproduction folks were able to work with some images I'd taken of the painting, so we were able to put the painting into print.

Hope you like this new painting and would love to hear your feedback on the back ground! The prints are now available on my website at http://www.dawnsecord.com specifically http://www.dawnsecord.com/printsforsale.html or call me toll free at 866-393-7111.

Have a great day!

Lisa and Lucy - pastel painting by artist, Dawn Secord

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Secord) — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 16:24:00 +0000

This painting is of two Irish Setters (litter mates) named Lisa and Lucy.   The painting was done in pastel.

It is always fun to receive a new commission and to see the photos being sent to me for the painting (in the instances when I don't get to meet the dogs).    The girls "human mom" sent me the following photo and said, "Will this work?"   It was a great photo and the reflections in the girl's eyes were amazing.   Excitedly I told her it was a wonderful reference photo.

As the painting progressed we discussed background colors and decided to go with some fun lighter greens.    Those colors worked wonderfully with this painting.   We had discussed a more cedar color initially and then blues and greens, finally settling on the greens.

Hope you enjoy the viewing the painting as much as I did painting it.   Huge thank you to Holly for having me paint her beautiful babies!!