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.

Exciting News to Share!!

 

 **Exciting News to Share!

My work has been mentioned in Flea Market Style Magazine 

on newsstands now!Be sure to check it out!

Whippet & Vizsla Portraits in Oil

 

  

What fun it was to paint these two portraits! They are actually my very first Whippet and Vizsla! I really want to make it my goal this year to add several new dog breeds into my repertoire, although I still will be painting my much loved Westies, Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, etc. Each portrait is 8"x10", oil on stretched canvas with the edges painted black.(SOLD, thank you!10% donated to Coalition to Unchain Dogs.)

(*photos used with permission, flickr id: vizwhip)

My Entry for the 2010 Art Show at the Dog Show was Accepted!!

 

I just found out today that this piece was accepted into the 2010 Art Show at the Dog Show in Kansas! There were over 567 entries this year! Very exciting being that this is one of my first national competitions! Stay tuned to find out what happens in a few weeks!

*Prints are available in my store of this piece :)

A Proper Seat...Manet Study 'A King Charles Spaniel'

 

(A Proper Seat, 6"x 6", 

oil on stretched canvas, 

available on etsy) 

This is a 6"x 6" oil painting depicting an interior with Edouard Manet's "A King Charles Spaniel," and a Union Jack Chair inspired by both Teo Jasmin and Jane Hornsby.This piece is on stretched canvas with the edges painted black (can be hung as is! no need for framing.) I've been intrigued lately with some wonderful dog portraits I discovered by such Masters as Mary Cassatt, Edouard Manet, and Edgar Degas among others, so I've started a series of paintings incorporating studies of their work. I found it fascinating that even back then dogs seemed to capture the hearts of so many as they do today. If you are interested in having a pet portrait done feel free to contact me, commissions are always welcome!

Puppy LoVe...Westie & Golden Retriever Valentine Pup Paintings

 

Valentine's Day is coming up so I thought why not create some pup paintings using this theme!?...a Grreat gift idea for someone special or a Valentine's Day treat for yourself! :) 

Fine Art Giclee Prints...Available in my Store on ebay!

Just a reminder that I've started to list some Giclee Prints of some of my favorite paintings on both ebay and etsy! A Grreat gift idea for someone special or perhaps a gift for yourself! I am also currently taking commissions for pet portraits, feel free to contact me for more information and pricing.

Viewing Mary Cassatt's 'Children Playing with a Dog', Master Portrait Study in Oil

 

(Viewing Cassatt's 'Children Playing with a Dog', 

6"x 6", oil on stretched canvas,  

available on etsy)

This is a 6"x 6" oil painting on stretched canvas with the edges painted black
(can be hung as is, no need for framing) depicting a little girl and her Yorkie viewing
Mary Cassatt's "Children Playing with a Dog." Amazing to think that Cassatt's painting went for $6.2 million at Christie's Auction House in 2007!
(**Note:This piece is more vibrant, colorful, & detailed than what may appear! :)

Winter Sheltie Pup Painting in Oil

"Winter Sheltie Pup,"  8"x10", 

oil on canvas,

(available)

My husband lost his job last week, so as you can imagine I've been painting like the dickens in my studio...and I have to say although this is one of the most stressful things I've ever gone through, painting is by far the best therapy!If you are interested in having your pup immortalized in paint, feel free to drop me a line!