"Fritz" Commission

"Fritz" 

8" x 10"

oil on panel

Get your Free copy at the show!

Well, it's been a great (and successful) three months at WHQR Public Radio Station's Mc Erny Gallery. So far I've sold 14 paintings, been hired for commissions and gotten lots of promotion. Friday is the last show and then it comes down January 13th. 

Not only will I have new paintings and prints for sale, I will be giving away five free copies of my new book to the first five that ask about it. After the show, the book will be available at Blurb. 

So, if you're needing a break from the holiday rush or looking for that unique, last minute gift, come on by and relax with some music, wine and good company. 

Pink Lady

7" x 5"

oil on panel

purchase

Chumley, my dog's most favorite treat in the whole world is an apple. He absolutely goes crazy for them. I usually give him red delicious, but started to wonder about other varieties. Because we always have apples in the fridge I started enjoying them with meals, in salads and cooking with them and I realized I had only tried one and why? because there are so many types to choose from and I thought, maybe the name "red delicious" just seemed like it would be just red and really delicious, but how was I to know? Maybe there is one out there more delicious. 

So I decided to compare, went to the grocery and bought as many varieties I could find. After apologizing to the checkout girl for having to scan and weight each one, I took them home and tried three at a time. I found they all are so different and wonderful, except for Granny Smith, which is just sour and bitter, Chumley even had a tough time with that one. 

So far, I narrowed the best down to Honey Crisp, Jazz & Pink Lady (Cripps Pink). I'm still trying new ones and if I find a better one than these, I'll let you know. 

By the way, Chumley is REALLY enjoying this experiment. 

Mutt

"Mutt"

7" x 5"

oil on panel
purchase

December 23rd will be the last show at WHQR's Holiday Party and I will have some new paintings showing aaaand.... I'm giving away five advanced copies of my new book coming out, called what else, "Faithful... A Series of Dog Paintings"! 

The first five at the show to ask about the book get one... Yayy!

If you haven't seen the show, now is the time because it ends January 13th. So take a break, enjoy some food, wine, good company and vintage music by Susan Savia.

Ginger (lost dog series)

7" x 7"

oil on panel

purchase

We found this dog down the street awhile ago, put up posters that night and received a call from the owner the next day, close to tears that their Ginger had been found. He had told us that she was very old and had wondered off during a move. 

I just love a good ending, don't you?

Looking Back

9" x 12"

oil on canvas

purchase

Sometimes we like to just take off exploring and shoot lots of photographs. The other day we ended up in Sneads Ferry at the seafood docks and this dog came running down the hill towards us like he had found long lost friends, once he got to us, he kept looking back. I guess to see if someone had noticed he was missing. I snapped a few shots of him looking at me and some looking away, but I really liked the shadow outline of his face looking away and loved the way it feels in this painting. 

"Ollie" Commission

10" x 10"

oil  on panel

Note from client:

Oh my goodness it is so wonderful you are going to make me cry. It resembles him so much!

Ashley

Just got my "Faithful" Calendar today and it looks fantastic!!

Red Bubble Rules!

http://www.redbubble.com/people/clairhartmann/calendars/6333650-faithful-art-calendar-by-clair-hartmann?p=calendar

Gift Certificates Available!

Cant decide on what to give the pet lover in your life...

How about a gift certificate!

purchase

Nita Sleeping

16" x 8"

oil on panel
sold

Here's the response from the client...

"Ha! That is just awesome -- you rock!"

Lisa

"Faithful" Calendar on Sale Now!

Hot off the presses!

The brand new "Faithful" Calendar is available now at Red Bubble. 

If you use the promo code 

HELLO2012 

you get 10% off.

"Faithful" 2012 Calendar
http://www.redbubble.com/people/clairhartmann/calendars/6333650-faithful-art-calendar-by-clair-hartmann

Seagull Summer

8" x 10"

oil on panel

purchase

Show Friday!

Just in case you missed the first show, there will be another this Friday. We'll have munchies (human and canine kind), wine, coffee, music, and of course art!

Dogs are welcome! 

Perry Smith will be playing and Doggie by Nature bakery will be there with samples and treats to buy. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Molly" Commission

9" x 12"

oil on panel

sold


"I LOVE it!! You captured her absolutely perfectly. Thank you so much!"  Sarah

"Really?"

