My Reflection

My Reflection
20 x 20"
oil on canvas
view in my shop

The Daily Dog - Twenty Four

"Frida Wrap"

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

Even though Frida and Chumley look alike, they are quite different in a lot of ways. One big difference is Frida loves to be wrapped up in blankets, sometimes completely covered up and she will stay like this for hours if undisturbed. Chumley hates to be covered up, even a little bit. If you do, he will tolerate for a few minutes then get up and move to a new location with less annoying accommodations.

As I was painting this the power went out, so a lot of the coloring was instinctual which I really liked, but what I didn't like was that right eye and some of the nose seemed a little long - I may revisit this one again.

The Daily Dog - Twenty One

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

This is Frida after a day of Pups Play & Stay. She loves this place more than anything and will howl if she can't go. 

Dog Park Day

24" x 24" Diptych

oil on canvas

This is a friend that Frida met at the dog dark a few weeks ago named Pixel. I painted Pixel's portrait as part of The Daily Dog series. Frida and Pixel had a fine day of chasing each other around, kicking up dust, smelling trees and establishing dominance. 

The Daily Dog - Ten

"Squirrel!"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

This is what Frida looks like when a squirrel is encroaching on her turf. 

Or a bird. 

Chumley goes for fish, lizards and roaches and Frida goes for birds and squirrels. 

So, I guess were covered in case we are faced with harmless, small creatures.

There is an awesome book coming out called "My Dog: The Paradox". It is a web comic now, but eventually will be a real book and I'll be first inline to get one. It is one of the funniest (and true) descriptions of a dog. 

Here is the link:

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox

Listening

12" x 12"

oil on canvas panel

purchase

Most mornings I get up early to paint when the house is quiet and their are no distractions. After I feed Chumley and Frida, I'm off to paint something new.

After they eat, it's nap time and then when the house starts waking up, they listen...  this is the second favorite time of the day because the prospect of more food is imminent. They listen to every
little noise, they look and wait. It's really funny to watch - they are a constant source of entertainment. 

I have really great news... I am featured in Modern Dog Magazine this issue. I found out last night when I received a request for a large commission after they had seeing my work in the magazine. 

http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/clair-hartmann/36282

A New Leash on Life (study)

A New Leash on Life

12" x 12"

oil on canvas panel

purchase

I plan on painting this on a much bigger canvas, but wanted to do a smaller version first. 

This is from one on the first photos taken of our dog, Frida. She had just gotten a new purple leash as a gift from Guy's daughter. A few days before she had escaped death at the pound and we were waiting for a ferry that was taking us on a vacation to the beach. Needless to say, we all had wonderful, bonding time and are SO grateful to have her in our lives - 

I think she is too.