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A girl and her dog of course Still very much as works in progress, but it is taking shape very nicely. Also trying to finish up on the Chickadee Painting all the while taking breaks throughout the day trying to get to several projects started and play with the dogs. Very spoiled they are….sun is shining, warmer spring temps here in the Atlanta area…three dogs at back door…..wanting to run, chase butterflies and play, play , play.

Print give away sometime this week….so for those interested stay tuned!!!

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I get soooo many questions about smudge painting….so easy. Classes are not needed all you have to do is PRACTICE. The above was a demo that took about 10-15 minutes to complete….you of course would take your time and do a much better job of it then I….this is just a very quick demonstration. In Photo-shop make your adjustments, after making a duplicate of course….I wanted the above to be soft….so I sharpened (usm)….just not a lot…..adjusted contrast, saturation, levels. Then clicked on the smudge tool and chose my brush. Very important once started to to vary brush size, strength…lighten, darken in those areas that need it (you can even add color).

I know so many that do the eyes this way as well….I just blacken them and paint in what I want.You can smudge the background….or just paint on layers with several different colors…adjusting the opacity along the way. It is soooo important to make sure you cover the entire image….push those pixels around. I use smudge painting when I am short on time and need to show a proof, or for retouching an image…or just want an overall softness to an image. There are so many wonderful examples on the net….really the best way to learn is to practice, practice and more practice.The above image was taken with a Nikon 5200 a couple of years ago. The dog…my beloved Phoenix who died last July. While I think of him so very often…the arrival of spring he has so been on my mind. Our walks looking for wonderful things to photograph…fun times playing and doing agility. Yes…I do so miss my Phoenie…

On a brighter note… first day of spring. Rocky the Golden is getting over an injury, yet again. While his Pano has improved, he hurts himself so very easily.Yesterday I happened to spy my first Monarch butterfly for the season….what a lovely dance it put on flitting here and there. Rocky, with Frisbee in mouth spied it and soon both he and the butterfly were what seemed to be chasing one another…Rocky, running, spinning…until the butterfly flew over the fence. Poor Rocky, still with Frisbee in mouth just looking over the fence. My camera was inside, of course, and I knew well enough best to watch the dance then dash off for the camera. Maybe another day. Nice to know my big goofy Golden is still very much a puppy a heart.

Friends….we all need them, same for our dogs. Always nice to hang out with those that accept you being “you”. During Sammy’s last visit Rocky and him did not enjoy being around one another.

Poor Sammy….last few years during his visit he has had to adjust to the pack size, as well as the pack dynamics. Last visit the pack size was just three, and through Sammy’s eyes….there was this young, big Golden thinking he was in charge.

Little dog syndrome…..Sammy puffed up and went after Rocky, he thought he would teach him a thing or two….of course there was a gate separating them…and Rocky was unafraid….actually it made him go into full attack mode. Mike was right there and sadly, was frightened that Sammy would get injured for he can stick his nose through the gate opening….Mike pushed Rocky out of the way and Rocky was just snapping….and yes, he bit Mike….bad, bad dog. This was a very serious situation. Rocky not even a year old had not ever shown any aggression….he went into full throttle in such a short duration. No dogs were injured and as soon as I made it into the room Both dogs kenneled up. Now I was not there to see what happened….no doubt it could have been prevented….so now….one bite. It will not ever happen again….while training had already been introduced…..time to roll up the sleeves and work harder.

Rocky as a puppy showed little interest in dogs other then those in his pack…..pretty much ignoring them….so unlike the typical goldens I have known. Even with people….a bit stand offish….within a few weeks to the biting incident he also growled at a woman that had come to pick up her painting….his health….allergies and pano. …which he has experienced since I brought him home.

Fast forward to Sammy’s current visit…. This visit they (Rocky & Sammy) have been walked together a few times, I have allowed contact in the yard, however Sammy is not reliable with all of his commands when with the other dogs…..I sense him not trusting me to control the situation. Several months ago Sammy was attacked while out walking with his person by two large loose dogs….he would prefer not to be in a large dogs company. Since he is not my dog….I have not pushed the issue. Keeping the duration that they are together short.. Rocky can go about his business…play, chew sticks….with what seems a normal curiosity to Sammy.

Photographs were taken with an older Nikon point and shoot digital camera….the fist photograph Sammy remained by the back door….the second he felt a little more comfortable and moved away from the door, thrid image he actually left the patio and was even closer to the other dogs. Soon after the last photo was taken I brought Sammy in for his afternoon nap….he is curled up, sound a sleep. Maybe one day they can be friends….or not, they just need to behave.

Keep your dogs playful and active, especially well into the senior years…Oh….and know that obedience training is for the life of the dog and can be a fun way to spend time together.

