Pet Portraits and Wildlife Art

Just a quick reminder to say voting for this begins after midnight, there is a link on the pet portraits competition page plus don't forget to leave a comment stating vote on your chosen pet's blog post. Only one vote by each method allowed each day though!
Good luck to you all!
If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. The competition has closed for this year but there will be a new one in 2010. Join in the fun and vote for this year's winner by following the links here.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Winter, this is what his owner has to say....

He is a long-haired blonde Syrian who looks like a snowball, that's why I called him Winter! When he wants to come out he sits on the log in his home until I let him out. He loves to explore and meet new people but sometimes he just sits and falls asleep next to me.

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. The competition has closed for this year but there will be a new one in 2010. Join in the fun and vote for this year's winner by following the links here.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Apologies for the very poor shot but the weather is awful, we have severe weather warnings for the area and the snow has fallen and is still falling at a ridiculous rate, in a few hours we will be snowed in again even with the truck it will prove a nightmare to get down the narrow lanes to the main road so I'm not planning on going anywhere soon!
I have already fallen by the wayside with my art plans and spent a considerable amount of time updating my website, I expect if you visit it, you probably won't notice anything has happened, but believe me it has! I've added my new gift certificates designs and I think they look pretty good. I do intend to add some more soon plus I've added a new header image to all pages plus here on my blog.
Anyway, I did make myself get on with some more of this portrait....spot the deliberate mistake! The brown used for the vine stems has now changed colour, I've been working the background on the back of the film and it wasn't until I turned everything over to take a photo that I noticed. I'm going to ponder on it for a while but I think my best course of action will be to use the front of the film to correct the error rather than trying to remove the later stems as I think it could drive me mad!!!
Also some good news, one of my portrait commissions from Christmas has gained me another order so they must have liked it! I've also had a personal visit from Ace and Badger's owner when she came to say thank you for her portraits, which was fantastic news.
Off to find some wood to burn on the fire now, it's freezing here and unfortunately we've ran out of coal and our wood pile has got a bit wet so it's not burning too well!!!
If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. The competition has closed for this year but there will be a new one in 2010. Join in the fun and vote for this year's winner by following the links here.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Well Christmas has been hectic, as well as how chaotic it is for shopping, present buying and wrapping etc I've had a rush on portraits to contend with as well, other pet portrait artists will know eactly what I mean. However, I took Christmas Day and Boxing Day off but I do feel slightly lost without a pencil in my hand and am now back to full steam ahead with this dog portrait from some time ago which I put away when commissions had started to build up. As you can see I still have a way to go and it is quite a large portrait so it should keep me out of trouble.
Aside from this I've been trying to decide whether or not to carry on with portraits, this Christmas was manic, due to the number of portraits to do plus I also work full time, the stress was quite unbearable at times. That said I do enjoy it, and I think the main reason for my stress was the fact that I am so disorganised, I really do muddle along. Instead of working things in order to have things finished in time I tend to work the pieces I find most interesting and then I have a mad rush to catch up so I am giving myself the challenge of not getting in that situation again. Having said that, I have a solo display in February for a whole month and now need to produce some more work as the gallery will need to be filled up! So here is my first challenge for the year, to actually sit down and make myself do art instead of fiddling about with my website which I do a lot, all to no avail, I have risen in the search engines and for a complete novice I think I've done quite well, I could do better I'm sure but after being inundated and turning away clients at Christmas I can't be that invisible so perhaps I could leave it for now.
Anyway, my blog readers will soon know if I am keeping to my new rules, art, art, and more art instead of seeming to leave things to just mount up. We'll see!

However, in true tradition I will keep up the animal pics for you all to see, so here are a few more!


