Lulu

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

purchase

Lulu is up for adoption.
She is a rat terrier/springer spaniel. Mom was rattie, dad was springer.

You can find her here: http://www.newrattitude.org/dogs.htm
This proceeds from the sale of this painting go to New Rattitude Rescue
https://www.etsy.com/listing/157724436/curious-jack-russell-terrier-puppy

Jumbo Shrimp

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

purchase

Coastal Marsh

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

purchase

Frida Sleeping

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

purchase

Shackleford Island Horse

Shackleford Island Horse

10" x 8"

Oil on canvas

Purchase

I felt like some bright colors. 

As you have noticed I haven't been oil painting much and needed a change. I started painting this a week ago and had to stop because something came up and thought I needed to make lots of changes, but the more I looked at it, the more I saw it needed only a few tiny tweaks and it was perfect! 

I really love the way this turned out - the color looks so much like that day.

Here's more information about the Wild Horses of Shackleford Island

Blue Crab

"Blue Crab"

30" x 23"

Watercolor on Arches
purchase 

 

 

I've been really enjoying the challenge of watercolors and (obviously) painting crabs. I tried a shrimp and found out (1) you CAN overwork watercolors and the result is muddy and gross and (2) if you mess up a watercolor, you can use the other side :)

Coastal Crab Watercolor

"Coastal Crab"

30" x 23"

Watercolor on Arches
purchase

First Gardenia 2013

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

purchase

Well, lately I have been having quite a "painters block". Not really wanting to paint and kind of sad about it. This has happened before and it's actually a good thing even through it doesn't feel like it. I believe when this happens my brain is sorting everything out I've learned to move to a new level which I'm quite excited about. I always feel a lot of fear in these times because I feel like I've "lost it" and it won't come back, but it always does which is a nice surprise.

I try to paint a gardenia every year when they bloom. They remind me of my grandmother. She introduced me to coffee and custard. She took me to church and liked to watch Billy Graham crusades really loud on her tiny TV. She liked to read the paper to me and would keep me up with her snoring. She wore red Estee Lauder lipstick and rhinestone glasses. She was stubborn and tough and I loved her very much. 

Blue Heron

"Blue Heron

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

purchase

Well, I'm back from my little vacation and wanted to paint something other than a dog. This is from a photo that Guy took at Arlie Gardens. 

Also, here are some watercolors I did from my trip to the Outer Banks. Most of them were done on the ferry ride from Ocrakoke to Hatteras. I was just having way too much fun to stop and do more paintings. The ferry ride is 2.5 hours long so I was kind of forced to stop for a little while. 

I really like these simple watercolors. 

Looking forward to blueberry picking today for the first time. 

SO glad summer is here. 

Shackleford Banks II

purchase

Ocracoke

purchase

Open Water from the Ferry

purchase

Shackleford Banks

purchase

Ocracoke Lighthousepurchase

The Daily Dog - Thirty

"Eli"

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

Well, I have come to a close on my little project of 30 dogs for 30 days and great timing because we leave for a short vacation tomorrow starting out on Shackleford Island where wild horse roam. I'm so excited and hope to get lots of great photos to do paintings from. Really been wanting to paint some horses after being inspired by Kathleen Coy's painting of the two horses which is amazing if you haven't seen it. By the way, she really rules when it comes to dog paintings.

I thought it was appropriate to end it with an adoptable dog, Eli. He is available at Saving Grace and 35% of the proceeds of this sale will go to Saving Grace shelter. He looks like a really great find and super lovable. If any one does decide to adopt him, let me know because it would be an awesome story and this painting goes to you as a gift. 

It's been fun and now I feel ready to get on some big paintings for my show in February!

See ya!

The Daily Dog - Twenty Nine

"Dakota"

8" x 10

Oil on canvas

A few years ago a friend asked me to paint Buster, the family dog, for his wife's birthday. Last Christmas his wife asked me to paint her parent's dog that had suddenly passed as a gift to them. 

