The Daily Dog - Twenty Five

10" x 8"

Oil on canvas

This is Brei Brei

She belongs to Dawn Estrin and her husband and she (and he) makes the most beautiful jewelry.  

You can see her work in Artful Home which is where I first fell in love with her style - by the way, I am a big fan of Artful home catalog, If you don't get it, I highly recommend if you are an art lover. 

Not sure how we came about being long distance friends, but I have done a few portraits for her and have some of her wonderful creations. 

Last year we worked out a deal and now she is using my artwork in her jewelry! 

(The bottom pendant is a painting I did awhile back)

You can see more of her work at her site here:

Bijou Graphique

They also do custom jewelry creations.

Only 5 more to go and I've reached my goal of 30 dogs for 30 days!!

The Daily Dog - Twenty Four

"Frida Wrap"

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

Even though Frida and Chumley look alike, they are quite different in a lot of ways. One big difference is Frida loves to be wrapped up in blankets, sometimes completely covered up and she will stay like this for hours if undisturbed. Chumley hates to be covered up, even a little bit. If you do, he will tolerate for a few minutes then get up and move to a new location with less annoying accommodations.

As I was painting this the power went out, so a lot of the coloring was instinctual which I really liked, but what I didn't like was that right eye and some of the nose seemed a little long - I may revisit this one again.

The Daily Dog - Twenty Three

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

So happy summer is here again!

The Daily Dog - Twenty Two

"Roly Poly"

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

This is Chumley. 

He is the best dog in the whole world.... 

just sayin'.

The Daily Dog - Twenty One

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

This is Frida after a day of Pups Play & Stay. She loves this place more than anything and will howl if she can't go. 

Dog Park Day

24" x 24" Diptych

oil on canvas

This is a friend that Frida met at the dog dark a few weeks ago named Pixel. I painted Pixel's portrait as part of The Daily Dog series. Frida and Pixel had a fine day of chasing each other around, kicking up dust, smelling trees and establishing dominance. 

Rocket Dog

48" x 24"

oil on canvas

I am so impressed with the obsessive drive of competitive - athletic dogs, so when I heard there was going to be a dock jumping competition here, I knew I had to go. I photographed this dog last weekend and knew it would be perfect! The large ring on his collar was just the icing on the cake - I felt it gave him a "carousel" feel, which to me is just magic!

I wanted to paint a jumping dog for a few years now and this is exactly what I saw in my mind's eye. I just love the way this painting looks - it came together way too quickly and I tried to slow down the painting just to savor every moment.

The Daily Dog - Twenty

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

This scene takes place every morning and night. After Chumley eats, he watches Frida eat and I watch Chumley watch Frida eat. I have to watch him because if Frida hesitates for a second, he will take this as a signal she is done and charge in like a bullet in flight to help her out with the remaining kibble. 

He's so helpful.

The Daily Dog - Nineteen

"Cinnamon"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

35% of the proceeds go to 

animal rescue

I found Cinnamon's photo on a rescue site and can't remember which one at the moment, but really does it matter? There are thousands of dogs just like Cinnamon that need a home. If you are thinking about getting a pet, make the shelter your first stop.

I was drawn to Cinnamon's photo because of the obvious sadness in her eyes and it made me think about if we had not picked up Chumley off the highway that day and he had ended up in a kill shelter somewhere and what if no one had gotten picked him? And Chumley is an awesome dog! I hate to think about it. People think these dogs are the rejects and they are not - There are so many that just get lost or haven't found their right match and just need someone to love and protect them. 

Maybe it'll be you?

The Daily Dog - Eighteen

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

This is Hannah. 

I saw this photo of her of her awhile back on a facebook friend's page...

I thought it was one of the funniest photos I had seen, but I also connected to it because sometimes I feel like this with life. That I'm being pulled along with no choices, but I do have choices and some of them are tough. I am at a point in my life where I have to make some tough choices in order to take care of myself. 

One of my most favorite quotes from my really smart sister is "don't just do something, sit there".... what it means to me is sometimes you can't control life, you need to sit with it awhile and the answers will become apparent. 

When I saw the photo of Hannah on the blue blanket, I just had to paint it. I have never met her, but she seems like a really cool dog. 

The Daily Dog - Seventeen

"Joe"

8"x10"

oil on canvas

This is Joe. 

He is one of the most loyal dogs I've ever met. He belongs to Sara and she is fiercely loyal to Joe. He follows her everywhere and she takes care of him throughout all the ailments old age brings. At night he sleeps with his head on her chest. He likes to bark at birds and loves to eat. He will chase a ball as long as you throw it and believes this is the most fun game in the world. 

"Sara Bird"

48" x 48"

This is a painting I did of Sara a few years ago. It sits on the wall in our living room - it is one of my favorite paintings.

The Daily Dog - Sixteen

"Chumley and the Fish"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

Chumley is obsessed with fish. 

When he spots someone fishing on the beach, he shakes with excitiment and charges over to the unsuspecting fisher-person, sits down and watches - This is his spectator sport. 

So, it is expected that his most favorite pastime is watching the koi at the Arboretum - he shakes with excitement as they all clammer up to him hoping that he has brought fish food. I'm sure he must be amazed that they have his undivided attention and at how easy it would be to just pluck one out  - lucky for them he's afraid of the water. 

The Daily Dog - Fifteen

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

I can't say I am completely happy with this painting - it did not turn out the way I saw it in my head. It may sound strange, but some paintings just need to "be" in their own way. It's almost as if they take on a life of their own and I have to know when to stop trying to control it. 

Last Friday, I missed the Daily Dog painting because I had a horrible migraine, so I decided to do one this morning on my day off to make up for it.

