"BENTLEY" AND A BIRTHDAY SURPRISE...© SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

 

"Bentley" 

6"x6" oil on textured panel

Private Collection

Last time I was in Texas my wonderful sister in law gave me the most beautiful hair experience...cut and color...I felt wonderful!  SO, to say thank you I painted her pup for her...You just can't do enough for a person that fixes your hair!  Bentley is the dog that was viciously attacked by a pit bull mix dog and almost killed...along with my sister...so, we are so happy to say he made it through!

I've been really busy the past few months with lots of things...the slice paintings, the affirmation sticks, and then there is working on things for my wonderful family in Nebraska...

My daughter asked for aprons for her birthday...matching ones for her and sweet baby Gracyn for when she wants to cook with momma.  SO, I got busy, got patterns, fabric and notions...it was FUN!  HOWEVER, I will never gripe about prices of aprons in the world again...it just isn't as inexpensive as it used to be to sew.  I am not sorry, because I enjoyed the end results.  I intended to do two sets, but ran across the fabric in the aprons below and fell in love!

 She asked for grey, red, yellow, grey...those colors...the above was my idea of the red/grey...

Next came the grey/yellow/black...the buttons have a G on them for Grimes...well, actually miss Gracyn's is for Gracyn Grimes!

I loved this pattern for it's simplicity, and got a surprise when sewing as the sides are actually casings for the neck and ties...it's all one long piece so the neck can be adjusted!  COOL!  I also loved the God phrases on this fabric...I just HAD to do this one too!

SO, busy days in my studio...and NOW another moose...coming soon!

HAPPY CREATING!

"WANNA PLAY?" ORIGINAL OIL ON PANEL © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Wanna Play?"

4"x4" oil on panel

$35

Available through my ETSY shop

This was an adorable pic I found in the morgue files.  He just captured my heart, this furry friend wanting to play!

HAPPY CREATING!

"LOTTIE A" © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

Lottie A

6"x6" oil on slightly textured panel

SOLD as comission

This is one of TWO Lotties that my collector has ordered.  I'm calling this Lottie A because the other one she ordered is of the same pose...FUN!  

Remember, even though the 101 Pet Portraits in 101 Days project is over, I STILL enjoy painting your pets...there is a link at the top of my blog...if you want one, I'm still a doing them!

I have NOT forgotten I wanted to make a book out of my 101 Pets...HOWEVER, my computer will NOT accept the book program, so it's on hold until I can find a way!

HAPPY CREATING!

"LARRY" ORIGINAL PET PORTRAIT © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Larry"

6"x6" oil on slightly textured panel

SOLD to his pet mom Carol Nelson

Thanks Carol!

"Larry" is another pet portrait that I've done after the fauvist fashion.  He isn't part of my 101 Pet Portraits, but only because he was #102!  I LOVED painting pet portraits SO much that I've decided to offer my services on a permanent basis.  If you are interested in having this done for one of your babies, just click on the menu bar link at the top of my bog titled ORDER YOUR OWN PET PORTRAIT.  Or, click that link and it will take you to the same page! HA!  It explains what I need to get you started.  FUN!

Larry was a sweetheart to paint.  I forgot to ask Carol what he was, but I CAN say just look at those eyes!  I used lots of dark blue and purple in Larry...with a fun color I found called "Green Bean Grey".  A little stamping around the edges and he just popped out!

It was a grey day for photographing AGAIN (seems that is the theme of this spring), so this easel shot is a bit dark, but you get the idea.

HAPPY CREATING!

"DOMINO" 101/101 OF 101 PET PORTRAITS IN 101 DAYS © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Domino"

6"x6" oil on slightly textured panel

SOLD to pet mom Diana...thank you!!

Here we are at the end of my 101 Pet Portraits in 101 Days project.  I want to thank EVERYONE who participated in this project with me.  It was an honor to hear all the stories and get to know each and every beloved pet through painting them!  I learned a lot through this process.  The biggest and best thing for me is that I reaffirmed just how much I love color in my work...I do believe it will be a character in my work that I will hang on to!  I also just got a little better in some areas...not so concerned about tightness, but realized that working with simpler strokes in areas is possible and looks better to me.  I will continue to work with a mix of abstract and realism for the time being as I still find value in using both, so that has been strengthened.  THE INSPIRATION abounds after doing all these pet kids!  It leaks to my other subject matter, so on I go!  Next for me is SUMMER ART MARKET which is June 13-14 at 200 Grant in Denver.  Be watching for more information on that!

