New Family Member
Mood:  cheeky

I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our household - Mr. Blue Bar Panther Chameleon. He's a few months old and hubby aquired him last weekend at a reptile expo out in St. Jacobs. He's extremely friendly and he likes to be out on you - he's a shoulder man - the higher he can get to the better.

So, hopefully I will be able to create some artwork of this little guy (who won't stay little for long). He was a good sport about the photo session too...very photogenic, just like Brandy.

 

 

Fall - It's Pretty and a great time for photos

Fall has to be, hands down, the most beautiful season. The colours, the wildlife, the changes, everything about it makes me want to be outside in it, taking it all in, enjoying every moment. And there is no better time of year for some canine portrait photography in the leaves. Between drawing and house cleaning, Brandy and I took a leisurely stroll through Lowville today, enjoying the weather and the scenery. After walking for a little, I found a tree at the far east corner of the park that perfectlty suited some outdoor fall photos. So, below is the result of us enjoying the season. Well, perhaps Brandy is enjoying the season, but not so much the photography - it's the whole stay-in-one-spot idea and don't move even though there is 10 million more interesting things for you to do. You can tell by her face in some of the shots, she doesn't always hide displeasure very well - but she's a good sport!

I hope everyone is able to enjoy this great weather that we're having in this beautiful season. 

I've Finally Got it!

After weeks of trying to remember to bring a camera with me when going to the in-laws, I've finally got a photo of the notorious "Poppies".  And without further ado, I present, the completed Poppies:

I hope that everyone enjoyed a great Thanksgiving - what a beautiful weekend for it - the conservation areas were packed, and rightfully so, as everyone was getting out to enjoy the gorgeous weather.

Things are very busy here with a multitude of commissions that I am currently working on. I Should have the time to get out to a trial or two with the little dog before the holiday season though - I will keep you posted.  

 

 

Busy Weekend!
Mood:  a-ok

Well, today is the day that I launch the new site. Everything should be in order and running smoothly, but if there are any glitches, they will be ironed out as I find them.

"Art at the Pawsway" was great - I got to meet a lot of other great artists, and it was my first time visiting the Pawsway. What a great concept - the building is owned by Purina, the first of it's kind in North America and has a ton of potential to come along way in the pet industry. The Hall of Fame is something that should be seen, the staff is wonderful and the location is superb. It was, however, raining on Saturday, so the traffic was a little slow, but as I mentioned, it has so much potential for the future, I will definitly be back!

 

And today, being Sunday, was agility day at the JRTCC Nationals. Brandy did amazing for me in all of her runs, and I am extremely pleased at how she handled herself, and how I handled myself (LOL - thank God it wasn't like last weekend!). She attained a first place in all of the events that she was entered in - Standard, Jumpers, Gamble and Tunnelers. What a little dog - I couldn't be happier! I had my eye on the big Agility Champion and Agility Reserve ribbons, alas it was not to be (?). But the little dog really showed me her stuff, and man, she's still got it!! Very proud mom here!  

NEW LOOK - Website
I'm going to be unveiling my newly updated and redesigned website late in the day on Sunday Sept. 28, 2008. The site was due to be updated, as well, it  needed a more professional look. Please feel free to email me and let me know what you think of the new look once it's up and running.

Where am I this weekend?

Well, I've got a busy one coming up. But first, I won't mention the fact that we did terrible at the CPE trial, and I won't mention all we got was one Q out of 5. But I will mention that the weather was great, as were the hosts.

This Saturday I will be at the 'Art of the Pet' at PawsWay, 245 Queen's Quay W, Toronto ON M5J 2K9, at the PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre, a project of Purina Pet Care Legacy. It is also the home of the Purina Animal Hall of Fame. I will be displaying my art along side a number of other artists who will be attending. This should be a great weekend, with lots of traffic as the Toronto Waterfront Marathon is also taking place this weekend. I will be there from 12:00pm to 6:00pm on Saturday, September 27th. Please come out and see what the artists have to offer, and check out the Pet Discovery Centre as well.

On Sunday, Brandy and I will be attending the JRTCC Nationals. Hopefully they go better then the CPE trial.A

Hope to see you all out at the 'Art of the Pet' event!!A

Finally...it's done!!
Mood:  party time!

I can now breath a sigh of relief - the poppies are done!! Done, delivered and loved. My in-laws were extremely pleased with the final result, and instantly hung the painting up in their recently renovated dining room. I'm happy that it's done and gone, but I'm estatic that they like it so much. Of course, I forgot to take a photo of the final piece for the web, so I will get that up as soon as I can. Whew, what a painting!

Brandy and I are off to the Tee Creek CPE trial this weekend, and the JRTCC Nationals next weekend, so I'll update how we fair after both are complete. 

Um, that spider is huge!!!

Hubby and I had our first experience with a "black and yellow garden spider". Deciding that our wildflower "garden" in the back was a little overgrown and rampint with weeds, hubby decided to pull most of it out. As he was working away, he came across this beauty on one of our tiger lillies.  I've never seen a spider this big,  and of course, the bigger they are, the more feminin they are, so this is an amazing female that was living in our garden. We let her be, but moved her to a little flowering tree after everything else was pulled out - figured she's got to be eating a lot of bugs to maintain a figure liek that! But, alas, she has decided to move on (or so we think - wouldn't be so happy if she decided to move inside with us). so without further ado, here is our adopted for a day, female "black and yellow garden spider" - enjoy!

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, she is not harmful to humans. I found this out after a little research (and panic) because she got a little close to hubby's skin. 

 

 

Last One - "Waiting for the Throw"

Well, this is it, the last in my 5"x7" coloured pencil series, and what a fitting final piece, once again, my little JRT - Brandy. These pieces were fun to do, didn't take exceptionally long, and all turned out the way that I envisioned them to. This piece, Brandy was waiting, less than patiently, in the grass for me to throw the toy, hence the title "Waiting for the Throw". I think I will go back and give the eyes a little more hi-light, other than that, it is complete.

The notorious poppies are still hanging around, but they are well on their way to completion. I have to touch up the background, as well as add a little more colour to it, and then I should finally have them out of my hair. What can I say, flowers just aren't as fun as animals.

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDY!!

Wow time flies. My little girlie is 6 years old today. I wish I could stop time here, but alas, that is not to be. I've had six amazing years so far with this little dog, and here's hoping for many, many, many more. The best little dog anyone could ask for!!!!

Happy Birthday little buddy!!