Boomer in the Summer Sun

("Boomer in the Summer Sun," 11"x 14",

oil on canvas, private commission)

I've actually painted this fella once before, but was given the opportunity to do a larger portrait this time around and I am really pleased with how it has turned out! Boomer is a much loved Lab from Illinois who loves his oversized tennis ball just slightly more than his naps on the family couch...I had to share what Boomer's Dad, Ray Howarth, shared with me last year about his precious pup:

"They say that the “runt of the litter” is always the last to be picked, but in our case, he was our first choice.
As you can see from Boomer’s expressive eyes, he is truly a gentle soul. The unconditional love he shows for everyone is amazing. He has never met a stranger….everyone is a potential partner in play.
Boomer (whose real name is Spartacus, Hillview’s Boomer Dog!) has one favorite summertime hobby…..figuring out how to get into the pool, which we wisely gated! Woe to the person who accidently opens the door to the house a little too wide when there’s people swimming. We have found out the hard way, it takes boomer about 1.4 seconds from bursting through the door until splashdown! It takes substantially longer to get a lab out of a pool.
Like all of our pets, Boomer has become a much loved member of the family….complete with sleeping on the couch and bed privileges! We look forward to many more years of love and adventure with “our” Boomer."

Prayers Needed for Our Jedha...

For the next few weeks I will not be able to donate 10% of each painting to dog rescue, as we need to have some lumps checked out on our dog, Jedha, at a cancer specialist and need to save up the money to do this. If you are looking at having a portrait of your pet done, please consider scheduling it soon as it will help us pay for the examination, and if need be, any procedures they may need to do (fingers & paws crossed they will not). In the meantime, please keep our precious Jedha in your prayers that these lumps are not cancer. I just cannot imagine losing him. He is by far the most gentle, loving wonderful bundle of fur I have ever known. He helped me get thru my homesickness when I lived in Australia, and he is my little buddy here at home in Michigan.

Painting #6, "Boomer," Yellow Labrador Retriever Painting in Oil

Painting 6,"Boomer," 5"x 5"x 1 1/2",oil on canvas (sold)

photo reference: Ray Horwath (Flickr id:rayh1995)

10% of the proceeds will go directly to Waggin' Tails Dog Rescue in Michigan

This is my 6th painting for my Painting a Pup a Day project of "Boomer", a sweet-faced Yellow Labrador Retriever owned by Ray Horwath. It reminded me a bit of our Yellow Lab Mix, Jedha who is equally as lovable I'm sure. This is what Ray and his wife shared about their precious Boomer:

"They say that the “runt of the litter” is always the last to be picked, but in our case, he was our first choice.
As you can see from Boomer’s expressive eyes, he is truly a gentle soul. The unconditional love he shows for everyone is amazing. He has never met a stranger….everyone is a potential partner in play.
Boomer (whose real name is Spartacus, Hillview’s Boomer Dog!) has one favorite summertime hobby…..figuring out how to get into the pool, which we wisely gated! Woe to the person who accidently opens the door to the house a little too wide when there’s people swimming. We have found out the hard way, it takes boomer about 1.4 seconds from bursting through the door until splashdown! It takes substantially longer to get a lab out of a pool.
Like all of our pets, Boomer has become a much loved member of the family….complete with sleeping on the couch and bed privileges! We look forward to many more years of love and adventure with “our” Boomer."

I loosened up a bit more on this piece, a goal of mine for this project. I read something recently by one of my favorite artists, Karin Jurick, in which she was saying how she was finding herself almost 'drawing' a painting she had been working on vs. actually 'painting' it. That really struck home with me because I think I tend to do that as a painter. As an artist, I started out primarily drawing, and now I tend to approach my paintings in much the same way I would a drawing, but painting should be a bit looser. The paint should be applied with a bit more freedom...have some movement and life to it, so hopefully I have achieved this with this piece. I hope to paint this way as I continue on this journey, although I have a feeling it is going to take some time...