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Life Is Short is a whimsical painting of a Golden sitting on the Pause Table (Agility) when a lovely butterfly passes over head distracting the dog…for the dog knows it is most  important to enjoy life to it’s fullest….always taking time to play, wag and sniff….whenever, wherever!
Available as an 8 x 10 print, coffee mug and tee shirt. Purchase all three together for just $75.00 plus shipping and handling, and save $15.00 ($30.00 each).

To Purchase, please visit our store:

Paw Prints Store

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Time goes by so very quickly….Sammy and I are very old friends. He has been visiting me and my pack for many years now. Yesterday was Sammy’s 10th Birthday, he is spending it with me because his people are on vacation for two weeks. In celebration we did a few of his favorite things….went for a few walks, ran with Niki and Gemma and did a little bird watching, kept the squirrels away from the bird feeder. All in all….it was pretty good day. Happy Birthday Sammy

The above portrait was taken with a Nikon D300, 70-200….below, Nikon D300 with a sigma wide angle….birds Nikon D300, 70-200 lens.

** Our beloved furry friends are with us for such a short time, do not miss an opportunity to photograph (check our class schedule on How to take better photographs of out furry friends) or make an appointment with Dee to have your furry friend photographed, remember….February’s special savings is $25.00 off the sitting fee.

Gallery wrap

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Up dated Jan. 23rd:  Still very much a WIP (works in progress) at this point….but getting a little closer.

The start of a portrait…always a little scary, and exciting. All of that white space, just lines….can you capture who that animal is, the personality? Always more fun if the client allows the artist free rein, however when dealing with a beloved furry friend…well sometimes it is best to not tamper with perfection and one would do their best to capture the animals true likeness. The eyes have it hand s down….they speak volumes to their human friends so important to make that the focal point. I will do my best to post an update to this a little later in the day.

16×11 Gallery wrap

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Snow from yesterday all gone, actually it was gone within the hour. We had our fun….now just a muddy mess. Funny how the dogs know that when it is raining and muddy….lots of naps inside, they can stand it for about two days at the most. Looked over at Rocky earlier and starting painting him….wonderful model when sleeping. Still very much a works in progress…will not take long to finish it up. Check back a little later…for his hard work modeling will have to take him for a nice walk before it starts raining again.

I know Northerners would get a good chuckle that I am calling the above “snow”….but indeed it is snow, and still coming down. Last I heard this will just be mushy mess and not amount to anything…or just turn to rain, or so they say. Want to see a city panic, come to Atlanta when there is any mention of snow….just not equipped to handle it. I have not seen snow in several years….this is the first time the dogs have seen snow…Niki did not like it….remember the tale “The sky is falling”….well that is how she looked. If any snow left in the morning I’ll post a few images….all though I really doubt it.

Like many others, I too made a few of them for the new Year….the usual….organize, choose to live a healthier life (better food choices, more exercise)….be kinder, more generous…understanding…most importantly, Patient. Nothing crazy that I cannot at all attain. …well maybe the organizing part. I am an unorganized individual…big time. So, the last few days has found me in my office…a very small space with a lot of stuff. To organize….well difficult to do in a tiny space for usually as the mess gets bigger and bigger I usually give up….this time hanging in there….will get this done….so that is what I am doing for the next few days. Maybe in the next few weeks I will actually even paint the room….it needs a little something. I have actually found a few things that were purchased and forgotten about…hoping I find a few more surprises for that will keep me going

Over the weekend Michael managed some time to build a pvc ladder for little Niki’s rehab and exercise. It is 10 feet long, however separates into two 5 ft. sections….right now we are just using one section. I introduced it to her yesterday and worked with her until she could run out in front of me… run the ladder, turn around and come back towards me (wanted a few shots). Would have loved a few photo’s of her running across with me on the sidelines for I would have gotten a better view of just how high she is lifting those back paws. I hope by incorporating this into her daily routine it will improve muscle memory in the hind area. This can be used just for fun….Rocky did it a couple of times….helps to teach a big dog that there is a back end. With Gemma, it can help improve her confidence. Oh….might I also add the dogs think this is fun….and wonderful exercise. In one of our upcoming On Line Dog Training classes we will be teaching Agility in a bag and I will be offering info on how to build your own agility equipment, as will I be selling a small kit. Fun way to hang out with your dogs….teach a few tricks, commands and intro agility.

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Storms approaching so todays posting will be verrry short….must take the puppies out before it gets bad out there. Today found me working on sveral “On the Easel” Paintings….and the above. Boxers are wonderful…good looking, faithful, loyal, loving and silly…yep silly. If you do not believe me, look up kidney beaning and there you will find info on Boxers Online Classes Coming Soon.