The above lovely portrait is what our students are learning to paint this week…interested? Class starts again in May. Visit our Paw Prints Studio Store to reserve your place in our on line class.

The other day was bath day….always fun. Once the warmer weather arrives bath time can occur outdoors…saves my poor aching back. The doggie tub (yep, they have their very own tub which is raised up off the ground and therefore I do not have to bend) was dragged out of the garage….hose was run from inside out the window so I could use luke warm water. Poor Niki had a few fleas….a true sign sprig has arrived.

After re-introducing the “evil” tub to the dogs….all are little skittish and since they have not seen the tub since last summer I thought it best if they practiced getting in and out….for treats of course. Bath time should be relaxing to a dog….it should not have to be a struggle….nor should grooming. Niki was first….brushing/comb and bath/ towel dry….then a nap in the sun. Gemma was up next….brushing/ comb, towel dry….then run around crazy until she too takes up next to Niki in the sun for a nice nap. Last….Rocky….brushing/ comb bath. Then he is force dried (doggie drier) for he has so much fur his under coat would never dry. I tend to brush my dogs almost on a daily basis. On those days I skip a day or two I reallllly kick myself for they mat very quickly….especially Rocky and Niki. Gemma is a low maintenance dog, however since the other two are getting attention she wants her fair share and will actually wait her turn. In other words….she wants to be groomed.

Niki, the smallest is actually the most work. She was before her accident and after now requires special handling. She is very sensitive to touch all along her spine (overly sensitive reflexes). After her spinal injury it seems the nerve endings are crossed wrong now. Her coat must be kept short due to sanitary reasons. She can at times drop her hind end, tail into her urine when she relieves herself….as do we still have to help her completely empty her bladder. Shaving her is also a bit tricky. Just running the clipper down her spine causes her to twitch, pull her hind legs up…I must be very careful. Because of this it can take me days….or weeks to fully groom her. We will do a little and then go back a few days later….poor thing, while she dislikes the process….when it is over she does strut her stuff. Yep, she is indeed a “hot dog!!!!

The photographs were taken early evening…all smelling so very clean….nice shiny coats. Soon after Rocky went and rolled in the red clay….yep, you gotta love a Golden! Be on the look out for those nasty critters….fleas and ticks. Images taken with a Nikon d300.

A second version, cropped, looser brushstrokes and a slightly different expression.

Just a quick painting created In Corel Painter for our Digitally Painting Animals On-line Course. Next week we should have a few versions of this to post when students submit their assignments. If interested in upcoming classes please visit: On-Line Courses. 

The original photograph that I used for this painting was taken using a wide angle lens on a Nikon d300. ..I was just a few inches from Rocky….I at least think he is adorable and so very serious at times.

The above is a quick 10 minute doodle created yesterday for a forum I am a member of. I fell in love with the thought of a boy and his dog fishing I have started working on a piece that I hope conveys the wonderful friendship between a boy and his dog.

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.

Still very much a works in progress….but getting closer.

This is just the start of this painting…had a few minutes, however probably will not complete until next week. Still doing “Spring” cleaning around the house, as am I trying to get my office somewhat sorted through so the new desk can be built and installed and the Mac will have a home. A couple of things well worth mentioning….Learning to Paint Animals starts up mid April so do enroll to reserve your spot, class size is small. Also….the “Give Away” Print will be posted sometime next week. So for those wanting to win a print…stay tuned for further instructions.

The Carolina Chickadee’s are so tiny and wonderful, they visit the feeders throughout the year, however you can really notice the flock<s> throughout winter. The pair bond between a male and female Carolina Chickadee can remain intact for several years. The probability that a pair will remain together seems to vary among populations, with nearly all pairs remaining together in subsequent years in a study in Texas, but only half staying together in a study in Tennessee. If a nest attempt fails, a female may seek out a new male on a different territory.

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 for price or to Commission work.

Just in time for Valentines Day as a special gift to our blog readers…save $25.00 off the Photography Sitting Fee. For those interested in a painted portrait save $25.00…all sizes…all you have to do is mention the February Blog Special to save $25.00.

Gift Certificates are available and make a wonderful Valentines Gift.