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.

 

I have been so very busy with painting a few portraits, teaching dog obedience that I have not had the time to update the blog. Took a day to get a few chores done, and of course hung out with the puppies. I have not photographed them since my last posting….so early this afternoon found us out and about. It is a beautiful fall day here in the Atlanta area. Still in a very severe drought so while we are enjoying this pretty weather….we really need the rain. Manged a few action shots and of course a few close ups of the puppies….they really are too cute!!!! Due to the lack of  rain I found little else to photograph for I have not planted any of the fall flowers.

Niki and Gemma striking a pose.

 

****Halloween, not one of my favorite days. I did not even like it when I was young…it was not fun to me. Not sure why folks still allow the kids out and about knocking on doors and ringing the bell of strangers. It would seem to me, more fun if the parents allowed the kids to have a party. Halloween Safety…please keep your pets inside, especially your cats. Also, tell the little ones no sharing their candy with your furry friends, especially chocolate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our pets each have their most favorite games to play and their most favorite treats…add them together and fun will be had by all.
Just some of the things my dogs enjoy doing through the course of the day…every day. They never get bored…too bad we cannot be more like our furry friends! If you have not gotten any wonderful photographs of your pets doing the things they enjoy most…..do. It is easy if your patient….have camera in hand, make sure your settings are for action and proper lighting ISO set 400 or higher (my images were shot at 1600 on a very overcast day).  Then throw some toys….I was kneeling down so that I was more on their level.

If you are not getting the results that you would like know that there are Professional Pet Photographers that will come have some fun with you and your pets….if in the Atlanta area do contact Paw Prints Studio.

Remember, this will make a wonderful Holiday Gift….Gift certificates also available.

 

***Please note…Carnations, although lovely are poisonous to our pets. In the original he is holding a stick….this is a digitally manipulated image.

Fall has arrived here in the Atlanta area….the temperature has cooled down, especially at night. Dry, cool days….lovely. The down side for us is that while we may enjoy the dry weather….we are in such a severe drought that rain would truly be a blessing. State wide ban on all outside watering.

The other day the pups and I went for a little adventure and sadly there were no lovely fall blooms to be photographed
A trip to the local florist was needed to bring some lovely Fall Colors into our lives, if only for a short while. While it did spruce up the place…I also managed a few photographs to share….enjoy the Fall colors! This is the start of my Close Up Photography series.

                                                                                                    

What a wonderful breed the Siberian Husky is. They are friendly, adore their families, however often times are more attached to one family member. They love to tell a tale or two…..however do not bark that much. Very smart, however they get bored easily, can be a tad bit on the stubborn side. They are NOT couch potatoes and training and exercise  is a must. As you can see they are simply Beautiful dogs!

A dear friend is spending a few days with us. I met Sammy many years ago when I worked for a Boarding facility….my job was to implement a training program for them, train a few other trainers. During my stay there one of the dogs that was boarded there for two weeks was also a Board and Train. I remember going to get little Sammy out of his run….he was curled up in ball…shaking and just not wanting to be there. He so looked forward to my daily visits….we would walk, train. I always brought my female Golden Jas to work with me….after training I would give him some play time with Jas….they too became fast friends. When I left the facility his Mama kept in touch with me and each year Sammy comes to visit. He and Jas so enjoyed one another….at the time I had a six pack and while he could be around the two females….the males he could do without. Over the years a few of the older dogs had gotten ill and died.
I remember the first time he came after Jas had died….he pined for her. While he could be around the males…..running, chasing one another was not to be. Slowly each year my pack got smaller and smaller….then two more females joined the pack….now Sammy’s visits are a bit more enjoyable. They LOVE to chase and tease him. .I love to sit and watch there crazy play sessions…Nik and Gemma get the best of him each and every time. All are quiet and resting for the time being….time for me to get some work done for they will soon be ready for another round. Notice the Roc missing in action….they presently do not like one another….in time I have no doubt that they will learn to get along.

 

                                                                                                            

 Thank You Beth

 

 

 

Close up view.