This Friday at the show I will have all The Daily Dog paintings to date which I think will be 20. Should be something to see and I hope to see you there!

The Daily Dog / Fourteen

8x10

oil on canvas

The Daily Dog - Thirteen

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

Once in a while, when I'm painting, Chumley will make his way up through the cords and tables and look up at me as if to say "Did you see that?" as if something spectacular just happened and I totally missed it. Unfortunately, my idea of spectacular does not jive with Chumley's. He'll usually sit there for a while, get bored, chuff and walk off to go look at the spectacular event going on that I obviously am too boring to understand. 

On another note, My Gallery is having a Mother's Day Show next Friday - I will have all "The Daily Dog" paintings up for display and maybe Chumley! It'll be the first time anyone has seen them - I'm so excited! Here is the poster - Hope to see you!

The Daily Dog - Twelve

"BoBama"

8" x 10

Oil on canvas

I have wanted to paint the Obama's dog for quite awhile and really enjoyed this one. 

Doesn't he just look like a rock star?

The Daily Dog - Eleven

"Mr Berns"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

This is Mr Berns and he belongs to a new friend of mine. Mr Bern's has his own bed and can talk. When he's sad he says, "ooohhh Mammmaaa!" I have not heard this personally, but my friend has told me about it. Sometimes he wears a yamaka which I find quite humorous.

The Daily Dog - Ten

"Squirrel!"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

This is what Frida looks like when a squirrel is encroaching on her turf. 

Or a bird. 

Chumley goes for fish, lizards and roaches and Frida goes for birds and squirrels. 

So, I guess were covered in case we are faced with harmless, small creatures.

There is an awesome book coming out called "My Dog: The Paradox". It is a web comic now, but eventually will be a real book and I'll be first inline to get one. It is one of the funniest (and true) descriptions of a dog. 

Here is the link:

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox

The Daily Dog - Nine

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

25% of the sale goes to Boston Terrier Rescue on NC

http://www.btrnc.org/

I love painting Boston Terriers!

The Daily Dog - Eight

The Daily Dog - Eight

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

This dog is a regular in downtown, Wilmington.

He is HUGE and scary, but actually really sweet. 

He is the epitome of the the scary pitt bull look which reminds me of the old adage "never judge a book by it's cover". 

Love the collar. 

The Daily Dog - Seven

12" x 14"

oil on canvas

commission

I did not finish this within the 2 hour alloted time-frame for my Daily Dog project, so I will complete it another time - some paintings just need more time. It has a good start though and I feel comfortable with walking away, waiting for it to dry, and start again later. 

As I was painting this, I felt I was "losing the path" which means it was not coming out the way I intended. Every time that happens I hear the little fish's words from the movie Finding Nemo "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" which translates to "Just keep painting, just keep painting" and I find if I can just focus and keep adding, somehow on a subconscious level I find it's way again. Not sure how it happens, but it's awesome when I step away from the painting and say to myself "you got it!" and not "what on earth have you done?!"

This subject comes from a long line of show beagles and I want to paint her/him in the glory that her breed has earned. 

Will post another photo when I complete it. 

The Daily Dog - Six

"Sweet Ruby"

8"x10"

oil on canvas

Sold to a collector in North Carolina

clairhartmann.blogspot.com

The Daily Dog - Five

The Daily Dog - Five

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

You may recognize this image from a previous painting - Just wanted to paint it again. 

Love this dog. 

(sorry about the bad photo - terrible light this morning and all my photo lights are at the gallery - will send better photo tomorrow)

The Daily Dog - Four

8" x10"

Oil on Canvas

25% of the proceeds go to 

http://www.newrattitude.org/

In case you don't know this is Frida. She was rescued in her final hour at the pound - thankfully just in time. She reminds me of a high maintenance super model. She's a beautiful long leggy girl with a temper and lots of energy. She likes to pose for photos and has to be persuaded to eat. 

This painting is of her on alert with her ear up letting you know that whatever you have, she wants it. 

She is my treasure.

The Daily Dog - Three

"Pixel"

8" X 10"

Oil on canvas

This is Pixel. 

Frida met her at the dog park a few weeks ago and had a fantastic time chasing each other around with incredible matched energy levels. I fell in love with Pixel and wanted to take her home with me, but her human would not agree this was a good idea, so we took a photo home. 

Frida and Pixel's playtime will be featured in another much larger painting down the road. 

The Daily Dog - Two

"The Daily Dog - Two"

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

25% of this sales goes to 

http://www.allbreedrescuevt.com/

The Daily Dog - One

"The Maple Kind??"

The Daily Dog #1

8" x 10"

oil on canvas
25% of the sale goes to
http://www.fortheluvofpaws.org/

Since I have a show coming up in February I decided that I need to paint more dogs!  - so I am starting a project called The Daily Dog where I paint a dog a day for 30 days, maybe more. 

The rules are...

- Paint a dog a day

- Keep it under 2 hours

- I get the weekends off which is Sunday and Monday for me

- If I get a migraine, I get a free pass

I'm telling you all of this because I need accountability or I'll slack and it's easier for me to slack because of all the other stuff going on (gallery). Anyway, keep your fingers crossed for me and I'll let you know how it's going by posting every day. 

On another note, this dog reminded me of the bacon dog... if you have not see the video, view it here... I find it absolutely hilarious! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGeKSiCQkPw

Awards and Rewards!!

I am happy to tell you that my painting "To Have and To Hold" won the People's Choice Award and the Zia Bird Award in the Wilmington Art Association's Spring Show at the Azalea Festival! 

I couldn't be more thrilled!!

I guess you could say this is how I feel right now. 

White Azaleas

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

purchase

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