Good Dog!

Sam was a good hiking dog. He would throw his body between a snake on the trail and his owner to protect her. He's been gone quite a while, but he really meant a lot to his owner. This drawing was a challenge as she only had a couple of really blurry photos of him. I used those and my imagination to complete this drawing. Things are wrapping up. Last dog drawing is done...stories are about to be done. I am happy.

Lucky Lindy

This sweet pup with the blue eyes is Lindy. Her owner calls her "Lucky Lindy". After reading her story I know why. She was a scared little pup at the back of her dog run at the shelter. With love and time she was brought our of her hiding place and has, for the most part, overcome her fears. I love drawing these dogs. I've got one more to draw for the book and I am sad about that. I will miss the daily episodes of drawing and reading the stories. But I can see a sequel in my future. And for now, I have enough examples of other dogs pulled off the internet that I can draw, just for fun. It's hard to explain this compulsion, this need to make art. The more I do it, the more I need to do it. That's not a bad thing though. It's a huge part of what makes my life good. I am grateful.

Puppy Mills And Other Rants

This is Kyle. He was found in the woods near Seattle. They suspect he was a 'dump' from a puppy mill. He was extremely scared and not socialized at all. A friend of mine adopted him from a rescue group and his story is somthin'. He ran off the 2nd day she had him. She spent 5 days (3 of which she slept in a park) looking for him. Finally, he was located at a shelter. He has been with her ever since, and has turned into a really fine dog. This is in the book. There is so much more to all of these dogs stories in the book, it's hard to tell them in  200 words or so. But, I'm doing my best to share all of these. Friends, please unless you are showing dogs (and I'm not even sure how I feel about using dogs prancing in a ring for our entertainment) don't buy a dog from a breeder. Am I trying to put them out of business? You bet. I know from hearing these stories, and from an experience a friend had at breeding her dog and selling pups; It is not a profitable business unless you have volume. And that means endless litters, and culling the undesirable pups etc...etc...There are more than enough full breed and mixed breed dogs at rescue orgs. This past weekend I stopped by the local Petco where For Pet's Sake was having an adoption event. There was a both a smooth coat and long haired doxie, a poodle, and a chihuahua. Perfectly good dogs that either were abandoned or dropped off for one reason or another...Getting a dog is a huge responsibility. Don't get one if you can't afford to take care of it, or if you have a baby and thus have 'no time' for it, or you are in an unstable relationship. I don't have a dog right now, although I would LOVE to. But I know I'm not in a good situation to adopt...yet. Getting a dog should NOT be an impulse, because that impulse attraction wears off pretty quickly when the puppy pees and poops on the floor or cries all night. Can you tell I feel strongly about this? Yup. I'm up on my soapbox.
 Now, just to end on a positive note: I am so impressed with all of those folks out there who rescue and adopt and work tirelessly to take care and further this effort to keep all dogs off the street and in good homes. Thank you. Keep at it, you are doing the good work. You give me hope.

Steak And Bones

This is me playing around with the background on the 5x7 Ampersand scratchboard. I love the dogs positioning, so the finished product will be much the same, only with a different background (I think!?) When taking this on, the owner mentioned and even included a piece of artwork with dogs and a slab o' beef in it. This is "Steak And Bones". The dogs are Rocco (top) and Baxter, a Boston Terrier and a Boston/French Bulldog mix. These guys are the cutest! More on them in the book. Oh yes, the book...things are moving right along, just a few more stories to collect. If you are one of those who have not gotten the story of your dog(s) to me, please, I beg of you, don't wait too long. I'm not stressed out yet, but it's inevitable, especially if I have to hunt you down and badger you.

Zoey and Zipper

Today is Zoey and Zipper day! I put this composite drawing together from several of the photos that were sent to me. They both exist in real life, but this pose and the flooring are out of my own head. That's how I roll and that's how I've had to adapt to create these 5x7 drawings that will be in the book. They both have sweet stories to tell. You'll have to get a hold of a Dog Scratchin' book to read it. Oh I'm such a tease! The usual info; Ampersand Art scratchboard, inks and my two hands a' scratchin' away...

Pearl Of A Dog

This is Pearl. She is part of a small pack o' dogs, Monica and Prince are her buds. They all run the house, I'm sure. They are all loved.  Almost all of the dogs are drawn, stories are being read and re-read, a few stragglers still coming in. Soon my friends, soon, it will be a book.

Prince of a Dog

This is sweet little Prince. His owners love this little guy and I can see why. He does have eyes in there, don't worry! Work on the book continues. I've drawn 75 dogs and am working on the stories, trying to get it all together to put in the designer's hands mid August at the latest. Pushing...pushing...Hot....hot...hot.

70 Dogs On The Bed

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted here. Above is the reason why. I've drawn 70 different dogs (and some of them more than once to get them right) on 5"x7" Ampersand Art scratchboard. The photo is a little blurry because I used my smart phone camera. Don't worry though, the images in the book will be crisp and beautiful. I've been juggling dogs, and dog stories, plus working on some other art projects, and oh yeah, I'm moving into a new studio space in a month so I'm also packing. A lot going on here. I am so pleased with how all of this is turning out. And I'm beginning to think about the Cat project...launching in the fall. Yowza! Happy 4th!