Westie with Pink Spode & Update on Taffy

Just finished the Westie portrait I've been working on, although I need to get a better photo tomorrow once the sun appears...Taffy is still battling bone cancer...we go back to the Oncologist this Wednesday...trying not to be discouraged, but we just want to start seeing the tumor shrink & so far it hasn't much.

Westie Winter Wonderland Painting in OIL by Lara

It seems hard to believe that there is less than 8 weeks now until Christmas, but alas it is true! A pet portrait would make a grreat gift idea or a custom winter portrait like MacIntosh here! If you are interested in having a portrait done of your precious pup feel free to contact me!

Custom Pet Portrait ...Westie, Daschund, & Labrador Retriever Painting in OIL

A large private commission just finished last night...3 pups kicking back and relaxing on a couch :) Feel free to contact me if you would like a portrait done of your pup or visit my website: studiolara.com

Fine Art Giclee Prints...Now Available!

With the new year fast approaching I wanted to start offering fine art giclee prints of some of my original oil paintings. I know not everyone can afford an original painting so I thought a quality print is the next best thing! You can find them in my store on etsy and ebay, or feel free to contact me direct!

Westie Atop a Vintage Suitcase, Painting in Oil

"Westie Atop a Vintage Suitcase," 9"x 12", 

oil on stretched canvas,
(SOLD, THANK YOU!!)

(10% will be donated to Coalition to Unchain Dogs)

It's been awhile since I've done a vintage inspired dog portrait, so I decided to paint one this past week. I decided on a Westie as I find them so fun to paint, and with a name like 'Baron von Gizmo II' how could I resist?! Keep in mind only 9 weeks remain until the holidays!;) 

(*photo used with permission: flickr id terra2055)

(*note: I replaced the photo, but there is still a glare coming from the right, I'll have to see if I can get a better photo in the next day or two...paintings always look better in real life!:)

"Kadie," Westie Portrait in Oil...Completed!

"Kadie," 16"x 20", oil on stretched canvas,

 ( nfs, private commission)

Some of you may remember the sweet little Westie painting I started some weeks ago, well I finally have her finished! I am thrilled with how this piece came together! I love how her little head is inquisitively cocked to the side, similar to the stone rabbit in the composition...just adorable! If you are interested in having a portrait done of your pup, feel free to contact me!

Currently on My Easel: Kadie, the Westie and Abby & Ivy, Sheltie Sisters

"Kadie," 16"x 20", oil on stretched canvas,
(nfs,private commission)
(in progress)


"Abby & Ivy," 18"x 24", oil on stretched canvas,
$550 (nfs, private commission)
(in progress)

I thought I'd show you what I am currently working on...the funny thing is, these are two of the biggest portraits I've ever done and I'm working on them simultaneously! It is a bit challenging, given the size of these portraits, but I am really enjoying working so large! Stay tuned for further updates this week and of course the grand finale!

Westie Portrait Painting in Oil, Winner of Westie Rescue of OC & Beyond Charity Auction

(Westie of Rescue of OC & Beyond Charity Auction Winner,
8"x10" oil on stretched canvas,nfs)

With our recent move among other things, I fell a bit behind in commissions but was finally able to get this piece finished for the winner of the past Charity Picnic/Auction held by Westie Rescue of OC & Beyond. I wanted the focus to stay on the Westie in this piece so I made sure to keep the banister a bit of a muted shade of white such that the Westie would in many ways 'pop' out of the painting. I may replace the photo in the next day or two as it is quite windy here in Michigan and I don't want to risk taking this piece outside to photograph as it is still wet. If you would like to have a portrait done of your precious pup, drop me an email!

Westie & Vintage Leather Chair Portrait Painting in Oil

Westie & Vintage Leather Chair, 8"x10"

(SOLD,Private Commission)

As usual it is a beautiful cloudy day here in Michigan so I have not been able to get a good photo of this Westie portrait for the director of Westie Rescue of OC & Beyond...I know I should embrace the grey skies and somehow be thankful for them, but doggone it, it's supposed to be summer already!@#! Anyway, check back in the next day or two and hopefully the sun will cooperate and allow me to take a better photo. If you would like your precious pup's portrait painted feel free to drop me an email...I think it is a great way to celebrate your pup and for those who have lost their beloved furry friend, it is a great way to keep their memory alive! :o) **Update: Sun appeared, so I was able to get a better photo!Who-hoo!

Westie Portrait in Oil...Back at the Easel

(Westie Commissioned Portrait in Oil...In Progress)

Today was a good day, I'm starting to feel a bit better after my recent dental work and was able to get some more work done on this Westie commissioned portrait I started a few weeks ago. I actually have four Westie portraits that I'm working on...I'm thinking pretty soon I may just start to get type-cast as the 'Westie artist', not that I would mind, I really enjoy painting Westies :o) I don't actually own a Westie, my Godmother does, and I have done charity work for a number of Westie rescue groups, but my 2 dogs are not too fond of the smaller pups. I actually have a New Zealand Huntaway/Kelpie (Taffy) and a Yellow Lab/Stumpy-Tailed Red Heeler (Jedha). Both were rescued off the streets of Cairns in Australia by my Aussie husband. We had them flown to Michigan last July all the way from Sydney as we would never have dreamed of leaving them behind!Their blog is Aussie Dogs Up & Over~Jedha & Taffy's Adventures in America :o)

