This is what our students are learning to paint this week….class starts up again in a few short weeks. Interested, visit our Paw Prints Store to save your place in class.

Here kitty, kitty!!! Created by Deb Carter.

The above lovely portrait is what our students are learning to paint this week…interested? Class starts again in May. Visit our Paw Prints Studio Store to reserve your place in our on line class.

The other day was bath day….always fun. Once the warmer weather arrives bath time can occur outdoors…saves my poor aching back. The doggie tub (yep, they have their very own tub which is raised up off the ground and therefore I do not have to bend) was dragged out of the garage….hose was run from inside out the window so I could use luke warm water. Poor Niki had a few fleas….a true sign sprig has arrived.

After re-introducing the “evil” tub to the dogs….all are little skittish and since they have not seen the tub since last summer I thought it best if they practiced getting in and out….for treats of course. Bath time should be relaxing to a dog….it should not have to be a struggle….nor should grooming. Niki was first….brushing/comb and bath/ towel dry….then a nap in the sun. Gemma was up next….brushing/ comb, towel dry….then run around crazy until she too takes up next to Niki in the sun for a nice nap. Last….Rocky….brushing/ comb bath. Then he is force dried (doggie drier) for he has so much fur his under coat would never dry. I tend to brush my dogs almost on a daily basis. On those days I skip a day or two I reallllly kick myself for they mat very quickly….especially Rocky and Niki. Gemma is a low maintenance dog, however since the other two are getting attention she wants her fair share and will actually wait her turn. In other words….she wants to be groomed.

Niki, the smallest is actually the most work. She was before her accident and after now requires special handling. She is very sensitive to touch all along her spine (overly sensitive reflexes). After her spinal injury it seems the nerve endings are crossed wrong now. Her coat must be kept short due to sanitary reasons. She can at times drop her hind end, tail into her urine when she relieves herself….as do we still have to help her completely empty her bladder. Shaving her is also a bit tricky. Just running the clipper down her spine causes her to twitch, pull her hind legs up…I must be very careful. Because of this it can take me days….or weeks to fully groom her. We will do a little and then go back a few days later….poor thing, while she dislikes the process….when it is over she does strut her stuff. Yep, she is indeed a “hot dog!!!!

The photographs were taken early evening…all smelling so very clean….nice shiny coats. Soon after Rocky went and rolled in the red clay….yep, you gotta love a Golden! Be on the look out for those nasty critters….fleas and ticks. Images taken with a Nikon d300.

Would it not be sad if one day we were telling our children stories of what once was.We really have sooo much to loose.

Earth Day 2008, get involved,

Crying Out into the Night…

I turn and find I am alone…
Isolated, trapped….
Each day passes by..
I wonder just how I have gotten to this place…

Sadness, sadness surrounds me…
like the darkness that is wrapped around me.
I look in the mirror and wonder just who is looking
back at me…No longer a familiar face…

How are you feeling “they” say…
I reply with a smile “Wonderful”…
but “they” too see an unfamiliar face, they see
the pain in my eyes….they turn away and say
“She used to be so pretty” and they do not
look back…

They say time heals….but time is the enemy.
Wasted time, wasted space…
Like the lone wolf crying out in the night…
looking, searching I make my way….alone.

My hopes, dreams and passions are not for a cure…
but rather the strength to go on….
For my body is aching, tired…
Exhaustion covers me like a blanket.

Another day and I turn and find I am alone…
Isolated, trapped….
Each day passes by..
I wonder just how I have gotten to this place!

Artist: Dee

All paintings and poems found on this site are the property of Paw Prints Studio.Over 1.5 million Americans have a form of Lupus. While This disease can effect both men and women, 90 % of those diagnosed with this illness are woman. If you would like mofre information on Lupus visit: Lupus

Contact Dee to Commission work or to schedule a photography session.

Still very much a works in progress….but getting closer.

This is just the start of this painting…had a few minutes, however probably will not complete until next week. Still doing “Spring” cleaning around the house, as am I trying to get my office somewhat sorted through so the new desk can be built and installed and the Mac will have a home. A couple of things well worth mentioning….Learning to Paint Animals starts up mid April so do enroll to reserve your spot, class size is small. Also….the “Give Away” Print will be posted sometime next week. So for those wanting to win a print…stay tuned for further instructions.

The Carolina Chickadee’s are so tiny and wonderful, they visit the feeders throughout the year, however you can really notice the flock<s> throughout winter. The pair bond between a male and female Carolina Chickadee can remain intact for several years. The probability that a pair will remain together seems to vary among populations, with nearly all pairs remaining together in subsequent years in a study in Texas, but only half staying together in a study in Tennessee. If a nest attempt fails, a female may seek out a new male on a different territory.

Art Paper

Contact Dee to Commission work.

I have been going back and forth in between several paintings and sketching out plans for new ones…a few portraits here and there. The New Year has found me a little distracted and with not having the ability to concentrate on any one thing….I am doing a little bit of everything. Takes a little longer to get things done….but with so much to do, well for now it is just the way things have to be. Todays On the Easel is just a sketch of a woman standing, with the most wonderful color of  light washing over her body….the start of a series of woman of all ages, shapes/sizes.

16×25 Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contact Dee for pricing or to Commission Work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a quick painting for today. This was inspired by a movie I watched…well not really watched I was busy cooking dinner and I kept peeking in at the TV. The movie was about an artist…around the early 1900’s. He happened to drink…a lot, especially when he was painting. While I like a glass of wine with dinner, never tried drinking and painting….I doubt I could. I liked the way he painted people….his perspective was just a bit off, probably from drinking. …it worked for him. So….my painting for the day is inspired by his work. What inspires you?

 

 

Peaceful Moments is also available printed on Fine Art Paper up to 16×20.

Fall has arrived here in the Atlanta area….the temperature has cooled down, especially at night. Dry, cool days….lovely. The down side for us is that while we may enjoy the dry weather….we are in such a severe drought that rain would truly be a blessing. State wide ban on all outside watering.

The other day the pups and I went for a little adventure and sadly there were no lovely fall blooms to be photographed
A trip to the local florist was needed to bring some lovely Fall Colors into our lives, if only for a short while. While it did spruce up the place…I also managed a few photographs to share….enjoy the Fall colors! This is the start of my Close Up Photography series.