NOW!...On to Domino; my 101 of 101. Domino is a Dalmatian kid to my dear friend and co-grandma Diana Grimes.  Domino was the family kid actually, and quite a pet I hear; very much loved.  I find it fun that the 101 was a Dalmatian!  My friend Diana had the idea and I loved it from first mention!  Domino was a great fauvist experience even being "white"!  There is green and red and blue and purple and yellow all in this one "white" pet kid's portrait!  I used my honeycomb in this last portrait of this project to add a little interest to the background.

Check out Domino in all her display ideas. 

 The easel I found at Hobby Lobby.  Domino looks good in the easel as a simple idea!

 Black Floater Frame

can be purchased through pictureframes.com

CF1

 Gold Leaf Floater Frame

CFS3

 Maple Floater Frame

CFS10

HAPPY CREATING!

"GRIZZLEY" 97/101 OF 101 PET PORTRAITS IN 101 DAYS © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Grizzley"

6"x6" oil on slightly textured panel

SOLD to his pet parent Casey.  Thank you Casey!!

HA...THIS is Grizzley!  Isn't that an awesome name for this sweet little Pomeranian pup?  I got such a kick out of him! His pet dad is Casey Williams; but my friend Ron Hanson sent me his pic.  I found him interesting to paint.  I used the fauvist tradition and kept my colors bright.  In the photo he was on a blankee...I kept the colors basically the same, only toned down the dots as they would have taken away from this little guy in a painting.  Grizzley comes ready to frame or can sit on a small easel!  ps...I lightened his original photo so I could better see the detail within the dark colors...but you get the drift!

And here is Grizzley in his display suggestions...I'm sure there are as many as the imagination can come up with, but we can get an idea of how this little pup would look in different color frames...or in the easel; which I found at Hobby Lobby.

 Maple Floater Frame from pictureframes.com.  The light was challenging as it has been dark and stormy...but you get the idea.

CFS10

 Black Floater Frame

CF1

Gold Leaf Floater Frame

CFS3

HAPPY CREATING!

"SWEETIE PIE" 90/101 OF 101 PET PORTRAITS IN 101 DAYS © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Sweetie Pie"

6"x6" oil on slightly textured panel

SOLD

"Sweetie Pie" is a precious little white German Shepherd pup.  There was so much opportunity to play with color and pattern with this little pup.  If I could GUESS, her background colors MAY be a little lighter than shown, but the effect of the contrast of strong color against the white fur of Sweetie Pie it's hard to tell.  I promise she does NOT look garish...just full of color and spirit!  As with some of my latest paintings that had some background pattern, I slipped a little in with Sweetie Pie.  I have TONS of different stamps, but for the moment I am enamored with the honeycomb pattern.  Sweetie pie is "sister" pup to Norma Newton who is giving her to her dad Norm and his wife Kathryn for his 80th birthday.  Is is a surprise...so...SHHHHH.  :)

Sweetie Pie is a darling girl in each of her display choices.  The easel was purchased at Hobby Lobby, and the floater frames were found through pictureframes.com.

 Maple Floater Frame

CFS10

 Gold Leaf Floater Frame

CFS3

Black Floater Frame

CF1

HAPPY CREATING!

"IZZY" 85/101 OF 101 PET PORTRAITS IN 101 DAYS © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Izzy"

6"x6" oil on slightly textured panel

SOLD as a gift to her pet mom

Thanks Ron!

Izzy is pet kid to my friend Ron Hanson's mother.  Izzy is a Portuguese Pandango Yorkie Mix. WHEW...I'm excited to have gotten to paint one!  Izzy is a present to Ron's mother.  I enjoyed the dark pinks and purples in the background for Izzy as it makes for great contrast to her fun wiry off white hair.  Izzy is reported to have black eyes...Black eyes are always a bit of a challenge so they don't look like a black hole!...Thanks to Ron for sharing this funny sweet little pup!

This project has been a great learning experience for me as an artist.  When we take on a project that requires work every day in a similar way it is a great way to make decisions on how we would paint a certain subject.  I've had the opportunity to make decisions on how to paint all sorts of hair, and what kinds of colors work to gain a certain effect.  It's what an artist usually knows already, but I can't stress enough just how valuable the art of PRACTICE is!

