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

Just one of those days, so much work to do. About 4:00 look over at the dogs…pretty pitiful….so play time. Grab the camera before heading out. This is a nice little pack, they get along very nicely…although, as in all packs one always wants what the other has. I have watched little Niki go over to Rocky and growl to gt his stick or bone…Gemma and Rocky are a bit more subtle in that they do their best to distract, then steal what they want.

Each one has their most favorite game they like to play…Gemma loves chasing the others, as does she enjoy Frisbee…Rocky loves a tennis ball or two….Niki loves to play kick ball….and of course this involves me running and playing soccer with her. Nice to watch her play….the little dog that could. She can run, since she still has hind end issues due to the spinal injury… when she runs fast it is like a bunny….she hops…but fasssst. In a couple of the images above you will notice that both Gemma and Rocky enjoy resting their heads on Niki…she must be pretty comfy

When photographing your furry friends, do think about telling their story as opposed to just trying to get capture an image. The above is all about the pack, and how they get along and love to play. Only one was “posed” and that was the very first image….very tough on them for it was taken when we first went outside…they wanted to play soooo badly!!! Play, enjoy and get some great photographs.

Break over and back at it for me….I can think of no better way to spend my break times!

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

Lovely Baily…in color at that. This is pretty much the early scribbles of a portrait. Let me also add….today is April Fools day….yep April 1st….only a couple more weeks to get your images to me for a portrait or sketch for Mother’s Day , as always Gift Certificates available all the time.

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

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!!!

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

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.

Contact Dee to Commission work.

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

Contact Dee to Commission work.

I hope all of my friends have a Happy Valentines Day. I hope someone did something special for you today…and vice a versa…or maybe just do something nice for yourself!  I have never really been a big fan of Valentines day….although I like the idea of wishing all a Happy Valentines rather then just that special someone, although that is nice as well.  The above image was taken with a  Nikon d300, wide angle lens….oh and the use of a few small pieces of hot dog was used…hey Rocky demands treats when he works

Below, something special I made  as a Valentines gift….a good meal, good wine and a wonderful desert…what a great gift. The desert is not low cal….but oh my, very yummy (recipe follows).

Tiramisu….rather then use lady fingers crushed Amaretti cookies were used (if using the crushed cookies you do not need as much of the coffee and rum…and I went to the local coffee shop for the espresso…cookies were purchased online, although you could make them yourself).

6 egg yolks (room temp), 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup good dark rum, 1 1/2 cup brewed expresso, 16 oz. mascarpone cheese, 30 itl. ladyfingers…or crushed amaretti cookies, shaved bittersweet chocolate.

Whisk the yolks and sugar on high for five minutes until thick and light. Lower speed to med. and add 1/4 cup coffee and 1/4 cup dark rum, cheese…whisk until smooth.  Dip one side of the lady finger in remaining coffee and rum mixture…line a bowl (or a layer of crushed cookies….drizzle rum/coffee mixture over the crushed cookies). Pour cheese mixture….then repeat with a layer of lady fingers, or cookies….more cheese. Top with crushed cookie and shaved chocolate. refrigerate over night….then enjoy!

Contact Dee to Commission work.

Gemma…aka wild coyote. This image was taken this morning with a Nikon D300…28-70 f 3.5 @1/20 of a sec ISO was pretty high due to the lighting…and the fact I was OH so very lazy and hand held the camera. Impossible for me t0 hand hold a camera under a 60th of a second (depending on the day and how sturdy I am). Still….lazy moment and I wanted a few images for todays blog. Gemma is a mixed breed….she happened to come to me for socialization and training several years ago. I like to say I earned a good bit of money, in the end got a dog too. She actually was the most unsocialized dog at seven months or so I have ever met. After being in my care for several months….soooo much progress was made….I state that as in progress for this dog. She did not trust humans….her saving grace was the fact she so liked being part of the pack…she learned through them. My pack of five at the time were dogs that so adored people were well trained and well balanced. I was honest with the woman when asked if she would ever be “normal”….my reply was that no…you cannot go back in time to ensure proper socialization….heck….just a little bit of socialization would have benefited this dog. You can only move forward….try to make her as balanced a dog as she can be. I doubt she will ever like being in the company of people, that is other then her own. She accompanies us on vacations….as long as she is with her pack, she is a happy dog.

Her person at the time had seven other dogs…..all rescues. A very big heart, however she worked full time and had little time left for eight dogs, severall of which had behavioral issues. Since progress was so slow going…..it was decided Gemma was not to go back home. Sigh…..while I can in no way save all of the dogs….I knew I could keep Gemma safe, and those that were in her company safe….so she remained with us. So many improvements made….still, she really does not like people, change, being taken out of her environment. I like to say she is a works in progress. Gemma has so many fears….pretty sad…but we keep her active….work her and yes, adore her. We praise the wanted behavior and pretty much ignore her fears. One of her fears is bad weather. She will seek my company out and that is all right….she must remain calm. Thunder storm phobia is usually something that worsens with age in many breeds. So far I have only seen improvements….still she has so learned all of the approaching signs of a storm….barometric pressure, darkening of the sky….wind etc. Some dogs also react to their humans fear and behavior. Comforting the dogs for panting, pacing and going into a state of high anxiety….well you are rewarding that behavior. Yes, it is soooo tough for some to understand that often times we make the anxiety worse.

Again, the above image taken this morning…Nikon D300, Sigma wide angle lens…another of those situations where the use of a tripod would have come in handy. With the storms approaching there was a lot of bird activity at the feeders…all three looked up at the same time…what I like to call a Happy accident. So….rainy day blues here in the Atlanta area, waiting, keeping an eye out for we are in a tornado “Watch”…these same storms have been more then rainy day blues in surrounding states. For all in the storms path…pay attention…stay safe.

Contact Dee for price or to Commission work.

The start of a new day…sounds promising indeed. My days each start pretty much the same…get up, take the puppies outside….pretty chilly this morning from 60 degrees yesterday to low 30’s this morning….brrrrr….shuffle into the bathroom, entourage following. Wash up, brush teeth….comb hair….all without ever looking in the mirror….way too early for that. Head into office, still in my jammies….turn PC on….back in the kitchen to put the tea kettle up (I like a cup of green tea in the morning). It is then I notice somewhere along the way I have lost my entourage. I head back to the office and there they are…already napping, knowing I will sit look through e-mail….sip my tea…look at yesterdays work and start painting for about an hour or so, then time for breakfast. They are so very adaptable to my schedule. I type that with a smile for…say, I was to go over that hour of quiet time in the morning….then boy are they ever so annoying for they want breakfast. After each feeding there is a pack rule ….no play for a few hours (always reminded me when I was a kid, no swimming after eating)….this rule stems from having dogs that can possibly suffer from bloat. It has never been discovered why some breeds experience this, we know it is in many a hereditary problem…others, well so many things have been said to be the cause….since no one really knows…well there must be rules right

Well, they know exactly when it is time to play…..they just know. Just as they know when one of their loved ones should be coming home….sure, your thinking that they are creatures of habit…yes indeed, that they are….but it is more then that. …Dogs can tell time

The image was taken this morning, bad light but this is the view from my chair when it is pushed back….often times Gemma (the dog that is missing from the photo) does not follow me into the office, but rather stop in the living room preferring to nap on the comfy leather sofa.

16×11 Gallery wrap

Contact Dee for price or to Commission work.

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.