Contact Dee to Commission work.

Several times a week I get several e-mails in regards to my work. ..what software I use, etc.

Digital Art has come a lonnng way Baby!

There are so many things that can be done….the end result looking more like Traditional Art, and some more like Digital Art. Lots of wonderful artists producing amazing works. The above is the start of a simple sketch..it is being done in Corel Painter….I will be posting the complete sketch a little later today. So many brushes to choose from, paper and texture choices….once completed and printed onto fine art paper or canvas you can…if you prefer the look as I do, to go over with paint, pastels, chalks to add more colors and more texture for a Mixed Media Painting. The above sketch will be completed with a layer of pastels making ir pop with vibrant color and that wonderful look that pastels adds to it.

What a day….very loud explosion….then no power, no business phone and DSL. Must have been a transformer. Not sure what we did before DSL Completed my quick sketch hours ago…a few changes were made. Although the hair was originally behind the ear…it was decided to cover the ears….add bangs for that is how it is usually…or so I am told and a tighter crop.

Contact Dee to Commission work.

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.

 Christmas is a time for memories,
a time for recalling the scenes and happenings
that are treasured always in our hearts.
It is also a time for love and generosity of spirit,
a time for renewing family ties and friendships,
and for exchanging the thoughts, events,
kind deeds, and observances that have added
to the true meaning and happiness of life.

It has almost been a year since little Nik-Nak injured her spine. In the early days I often wondered if I had made the right decision by going ahead with the surgery. Now of course the thought does not even enter my mind. What a wonderful “Little” dog she is and what a fighting spirit. No…her gait…well still a bit on the wobbly side and still, there are the good, the bad days. Going Potty is not always perfect and yep, I still must help her to empty her bladder. We must exercise and massage her.

Her tale is pretty remarkable due to the fact of just how she came to be part of our pack… she literally washed up in the creek behind the house when she was about three months old….on a very cold stormy day….two goofy Goldens coming to her rescue. Very true story…fast forward a few years and those two Goldens have since died….that was so very tough for little Niki (& the reminder of the pack).

Now….a year after her spinal injury and surgery she is happy…running, doing agility (with me VERRRRY close by). We worked hard and I must say that we have had so many folks cheering us on….the prayers, well wishes helped so much and we will forever be grateful to all those that helped us along the way.

 I have only purchased one dog in my lifetime…Rocky is 19 months old now….he is a little immature for his age, but that is ok He was purchased from a breeder in N. Ga….I had inquired about breeders, in purchasing a dog you really must do research on the breed and breeder. Even at that, there are never any guarantees as far as health, you just do the best you can and always learn life’s many little lessons. In Rocky’s case…it was important that he be from outgoing, friendly parents….of course health was important. The breeder…well let me just state that Rocky will be the first and only dog that was purchased. Rescue is the way to go for me. Rocky has had various health issues since bringing him home….now the pano…and in true Golden form….allergies. He is a bit shy…stand offish….not at all as the breeder described him to be…but then it is my opinion there were just too many puppies for her to keep track of…..if she even did that at all. I had been told by my breeder when she was informed of his health issues….oh wow….in the 19 years of breeding I have never had any puppies with health issues….none of my puppies had ever had any ear problems, allergies etc. If I had heard that before purchasing him I would have run…without a pup and not looked back. Not at all even sure how such a statement can be made for I have not ever heard from her….just the above reply to my email regarding his health.

What I am trying to say….if in the market for a puppy…be picky about where s/he comes from. I had passed up on several breeders for they had only one puppy…the best breeders will have a list and puppies will be sold so best to be placed on a waiting list if you believe a particular breeder is the one you want to deal with. Know that there are some wonderful dogs in rescue….but there also… one must be careful. Deal with organizations that will ask you a few questions, even do a home visit. Do not be insulted that they are checking into you, family and home….they want what is best for the dog….as do they not want the dog to come back due to the fact s/he is not fitting into your families lifestyle. Temperament testing….some breeders and rescue organizations poo-poo this….very important. If the breeder is breeding several breeds at the same time….walk away….if breeding several dogs at the same time…sorry it is a breeders job to care, socialize and start potty training those puppies…yes hard work indeed. Just a few of the many things that make a breeder a reputable breeder While I wish many of the rescue organizations would not take soooo many dogs in….rather, focus on introducing training, exercise and overall good manners during the dogs time in that organization…in other words for the dgs sake….deal with less dogs. That is just my opinion…sadly with rescue it is a numbers game for so many reasons….it all comes down to life and death….so many dogs homeless, in shelters. It is very difficult to say no to a dog that is about to be killed for the simple reason his/her people no longer wanted him’her. Sadly…we are a society that dumps puppies that mature, rather then working to teach, exercise many just get rid of…..we are a society that kills our pets that we no longer want.

So it goes….bottom line….think before acquiring that bundle of joy for the Holidays. Research….take your time. Know that getting a live gift for someone is not always the best gift…the recipient of the gift should know about it and help with the search….for the animals sake really think about what your doing and try your best to not be part of the problem. Oh….most importantly….please know and understand that all puppies grow up
As for Rocky…well we adore him….health issues and all

Since the move to the new web site I have had little time to continue working on the site, so pardon our mess as we are still very much a works in progress. While I hired someone to put this site together. The rest is now up to me…and like everyone else, time is something I would love to have more of.

Several inquires as to just what the forum is for….I wanted a place where students can go to share, learn and upload images. It does not look like this in house forum will be staying as I see no way to allow students to upload images as does it appear to have privacy issues. I think I have found another forum that will link to the site and it will better suit our needs.

As to what On-line Courses will be offered for 2008:

• Photographing Animals 4 week course
• Digital Photography 6 week course
• Digitally Painting Animals 6 week course (includes Embellishing your prints).
• Dog Obedience Training 6 week course

In the next few weeks there will be a page added to the site explaining each course as will there be an option for you to enroll and pay online. There will be a student limit for each class, the reason being is having enrolled in several online classes myself great for the instructor if there are no student limit, not so great for the students. Students will have access to PDF files, videos, forum and for those that can attend…weekly live chats.