20 x 22 Gallery Wrap

Contact Dee for price or to Commission work.

Bullmastiffs are large breed dogs, weighing in between 110 to 140 lbs. They are strong, devoted, alert, good tempered and a bit willful. Training is a must….they need a good leader. Tinker is true to her breed, a bit stand offish at first but once she warms up to you all is well. Since she was not raised with other dogs she prefers to be the only dog. Although not every one should have a Bullmastiff as part of their family, they are beautiful, wonderful dogs and are Dec. Breed of the Month. All Breeds of the month are available on tee shirts, sweatshirts and coffee mugs, along with prints ranging from 8 x10’s - 16 x20 (depending on the Paintings dimensions…all prints are on Fine Art Paper). For the entire month of Dec. 2007 $5-25.00 of the proceeds from the sale of alll items sold with this image will be going to that specific Breed rescue. If you are a rescue organization and would like your organization to be considered for our Breed of the Month program contact us via e-mail.

20 x27 Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contact Dee for pricing or to Commission Work.

I have been missing in action….but life is once again resuming a much more normal pace….feels good. Took some time to paint today…that too felt good to get back to painting what I wanted. I hope all had a wonderful and Thankful Thanksgiving.

New Beginnings is also available printed on Fine Art Paper up to 16×20.

Coming soon: Dates for future online Dog Obedience Classes.

Foxy Update 12/29/07
Foxy and her favorite person did keep their second appointment almost a month ago. Improvements were made with attention and sit. Leash work was introduced as was recall and an intro to agility….which Foxy so desperately needed. An appointment was made for a third appointment and sadly…I have not heard from them. No call to cancel…just a no show.
As I was sitting working at my PC this afternoon I spied Foxy running along the outside of my fence….look out the front and sure enough her person in the car trying to get Foxy to come. Nope….Foxy just would not do it.
So….I can only assume with the Holidays there was just little time to do all that was needed to help Foxy learn recall. I decided to not venture outside for clearly the decision to leave things as is was made. It is a little time consuming working with a dog….teaching…exercise. For me, that is the fun of having a dog….I realize not everyone has the same thoughts as I. I hope Foxy will be safe and not encounter any harm during one of her little joy runs.

** Foxy Update12-1-07

Foxy and her most favorite person came to say hi this afternoon and to schedule their next appointment. Looks like they have been busy doing their homework. I am also happy to report that Foxy has only escaped once since her last time here. .our goal is to have her never escape again. I am so proud of both Foxy and her Mom!!!! During their visit I managed a quick Photo….they make a Great team and you can just see the love and devotion they have for one another!

Foxy came to visit late this afternoon, actually this is not the first time she has visited my home….just the first time she was actually invited, accompanying Foxy was her favorite person! I met Foxy several weeks ago….I happened to be sitting at my desk working on a portrait when I heard “Foxxxxxy…..Foxxxxxxxxxy, FOXXXXXXY. I giggled a bit for it sounded like Foxy did not want to “Come”. I headed out the front door and there in a car in front of my house was a woman….just calling out for poor Foxy. I scanned my front yard and sure enough…..there was Foxy. A cute little Schipperke….I bent down and while she came to me….when I reached for her collar she “ducked” and ran away….little bugger She ran behind my neighbors house…..she was runnning here and there…..very fast. I briefly spoke with the woman and suggested she train the dog….I said it would be very easy. Later the door bell rang and there was the woman, finally she managed to get Foxy and she was now safe and sound at home. She asked for a business card….I again told her to train Foxy….mentioned that the behvaior would worsen for she will be darting out of the house at every chance she could get.

A few weeks later an appointment was set up. They arrived however Foxy managed to get loose just as they were making their way into my home for the very first appointment…the chase was on. Man, this dog is so fast and she was having SO MUCH FUN visiting all of her friends that she had made in the neighborhood….having her favoirte person chase and chase her….what a wonderful game….what a very dangerous game. Two hours later Foxy was once again home, safe and sound.

