Still Holding On...

 So the latest with Pepper is that my parents are bringing her in for iv fluids the next 2 days (they did yesterday) & trying to feed her tablespoons of food...she did have 4 Tbsp. today & has gone for a walk in the woods so staying cautiously hopeful. Thank you for your continued prayers. ♥

Poodle with Ball...entry for Art Show at the Dog Show 2011

This is one of 4 paintings I have entered into the upcoming Art Show at the Dog Show 2011 in Kansas. I will know in February if any have been accepted so stay tuned! If you are interested in having a portrait done of your precious pup, feel free to contact me and/or visit my website at www.studiolara.com.

Beautiful Cosette...Saint Bernard Portrait in OIL

("Cosette," Private Commission, 

5"x7", oil on canvas panel)

It was a true pleasure painting this portrait of Cosette...this is her touching story shared by her Mom:

 In August of 2006, our veterinarian called to say that he had just done a surgery on a beautiful 6 year old Saint Bernard, who was now homeless. He went on to explain that the owner did not want to pay for or take care of this dog following a simple bladder surgery and suggested that the Vet "put her down." The dog's owner went on to say that he was always away and she spent most of her days and nights by herself. Her name was Dog. The Vet told him he would not put the dog down, as she was healthy other than needing this surgery. He would, however, find a home for her, if the owner would relinquish custody to him. Fortunately, this is exactly what he did.

 And so the Vet instantly thought of us and wondered if we would like to have another Saint join the 2 we already had, Nanette and Alexis, also rescues. I was skeptical, but still, couldn't get her out of my mind. On the way home from work, I pondered over names we would give her should we decide to bring her into our family and 2 popped into my head immediately: Sophie and Bernadette.

 After days of discussion, we decided to at least have a look at her. The Vet told us that she was going to a Foster Home until a family could be found and to contact the office to make arrangements to see her. I did so, and spoke to a very friendly and warm receptionist who just raved about her. I told her I couldn't believe that the Saint's name was "Dog" to which she replied, "I know. We have been calling her Sophie." That didn't get past me. Then I asked the name of the Foster Mom and where she lived. "Her name is Bernadette Huard and she rescues dogs all the time." In a span of 3 minutes, the 2 names I'd considered a few days before were mentioned. I knew that this was no accident. I knew this dog was going to join our family. And she went home with us the first time we visited her.

 She had no socialization skills and often looked on at others while sitting by herself. She was incredibly beautiful, soft facial features with a lovely mask, but a strong body composition. Ironically, we did not give her either of the 2 names that had been so strongly suggested in my mind. I came to realize that was a sign. We decided on Cosette, the orphan foundling from "Les Miserables" who had such an empty start in life, but fulfilling days once adopted. She lives up to her name.

Life With Dogs...Free Chuckles Each & Everyday

I discovered Life With Dogs sometime last year and I have to say it is one of THE BEST dog blogs out there! It is sheer genius each and everyday! I laugh so hard sometimes it hurts, but in a good way :) Hop, skip, and jump on over to share in the fun!

Wishing Everyone a Truly Blessed, Family Filled Christmas!

Hope everyone has a holiday filled with family, fun, and lots of laughter! Thank you for your support & encouragement throughout this year and for your friendship! God bless!~Lara

"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! :)

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!:)

"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.)

Horse Portrait in Oil

Horse Portrait in Oil, 8"x 10", oil on canvas,
(nfs, private commission)

Well, to my surprise and probably yours being that this is supposed to be a blog about dog paintings, I can paint horses! Who-hoo!...This is actually the 2nd horse I've ever attempted to paint and I will admit I am pleasantly surprised and thrilled with the outcome! If you have a horse (or dog) that you would like immortalized in paint, feel free to contact me!

"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!

Abby & Ivy, Sheltie Sisters...Painting in Oil

"Abby & Ivy," 18"x 24" (nfs, private commission)

I'll need to get a better photo of this piece as soon as the sun makes an appearance today, but I think I am finished. I ended up removing what was a bannister from a porch on the right of the painting because it just didn't seem to add anything to the composition and may have, in fact, been a bit distracting. I wanted the focus to be on Abby & Ivy, so I also lightened up the background a bit. Overall I am really pleased with how this piece turned out! Both these girls are such beautiful dogs, it's been a pleasure having them spend some time with me in my studio :)
(*Update: I replaced the photo, but I still feel the piece looks much more vibrant in person :)

Sheltie Sisters Update...Almost Completed! :)

"Abby & Ivy," 18"x 24"(nfs, private commission)

(in progress)

I am finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel! I have the background to finish on this piece and then it will be completely finished! SO thrilled with how this one has come together! Stay tuned for the grand finale!:)

Abby & Ivy, Sheltie Sisters...(in Progress)

"Abby & Ivy," 18"x 24" (nfs, private commission)

(in progress)

Still working on this piece, as well as a large Westie portrait, but I thought I'd give you a peek where I am up to. Hoping to finish both in the next week or so. I don't like to rush portraits because I know they will be something the owner will cherish for years to come and I want every customer of mine to be pleased with the end result! Stay tuned! :)

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!

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/

Meet Matthew Mead's Pup, "Oscar"

Oscar, 11"x 14", oil on canvas (nfs)

I just wanted to share some awesome news! I recently was commissioned to do a surprise painting for none other than interior designer/stylist/author/editor Matthew Mead! Linda MacDonald over at Restyled Home asked me to do a painting of his pup, Oscar, for him and his wife as they were coming to her home for a photo shoot as they are launching a new magazine soon called Flea Market Style! You can read more about it here. Linda will be sending me a photo soon of Matthew and his wife with my painting very soon! Just so thrilled to hear that they are pleased with how it turned out! It was a true pleasure...thank you Linda! :o)To have a portrait done of your precious pup feel free to contact me!

"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.