Westie Portrait Paintings in Oil...the beginning of a Trio

So, after a short hiatus from painting precious pups, I have returned today to start a trio of Westie paintings. The first is a commission of an adorable Westie named affectionately as 'Boo,' lounging in her parent's chair at home. The second is a portrait I am doing for the winner of a charity auction for Westie Rescue of OC & Beyond. And the third is being done for the winner of a photo contest that helped raise funds for River City Westies Rescue. These are all just initial rough sketches, I will soon begin blocking in color and then finish with the fine details. I am actually in the middle of packing and cleaning as we are moving in about 8 days, but once we are finally settled I will be getting back to the easel to finish these portraits as well as a large Westie portrait I started a few weeks ago. So wish me luck that I get everything done and check back in a few days!:o)

Westie Spring Portrait Painting in Oil, "Kadie,"...(Blocking in Color)

I've been juggling several commissions the past few weeks and this is one of my favorites as it is so cheerful and fun! I have now started blocking in the color, I'm about 1/2 way finished with doing that. Then I will start going in for the detail, more than likely starting with Kadie herself as she is the star of the show!I just love everything about this shot! The colors, the angles, and I think it portrays the true spirit and playfulness of a Westie. Stay tuned!If you would like to be a part of my Painting a Pup a Day project feel free to send me an email!

Westie Portrait Painting in Oil, "Loco" by Lara Harris

"Loco," 4"x 6",oil on canvas panel (SOLD)
photo reference: Bojana Milivojevic
10% of the proceeds will go directly to Michigan Westie Rescue

This is a small piece I managed to finish while continuing to work on several commissions. It is of an adorable Westie named "Loco,".I decided to paint this piece a bit looser and tried adding in some of the blues from the background into the white fur, and am pretty happy with the end result. I look forward to experimenting a bit more with adding different colors into my work, some that perhaps one wouldn't expect to see, but that seem to really make a painting some alive!If you would like your dog to be included in my Painting a Pup a Day project feel free to send me an email!

Have a Blessed Good Friday!...& Special Thank you!

First of all, let me wish everyone a blessed Good Friday! For Christians this is truly a very special time of reflection and I would just like to take this time to thank God and to thank everyone who has been such a blessing in my life. My family, friends, collectors of my artwork, and many wonderful fellow artists who have been so encouraging, helpful, and supportive!
I would like to send a special thank you to Mrs.DeVincenzo who I am currently working on a commission for of one of her adorable Westie's pictured above (Kadie). Last year we needed to raise a substantial amount of money in order to fly our 2 dogs, both of whom were rescued off the streets of Cairns in Australia, here to Michigan and we could not have done so without the support of so many including Mrs.DeVincenzo. I will always remember her incredible generosity which helped to bring our 2 'boys' home to us in Michigan! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! (You can learn more about our dogs by visiting their blog www.aussiedogsupandover.blogspot.com)
I am excited to get started on this piece as it is one of the largest dog paintings I have done thus far and Mrs.DeVincenzo could not have taken a more perfect and endearing shot of her little girl!

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 #4, "Luigi" the Westie Oil Painting

Painting 4,"Luigi," 8"x10",
oil on stretched canvas
(sold)

Inquiries to: Loveall4Him@aol.com
photo reference: Stephen Ghigliotty
10% of the proceeds will go directly to
Michigan Westie Dog Rescue

I finally finished my 4th painting for my Painting a Pup a Day project and I am really pleased with how Luigi von Tortellonfish turned out! The background of this painting will probably go down in history as one of my most difficult, but I think the background is what makes this piece so uniquely wonderful! I think for a Westie painting to work you really need to have some interesting colors or objects adding to the overall composition or you end up having too bland of a painting. That is why when I saw this photo over a year ago it jumped out at me. It is by far one of the best Westie shots I have seen to date. Everything is just perfect! There is lots of vibrant color, unique shapes, and even where Luigi is seated is just perfect! Painting this piece was sheer joy from beginning to end!(Luigi's Dad has an interesting blog called Headvoice and a great photostream on Flickr.)

Luigi the Westie...Painting in Progress

I've been working on 3 different pieces this week, and thought it would be fun to post a photo of where I am now up to with my Luigi the Westie painting! It is definitely a challenge with all the colors and different shapes but I am having quite a lot of fun with this one. I haven't actually started Luigi except for a rough sketch, but I figured it would be best to get the intricate background done first. Hopefully in the next day or two I will have this piece finished, so stay tuned!

And in the Beginning There Was Luigi, the Westie....

(copyright photo used with permission by: Stephen Ghigliotty)

...and I should be clear that his full name is actually Luigi von Tortellonfish :o) So, can I just tell you I came across this photo sometime ago and just knew I HAD to paint this little guy someday. True not only is he one of THE cutest ever West Highland Terrier dogs you ever did see, but the colors & composition are just an artist's dream! Granted in starting the sketch today I was thinking to myself, who-boy what am I getting myself into, with all the various shapes & unique colors, but heck I thrive on challenges I reckon! I am actually working on a few pieces at the moment, but just had the itching to get started on this one today....as I said it's been beckoning me to paint it for months now! So, Stephen & Luigi today it begins....hopefully I will do you both justice!Stay tuned!

Painting a Pup a Day....

It has been something I have wanted to do for quite awhile now and have decided that starting on January 1, 2009 I will try my hardest to do a painting of a dog each day, or at least every couple of days :o)...I often find it next to impossible to do a full painting in one sitting, so we will see how it goes, but this is my goal. I will look at painting as many breeds as I come across and hopefully through it all become a better artist and painter. Feel free to send any photos of your dogs or pups, or just follow along on this journey of mine!Look for these paintings to become available here on my blog, or later in my store on ebay: http://stores.ebay.com/studio-lara . Out of courtesy I will give the owner's of each dog/pup involved in this project a first look at each painting created and opportunity to purchase, although by no means are they obligated to buy! A 10% donation will be made to dog rescue for each painting completed for this project.