6" x 6"

oil on panel

purchase

I saw this photo on the Boston Terrier Rescue page. This cuteness' name is Murphy  and he is available. He looks like he saying 

"Really? you want to take me home?"

25% of this sales goes to BTRNC 

"Broken Egg" and Focus on the Coast Magazine Article

6" x 6"

oil on canvas

purchase

I have great News!! I was just featured in Focus on the Coast Magazine!!

Here is the article - I'm so excited!

Focus on the Coast Magazine

Broken Egg Shell

6" x 6"

oil on canvas

painted sides
sold

"I was lost, but now I'm found"

8" x 8"

oil on panel

SOLD

"Found"

7" x 7"

oil on panel
sold

This painting was like savoring a fine meal - I absolutely loved every minute of this one and wanted it to last forever.

"Lucky" Commission

14" x 18"

oil on canvas
sold


I have decided to start posting the letters from the clients so you can see why I paint portraits. 


From the Client...
WOW. You have captured him so well, and the background is wonderful!  I am no artist but I had a feeling it would be a difficult painting -
Again, WOW. I love it.
Thank you!
Catherine

His name is "Lucky," and he has a story:
He was found in the middle of I-40 scrunched up, with trucks running over him - the wheels straddling his body. A state trooper picked him up and noticed that someone had left a box of 5 puppies next to the highway - Lucky #5 was the only survivor.
The story made the local newspaper, and the local Friends for Animals indicated they would have a contest to see who could take Lucky home. My 10 year old son was volunteering at the shelter, and for some reason they only let him pet the cats. Lucky was housed away from the other dogs, and my son would find a way to pet Lucky instead of the cats. So, when Lucky was old enough to be adopted, my son entered the contest and wrote a letter about Lucky, and WE were the "lucky" ones who took him home.
That was 7 years ago!
Thanks again!

Just letting you know slots are filling up for commissions - it's best to get in early. 

If you go to my portraits site you can get info on pricing, etc. 

www.petportraitsbyclair.com

Catch of the Day

9" x 12"

oil on canvas

sold

"Gone Fishin'"

9" x 12"

oil on canvas
sold

It's starting to turn cold here and the fishing for redfish and trout and is on! Guy went with a few friends (I couldn't go because I was a little busy with the show) and took some amazing photos. I snagged a few for inspiration. Now I want to go fishing, but unfortunately I'm a "fair weather fisherwoman"!

New Painting and the Show

"Comfort Zone"

5" x 5"

oil on panel

SOLD

The show was a total success! Packed house, great food, great music, some funky dance and lots of great patrons. 

Sold six paintings - one in the first few minutes. I had such an awesome time and I'm glad to be taking a little break, although I spent much of the day painting. There will be another show November 25th with a few new paintings. 

I made a little video so you all can be a part of the most fabulous evening. 

The official "Faithful" Art Show Video:

http://youtu.be/owvbQBUCUrg

Just so you know, I have all the paintings (I'm still adding a few) from the show for sale on my Etsy Shop. When you go to my shop you'll see a folder called "WHQR Faithful Show" with the paintings in it. Part of the proceeds go to support WHQR. 

Also, here is a little write up from the Star News

http://wae.blogs.starnewsonline.com/21109/faithful-clair-hartmann-paints-mans-best-friend/

"Faithful" Show & New Paintings

"The Critic"
18" x 24"
purchase

Today I spent 5 hours hanging the show at WHQR. It was actually pretty fun. I'm so proud to be showing in such a great gallery. 

Here is a video of the "State of the Art" show at the Cameron Museum. I'm in and my painting are in a few shots. The show is coming down in just a few days so if you want to see it, get down there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ocyVt7D5M&feature=player_embedded#!

"Frida Dog" for International Artist Day

16" x 20"

oil on canvas

Today is International Artist Day and I am honoring one of my most favorite artists, Frida Kahlo. 

I took inspration from three of her paintings. Two named "Self Portrait with Monkey" and "Flower Headdress".

I painted my dog as Frida's "Self Portrait with Monkey" because he has a toy monkey that he plays with and I thought it would be fun to paint, which it was. 