I happened to be coming home last weekend…..yep, once again Foxy was out and running the neighborhood. Stopped the car and while she came over to say Hi….nope not getting in the car and would not allow me to get close enough to grab her. I went home….not in the house five minutes when the door bell rings….Foxy’s favorite person….just wanting to let me know they were out front trying to get hold of Foxy. Seemed she followed me home. I opened the gate to the agility yard and she ran in…..LOL, Got Ya!!!!!! Ran in the house and grabed a kennel lead and came out and gave it to Foxy’s Mom….I said she will come over to sniff it and when she does….slip it over her neck…..another Got Ya

Today was our next scheduled appointment. Thank goodness…they made it into the house today. I explained the importance of using the proper collar and leash….a regular buckle collar was currently being used and she was a master at getting out of it. A martingale collar will put a stop to that…rather then using a retractable I suggested a regular lead. We started at the beginning….”Sit” and attention. Foxy was a bright pup….now it was Foxy’s person turn to give it a try….all went well. Foxy’s life has dramatically changed today for this is the day she will no longer run out of the house. All humans in the house will assure the dogs safety it is thier responsibility to keep her in….for now the word “BACK” was introduced… along with a light weight long leash….to be used when supervised only. Even if Foxy manages to get out the door….all the humans have to do is step on the leash. Also, if they are still struggling it was suggested to keep a baby gate at the front door to use to block her from getting out.

Schipperke’s are wonderful little dogs…fun and energetic….Foxy is true to the breed. I recommended an Increase in play and exercise….daily walks and some fun games in the fenced yard. Whenever they are going out in the yard, or for thier walks Foxy must now sit at all doorways. So, today Fox’s life has changed. What a very lucky dog she is for not only was she adopted a few months ago…..her people care enough to go the extra mile in keeping her safe. Will post their progress in the next couple of weeks….along with a few photographs of their next session.

In a recent vet clinic visit Rocky and I had mistakenly arrived a little too early for our appointment….along with the fact it appears the vet clinic is also over booking appointments…..now, just like a to visit my Doctor
Rocky was limping, in a bit of discomfort, in other words, not a happy pup. The waiting area was filled to the brim….dogs on retractable leads…un-trained dogs on retractable leads, some big, some small dogs. Dogs barking, growling, pretty much running a muck for the handlers had little control over them….might I also add the children were behaving equally as well as the dogs. Several ran up to Rocky for a HUG. I said No….I told the parents to call the children away and that not all dogs were friendly, not all dogs were feeling well….the looks of shock….such a big “meanie” am I
I briefly explained that Rocky had Pano. A very painful condition for such a young dog. As an individual with arthritis I am not so sure if I were Rocky I would want children “hugging” me at that moment.

Rocky and I went over to the cat side for I swear the situation made my eye twitch. Please note, all of the children were cute as well…all seemed to love animals….never to early for children to learn that not all dogs are warm and fuzzy. While Rocky would not have harmed them….knowing he was not up to par, my job is to protect him….and the children as well.

I wondered as I always do….just how easy it is to train a dog. All of the dogs in the waiting area were cute, several different breeds…..not a one knew sit. I say this with a smile, a very big smile for I no doubt if I asked which dog knew sit all handlers would have raised their hands Most never get passed the “introduction” to teaching the dogs to sit, down and stay.
So….a little later today I will post about a dog that runs away…a lot….once free from her home, she no longer knows her name….Come….well I do not think she ever heard that word before
This dog LOVES keep away. We will be tracking her and her handlers progress to correcting her behavior and teaching her a few new words and commands and behaviors.

During the Holidays one of the gifts that is so very heart warming is a Painted Portrait.

Many years ago I had a lovely Husky Mix named Tasha. My, what a beautiful dog and wonderful ever faith companion she was, lovely coat and what blue eyes she had. My husband (at the time a boyfriend) visited me one day and brought along his camera and photographed Tasha….I mean he must have taken 100 photographs….every angle you can possibly think of. Christmas Eve that year at my house, Michael was there and presented me with a nicely wrapped gift. I opened it and there in front of me was a 16×20 pastel portrait of my dog. Very heart warming indeed….to this day that really was one of the best gifts I have ever received.

