Meet Jalapeño.

Jalapeño belongs to Margherita Torres who I met through a mutual friend Hannah.

Margherita sent me the sweetest story and  a dozen photos of Jalapeño  during the 30 Dog/30 Day painting challenge. From the photos it was easy to tell that Jalapeño is a dog with a lot of spunk! I knew I needed some time, (more than 24 hours) to really study Jalapeno's features and try to combine a few photos together.

After the challenge was over I contacted Margherita who was patiently waiting for me!

Here's what Margherita has to say about Jalapeño :
" my best friend Jalapeno.  He is a miniature Doberman.  When my husband brought him home, I was not too happy.  We already had a dog- an akita named Zorro.  Well that day my children named him Jalapeno.  That first night, I made a little bed for him on the floor on my side.  He cried and cried so I eventually picked him up and put him next to me in the bed.  He immediately stopped crying and I fell in love.  The year he came into my life my husband got very sick and I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  God sent him to me exactly when I needed the support.  Some funny things about him, mostly all of our pictures of Jalapeno are with him wearing a harness.  We have to keep the harness on him because if we take it off he thinks we are going to give him a shower.  He starts to shake and then goes under the covers to hide. He is the love of my life."


I'm so happy you waited Margherita… I love the way the painting came out and Jalapeno's eyes tell the whole story! Thank you very much!


Note to my readers: If you, or you know of someone who would like to have me paint a custom pet portrait please feel free to share this link to my website www.LindaSMarinoArt.com/pet-portraits

Pet portraits make wonderful gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, anniversaries… or "just because you love that very special pet"

Meet Marnie.

Marnie belongs to Mistie Powell. 

Mistie sent me a different photo of Marnie during the 30 Dog/30 Day painting challenge and unfortunately I wasn't able to include the photo of Marnie. It was a very difficult decision as to which dog photos to paint and which ones would create a real challenge.

After the challenge was over, Mistie was gracious enough to send me another photo of Marnie and I knew we had a winner! I absolutely love the tilt of her head and how the colorful carpet reflected in Marnie's white fur.

Here's what Mistie wrote about Marnie: " Marnie is a soon to be 6 year old bichon.  She goes to work with me - the big joke around the office is that she's the only one who loves going to work every day.   She has a title - Chief Dog Officer and she does get a paycheck (usually it's for 3 dog biscuits)  And, she's got the UPS man trained - she gets a cookie every time he comes in."

The painting of Marnie will be framed in a beautiful silver frame and delivered this week…. 

and I just found out that….  Wednesday October 30 is Marnie's 6th Birthday! Happy Birthday Marnie!


which reminds me… pet portraits make great gifts…. here's link to my pet portrait website page for more details… Linda S. Marino Art - Pet Portraits

Meet Sadie.

I had to paint this picture, even though this isn't the original photo that Patty sent..... I had to paint this picture because.... it's exactly how I feel! Worn out...

...this has been such a difficult challenge for me. And to look at all 30 dogs on my studio walls... I still can't believe I painted all of them!

 So many late nights and early mornings, working all day in my pajamas. The do-overs and wipe-outs, I can't even count. But I have to say this has been one of the most rewarding projects I've every worked on. All the wonderful feedback and positive comments from friends on Facebook, my blog and Daily Paintworks... it really is overwhelming. 

Each time I would finish a painting and send it to the owner I would hold my breath... what will they think? Did I capture the look? the likeness? is the fur color right?... each time I was surprised at the responses... and thankfully most of them turned out positive. Unfortunately, a few didn't, and that's the nature of trying to re-create not just a likeness but to get the dog's personality in the painting too.

I am feeling bad that I didn't get to paint each dog photo that was sent to me. It wasn't that the dogs weren't cute it had to do more with either a poor quality photo or I wasn't sure how to "solve the painting challenges" in a 24 hour span. I'll be in touch with the owners who's dogs didn't make it into the 30 days and see if we can work something out.

When the challenge started Patty sent me a photo of her other dog Sadie. I had already painted Patty's first dog Marsh last year as a Christmas gift for her husband (see painting below) and I was looking forward to painting and meeting Sadie. As I was studying the photo and preparing to paint Sadie, I knew I needed a few more reference photos to determine Sadie's actual fur color.... I knew Patty had post a few photos of Sadie on her facebook page and that's when I came across this photos.... awwww.... I just wanted to curl right up next to her and take a nap too.....