While I painted this I thought a lot about why she painted the way she did and I think because she was on her back from a debilitating injury most of her life and probably on heavy pain killers, she had a lot of time. So she did detail, lots of it; hairs on the leaves, monkey, flowers, everything. I think also, some of her imaginary paintings stem from her altered state - just guessing. I always wondered, If she had not been injured, would she have painted these beautiful paintings or how would her life had been different?

Here is some history:

Frida Kahlo said regarding her painting ""I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration." The way she approached life out of her pain can be understood in this statement "I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best." "My painting carries with it the message of pain." Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, stricken with polio as a child and injured badly in an accident when she was 18, struggled with pain and disability all her life. Her paintings reflect a modernist take on folk art and integrate her experience of suffering. Frida Kahlo paintings included self portraits that depicted her physical and emotional pain and suffering. She used a lot of symbolism in her works and borrowed elements from surrealism and naive art. Frida Kahlo was married to artist Diego Rivera. 

Sleeping Dachshund and other happenings

"Peace of Blue"

4" x 5"

furiously working away for the show

My painting on the NBC Show "Parenthood"

Here's another shot

 

and... another

"Please?"

24" x 24"

oil on canvas

purchase

Shore Leave

40" x 30"

oil on fabric on canvas

purchase

Don't forget my show is coming up next Friday!

Click here for more info:

www.clairhartmann.com

Chiquita Banana

30" x 30"

oil on canvas

purchase

After the Hunt

4" x 4"

oil on panel

purchase

My show is coming up the 28th - Mark your calendars!!

http://clairhartmann.com/

Shelter Dog

9" x 12"

oil on canvas

from the lost dog series

Things are coming along pretty well. Working on a few new paintings for the show and just finished a portrait, but can't post it because it's a surprise for some lucky person. 

Christmas portraits have already started rolling in. If you are interested in commissioning one, get in early - slots fill up fast!

www.petportraitsbyclair.com

Steve Jobs

The recent passing on Steve Jobs had little effect on me. Not because I just don't care, but because at this moment my life is a whirlwind of activity.... my own show in two and a half weeks, 5 paintings in progress, 3 commissions, an illustration job, marketing, and of course all the regular stuff your supposed to do in life, laundry, grocery shopping, feeding the dog, etc.

When I received this blog post by Duane Keiser, the painter that inspired me to get off my butt and paint, I had to pause and think about how Steve Jobs has affected my life so deeply. Without his genius, I would not be where I am today and wouldn't even be having this show. The mac has allowed me to market my work and reach millions of people rather than a few hundred through a gallery.

Duane says it so much more eloquently here:
Keiser on Painting

Thank you Steve Jobs for changing my life.

"Faithful" October 28th, 2011

"Faithful: A Series of Dog Paintings", by artist Clair Hartmann will open at the WHQR gallery October 28th. Included in the show are  portraits from her popular Wilmington based "Downtown Dogs" series, a premiere showing of her new body of work, "Lost Dogs", and a sampling of beloved canine companions ranging from whimsical, classical to contemporary. 

Guitarist Rick Toby will provide a musical backdrop with smooth sounds of the deep south Delta Blues, and the Adopt-An-Angel rescue group will be there with some furry friends in need of a loving home who would just love to meet you! So please join us for an evening to celebrate and support the Arts... WHQR...and our faithful canine companions. Who knows? You may meet the love of your life!

Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them,
Filling an emptiness we don't even know we have.
                         
~ Thom Jones

PRESS RELEASE

Bowl of Cherries up for auction

"Bowl of Cherries"
8"x 8"
Oil on panel

I recently put this painting up for auction at dailypaintworks.com, a new daily painter's site I recently joined.
The starting bid is $65
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/16428

I have been away in Florida for a little mini vacation. Tomorrow we drive back. I started a small painting and then got caught up in a mosaic project in the kitchen. Here's a photo. Lots of fun, but didn't get done what I should have since I'm having a show in less than a month.
Oh well!

Update on "Chiquita" & "Parenthood"

I have decided to revisit Chiquita. It needed something... Drama! So I changed the background color and working more on the earring and chest fur.  

Remember when I posted that NBC's "Parenthood" show had purchased 6 paintings? Well, I watched the first episode yesterday on my NBC App for my IPad and saw the Pear! That's the only one so far. 

Here are the others, if you see one, let me know. 

It's kind of like a treasure hunt on TV.