And this was Matilda, she absolutely refused to be shut in a pen, all our chickens are let out to wander around the garden and of their own accord they return to pens as dusk falls and we simply shut the doors, however, Matilda steadfastly refused to be shut away and every afternoon when we returned from work, she would race up to our vehicle to meet us, she almost came a cropper a few times getting very close to the wheels in her eagerness! Unfortunately Matilda did die but luckily it was of old age and sometimes it's a bit sad not to see her racing up the lawn to greet us. She followed Ronnie about and decided she should pose on his newly refurbished tractor for prosperity.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Oakley, this is what his owner's daughter has to say...
my name is Oakley and I am 3 years old Leonberger, my mummy Avis does not know I have entered for this competition, so if by some miracle I win I hope to give a picture of her favourite boy for a birthday present.
If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. The competition has closed for this year but there will be a new one in 2010. Join in the fun and vote for this year's winner by following the links here.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Dolly, this is what her owner has to say...
This is Dolly, she's a rescued ex-show jumping Holstein mare, aged approximately 35 now. She came to us as a "coatrack" but is now nicely rounded once again!
If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. The competition has closed for this year but there will be a new one in 2010. Join in the fun and vote for this year's winner by following the links here.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Roobee Doo, this is what her owner has to say...
This is my absolute favourite photo of my Jack Russell dog, Roobee Doo, taken when she was a puppy. She later fell asleep on these wellies!
If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. The competition has closed for this year but there will be a new one in 2010. Join in the fun and vote for this year's winner by following the links here.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Skye, this is the second of two entries for her, this is what her owner has to say...

This is Skye our 2 and a half year old weimaraner, we have had her scince she was 8 weeks old and she is very much one of the family, she had 10 beautiful puppies in the spring on 09 and was a excellent mother, she is the calmest Weimaraner we have ever owned , one in a million. shes is very clever and knows most words including "OUT" and even the spelling of it lol .

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. The competition has closed for this year but there will be a new one in 2010. Join in the fun and vote for this year's winner by following the links here.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Skye, this is the first of two entries for her. This is what her owner has to say...
This is Skye our 2 and a half year old weimaraner, we have had her scince she was 8 weeks old and she is very much one of the family,
she had 10 beautiful puppies in the spring on 09 and was a excellent mother, she is the calmest Weimaraner we have ever owned , one in a million.
shes is very clever and knows most words including "OUT" and even the spelling of it lol .
shes a big girl but still thinks herself as a baby and loves nothing more that to sit on your lap.

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. The competition has closed for this year but there will be a new one in 2010. Join in the fun and vote for this year's winner by following the links here.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Although it looks very pretty, this is where we were working this week and it has been unkindly cold!


So we built a fire and toasted our toes in between freezing to death!

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Cassie... this is the first of two entries for her. This is what her owner has to say....

Hi please find attached a picture of our puppy Cassisy…or Cassie for short (Im not the best at taking photos). As she is sooo young we don’t have many exciting stories to tell yet, except that she is loveable and can also be a wee nutter when the mood takes her! She was the last of the litter as no one wanted her! She has already fallen in the pond, drives our 3 moggies mad, loves the snow and tries to catch snowflakes in her mouth and has learned to sit and lie down this week – we are so proud! She will bring our family much love and fun and will be loved for the rest of her life!

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Candy's dog portrait is now completed and has been approved. I now just need to choose the mount for it, I am stuck between a wide cream mount and a double cream/fawn mount so I will photograph them both later for Candy's owner to choose. I'm also off to buy a frame for Badger today and his portrait, along with Ace's horse portrait which is already framed will be collected on Monday in time for a birthday on the 23rd December.

And as you know the great British weather is a tad cold of late so we had a little bonfire at work yesterday, we only have our vehicles to use for cover when it rains and it is in fact warmer to keep working, however we do need to have a break and this is when everyone gets cold so we decided the bitter weather wasn't going to get the better of us and we cooked bacon and cheese toasted sandwiches as we warmed our toes and our dogs.....lovely!

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Morgan, this is what her woner has to say...
Morgan is around 5 years old and has been with us for two years this january. We got this special little girl from the RSPCA, and she has brought nothing but happiness into our lives ever since we got her.

She has finally recovered from having TWO cruciate ligaments done this year as each one went on both legs.
Morgan likes, sleeping, chasing squirrels, kissing, cuddling, Gravy Bones, Toys ( which she likes putting in piles for some reason, some are naughty perhaps?) and Chewing people's noses!

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Morgan, this is what her woner has to say...
Morgan is around 5 years old and has been with us for two years this january. We got this special little girl from the RSPCA, and she has brought nothing but happiness into our lives ever since we got her.
She has finally recovered from having TWO cruciate ligaments done this year as each one went on both legs.
Morgan likes, sleeping, chasing squirrels, kissing, cuddling, Gravy Bones, Toys ( which she likes putting in piles for some reason, some are naughty perhaps?) and Chewing people's noses!

