Pawtraits

Time spent with animals is never wasted!!

I've written about the subject of photographing your animals before but it bears repeating. To see my first post on this subject click here. And I'll say it again, I couldn't create great portraits if I didn't have great reference photos! I know it's not easy but it's not impossible either...and can be a really fun time with your pet!!

You don't have to have special equipment but if you have a good camera, pull it out and dust it off! Never use your flash tho, instead get your pet outside in natural morning light. If that's not possible then in the brightest room you have.

Do your best to focus in on their eyes...get at or below their eye level. This adds an intimacy to your portrait and captures the soul of your sweet animal.

Also think about what it is that sets your pet apart from others...or what is unique to their personality. For my cat Shortie, when he sleeps or sees me he tilts his head a certain way.

And don't take just one photo and call it done...I can easily take 50 shots at one time, then whittle it down to 1 or 2 really great shots. Set up a few sessions to catch them in different moods. And above all be patient with both your pet and yourself.

Try these few tips and see if you just can't get that perfect shot off!!

Highlights of 2015

 ...to make an end is to make a beginning...

~T.S. Eliot~

19 Drawings:

10 Commissioned portraits (all dogs!)

8 Drawings

1 Donated drawing to California Wildlife Center

3 large commissioned paintings -that I can't show you! (sorry!)

10 Exhibitions (7 in galleries, 3 on-line)

1 monetary Merit Award for Where's Waldo in the PSA 90th Annual Juried Exhibition at White Fine Art Gallery in Montrose, CA

 

We fostered 5 kittens

Adopted 1 naughty, but very goofy puppy, Indie (Indiana Jones Lloyd Louis Hansen)

1 trip only (but it was fantastic!) to Santa Fe, New Mexico with my dear friends Julie and Bonni

I lost two very dear, sweet animals this year. 

I found Sammy on the streets by my work when he was just 6 months old. He was already blind in one eye and partially in the other, but it never stopped him from living a full life. He could be cantankerous at times, okay a lot of times but he loved to cuddle with me and could be just as sweet! 

Josie was the love of my life. We got her for half price ($25) at a run down pet shop while on vacation in Yosemite. My two girls begged me for her and it was one of the best decisions of my life to say yes! Josie and I hiked hundreds of miles every weekend and holiday. She was a true companion and followed me around as if she were my shadow. She made me laugh with her happy dance and antics! I love her more than I can say and miss her dearly, every single day since she passed on August 20th at 11.5 years old.

Cheers to the New Year! May it be a VERY memorable and creative one for you!! 

Happy 2016!!!!

All Done~ recently completed drawings up for sale!!

I recently realized that I show you so many beginnings to my work but never show you the completed pieces here on my blog, only on Facebook do I ever seem to post the final piece! What the heck!!!

So here are some completed works of late. If you are interested in any of these pieces you can find the prints for sale on Fine Art America or for the original piece contact me directly!

Rest Stop   9x6.5  sold

Piercing Glare   8.5x6.5    $459.00

Hushed Majesty  10x6.5   $375.00

Eye Spy   5x7   $75.00

One Step Ahead   6.25x10.5   $539.00

**to see oodles of more drawings go to Fine Art America**