Here's what Patty had to say about Sadie:  "Sadie wandered into our back yard in April. She had a collar but no tags. No one claimed her from the animal shelter nor responded to any of the advertisements about a lost dog. It is a mystery. We are so happy she found us! She has fit into our family like she has always been a part of it."

Well, the challenge is over but there's still more work to be done. This Sunday Oct. 6th  from 2pm - 5pm we will be having an "Open Studio/Dog Show" here at our house. My studio is in the basement and I'm inviting everyone who participated in the challenge and for those who have been following along... PLEASE JOIN US!
Come and See all 30 Dog paintings!

a BIG THANK YOU to Everyone!
Linda

Meet Memphis.

"Linda has captured this boy's spirit so well in her painting! How cute he looks on his rug...
Memphis is being fostered in Middletown, CT. 
He is available for adoption to the right home. 

We picked Memphis up from a rescue transport out of Tennessee the morning of September 7, the same day of our 30th anniversary party. We were worried about how he would take all that excitement on his first day. The rescue said he was calm and they were right...to our surprise he spent the night schmoozing our friends and sleeping on the living room chair amidst all the chaos a dinner party can bring. Needless to say he made himself at home pretty quick! The next morning we discovered he was a 10 month old puppy who knew no commands at all. He didn't even know his name! Who spends 9 months with a puppy and doesn't teach him anything accept how to behave in a crate? We quickly went to work teaching him to play and obey. Being an Australian Shepherd mix he is hungry for things to do and has learned everything from walking nice on a leash to catching a frisbee! He's 53 pounds of bounding play, gaining 10 pounds since we took him in. He's eager for another
four legged buddy(s) and someone who will give him a job. Frisbee contests or agility would be ideal!

If you can't resist this face...you can see more: info, photos, videos and adoption contact info on his webpage. www.dianneannelli.com/memphis"

Meet Precious.

Precious belongs to my friend Luanne DeMatto. 
Here's what Luanne has to say about Precious

"so sweet, all 5.4 lbs of her. She turned 8 years old July 21st, but grabbed our hearts at 2 lbs, 10 weeks old. As you may remember she lost the majority of her body hair due to a hormone imbalance, that's why we keep her 'dressed' all the time.

I have joined in with over 240 other artists on fellow artist Leslie Saeta's blog. click here to link to the challenge.

Thanks to everyone who have sent me cute dog photos! I'm having a great time painting and hearing about all these sweet companions.

If I get to the end of the challenge and I haven't painted your dog. I will try to continue the challenge until all the dogs are painted and only one dog per owner. I might not be able to paint one everyday... I know I'll need a break at the end of this challenge, but I will keep the dog series going. 

Each painting is painted on either 8 x 10 inch or 8 x 8 inch canvas board with quality oil paints and varnished. The price is $140 + (shipping and CT sales tax). Unframed.

with much gratitude,
Linda

Meet Chloe.

Chloe belongs to Charlene  Lavoie. Charlene heard about the challenge through our mutual friend Sabine.

Here's what Charlene has to say about Chloe:
"This is of Chloe on July 28, 2005 when she just came to us.  She was 2 months old and you can see that her ears were beginning to stand up.  I took this photo - simply saying her name, she looked up at me.
 
We decided to get a puppy (we had always rescued) to experience it and because Cody wanted a pal - yes he let us know this, particularly when he tried to befriend the squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, cats and every other creature that happened into the yard.
 
We met Chloe and her siblings a few days after she was born in May.  When she was about a month old, we went into see the bunch and make our selection.  There were 10 puppies!  A lot of activity...
 
She came right over to us with no reservation.  She had pluck and no fear. And talk about cute...  So she was our pick.  We brought her home and she and Cody (who was 100 pounds) became fast friends and inseparable.
 
Our pack was the toast of wherever we went - no collars or leashes, they were trained and behaved and only cared about each other and us so there was never a concern that they would wander away or chase other creatures. Easy with German shepherds. They were a blessing and we miss them both deeply."

I have joined in with over 240 other artists on fellow artist Leslie Saeta's blog. click here to link to the challenge.

Thanks to everyone who have sent me cute dog photos! I'm having a great time painting and hearing about all these sweet companions.

with much gratitude,
Linda

Meet Bella and Tucker.

They belong to my friend Toni and Mark Morrissey.

