16 x 14 Gallery Wrap

Contact Dee to Commission work.

Commissioned Painting of a lovely Pug named Starr.

 On the Easel January , 2008…

16 x 14 Gallery Wrap

Contact Dee for price or to Commission work.

So far this months painting is just in the early stage of a quick sketch. Check back in a couple of days and you will find a lovely Dachshund in a chilly, wintry scene….just perfect for January’s Breed of the Month. What a wonderful breed…lively, devoted, friendly and very affectionate…they are part of the hound group and are natural Hunters. As with all breeds, training and early socialization is a must. One can truly get lost in the eyes of a Dachshund! 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 Jan. 2008 $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.

 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.

Last night found me baking a Coconut Cream, Dream pie for Mike’s Birthday Cake/Pie (recipe follows). This morning after breakfast he wanted a slice….on the day of your Birthday you can do just about anything you want….so if after Breakfast you want your cake…pie in this case….have at it! During the cutting of the pie I happened to look out our window and noticed a hawk just sitting on the branch. Pretty windy here this morning and s/he was not even moving. What a sight. Of course….wrong lens…always the way….not to mention those with Rheumatoid Arthritis are not very flexible first thing…and my vision is not great especially early in the day so needed to depend on the AF…but all of those branches….still better to take a few shots then not. I felt very lucky to have had the opportunity to happen to get a glimpse of this magnificent creature (can you tell I was a city girl), right in my yard. Little blessing of the day.

Happy Birthday Michael!!!!                                      Rocky wanting just a tiny lick!

Coconut Cream/Dream Pie

Crust:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher or Hawaiian salt, crushed
1/4 cup cold all-vegetable shortening, chilled and cut into small pieces
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1/4 cup cold water

Filling:
2 cups shredded coconut, divided
8 egg yolks
1 1/4 cups sugar (I did not use all this sugar, cut it down 1/2 cup…could have cut it back more for out taste). 2/3 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 cups milk
1 cup coconut cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.Crust Preparation:
All ingredients should be cold. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add shortening and butter. Using a pastry blender, cut in the shortening and butter until the mixture resembles course meal. Drop by drop, add the cold water. Mix in with the fingertips, not hands, as the palms will warm the dough. Continue mixing water in until the dough begins to hold together without being sticky but not crumbly. Lightly spray a deep 9-inch pie pan or 8 1/2-inch fluted flan pan. Roll out dough and place in pie pan. allowing the excess pastry to hang over the edge. Chill in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Line the pastry shell with parchment and baking beans or beads. Bake the shell for 10 minutes. Remove the paper and beans/beads and return to the oven for 10 more minutes. Cool. Makes pastry for 9-inch single-crust pie.

Filling Preparation:
Lightly toast 1 cup of shredded coconut in oven, about 7 minutes. Remove and cool. Set aside. Combine egg yolks and sugar. Beat with electric mixer until pale yellow and fluffy. Add cornstarch and melted butter. Blend well and set aside. Heat milk but do not boil. Stir in coconut cream. Gradually add egg and cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly over medium-low heat until filling begins to thicken. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Remove filling from heat and let cool. In a mixing bowl, whisk or beat 1 cup of heavy cream on high until it begins to thicken and forms stiff peaks. Set aside. Strain cooled filling through fine mesh sieve to remove lumps. Fold in whipped cream and 1 cup of shredded coconut with pie filling and pour into prepared piecrust. Whisk or beat remaining heavy cream on high until it begins to thicken. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and remaining teaspoon of vanilla. Continue until stiff peaks form. Fold in toasted coconut and spread over top of pie. Refrigerate until mixture has cooled and set.

It has almost been a year since little Nik-Nak injured her spine. In the early days I often wondered if I had made the right decision by going ahead with the surgery. Now of course the thought does not even enter my mind. What a wonderful “Little” dog she is and what a fighting spirit. No…her gait…well still a bit on the wobbly side and still, there are the good, the bad days. Going Potty is not always perfect and yep, I still must help her to empty her bladder. We must exercise and massage her.

Her tale is pretty remarkable due to the fact of just how she came to be part of our pack… she literally washed up in the creek behind the house when she was about three months old….on a very cold stormy day….two goofy Goldens coming to her rescue. Very true story…fast forward a few years and those two Goldens have since died….that was so very tough for little Niki (& the reminder of the pack).

Now….a year after her spinal injury and surgery she is happy…running, doing agility (with me VERRRRY close by). We worked hard and I must say that we have had so many folks cheering us on….the prayers, well wishes helped so much and we will forever be grateful to all those that helped us along the way.

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.