Blogs and Dogs

Ready for a beautiful autumn here in the northern hemisphere?  I am!!!!

Sooo … based on my previous post, I’m sure the Blog-O-Sphere is agog with anticipation regarding my considered changes to Da Blog.  I’ve thought … and considered … and mused … and … 

Nah.  ‘S not really going to happen.

What I will do, though, is seriously discipline myself to exercise my brain’s writing cells (those that are still there) and get back to producing on a more regular basis.  (Once every six months really doesn’t cut it, even in my lackadaisical book.) Plus I want to at least attempt to be less stuffy in my posts.  Yes, I was getting stuffy.  I mean, it’s all well and good to expect folks to pop over and ooh and ahh over the artsy stuff, but hey … let’s be real.  The visitors here are probably readers … readers and enjoyers of the written word (scarce as we are becoming) … and if it’s a blog, give us something to read too, for Pete’s sake.  Right?

So … I shall make the attempt.  

Getting back to the artsy stuff … (this is still an art blog) … I thought I’d toss out a few of my new-ish doggie pics.  I’ve done a couple recently and they seem to be a hit on my website… and I admit … I do enjoy creating them.  And in honor of my writing resolution above, I’m including some back story too.  

The above blue (green?) little munchkin is a Maltese, our Buddy.  Buddy the FireBall.  He’s our darling … and my attempt here was to capture the sweet, slightly mischievous smile he has on his adorable face now and then.  It usually shows up right after he’s either eaten or had some water and is the result of his licking his lips with that tiny pink tongue, thus sweeping his mustaches aside for a minute or two.  So basically, the smile is always there, it’s just hidden.  The original photo on which this is veerrrry loosely based was taken … not out in the garden cavorting with the wildflowers and butterflies … but sitting on the bed while I folded laundry.  Imagine towels and … er … articles of clothing all around instead of Mother Nature’s pretties.  (It’s such fun to create my own world!) He was hand-painted, digitally, in Corel Painter.

Here’s another doggie in the flowers pic … “Among The Wildflowers At Sunset.”  What’s cuter than pups cavorting among the flowers on a pretty day?  Well, I’m sure the flowers would have something to say about that … and avid gardeners … but oh well.  Makes for fun pictures.  The above sweet darling … an English Cocker Spaniel (I think?) … was photographed at a dog show somewhere in Pennsylvania (York?) as long ago as 2007.  A super day for me and my p&s (point and shoot) mini-camera.  It was a digital camera, but only barely, and I was just beginning my photography journey.  Most of the pics I took that day involved doggies who became earless or footless thanks to my poor photography skills … but this one survived with all body parts intact.  Yay!  I painted it in the program that creates such pretty water colors … Rebelle … I love the totally different look it creates.  Still working my way through that Rebelle watercolor class I mentioned in my last post.  Sadly, I’ve discovered one ghastly fact:  if I go away from the class materials for a couple of weeks then come back, there’s a pret-ty good chance I’ll have forgotten what I learned.  Sigh.  

“Princess” (not her real name … I made it up!), the sweet French Bulldog, stole my heart at that same dog show so many years ago.  Her original photo was one of the ones where she zigged just as I was snapping the shutter … so part of her head, most of her back and one ear don’t really exist on the original photo.  But no matter … it was fun to research and recreate the whole.  I still remember this wriggly little darling from that sunny day in Pennsylvania.  Just a bundle of cuteness!!  I hand painted her digitally in Corel Painter. 

Last but not least is a portrait of a beautiful Samoyed … this is Sadie.  And yes, The Sammys really are that amazingly fluffy!  It’s because of their double coat which is made up of an insulating undercoat of short, dense soooo soft fur, and a topcoat which protects the skin from dirt, water, snow, etc.  The beauty of the breed is the way the light hits that coat and makes these guys absolutely glow. The interesting thing is … they don’t shed in the typical way.  They “blow” their coats about twice a year.  If you’re diligent with brushing, the undercoat sort of peels off in layers … and can actually be spun, like wool, and woven!!  (No, I never tried that.)  The Samoyed is eager, enthusiastic, strong (they pulled sleds in Siberia) and strong-willed.  But soooo sweet.  I hand-painted this picture, digitally, in Corel Painter.  

As always, if interested in any of my images, just click the picture and you should find yourself magically transported to my main website where the images and the products they’re available on can be found. In addition to the finest wall art including lots of format, frame and matting choices, we’ve got tote bags, masks, coffee mugs, cool puzzles and more. And I should probably mention that the images are available on more products in my RedBubble store, too … Lois Bryan At RedBubble.  If you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for there, just let me know.

So?  What’s your favorite doggie?  I’d love to hear your stories!