Izzy is a sweetie in her display options!  The Floater Frames can be purchased through pictureframes.com.  The easel shown here was purchased at Hobby Lobby.

 Black Floater Frame

CF1

 Gold Leaf Floater Frame

CFS3

Maple Floater Frame

CFS10

HAPPY CREATING!

"RUFUS" 83/101 OF 101 PET PORTRAITS IN 101 DAYS © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Rufus"

6"x6" oil on slightly textured panel

SOLD

"Rufus" is an adorable Terrier Ewok Mix pup.  He is pup kid to a couple of friends of Michael Hofman.   He actually purchased this portrait of Rufus for them. I don't have their permission to use their names, but I wanted to express how awesome Michael is to want to do this for his friends!

I LOVED this photo that Michael sent in...such a fun head shot!  Rufus was one I really had fun with color...My favorite color of late is turquoise, and there are several different versions of this color found in this portrait! 

Rufus is adorable in his display choices...the black floater frame and easel enhance the darks in him, but the gold floater just may be my favorite this time.  Take a look and decide for yourself!  I'm sure there are lots of other options out there, so I hope you can imagine how different frame choices can enhance different parts of the paintings.  Floater Frames like you see can be found at pictureframes.com.  An easel like this one can be found at Hobby Lobby.

 Gold Leaf Floater Frame

CFS3

 Maple Floater Frame

CFS10

Black Floater Frame

CF1

HAPPY CREATING!

 

"ROSE" 82/101 OF 101 PET PORTRAITS IN 101 DAYS © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Rose"

6"x6" oil on slightly textured panel

$75

Available in my WEBSITE

"Rose" was such a beautiful Field Golden Retriever to paint.  All those oranges and yellowy creams with a pink (for the lady she is) background!  A fauvist pup for sure!  Rose's pet dad is Michael Hofman.  Her eyes are a hazel with golden flecks...such a beautiful center to this pretty dog!  Rose comes ready to frame or sit on an easel.

Remember you can purchase these floater frames through pictureframes.com.  The easel is one I got from Hobby Lobby. 

For me, I'm sort of loving Rose in the Gold Leaf Floater Frame...but she would work in any option!

 

 Gold Leaf Floater Frame

CFS3

 Maple Floater Frame

CFS10

Black Floater Frame

CF1

HAPPY CREATING!

"HUCKLEBERRY" 81/101 OF 101 PET PORTRAITS IN 101 DAYS © SAUNDRA LANE GALLOWAY

"Huckleberry"

6"x6" oil on slightly textured panel

SOLD to his pet mom Norma...Thank you Norma!

"Huckleberry" is a much loved pet kid to Norma Newton.  Norma reports that Huckleberry; also known as Huck, Huckster, Berry Huck and Lil Bit is a mix of about 10 breeds of which Border Collie is one.  This is Huckleberry and Norma's story: 
"He was a rescue..found years ago by our neighbor on the highway and she had cats. My husband, Todd & I had both, cats and dogs, but Huckleberry started coming over daily and he would crawl and cry as he stretched to get under our gate into our back yard. Then when I left for work, he would cry out as he crawled back out under the gate and follow me out of the neighborhood to the highway. I started stopping and picking him up and taking him to the office with me daily. At night, we'd step out on the front porch about 9:00 and my neighbors would step out on their porch and call him and he would go stay in their laundry room at night. Needless to say, he ended up my dog and when we moved they thoughtfully allow him to join us. We have rescued all of our pets over the years & worked in rescue on and off. While I have dogs that our my babies and don't leave my side, I have never met one quite like him. He truly, for unknown reasons, adopted me!"  Awesome Norma!

I enjoyed all the beautiful blues in Huckleberry that just highlights those beautiful brown eyes.  Norma made a special request that I take a bit of the grey out of the Huckster.  What woman among us doesn't love to do a little grey coverage from time to time...so why not the guys! HA!  Huckleberry comes ready to frame or he can sit on an easel.

Huckleberry is such a sweetie...I love those BROWN eyes!  I like him in his display choices...each one lends a different perspective.  The easel is one I found at Hobby Lobby.  The floater frames are ones I purchased through pictureframes.com.   If you decide to purchase through them, watch for sales popping up on the top left.

 Gold Leaf Floater frame

CFS3

 Maple Floater Frame

CFS10

Black Floater Frame

CF1

HAPPY CREATING!