A Brand New Year

We're nearing the last days of Winter...Spring will be here soon, with its rebirth of Life and warmth! Cole is now 2 and, with a lot of hard work, got his AKC Junior Hunter Title this fall, thanks to Linwood and "the village"! I still love the training and am working toward the next level with Cole while bringing up Casey, our 6-month old pup, and Ruby, our 3-month old special guest, along the way.

Feel free to scroll through the site (don't forget the archives) and contact me if you are interested in purchasing or commissioning a piece.

OIL PAINTINGS

16x16 - 24x24

Head Only $375 - 475 / Full Body $475 - 575

Other Standard Sizes Available.
1-1/2" Thick Gallery Edge Canvas with Sides Painted.
Each Additional Pet per Portrait - $75.
Artist's Choice Frame up to 24x24 - $75.
Shipping Added at Actual Cost.

NOTECARDS
Quantity of 10 for $15 / 15 for $20
6-1/4" x 4-1/2" White Notecards & Envelopes in Clear Protective Bag.
Minimum of (3) Different Notecards per Pack.
Shipping via Priority Mail - $5
Free Shipping to One Address for Orders over $100.

So...What is a Good Photo?

I prefer to photograph the dog, but sometimes this just isn't possible...the client lives too far away or the dog may have passed. Here are a few tips I've learned:

• Lighting - Early morning, late afternoon or overcast days are best. This photo was taken just before sunset, so even though there are shadows, they still show a lot of color and life.
  
• Level - Get on your dog's level! Sit, squat or lie on the ground. I often sit and lean way back, which is exactly what I did for this photo.
• Movement - If your digital camera has a "fast action" or "sports" mode, use it unless your dog is sitting still. The "burst" or "multi" mode is very useful for action shots, too.
• Size - Don't be afraid to go larger than you think you want.
  
• File - When you download your photos onto your computer, save them as .tiff files. Your email program may prompt to send "original" or "optimized" photos...always send "original".
  

Three Dog Night

28x22 - Oil - Australian legend has it that on cold nights the natives would sleep in a hole in the ground while embracing a dingo. On colder nights, they would sleep with two dogs, and if a night was especially cold, it was a "Three Dog Night". This trio is Sky, Big John and ND, three great labs belonging to the parents of my friend, Emily. It wasn't easy photographing them...one of them always was on the move. I hope that Mollie and Robert enjoy this painting as much as I enjoyed doing it. SOLD February 2009.

Waiting in the Mist

18x22 - Oil - I didn't take this photo of Taylor, but it got my two thumbs up approval for its serenity of a great retriever...waiting in the mist...just before the big hunt. I did this painting for my good friend, Sheri, as a special Christmas gift for her husband. What do you get the man who has it all? A portrait of his favorite dog, of course. Sheri felt it was the perfect gift for him; I hope that he does, too. SOLD December 2008

The Legend

11x14 - Oil - I took this photo of Tahoe in the summer of 2008. He was the first Chessie I'd ever met and I was a little startled at our first encounter. He ran toward me, tail wagging and teeth showing! I learned that Chessie's grin! He had a kind spirit and wonderful demeanor, but could bring back a dove, duck, goose or swan like none other. This sweet boy fought long and hard and now he is healthy again chasing fliers in the Heavens. Who knows...maybe he'll send a few our way next season. Rest well, old fella. Given as Gift December 2008.

Havin' a Blast

16x20 - Oil - This is Blast, my training buddy and good friend's Golden Retriever. Yes, he's really that beautiful. Mary is having the time of her life training Blast, and now Rivah, her 6-month old pup, and her two mature girls, Scorch and Crystal. Given as Gift December 2008.

First Mark

11x14 - Oil - This is the last painting I completed before our group's summer hiatus. This is Linwood O'Briant, the trainer with whom I've been fortunate to meet and train. He's here with his then six-month old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Tug. It's been fun watching Tug grow up and learn. He's well on his way toward becoming a great Gun Dog and Man's Best Friend. Given as Gift June 2008.

Waiting

11x14 - Oil - I shot the photo at the same training day as "First Mark". This is CiCi, a favorite "resident" of mine at the kennel. Her owner, Gene Kirby, thought the painting was unique because it was the back-view of a dog. He even showed off a copy of it to his buddies. Oh, CiCi recently had eight pups...three yellow females, two yellow males and three black females...one of the yellow females will be Kirby's Shotgun Shuffle..."Casey" for KC and the Sunshine Band.

Get Your Mark

10x8 - Oil - I took this photo at the first AKC Hunt Test I attended. This is Hank, another one of my favorites at Shady Oaks Kennels. Here, Hank could be anyone's black Labrador Retriever waiting for the next mark or just hangin' out in the field. FOR SALE $295

The Prize

16x20 - Oil - This is Bobby, a sweet Golden Retriever, returning to his trainer with the bird. This photo was shot shortly before sunset in March 2008. I liked Bobby's movement and expression and the lighting so much that I wanted to capture it on canvas. I have received many compliments on this one. I keep replacing my favorites with new ones...for now, this is it.

Little Rascal

12x12 - Oil - I remember when Mandy brought Rascal home many years ago. He was a little ball of fluff. I don't know if he looked more like "Gizmo" the gremlin or one of the tribbles from Star Trek! He was so damn cute! He lived a great long life and was Mandy's best friend. Given as Gift June 2008.

Bogey

16x20 - Oil - My friend, Cathi, is one cool, hippy chick! Bogey was the first love of her life, and though he's been gone for a while now, she can remember his sweet spirit, and occasional low "grrrrrrrrr" with all of his memories tucked safely away in her heart. Here's lookin' at you, kid! Given as Gift 2008.