Little did I know that many years later I would be painting portraits. At the time I did not think about the time, work the Artist put into the portrait of my beloved Tasha. The Artists instructions given to Michael were very precise about what the photographs should look like….in focus, close ups, etc. I give the very same instructions to those inquiring about portraits…if using images from the past or sadly, the individual or pet is deceased and all that is left is images with little detail it is then very difficult to work with. Many Artists will just not work with a poor image.

The minds eye is amazing….viewing an image of a deceased loved one you will most likely remember things that are not actually in the image…..the color of the eyes, skin tone…..to the artist viewing the image….well, what a job they have before them. It will take longer to complete and many times the clients are unhappy with the results, which is why so often many Artists will refuse to take on such a job.

I try not to say No, especially if the subject is deceased….I work with a proofing system…..working this way costs more but it gives the Artists a way to communicate with the client for just stating someone has blue, green or brown eyes….well truth be told eyes are amazing and never just blue, green or brown. Still, even for me there are those times when sadly….there is just not enough detail in the image to work with.

I know I have written this a thousand times… use your cameras, especially when you have a family gathering such as around the Holidays. Take Group shots, individual shots…..we are in the digital age and you will know right then and there if crisp clear and in focus…..always best to take more then one photograph of each subject. Most importantly, as my boyfriend of many years ago did….think a head. This is a gift that requires time and should not be left to the last minute, especially around the Holiday season. Paintings will take longer to complete due to the Artists busy schedule.

It happens to all of us…so much to do with so little time to do it. Get your gifts early….better yet I think the best gifts are those made with thought. These are a few of the things I will be doing this year…
Baked goods make lovely gifts and is something that you can do with your family. Photo gifts are another family craft project that can be fun and done together….homemade facial scrubs, body scrubs all make wonderful gifts. Make a wonderful basket filled with yummy treats, or one filled with yummy homemade scrubs with a wonderful scented candle….a photo calendar, photo mug and photo tee shirt….with treats and coffee beans or tea bags.
Of course….It is not too late to book an appointment with a professional photographer, but do so now for time is running out….a little too late for a Painted Portrait, please remember that Gift Certificates also make a lovely gift to add to your gift list for someone special.

Often times throughout the busy times, especially around the Holidays we often forget about our four legged family members. So….get the dog, get the children and start going for daily walks…it will take a half an hour to hour out of your busy day. I think of this time as family time….great exercise for the entire family….no TV, radio….just you and family going for a lovely walk. If your dog is not well behaved on leash….start training the dog to walk nicely….they need your time as does your family…more important then shopping and parties

Of Course, if baking, do not forget your furry friends. I do this around the Holidays and my pups love them….no, not healthy but once a year will not hurt them!

Pumpkin Bar Doggie Treats
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons butter-flavored Crisco
1 whole egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine flour, cinnamon and nutmeg; cut in shortening.

Beat egg with milk and pumpkin and combine with flour, mixing well. Stir until soft dough forms. Drop by tablespoons onto un greased cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool and serve.

If you bake these yummy treats please do drop us a line and let us know how many “Paws” up your pup gave them. If you have a yummy recipe to share, feel free to do so in the comments area!

Yes, I told many of you to think of this early
While I will be taking a few more orders for Painted Portraits, the cut off date is very fast approaching…two weeks to be exact (really depending on how many orders come in….(first come as they say). Even at that…many of the gift items…well tick tock time is running out quickly on many of the Holiday Personailized Gifts.
Tee shirts and coffee mugs will be sold throughout the Holiday season as of course will Gift Certificates….which make lovely gifts. Also, any of the paintings found here on the blog printed up to 16×20….Art makes a wonderful gift!!!!!!
Remember, if using your photos they must be crisp, clear and in focus for the best results.

We will have a booth in Downtown Decatur this Sunday Nov. 4th from 11:00 to 5:00. Please stop by to say Hi…we would love to meet you!!!

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.