Golden Retriever Puppy & Mama Painting in OIL

available on etsy.

NEW Christmas Winter Pups...

 

(6"x 6", oil on stretched canvas,

available on ebay)

I'll need to re-photograph these once the sun returns to Michigan, but I was able to get a couple more Christmas Pup Paintings done just in time for the holidays! I am also still taking Pet Portrait Commissions, however, unless they are booked by the end of today I cannot guarantee delivery in time for Christmas. What you can do for last minute gifts is put a little note in a card saying that you are having a portrait done for that special someone. A grreat gift idea they will cherish for years to come! Contact me if you would like to book in for a pet portrait!

Beloved Coral, Golden Retriever Painting in Oil...

("Coral," 18"x 24", oil on stretched canvas,

nfs, private commission)

I finally finished this portrait of a dear Golden Retriever named Coral who was taken far too soon from her family at only 6 years of age. I cannot wait to hear what the family thinks of the portrait as it is going to be a gift from my customer. If you would like to have a Pet Memorial Painting done feel free to contact me. I am currently taking commissions, however, to insure delivery in time for the holidays you would need to order your portrait before Dec.4th.

Currently on my Easel, a Golden Retriever & Australian Cattle Dog

Just thought I'd give you a peek of what is currently on my easel...a HUGE Golden Retriever painting (18"x 24") and a beautiful Australian Shepherd. I also am working on a Sheltie and a pair of Miniature Schnauzers, and will be starting a Black Lab soon as well!I can feel the holiday rush already starting!Less than 8 weeks left!

And in the Beginning There Was Coral (con't.)...Golden Retriever Pet Portrait Painting in Oil

I am now blocking in the color on my portrait of Coral which I will continue with today. I will then block in the background and then start working on the details. I usually always start with the eyes, then mouth, and so on. It is still very rough at this stage, but it gives you an idea of where I am up to and where I am going :) To see the initial sketch scroll down a bit, past the Scottie painting or click here. If you are interested in having your pup's portrait done, or would like to have a piece commissioned for someone special, feel free to contact me!

"And in the Beginning There Was Coral..."(Golden Retriever Pet Portrait Painting in Oil)

  

Just thought I'd share the beginning sketch of a portrait I've started today of a dear Golden Retriever named Coral who was taken far too soon at only 6 years of age. I look forward to creating a wonderful piece the family can cherish for years to come. If you would like to have a Pet Memorial Painting done feel free to contact me. I am currently taking commissions, however, to insure delivery in time for the holidays you would need to order your portrait before Dec.4th. Thank you & stay tuned! :)

"Golden Slumber," Retriever Portrait Painting in Oil

("Golden Slumber," 5"x 7", oil on canvas panel)
(SOLD, thank you!!)
(10% will be donated to Southern CA Golden Retriever Rescue)

The weather here in Michigan has not been cooperating the past couple of days...rain, wind, you name it! I will most assuredly need to replace this photo as it doesn't show the true vibrancy in color nor all the details, so stay tuned! It's funny because I feel just like 'Buddy' in this painting today with all the rain, wind, & cold...I think I should just give in and take an afternoon dog-nap!;)
(photo used with permission: flickr id lovbrkthru)

Golden Retriever & Canadian Goose...Painting in Oil

("Trinity," 5"x 7", oil on canvas panel,
SOLD!THANK YOU!!)
(10% will be donated to Southern CA Golden Retriever Rescue)

This is a portrait I just completed of a gorgeous Golden Retriever named, Trinity and her beloved goose. There are some pictures that really grab my attention and this was one that I knew I just had to paint! I've never met Trinity, but my guess is she is a tender-hearted, yet playful sweetie...much loved by her family! Her Dad writes:
Trinity is not a Rescue but we have had her since she was 8-weeks-old and she will be 7 in December. She's teaching the puppy the ropes and she is my very best friend ever!
I need to replace the photo, hopefully tomorrow, as I ran out of good sunlight this evening!Stay tuned!
(*photo used with permission: flickr id Steve O's Photos.)

