The Daily Dog - Eleven

"Mr Berns"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

This is Mr Berns and he belongs to a new friend of mine. Mr Bern's has his own bed and can talk. When he's sad he says, "ooohhh Mammmaaa!" I have not heard this personally, but my friend has told me about it. Sometimes he wears a yamaka which I find quite humorous.

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

The Daily Dog - Nine

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

25% of the sale goes to Boston Terrier Rescue on NC

http://www.btrnc.org/

I love painting Boston Terriers!

The Daily Dog - Eight

The Daily Dog - Eight

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

This dog is a regular in downtown, Wilmington.

He is HUGE and scary, but actually really sweet. 

He is the epitome of the the scary pitt bull look which reminds me of the old adage "never judge a book by it's cover". 

Love the collar. 

The Daily Dog - Seven

12" x 14"

oil on canvas

commission

I did not finish this within the 2 hour alloted time-frame for my Daily Dog project, so I will complete it another time - some paintings just need more time. It has a good start though and I feel comfortable with walking away, waiting for it to dry, and start again later. 

As I was painting this, I felt I was "losing the path" which means it was not coming out the way I intended. Every time that happens I hear the little fish's words from the movie Finding Nemo "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" which translates to "Just keep painting, just keep painting" and I find if I can just focus and keep adding, somehow on a subconscious level I find it's way again. Not sure how it happens, but it's awesome when I step away from the painting and say to myself "you got it!" and not "what on earth have you done?!"

This subject comes from a long line of show beagles and I want to paint her/him in the glory that her breed has earned. 

Will post another photo when I complete it. 

The Daily Dog - Six

"Sweet Ruby"

8"x10"

oil on canvas

Sold to a collector in North Carolina

clairhartmann.blogspot.com

The Daily Dog - Five

The Daily Dog - Five

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

You may recognize this image from a previous painting - Just wanted to paint it again. 

Love this dog. 

(sorry about the bad photo - terrible light this morning and all my photo lights are at the gallery - will send better photo tomorrow)

The Daily Dog - Four

8" x10"

Oil on Canvas

25% of the proceeds go to 

http://www.newrattitude.org/

In case you don't know this is Frida. She was rescued in her final hour at the pound - thankfully just in time. She reminds me of a high maintenance super model. She's a beautiful long leggy girl with a temper and lots of energy. She likes to pose for photos and has to be persuaded to eat. 

This painting is of her on alert with her ear up letting you know that whatever you have, she wants it. 

She is my treasure.

The Daily Dog - Three

"Pixel"

8" X 10"

Oil on canvas

This is Pixel. 

Frida met her at the dog park a few weeks ago and had a fantastic time chasing each other around with incredible matched energy levels. I fell in love with Pixel and wanted to take her home with me, but her human would not agree this was a good idea, so we took a photo home. 

Frida and Pixel's playtime will be featured in another much larger painting down the road. 

The Daily Dog - Two

"The Daily Dog - Two"

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

25% of this sales goes to 

http://www.allbreedrescuevt.com/

The Daily Dog - One

"The Maple Kind??"

The Daily Dog #1

8" x 10"

oil on canvas
25% of the sale goes to
http://www.fortheluvofpaws.org/

Since I have a show coming up in February I decided that I need to paint more dogs!  - so I am starting a project called The Daily Dog where I paint a dog a day for 30 days, maybe more. 

The rules are...

- Paint a dog a day

- Keep it under 2 hours

- I get the weekends off which is Sunday and Monday for me

- If I get a migraine, I get a free pass

I'm telling you all of this because I need accountability or I'll slack and it's easier for me to slack because of all the other stuff going on (gallery). Anyway, keep your fingers crossed for me and I'll let you know how it's going by posting every day. 

On another note, this dog reminded me of the bacon dog... if you have not see the video, view it here... I find it absolutely hilarious! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGeKSiCQkPw

Awards and Rewards!!

I am happy to tell you that my painting "To Have and To Hold" won the People's Choice Award and the Zia Bird Award in the Wilmington Art Association's Spring Show at the Azalea Festival! 

I couldn't be more thrilled!!

I guess you could say this is how I feel right now. 

White Azaleas

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

purchase

New Paintings up for Auction!

 See auction

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Paintings up for Auction

These paintings are currently at auction...

Plums

oil on canvas

go to auction

Spider Wort

oil on canvas

go to auction

3 day auction

Chrome Lighter

oil on panel

go to auction

3 day auction

Waiting...

"Waiting"

23" x32"

oil on canvas
purchase

I'm starting to work on some big paintings for a show next year, Feb. 2014. I have a few now and hope to have about 12 large works and a lot of small pieces. Not sure how I'm going to achieve this with my new schedule running the gallery, but I'm hoping for the best.

I found this image on an old lost and found poster. It said "Have you seen Snoopy?" I thought he was adorable with his big head and tiny legs. I'm hoping he was found, but I guess I'll never know. 

I hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend!

I have put another painting up for auction. See all auctions here:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/inde/m.html?item=130880618061&ViewItem=&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

New Painting on Ebay

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

see auction

I have decided to put some of my paintings up for auction. I'm going to add a new one everyday as they are finished and give buyers the chance to buy them for reduced prices before they are added to my store at a regular price.

This painting is up for auction now. See auction here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130877853790

Don't forget I'm having an art show this Friday - hope you can join me!

"Tumbles" by Clair Hartmann

"Tumbles"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

I did a commission painting in a previous post of Bella. 

Bella past last year and this was Bella's best friend, Tumbles. 

Here is a comment from the client...

"Oh, this painting is just wonderful!!! I was so delighted when I first saw it. Both pieces of artwork surpass and go beyond anything that I could ever image. You have an amazing gift and I am so thankful that you were able to share it with us. Both of these portraits of Bella & Tumbles mean so much to us and will be in a special place in our home for years to come. The detail you provided is just so breathtaking...the brush strokes, multi-toned colors used to show the depth and highlights and color of his fur, his nose and muzzle are just so realistic....and his eye's display his calm, intellectual, and loving soul. Once again, I can't thank you enough for creating both of these precious pet portraits."

I am having a show at the gallery this Friday from 5:00 - 8:00pm

Hope you can make it!

www.sungalleryandgifts.com

Bella

"Bella"

8" x 10

oil on panel

I wanted to share this from the customer... this is why I paint pets... 

"It is simply beautiful...it is more than I ever imagined it would be. I started crying as soon as I saw it. You've captured Bella beautifully, her eyes display so much...and the detail, even down to the wisps of her hair. It is more than perfect...this painting will be held dear to my heart. I can't thank you enough. I also appreciate how quickly you created Bella's portrait. This painting is just wonderful!"

Maggie

"Maggie"

oil on canvas

This post is in honor of Maggie. 

She past away April 11 last year. 

This portrait was purchased in an All Breed Rescue auction to help give another dog a new life. 

As I painted this, I thought about all the smiles and laughter Maggie probably brought to her family and how loved she must have been. There are so many dogs out there that have the same qualities possibly sitting in some cage some where waiting for a chance. Please, the next time your thinking of a new (fur) family member, check out the rescue places in your area. There are some really great pups (and kitties) out there that are waiting for someone just like you. 

http://www.petfinder.com/animal-shelters-and-rescues/