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website

Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

And at last Badger is on some grass! This dog portrait is due to be collected on Monday evening and before this I need to frame and touch up little bits and pieces, but on the whole it's there!

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Candy is now taking shape, all the basic light areas are in place plus I've started to add some shading. Candy's fur is very pale but very eye-catching so I'm trying to ensure that shows in this dog portrait. A little more to get on with though but she is beginning to appear.

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Toby, this is what his owner has to say....

Here is my beautiful Yorkshire Terrier Toby. He is loveable, adorable and cheeky and he has got that something really special about him. His favourite toy is his squeaky fluffy bone and he squeaks it like crazy when he wants me to play with him. He always has to pick it up wagging his tail when I walk in through the door. If it's not his favourite toy it will be anything he can get hold of as long as he's got something in his mouth! He's constantly by my side and follows me everywhere. I really can't imagine my life without him.

I think he has got the X-Factor, so please vote for Toby!

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

I've worked some more with Badger's dog portrait. As you can see the grass needs more work and I've also changed the backing and I think this has made a vast improvement in terms of contrast. Still some way to go though but it will be completed by the deadline.

I've also spent a while adding a photo album to my website and blog showing my pets and home. I will be adding more as time goes by, I hope to take some photos as I'm out and about at work so there will be a variety of local area photos.

You can find the link permanently at the top right hand column

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website

Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

This is the start of another labrador, this one being Candy who has unfortunately passed away quite recently. Candy was apparantly very naughty as a puppy and a bit of a handful, but as every dog owner knows, this seems a nightmare at the time but as they age and settle down, the naughty but funny things they used to do make you smile and forget how much hard work those puppies were to begin with. This dog portrait could be a bit of a challange as Candy's fur was almost white with very light almost unnoticable shades here and there so watch this space!


And now it seems poor Zac my springer spaniel has caught the sickness bug from Willow. He is quite old now at 13 and has been allowed the use of his own personal chair which has been kept for him. He is currently curled up in it feeling very sorry for himself and is off even his favourite foods. Seems like another very expensive trip to the vet is looming!
If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Georgie, this is the second of two entries for him. This is what his owner has to say...
Amarillo is the most kind animal I have met and has a heart of gold, he is a welsh section b and is filled with plenty of love to give. He wouldn’t hurt a fly and enjoys spending his days in a meadow with his younger but larger brother ammy . He would do anything to make any body smile and all children and adults who have met him love him.He is lamanitic and has COPD and nearly died last year. I hope he is chosen for the portrait as unfortunately i am putting him up for loan and would love something to remember him by please vote!

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Georgie, this is the first of two entries for him. This is what his owner has to say...
Amarillo is the most kind animal I have met and has a heart of gold, he is a welsh section b and is filled with plenty of love to give. He wouldn’t hurt a fly and enjoys spending his days in a meadow with his younger but larger brother ammy . He would do anything to make any body smile and all children and adults who have met him love him.He is lamanitic and has COPD and nearly died last year. I hope he is chosen for the portrait as unfortunately i am putting him up for loan and would love something to remember him by please vote!

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Kara, this is what her woner has to say...

This is Kara my nine month old Shiba Inu pup, she’s my “bubba”. As you can see she’s showing of her cheeky grin. She loves meeting new people and other dogs. And is a typical loving, playful puppy who loves to give kisses to show affection to the people close to her. I couldn’t ask for a better personality in a dog, she’s my best pal and brings me with lots of happiness."
If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

I would like my female Dobermann puppy, Blessing, to take part in the Pet Portrait Competition 2010.

Hi everyone, this is Blessing, my unique companion! She's energetic, adorable and sociable. She's always keen to discover new things around her and make new 'PAW' friends too. Her favourite games include Fetch and Hide-and-Seek. She always find stuff (e.g. keys, slippers, purse, socks etc) for me when I ask for them (which save a lot of time searching when I need them urgently!). No matter where I hide in the house (e.g. wardrobe), she is able to find me. Although she is a large breed, she is able to cope well with my other Jack Russell. And they often sleep near each other.

She has a really lovely nature which changed my previous impression of Dobies!