Meet Mini Mason, the Golden Retriever...Painting in Oil

"Mini Mason," 3"x 4", oil on stretched canvas (nfs)

This is a small piece I completed for one of the winners randomly chosen from my 1st Blog Art Giveaway a few weeks back...this is Mason, an adorable Golden Retriever from "Who Says Dogs Don't Blog...the Day and the Life of Mason Dixie." It was a bit of a challenge to get enough detail into something so small, but after some 3 years of doing ACEO, miniature style paintings I hope it is at least a fairly good likeness to her! :o)

The Funniest & Nicest Compliment Yet! :o)

"Sammy," 5"x 7", oil on canvas (SOLD)

I painted this piece of a beloved Golden Retriever named 'Sammy' a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted to share a snippet of an email I received from Sammy's Dad...it's one of the funniest and nicest compliments I've ever received and is why I wake up everyday ready to pick up my brushes and play all day with paint! :o)

"It's funny... when I look at the original picture... nothing. When I look at this picture(painting)... tears... original picture... nothing... this picture(painting)... tears. How do you do it... what is your secret ingredient??? It's like you have somehow painted in the swelling music they place in movies to move the audience towards any emotion they want you to feel. Maybe it's just me, but I'll be watching our friends as they look at this piece. I'll swear you did something ; ) "

Have a great day,

--Daryl

http://darylsawatzky.com/

"Sammy," Golden Retriever Portrait Painting...and Sweet Story

Sammy, 5"x 7", oil on canvas panel,
10% to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue
(SOLD, thank you!)

Can I just say that one of the best things about painting other people's dogs, besides the actual painting itself, is in getting to know a little bit about their precious pups. I would like to share the sweet story of 'Sammy,' a Golden Retriever much loved(and missed) by his family in Canada :

Sam was given to us when he was four years old. According to his French previous owner, he was restless, scared of loud noises, chewed everything in sight, was untrainable and oh yeah - he may have been hit by a truck sometime in the past so he's scared of the road. The previous owner had to get rid of Sam because he actually belong to his sister, who was getting divorced, moving to an apartment, and could not reclaim her dog. For Sam that meant going to a shelter or find a new owner that didn't' mind his bad habits.

When we first went to look at Sam, he squirmed out of the house, ran up to us and jumped up on me covering me with mud. He was a big happy puppy as far as I knew, and we agreed to take him right away. Then we were told about the habits mentioned above. I didn't believe a word of it. And when we got him home, we didn't see any signs of misbehaving.

What we did see was a big gentle dog, that loved to play, swim in the river, tease the kittens, carry as many tennis balls as possible in his mouth (three), and chew the caps off of two-liter bottles. Sam seemed to know every trick before we taught them to him... we just had to find the French command words.

My favorite images of Sammy are:

• The black and white female cat Oreo, holding his head in a vise like grip and licking him clean, He would try to move but she would reel him back in.
• Our youngest daughter sitting with Sammy by the back door, her little arm over his big head, just chilling... he didn't move because he knew she would fall over if he did.
• Holding him tight at the Canada Day fireworks. It was true that he was scared of loud noises, thunder, big trucks and fireworks, so I would hold him tight at fireworks. If I just held his leash he would drag me across the grass. The only way I could subdue him was to get all four of his feet off of the ground, and hold him there. I can't imagine what he could do if he was terrified or angry. After the fireworks I was a sweaty quivering wreck.

We miss Sammy. He was our home alarm, winter blanket, backyard friend. He died at 112 (in human years).
(*Photo used with permission, flickr id: Omega Man)

"Sammy," Golden Retriever Portrait Painting

"Sammy," 5"x 7", oil on canvas panel
10% to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue
(SOLD, thank you!)

This is a portrait of a beloved Golden named "Sammy." I love the older Goldens, they remind me of our last Golden girl, Cassie. We said goodbye to her over 5 years ago but it seems just like yesterday. 10% will be donated to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue, a wonderful sanctuary for older Golden Retrievers and others. (photo used with permission: flickr id Omega Man) This piece may already be spoken for...if not it will be available later this week.

Golden Retriever Painting in Oil by Lara Harris

4"x6" oil on primed canvas, 

(flickr id:Diana&Gogo,with permission)

Proceeds to benefit Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue

This is a small piece I finished of an adorable Golden named Gogo. I'm finding it a challenge to get enough detail into smaller pieces, this being 4"x6", but I'm hoping that I achieved at least a good likeness to Gogo. This is what Diana wrote about her beloved Gogo:

"I'm Diana. I live at Medan, Indonesia. I have one golden retriever name Gogo. He will be 6 years old at July 2009. I love him so much... he has bring so much joy to my family!"

If you would like to have your dog become part of my Painting a Pup a Day project, drop me an email!

