My 1st Doberman! :)

Just the initial 'ruff' sketch. . .it will get better! ;)) Stay tuned! If you are interested in having a pet portrait done of your precious pup, feel free to contact me and/or check out my website at Studio Lara.com

I'm In!...My Dalmation Painting is in the Art Show at the Dog Show in Kansas!

 

Just wanted to share the good news that this piece will be on its' way shortly to the 2011 Art Show at the Dog Show in Kansas! Fingers, toes, & paws crossed it wins! If you are interested in having a portrait done of your precious pup, feel free to contact me and/or check out my website at Studio Lara.com

Meet 'Buck'...the Black Lab

So thrilled with how this piece turned out & so is the customer so win-win for me! ;)) If you are interested in having a portrait done of your precious pup feel free to contact me or visit my website at studiolara.com

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.

Westie with Vintage Suitcase...entry for Art Show at the Dog Show 2011

This is one of 4 paintings I am hoping to enter into the upcoming Art Show at the Dog Show 2011 in Kansas. I have one more almost complete, and then will have to try and hustle to get another two finished in time. Fingers, toes, & paws crossed I can do it! ;)) 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.

Golden by the Pool...Pet Memorial Portrait

This was a commissioned piece for Christmas of a Golden Retriever who passed away a few months ago. My customer wanted me to create a special piece that would capture the spirit of this beloved Golden and be a lasting tribute for her boyfriend. I was given three photos to work from and was able to create just such a piece! If you are interested in having a portrait done of your precious pup, feel free to contact me or visit my website at studiolara.com

Christmas Commissions: Sheltie Painting in OIL by Lara Harris

 If you are looking for a grreat gift, look no further! Commission a pet portrait by me! New pricing is below...feel free to contact me if you would like a special piece done for you!

6"x6" ~ $125.00

8"x10" ~ $200.00

11"x14" ~ $275.00

16"x20" ~ $350.00

18"x24" ~ $475.00

20"x30" ~ $600.00

24"x30" ~ $850.00

24"x36" ~$1,200.00

30"x40" ~$1,600.00

36"x48" ~$2,000.00

~Upcoming CSN Stores Product Review & Art Giveaway~

I have had the pleasure of working with CSN Stores this past year doing some great giveaways as well as some reviews of their wonderful products, so when they asked if I would be interested in doing another review I jumped at the chance!

CSN Stores has over 200+ stores with all sorts of products for your home, such as stylish extra tall bar stools like this ultra modern one by ItalModern.  

My personal favorite is this one by Hillsdale:

CSN Stores has other items for your home as well, including furniture, home decor, and cookware. And of course they have many pet products as well, such as this pet carrier by Sleepypod:

I will be reviewing one such product soon, so be sure to check back to see what I've chosen to review!
*Also! Visit CSN Stores & leave a comment on this post telling me one of your favorite products from their site...you will be entered to win a FREE art print from my store on etsy! ;)
Winner will be announced Friday, Nov. 12 @ 9pm EST.

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

Custom Pet Portrait (Almost Finished)

Almost done! Finish line is approaching...stay tuned! ;)

Saint Bernard Painting in OIL

A customer recently asked me to paint a Saint Bernard to go along with the Bernese Mountain Dog painting below that she purchased & I was more than happy to oblige! Just love the soulful eyes & sad (or possibly bored) expression! If you are interested in having a pet portrait done feel free to contact me.

Meet 'Ripley' the Papillon...Butterfly Dog Portrait Painting in OIL by LARA

This is 'Ripley,' a sweet-faced Papillon! Papillons are also known as butterfly dogs because of their adorable, butterfly-like ears. I need to get a better photo of this piece tomorrow as I wasn't able to get one this afternoon.This piece will be available on ebay at 9pm EST.If you are interested in having a pet portrait done, feel free to contact me! 10% will be donated to Heart of Michigan Bernese Mountain Dog Rescue.
 (*photo used with permission, flickr id: steews4 )

Meet 'Brodie', a Beloved Sheltie...Painting in OIL by LARA

What drew me to Brodie was not only his beauty but I especially loved his smile! I was sad to hear that this beautiful boy passed over the bridge, but I do believe that all dogs go to heaven (and even a few cats ;o) & Brodie is romping around in fields of green with other pups who have passed on as well, waiting for their owners to rejoin them someday! If you are interested in having a portrait done, feel free to contact me!This piece is available in my store on etsy.10% will be donated to Waggin Tails Dog Rescue.
(*photo used with permission, flickr id: sciondriver )