Sadly, sweet Buster passed away earlier this year and although the husband was concerned it was way to early for another dog, the wife started scanning the shelters. From the moment she saw Dakota, she knew she was the one! 

You can read the full story here and see pictures if you scroll to the bottom of the blog...

http://stylegirljessjames.com/style-girl-fashion-fix/fashion-fix-rachel-zoe-for-the-day-celeb-styling-new-puppy-cfw-highlights/

I wanted to paint Dakota because first off she is ADORABLE. Secondly, she is a rescue and I'm so happy that she has found a wonderful loving home and they are a great match.

Fortunately for sweet Dakota (and them) they were looking in rescue shelters  - there are so many wonderful dogs and cats out there that are needing good homes right now just waiting for the opportunity to make you happy.  

Here is where they found Dakota:

http://www.savinggracenc.org/

"Buster"

Officially rescued!

The Daily Dog - Twenty Eight

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

This is Chumley looking out through his new dog door. I use the term "dog door" loosely because it really is just a hole cut into the door. He is deciding if it is safe and how exactly to get on the other side of this new hole. I helped him figure it out with an apple and now he hops through it effortlessly like a rabbit. 

In an effort to keep having to let him out all the time and for him to be more independent, I also taught him how to open the studio door into the carport, so he can jump through the new hole in the door and out to the yard. You can see a short video clip here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu9NsHP99bI&list=UU3jjRSkniQ8lmV92R7GOjXQ

Here a video of Chumley hopping like a rabbit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_-pxCI0zEw&list=UU3jjRSkniQ8lmV92R7GOjXQ

The Daily Dog - Twenty Seven

"Jewel"

8" x 10" 

oil on canvas

The Daily Dog - Twenty Six

 

"Jip"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

I knew Jip in his younger days - he used to be all black, but now he has turned to gray. He belongs to a dear friend of mine that was sort of a second mother to me when I was growing up. She asked me to paint him as a memorial even though he's still kicking around and I was more than happy too. 

It was interesting to paint this because he is all gray, but there are subtleties of purples, yellows and blues as well - it's rather pretty and quite a challenge. 

I hope I did him justice. 

The Daily Dog - Twenty Five

10" x 8"

Oil on canvas

This is Brei Brei

She belongs to Dawn Estrin and her husband and she (and he) makes the most beautiful jewelry.  

You can see her work in Artful Home which is where I first fell in love with her style - by the way, I am a big fan of Artful home catalog, If you don't get it, I highly recommend if you are an art lover. 

Not sure how we came about being long distance friends, but I have done a few portraits for her and have some of her wonderful creations. 

Last year we worked out a deal and now she is using my artwork in her jewelry! 

(The bottom pendant is a painting I did awhile back)

You can see more of her work at her site here:

Bijou Graphique

They also do custom jewelry creations.

Only 5 more to go and I've reached my goal of 30 dogs for 30 days!!

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 Three

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

So happy summer is here again!

The Daily Dog - Twenty Two

"Roly Poly"

10" x 8"

oil on canvas

This is Chumley. 

He is the best dog in the whole world.... 

just sayin'.

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. 

Rocket Dog

48" x 24"

oil on canvas

I am so impressed with the obsessive drive of competitive - athletic dogs, so when I heard there was going to be a dock jumping competition here, I knew I had to go. I photographed this dog last weekend and knew it would be perfect! The large ring on his collar was just the icing on the cake - I felt it gave him a "carousel" feel, which to me is just magic!

I wanted to paint a jumping dog for a few years now and this is exactly what I saw in my mind's eye. I just love the way this painting looks - it came together way too quickly and I tried to slow down the painting just to savor every moment.

The Daily Dog - Twenty

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

This scene takes place every morning and night. After Chumley eats, he watches Frida eat and I watch Chumley watch Frida eat. I have to watch him because if Frida hesitates for a second, he will take this as a signal she is done and charge in like a bullet in flight to help her out with the remaining kibble. 