English Golden Retriever Puppy Painting in Oil, "Meg"

This is an oil painting of "Meg," an English Golden Retriever, hence why she is quite a bit lighter than a typical Golden Retriever. I was thrilled to get to paint this portrait as Meg has the sweetest face ever!There is nothing quite as cute or as soft as a baby Golden Retriever Puppy!I think her expression is one of enduring innocence. If you would like to have your dog be a part of my Painting a Pup a Day project feel free to email me at Loveall4Him@aol.com!

Painting a Pup a Day:Daily Dog Paintings by artist Lara Harris...Pug & Golden Retriever Portraits

The past two days have been a bit crazy here in the Harris household as I have been in need of some rather extensive (and painful) dental work and then discovered today that my website seems to have all but disappeared?...thankfully it looks like it will be back online soon(fingers & toes crossed). Anyway, it was refreshing just to get painting today, a natural stress reliever. This week I will be working on three commissions, two of which you see here, the third I have not yet started but will this evening. I will be painting an adorable Pug named Ferris, a Golden Retriever Puppy named Meg, and another Westie. These are the very beginning stages of the Pug & Golden. I generally start out by doing a rough sketch in paint followed by blocking in color as you see here. I always worry that the owners will have a heart attack thinking this will be how the finished piece will look, but rest assured there will be much more detail than seen here so stay tuned! If you would like to have your pet's portrait done as part of my Painting a Pup a Day project, feel free to drop me an email at Loveall4Him@aol.com

Painting 8, "Mosby," the Golden Retriever Painting in Oil by Lara Harris

Painting 8,"Mosby," 11"x 14"

oil on stretched canvas (nfs)

This is my 8th painting for my Painting a Pup a Day project of a beloved Golden Retriever named Mosby. He was a young Golden, despite the fact that he had the white coloring around his eyes and mouth, more typically found in older Goldens. He was one of the many Golden Retrievers taken care of by Carol and Skip Free of Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue, a sanctuary for older Goldens and other dogs who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. Golden Retrievers have a special place in my heart as we have had the pleasure of having two Goldens in our family throughout the years. Sassy was our first Golden who died of cancer at only 5 years of age, and Cassie, our second Golden, who had to be put to sleep at only 11 due to horrible arthritis (among other health ailments). If you would like to make a donation to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue click on their name or on their logo to the right. With the way the economy has been, many, many dogs have been abandoned or surrendered to such rescue groups , and more than ever these groups need your help! It costs hundreds of dollars each week simply to feed the dogs under their care. Every little bit counts, so if you can help them out in anyway please do so today!

"Mosby," Golden Retriever Commission (in progress)....and Computer Woes!

("Mosby," Commission in Progress)

So, let me start off by saying that this piece is in the beginning stages, I still have much more detail to add, but the past 2 days have been a bit stressful to say the least.... I had heard from a couple artists friends last week that they were having computer problems and I remember thinking, 'oh I am so glad that is not me'...and wouldn't you know all of a sudden my computer starting having issues this week!? It scared me enough to start going through all my files and saving everything to disks until we could get up to the store to purchase an external hard drive. Thankfully we were able to get one this evening so I will now start saving all my files to it in the event that my computer were to crash. I just cannot believe how much I could have lost...my art files, reference files, family photos, etc. etc. ...many things that you just could not replace. I will now be making it routine to save my files to this hard drive every week or so as I would never want to be in that position. So if you are someone like me, either an artist, or photographer, or someone who just has a lot of important information stored on your computer I would highly recommend getting an external hard drive. You can find one under $100....and believe me it is well worth the money for the piece of mind you will get in return!

Painting 1, "Solomon" Golden Retriever Oil Painting

Painting 1,"Solomon," 6"x6"x 3/4", oil on stretched canvas(sides painted black)

Inquiries to Loveall4Him@aol.com
photo reference: T. Beth Kinsey (http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/)
10% of the proceeds will go directly to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue

This is the image of my very first painting for my Painting a Pup a Day project. I typically finish my paintings in the evening and was not able to get a good photograph until this morning, so more than likely this will be how my postings will go. I will be uploading a photograph to my Flickr Painting a Pup a Day Group which has grown to some 117 members. Even more photographers have so graciously contributed their photos for this endeavor. A sincere thank you to everyone who has been so generous in uploading their photos to the group and for your encouragement and enthusiasm! This is quite a challenge for me, to try and complete an entire painting a day, and I will be honest I think the only way I will even come close to doing so is by starting one the day before and then finishing it the next day. This year I hope to loosen up my style a bit, add a number of new breeds to my repertoire, and fine tune my skills as a painter. It's an exciting journey for me as an artist and I am humbled that so many are taking the time to follow along.