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Meet Spot, this is what his owner has to say about him....
This is Spot. It is not exactly know how old Spot is as he is a rescue cat but we think he is around 8 years old. Spot is the worlds biggest 'fussycat' as all he wants (apart from food) is fuss and attention and on this photograph he shows one of his "I want fuss" faces. Spot the cat could easily win the competition for the loudest purr.

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

As you can see my photo editing skills have not improved in any way whatsoever! This is Badger's dog portrait as it stands now, basically with the major areas in place now. I need to add a few more layers to his back flank and then it's grass, grass, grass! As you can see I have not taken this image in day light, which is pretty scarce when you work a day job as well. We finish relatively early compared to some jobs at 3.30pm but even then by the time we get home the light has all but vanished. I do hate winter, it makes me so miserable. I had worked in an office and thought it was the fact I drove to work in the dark and drove home again in the dark that made me so fed up with this time of year, but now I spend all day everyday in the great outdoors but I still hate winter (perhaps I just hate working really!).


 Aside from portraits, Willow has been quite ill for a few days, so much so that I rushed her to the vet yesterday as she was ill plus not eating and drinking very little. It turns out she has a tummy bug, which I didn't know dogs could get, but after an injection and some tablets she is a little better and having a nibble at food now, needless to say she showed off terribly when I tried to leave her at home instead of taking her to work this morning and so she's put in a full day of chasing sticks and cones plus followed us up and down the rows of trees relentlessly so I think she's getting back to normal now. Plus she was very very spoilt and allowed to sit in the cab on a lovely fluffy blanket as she was under the weather! Look at those ears! She's still not grown into them at all!

And finally, if you have recently sent an entry into my pet portrait competition and you do not see your image appear, that's because they are just too small. For example, I cannot produce a portrait from an image of 11kb which features a horse and rider, there simply isn't enough detail. I have received quite a few entries like this but if you can resend your entries with images which are 250kb or above I will happily add them to the competition.
If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

Cyril on the other hand is still a little bit coy but he does manage to look cute in his hammock!

In the meantime Shizzle is still trying out everything for nibble value! He'll have to provide all the food when the two of them are released.

And Shizzle takes his spoils to his bedroom to eat in peace! He'll make a proper squirrel!
If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!

And just because yesterday's update was such a poor shot here is a little bit more of an update on Ben's dog portrait. It has actually stopped raining, although I do think it will start again later on so I took a photo update when I could, no doubt if I had left it, it would be black skies and torrential downpours later on so a new photo would prove impossible, but now I've managed to capture a more truer photo, I expect it will turn out sunny so I could have left it longer! The moon is still out but it is reasonably bright so I can get on with some more work today. I was beginning to find Christmas portraits a little stressful at one point, I'm on top of things now but for a few weeks I seemed to be getting nowhere fast, the unfortunate/fortunate thing is I have to work full time and I cannot do as many paintings as I would like but there simply aren't enough to do to go full time! Oh the trials and tribulations I encounter!
I have lots of ideas bobbing around in my head about my website and I did have a little revamp (no idea why as I just couldn't take on anymore just yet) but I think I need to have a tidy up of it in the New Year. I've also got quite a few commissions for January plus I have a display to get ready for in February so in fact I think after Christmas will turn out to be just as busy for me!


Anyway, simply because he really is so cute, here are a couple more photos of little Cyril playing in his pen.


He's just so sweet! I'm of for my squirrel visit tomorrow and to take Cyril and Shizzle some treats so I'll take my camera again to see if I can get any more photos of them.


And on the home front, we are collecting a new tragopan hen today to go with the male shown above. He will have two girlfriends then, what a lucky boy!!!
I also feel as though I've made a fatal mistake today. I've stayed at home to finish pet portraits and allowed my other half to go to an auction on his own, he manages to buy all manner of things when I'm there and my back is turned so I just have no idea what rubbish he'll come home with! Oh well, at least he'll keep out of trouble down in the tractor shed!

If you like my work please take the time to leave me a comment or become a follower. If you would like to win a pet portrait of your dog, cat, horse or any other pet please see my new competition. It costs nothing to enter, all you require is internet access.

If you are interested in commissioning me please visit my pet portrait artist website or my wildlife artist website
Now visit my picasa photo album to see completed pieces of art.

Thanks for visiting!