Dear Mother…

I love you and want you to know,
I think of you often wherever I go.
You lift me up; you’re like walking sunshine;
I am lucky to have a great mother like mine.

 

 

Your endless affection makes you special and rare;
I’m always amazed by how much you care.
What you’ve given to me I can never repay,
Thank you, Mom, on your birthday. ~hugs~ Michael, Dee Rocky, Niki & Gemma xxxooo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 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.

16×25 Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contact Dee for pricing or to Commission Work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a quick painting for today. This was inspired by a movie I watched…well not really watched I was busy cooking dinner and I kept peeking in at the TV. The movie was about an artist…around the early 1900’s. He happened to drink…a lot, especially when he was painting. While I like a glass of wine with dinner, never tried drinking and painting….I doubt I could. I liked the way he painted people….his perspective was just a bit off, probably from drinking. …it worked for him. So….my painting for the day is inspired by his work. What inspires you?

 

 

Peaceful Moments is also available printed on Fine Art Paper up to 16×20.

Santa came early this year…how lucky am I. I was so very excited that the batteries were charged immediately. First thing this morning the dogs and I went out back and of course a little photography session. So many features to try out and learn. It must feel comfy in my hands so today was a “breaking” in day, getting used to it. I am not “getting” the many AF features and kept forgetting which was for what…in time I’ll get better acquainted with it. The images posted were all done in AP with Auto White balance. the next lesson is setting the WB manually. So far I am loving it….in having been using a Fuji S2, which I think is a wonderful camera….well the Nikon is so much faster. A day of shooting and messing with it and still the battery has a charge left…sort of anyway. Will be needing back up.

Stay tuned for future images and a write up about The Nikon D300.

Above:   The “Rock” taking time to stop and smell the flowers.

Below: Niki in Action

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.

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.