He's so helpful.

The Daily Dog - Nineteen

"Cinnamon"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

35% of the proceeds go to 

animal rescue

I found Cinnamon's photo on a rescue site and can't remember which one at the moment, but really does it matter? There are thousands of dogs just like Cinnamon that need a home. If you are thinking about getting a pet, make the shelter your first stop.

I was drawn to Cinnamon's photo because of the obvious sadness in her eyes and it made me think about if we had not picked up Chumley off the highway that day and he had ended up in a kill shelter somewhere and what if no one had gotten picked him? And Chumley is an awesome dog! I hate to think about it. People think these dogs are the rejects and they are not - There are so many that just get lost or haven't found their right match and just need someone to love and protect them. 

Maybe it'll be you?

The Daily Dog - Eighteen

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

This is Hannah. 

I saw this photo of her of her awhile back on a facebook friend's page...

I thought it was one of the funniest photos I had seen, but I also connected to it because sometimes I feel like this with life. That I'm being pulled along with no choices, but I do have choices and some of them are tough. I am at a point in my life where I have to make some tough choices in order to take care of myself. 

One of my most favorite quotes from my really smart sister is "don't just do something, sit there".... what it means to me is sometimes you can't control life, you need to sit with it awhile and the answers will become apparent. 

When I saw the photo of Hannah on the blue blanket, I just had to paint it. I have never met her, but she seems like a really cool dog. 

The Daily Dog - Seventeen

"Joe"

8"x10"

oil on canvas

This is Joe. 

He is one of the most loyal dogs I've ever met. He belongs to Sara and she is fiercely loyal to Joe. He follows her everywhere and she takes care of him throughout all the ailments old age brings. At night he sleeps with his head on her chest. He likes to bark at birds and loves to eat. He will chase a ball as long as you throw it and believes this is the most fun game in the world. 

"Sara Bird"

48" x 48"

This is a painting I did of Sara a few years ago. It sits on the wall in our living room - it is one of my favorite paintings.

The Daily Dog - Sixteen

"Chumley and the Fish"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

Chumley is obsessed with fish. 

When he spots someone fishing on the beach, he shakes with excitiment and charges over to the unsuspecting fisher-person, sits down and watches - This is his spectator sport. 

So, it is expected that his most favorite pastime is watching the koi at the Arboretum - he shakes with excitement as they all clammer up to him hoping that he has brought fish food. I'm sure he must be amazed that they have his undivided attention and at how easy it would be to just pluck one out  - lucky for them he's afraid of the water. 

The Daily Dog - Fifteen

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

I can't say I am completely happy with this painting - it did not turn out the way I saw it in my head. It may sound strange, but some paintings just need to "be" in their own way. It's almost as if they take on a life of their own and I have to know when to stop trying to control it. 

Last Friday, I missed the Daily Dog painting because I had a horrible migraine, so I decided to do one this morning on my day off to make up for it.

This Friday at the show I will have all The Daily Dog paintings to date which I think will be 20. Should be something to see and I hope to see you there!

The Daily Dog / Fourteen

8x10

oil on canvas

The Daily Dog - Thirteen

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

Once in a while, when I'm painting, Chumley will make his way up through the cords and tables and look up at me as if to say "Did you see that?" as if something spectacular just happened and I totally missed it. Unfortunately, my idea of spectacular does not jive with Chumley's. He'll usually sit there for a while, get bored, chuff and walk off to go look at the spectacular event going on that I obviously am too boring to understand. 

On another note, My Gallery is having a Mother's Day Show next Friday - I will have all "The Daily Dog" paintings up for display and maybe Chumley! It'll be the first time anyone has seen them - I'm so excited! Here is the poster - Hope to see you!

The Daily Dog - Twelve

"BoBama"

8" x 10

Oil on canvas

I have wanted to paint the Obama's dog for quite awhile and really enjoyed this one. 

Doesn't he just look like a rock star?

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.