Study of Reflections

12x9 - Oil - All of us painted from the same photo to explore reflections in the foreground and background. Everyone's painting was unique and beautiful. Given as Gift July 2008.

Fancy Friesian

11X14 - Oil - Goffert was a magnificent Friesian stallion. Friesians are strong work horses, but also are breathtaking in dressage competitions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrraViPllc0. This horse was world-renowned and was the first Friesian to have a Breyer collectable horse modeled after him. Given as Gift December 2007.

Bailey

24x20 - Oil - Our buddy, Bryce, has a sweet, 'mature' Rottie girl named Bailey. He took the reference photo and said that it was her personality to a tee. She was the final painting of 2007 and I was trying to have her completed in time for Christmas. I must admit that when I started her, she looked nothing like this. Sometimes, though, the worst beginnings bloom into great endings. Although Bryce had seen emailed photos of her in progress, I think her larger-than-life portrait tugged at his heart a bit when he saw his painting in person. He was speechless and our ex-Navy friend may have shed a single tear, but only he and I know for sure. Given as Gift December 2007.

Peepers

20x16 - Oil - This gentle yellow lab is Peepers. At two days old, he and his mates were taken from their dam (she developed mastitis). When Peepers was removed, his mother reached to bring him back, accidentally injuring his eye. Don't feel sorry for him, though! He is as normal as any dog: happy; eager; playful and loving. He catches a mean Frisbee and swims like an otter! I hope that he will help Cole hone his swimming skills this spring. Here's looking at you, Peepers! Given as Gift December 2007.

California Dreamin'

40x30 - Oil - This is my second largest painting. My friend, Doranne, loves California and she loves wine. So, I created this inviting set up with her bottle of HUNT, added my glasses, wine, grapes and candles, then threw in a background from a photo that another friend, Kathy, took while in the wine country of California. Given as Gift December 2007.

Maggie

11x14 - Oil - This cute girl is Maggie and she owns our friends, Pam & Larry. I was fortunate to photograph and paint Pepper for them in 2004, and now Maggie has a proper likeness to hang nearby. SOLD December 2007.

Cole

16x16 - Oil - My first painting of the new pup, Cole, at 9 months. Remains in Artist's Collection.

Peepers Too

16x16 - Oil - I took several photos of my neighor's lab, Peepers, and used this shot as my reference for this painting. He's on display at 3 Pooches in Paradise, a brand-new Dog Daycare in Winston-Salem. They are conveniently located off of Stratford Road. www.3pooches.com FOR SALE $375.

Get Your Goat I

12x12-Oil-These next two sweeties are from photos that I took this spring at Red Dog Farm for their fall fundraiser. This little goat and I butted heads for a few days, but once I painted him the second time, he practically leapt onto the canvas. SOLD December 2007.

Get Your Goat II

12x12-Oil-This goat was a much more cooperative painting subject than its black counterpart, Get Your Goat I, taking about one third of the time to complete. SOLD December 2007.

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

30x24-Oil-This commission was a surprise anniversary gift from Sally to her husband, Tom. They are a wonderful couple with the cutest lab, Peepers. I've tried to capture wines from their favorite vineyard...Newton...with the year they married on one label and 2007 on the other. I topped it off with an anniversary Champagne toast. Here's wishing Sally & Tom 34 more happy years! SOLD July 2007.

Little Miss Muffet

24x18-Oil-This latest commission's photo was taken by Callie's mom, Jeannie. The story Jeannie told me was that they were in the car and Jeannie caught a glimpse of this little angel and happened to have her camera. FLASH! A great photo. All this whilst they were driving across a bridge in New Jersey! I changed the gray backseat of the car to something a little more appropriate for a canine of this caliber: a fluffy burgundy tuffet. SOLD May 2007.

My, Oh Maya!

11x14-Oil-Maya was another rescue dog, who was severely injured when she was young. Our long-time friend, Jules, took her in and loved her for many years. As Maya grew older, those old injuries made it difficult for this beautiful girl to get around, but it didn't hamper her desire to please her mom. When it was time for Maya to go, Jules' friends were there with her, giving her and Maya a great deal of love as Maya walked across the Rainbow Bridge. Given as Gift March 2007.

A Perfect Day

20x16-Oil-This painting was a surprise commission for my neighbor's sister, Katie. These sweet rescue girls, Chip & China, were lucky to have been adopted by Katie. They lived a wonderful, happy life filled with lots of love. This photo was taken by Katie after a full day of hiking and swimming. Here, they posed beautifully providing the perfect memento of their day. Although Chip & China have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, their memory and this perfect day will be with Katie always. SOLD February 2007.

Special Occasions

36x48-Oil-This painting was commissioned for a couple's celebration of Life. The bottles represent their anniversary year, a favorite wine and their daughter's short, but vibrant life. The painting hangs in their home, hopefully instilling memories of all of the special occasions they have shared. SOLD December 2005.

Mulder & Scully of Doggett Lane

36x24-Oil-I snapped this photo in April 2005 while hammering a croquet ball and swinging back chocolate martinis (or was it the other way around?) with our great friends, Lisa and Steve. These fine rescue pups are so photogenic that I was able to capture several good shots (of the dogs, not the martinis). Lisa commissioned me to help her surprise Steve for his 50th birthday...I'm pleased to announce that we pulled it off! SOLD September 2005.

Under the Tuscan Sun

23x31-Oil-Inspiration is from a photograph of a poppy field in Italy. This painting has vibrant reds and golds that beg for a walk in the the field. FOR SALE @ Saddlebags Gift Shoppe.

Beyond the Barn

20x16-Oil-This old barn could have been a pretty cool painting alone, but the rows of flowers are what convinced me to paint it. FOR SALE $375
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