Here's what Toni has to say about her dogs:
"Tucker my dirty little boy to the left was given to us by dear friends who couldn't care for him anymore. He's a luv bug. Loves to cuddle and to roll around in dirt. Bella is my little girl who loves to play fetch and is so proud of herself that she can open the slider screen door all by herself to come in. We adopted her in 2012. Her original owner became ill and gave her to a rescue to find her a home. They are both 7 years old and Tucker is full Lhasa apso and we where told she was too but be believe she has a little Maltese in her too. Doesn't matter what they are we think they are adorable and they love each other and play so cute together. They bring is so much joy. "


I have joined in with over 240 other artists on fellow artist Leslie Saeta's blog. click here to link to the challenge.

Thanks to everyone who have sent me cute dog photos! I'm having a great time painting and hearing about all these sweet companions.

If I get to the end of the challenge and I haven't painted your dog. I will try to continue the challenge until all the dogs are painted and only one dog per owner. I might not be able to paint one everyday... I know I'll need a break at the end of this challenge, but I will keep the dog series going. 

Each painting is painted on either 8 x 10 inch or 8 x 8 inch canvas board with quality oil paints and varnished. The price is $140 + (shipping and CT sales tax). Unframed.

with much gratitude,
Linda

Meet Lily.

Lily belongs to our friend Kim Bassett and her family. Lily is a goldendoodle. Half Golden and half standard poodle.
Kim and her family live in Newtown CT and Kim works for the Sandy Hook Elementary School. 

Here's what Kim has to say about Lily:

"Lily was born Dec 14th to a breeder in TX who decided that they had to send two puppies up to us. (Families of Sandy Hook)  I put my name on the list to get one and I was lucky to be picked. She has been a blessing. We got her at 8 weeks and Kenna (Kim's daughter) started her training immediately. First with AKC puppy STARS and then with the Newtown Strong Therapy Dogs. She was connected to them through the High School's Jr/Sr Project that Kenna was taking. She was given a wonderful mentor who has guided her through this. She is still in training and won't be able to take the test until she is a year old. However, they have participated in several events already including the Dedication of Vicki Soto's playground, The Thank You to Therapy Dogs, The Ben's Lighthouse Celebration, and the Newtown Labor Day Parade."

Here's the link to the Newtown Strong Therapy Dogs Facebook page click here

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Kim and all the families of Sandy Hook... we will never forget... may this Goldendoodle do it's job to love all over each and everyone of those families and give kisses of hope. God bless you all.


I have joined in with over 240 other artists on fellow artist Leslie Saeta's blog. click here to link to the challenge.

Thanks to everyone who have sent me cute dog photos! I'm having a great time painting and hearing about all these sweet companions.

If I get to the end of the challenge and I haven't painted your dog. I will try to continue the challenge until all the dogs are painted and only one dog per owner. I might not be able to paint one everyday... I know I'll need a break at the end of this challenge, but I will keep the dog series going. 

Each painting is painted on either 8 x 10 inch or 8 x 8 inch canvas board with quality oil paints and varnished. The price is $140 + (shipping and CT sales tax). Unframed.

with much gratitude,
Linda

Meet Shadow.

Shadow belongs to my dear friend Colette. 

Here's what Colette has to say about Shadow: "Shadow is a ten year old lab/hound mix rescued from Tennessee when he was 8 months old.  This photo was taken within a day or so of him arriving.  
He is absolutely the sweetest and easiest dog we have ever had.  He is extremely mellow and has never destroyed anything in the home.  All he wants is to to be with his family and is truly our "shadow" following everyone around throughout the house.  He loves to snuggle and sleep on the bed and is of course spoiled rotten.  Because he was neglected early on he is fearful of a few things including camera flashes and any clicking noise, therefore it is almost impossible to take a photo of him looking at you, usually he is running away just seeing the camera in your hand.  This was a rare one of his face looking straight at the camera and it will be great to have it on canvas!  

Meet Angel.

Angel belongs to my brother Mickey, Sister-in-law Gail and niece Ava. Angel is a Westie.

More about Angel to come....

I have joined in with over 240 other artists on fellow artist Leslie Saeta's blog. click here to link to the challenge.

Thanks to everyone who have sent me cute dog photos! I'm having a great time painting and hearing about all these sweet companions.

If I get to the end of the challenge and I haven't painted your dog. I will try to continue the challenge until all the dogs are painted and only one dog per owner. I might not be able to paint one everyday... I know I'll need a break at the end of this challenge, but I will keep the dog series going. 

Each painting is painted on either 8 x 10 inch or 8 x 8 inch canvas board with quality oil paints and varnished. The price is $140 + (shipping and CT sales tax). Unframed.

with much gratitude,
Linda