A very young Phoenix learning agility….how that face makes me smile.

Lately, on my AOL account they have been sending out these warnings  about discontinuing the AOL Pictures on about a  weekly Basis. Delete, Delete….seems I use my Delete key soooo much….just this morning I took a few mintues and actually read through it. I was thinking I did not have any images stored there and thought it best if I took a moment to check. What a wonderful surprise….lots of old images taken with digital cameras from when digiatl first appeared….as you can see, digital has come a long way

What a wonderful delight to see several of my old furry friends who have since left us due to old age or illness.

Feeding time with a six pack!

Sweet Jasmine, my three legged wonder dog. If I close my eyes…I can almost feel her oh so very soft, fluffy coat!

Phoenix & Montana

Pheinix as a pup…Oh my, how my heart just melt!

 Sooo many wonderful memeories! I am just so happy and Thankful I took the time to check, then download to the pc. I cannot help but smile and think about each of my dogs….I have known such wonderful canines and so very blessed to have had them to come into my life. Each had something different to share with me, and teach me….I am indeed blessed!

I stand tall searching the sky…

I turn my head and as I do…

The warm rays absorb through me.

I am invigorated…

I follow that warmth throughout the day.

I am a Sun Flower and I am standing Tall.

“She Loves Me Not…”

A close up view of something started long ago and for whatever reason was placed a side….sometimes it is as simple as the fact I have lost my ability to focus on it….at other times it is because I have deadlines to meet and I just never find my way back. Until that day when I rediscover it and…for lack of a better phrase….it haunts me. Still very much in the early stages I have once again been adding some details here and there as I also have commission work that is a bit more pressing as far as a deadline….I am looking forward to completing this by the New Year.

This painting is all about that very first love….so pure and innocent and those feeling of anguish….what if he/she does not like me back?

Do you remember your very first love?

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Upon my return home yesterday my pack let me know right off the bat that it was just unacceptable that I left them behind. I cannot really blame them…they are used to having me hang around, or if I leave, so too do they. They were left in the very best of care….received enough play, attention. Still, they are way to accustomed to having me around. So in between catching up….I have had to groom, give hugs and of course lots of outside time playing. No….not at all spoiled!

This past weekend found me surrounded by puppies, nothing more adorable then a Golden Puppy!!! I did my best to leave with one or two in my pocket….sigh, the breeder took a count before I left….darn it A cold front had moved in and it was a bit cold outside so all photographs to be taken inside….fast puppies, low light….outside would have been soooo much better!

These were my favorite puppies….too cute!

After getting to hang out with the 11 puppies I then traveled to Asheville and stayed in a lovely Bed & Breakfast (and for those always on the look out for dog friendly Inn’s, this is B&B is for you…oh and make sure you stick around for breakfast….yummy). During my oh too short stay I called Marilyn Sholin and we met for dinner at Havanna’s (Mikey Too). Good food, Good wine….and wonderful company.

The two images above were taken with my cell phone!

Just another shore bird you may be thinking…well if you watched the news at all yesterday this little bird made headlines. Weighing in no more then a pound in a half these tough little birds are now known to fly the pacific, non stop…as many as 7, 242 miles in their annual fall migration from Alaska to New Zealand. Amazing, so often we forget to marvel at such a thing. So in honor of this little bird I took a little bit of time to paint.

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This Sunday found me busy working. Doing the prep work on a couple of new portraits…as I am not the photographer on all paintings I create it can at times be a little challenging, especially if the animals are deceased and the original photographs are not very good. So…after running through PS and making the adjustments that will give me the best detail to see, I started painting. I got to thinking and I know, I have written this before…take the time to get a few wonderful photographs of your furry friends…easy to do if taking them yourself. I cannot imagine not having the many wonderful images of my beloved pets….know that in your local area I bet there is a pet photographer or two…well worth the investment…even in these troubled times….I photograph people and their pets all the time as I no doubt other pet photographers do….so make it a family affair and get some great images!!!!

So…during my break the above was painted…Niki in color!

The other day when I photographed the pups as a demo for photographing your pets…during the group photo I got the shot I wanted. then I said the magic release word…the one word that my dogs LOVE….it has a different meaning depending on just what we are doing….for the above it meant you can move and TREAT. I “whispered” OK and at the same time pressed the shutter release to see just what I would get…then of course I was attacked by three very happy dogs Amazing how the partially paralyzed dog managed to be the first one in motion!

Several of you have been asking why I am soooo very picky about the images you send to me for a painted portrait. It is all int he details my dear friends, if they are not there how can I paint your furry friend? So, the quality of the image is important. If you are trying to photograph more then one furry friend….it just may be easier for you to take a few of them alone and then I can put them all together when painting. The above image was taken and just as I pressed the shutter release a squirrel jumped from the house to a tree….they did manage to keep their stay ….good dogs!

Send several images showing your dogs personality, the above shows Gemma…on a nice day when we are out in the yard you will often find her over seeing her surroundings…she keeps an eye on all of her pack members. Get them playing, napping and just hanging out.

All of the above images flash was used, notice that there is no red eye….make sure your camera is set for red eye control if using flash…rather then photographing your furry friends inside…do it outside in natural light and if flash is used it will be fill flash (best if your flash is off). If, you must get a few inside images do so near a window (natural light is really the best).

Don’t be afraid to get close, or make use of your zoom lens. Get close ups of your pets face (making sure your in focus). Bend down, lie down….whatever it takes to get several great shots. Please note your dogs will be so very excited, or some may even be a little frightened of your camera…relax, make it fun. Have a few tasty morsels, a fun toy….an empty potato chip bag (the noise will help get them to look at you). For some dogs you just may need a helper….you Can also make use of your leash for better control….just make sure nothing important is blocked! Cats….a few fun toys should do the trick!!!

Rainy afternoon here in the Atlanta area…the dogs, knowing it is a rainy day are taking naps…Rocky at my feet, Gemma behind me and Niki curled up in the doggie bed to my left. They know there will be no fun adventures this afternoon. The weather of course is what inspired the above…”Dog Walk”. The fall weather is wonderful to get you up and doing something fun with your furry friends, even if it is raining out!

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