Meet 'Beau' the Chihuahua from My Romantic Home...Painting in OIL by LARA

T

 ("Beau," 5"x 7",oil on canvas panel, 

10% will be donated to 

Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue)

This is 'Beau', an adorable chihuahua owned by Cindy Santiago of the beautiful, shabby chic blog called My Romantic Home.I absolutely fell in love with Beau's soulful expression! I would imagine he is a real sweetheart...This piece is available in my store on etsy in a few days. 10% will be donated to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue. If you are interested in having a portrait done of your precious pup, feel free to contact me!
(*photo used with permission , flickr id: Romantic Home )

Sadie Girl...Golden Retriever Painting in OIL by LARA

("Sadie Girl," 8"x 10", 

oil on canvas, available, 

10% will be donated to
Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue)

I've been busy the past few months with a number of commissions but am going to try and get back to my Painting a Pup a Day project as best as I can this summer! This piece may already be spoken for, but if not, it will be available in my store on etsy...it is of a sweet Golden girl, named Sadie. Everytime I paint a Golden it makes me miss our precious Cassie, and Sassy who passed away some years ago, but I still enjoy painting them!...there is truly nothing like a Golden! If you are interested in having a pet portrait done of your precious pup, feel free to contact me!

(*photo used with permission: flickr id TammyTalking)

CSN Stores $50 Giveaway!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! THANK YOU!!

CSN Stores has over 200 amazing online stores where you can find almost anything you need whether it be a sofa or a suitcase, 

a dog bed or a cookie sheet! 

To enter to win a $50 Gift Certificate to CSN Stores:

1) Visit their site by clicking here

and leave a comment here telling me 

what you might spend the $50 on!

For Extra Entries:

2) Become a follower of my blog, 

leave a SEPARATE COMMENT telling me so.

3) Post about this giveaway on your Blog,

leave a SEPARATE COMMENT telling me so, with

a link to the blog post.

4) Post about this giveaway on Facebook,

leave a SEPARATE COMMENT telling me so,

& friend me (Lara Harris :)

5) Grab my Blog Button & post it on your sidebar

with a link to My Blog :)

6)  Become a follower of my other blog, 

A Vintage Touch, 
leave a comment telling me so!

Good luck! :)

**Winner will be chosen  Monday, June 7th!**

I SO apologize for not posting this yesterday! It completely slipped my mind, but the 

**winner of the $50 CSN Stores Giveaway **

is #8 clustres!! Thank you to everyone who entered, posted, tweeted, etc.! Be sure to check back in the future for other grreat giveaways! God bless!

I'm No Longer Afraid of Blue...

For a long time I have avoided using some colors in my work for fear that I would make an absolute mess of something I had spent hours on, but I finally took the plunge and added a bit of blue to this black Lab. It may not be so apparent in the photo, but there are subtle hints of blue in some of the highlights and doggone it, it just works! And I have to say I'm really lovin the nice light brown of the blanket and the bit of brown in the eyes...both seem to complement the blue just right! If you are interested in having a pet portrait done feel free to contact me! 
(*Connecting this post to the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop :)

My Entry for the Canine Art Guild Exhibition

"A Golden Touch," 5"x 5",

oil on canvas panel,

$125(available, contact me)

This is my entry in the Canine Art Guild's 'Dog Gonn-It Art Exhibition' celebrating its' 5 year anniversary. Be sure to stop by and cast your VOTE for your favorite pup painting & feel free to share this post with other dog lovers! If you are interested in having a pet portrait done, feel free to contact me to book one in today!                                    

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."

Grreat News from the Art Show at the Dog Show!

 

  

Some grreat news to share! I found out today that my "WBRK Westie Radio," painting above won for Best Entry Depicting a Dog From the Terrier Group at the 2010 Art Show at the Dog Show! This piece may still be available for purchase by contacting the Art Show office. It is 11"x14", framed oil on canvas panel, $425. I also have prints available of this piece in my store on etsy. If you are looking to have a portrait done of your precious pup, feel free to contact me or visit my website at Studio Lara, or my blog: Painting a Pup a Day.