Essential Dog

Color contrast

2012-01-08T21:44:00.001-08:00

On the big screen

2012-01-04T19:28:00.000-08:00

Visit the Billboard Art Project's Flickr page to see photos of my work exhibited in San Bernardino/Corona CA this past December!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T19:08:00.000-08:00

Bark Contrast

2011-12-18T18:56:00.001-08:00

A slight departure from my norm...all black and white. There is no better way to depict a Dalmatian, though!

Do you hear what I hear?

2011-12-05T13:42:00.001-08:00

Wide open

2011-11-22T20:25:00.001-08:00

Sent from my HTC smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint!

The Triplets

2011-11-14T19:13:00.001-08:00

Sent from my HTC smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint!

Missing Piece

2011-11-14T15:54:00.001-08:00

Everything is better in miniature

2011-09-19T15:01:00.001-07:00

Here is the mini version of "The Joy of Growth"...the only one of its kind. Available for purchase to the highest bidder at the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine Fall Conference auction this week!

California is going to the dogs

2011-09-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to be participating in the The Billboard Art Project! A collection of some of my favorite past works, along with some brand new paintings, 10-15 in all, will be displayed on an electronic billboard. The show will run for 24 hours on Friday December 2, 2011 in San Bernardino, CA. Check out their Facebook page to see all of the fabulous artwork that is being displayed across the country!

A nice "Peke" me up (Daisy)

2011-08-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

Patience is a virtue

2011-08-09T17:46:00.000-07:00

Soak up the sun (Buddy)

2011-07-17T17:29:00.000-07:00

Here is the painting of Buddy, the winner of my Facebook contest last month. Isn't he just the cutest little dog!

I have a bone to pick with you.

2011-07-10T17:40:00.001-07:00

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

Congratulations Buddy!

2011-06-02T18:48:00.000-07:00

Buddy was the winner of the drawing for the free 11 x 14 in. custom painting. Be sure to check back to see how the painting turns out. Congratulations Buddy!

FREE DOG ART! (how does that grab you?)

2011-05-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

I'm looking for a few good dogs to paint. Want to help me out? If you are willing to give me a photo of your pet, post it to the Essential Dog Facebook wall now through May 31st. Everyone who posts a picture will be entered in a drawing to receive a free 11x14 in. original painting of their pet created by me!

While you may post more than one pet photograph, your name will be entered into the drawing only once. (My dog Cooper suggests I put all the names in his food bowl and let him draw the name. I think that is a good job for him!) By posting your pet's photo, you give me permission to use the photo(s) and create beautiful artwork using your pet's likeness at a later date. There is no guarantee that I will use any or all photographs submitted. However, you will be notified if I do use your photo, as well as be given first opportunity to purchase any original artwork created if you so choose. Doesn't that sound doggone good?

So dig out the cutest photo you can find, and spread the word to all of your dog-loving friends. You only have until 12:00 am (midnight) Eastern Time on May 31st to post! Ready, set, FETCH!!!

(Cooper anxiously awaits seeing all of your wonderful photos!)

The Joy of Growth

2011-05-14T21:03:00.000-07:00

This series of paintings now hangs in the west lobby of Lynn Hall, home of the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine.

The title, "The Joy of Growth" comes from a quote by Mitsugi Saotome:
"If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life? It is other life; it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth."

The time has come...

2011-05-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

It has been a monumental project, and now the day has arrived! My piece "The Joy of Growth" has been hung in the west foyer of the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine! The dedication will be this afternoon at 2:45 pm. For those of you not in the area, pictures will be posted soon!

If the J. Peterman catalog had dog accessories, they would look like this...

2011-04-12T19:46:00.000-07:00

Trying something new! Made a few dog art pendants for man or beast. Coop was nice enough to model them ;-) Now available in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/essentialdog

Dog's eye view

2011-04-05T16:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of my work on the Purdue vet school project. The piece is finished and will be delivered to Lynn Hall this week! (Note Cooper critiquing my work in the background of the first picture ;-)

A little sneak peak

2011-02-20T11:05:00.000-08:00

Here is the long awaited update on my vet school project! I put together this short video by assembling photographs I took while creating the first panel. To be honest, I think it took longer for me to put together this video than it did to actually create the piece!
What's that you say? You want to see the other four panels? Well, you will just have to wait until it is all done and be surprised!

No, I havent been hibernating...

2011-01-30T15:57:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while, but that's because I have been diligently working on my big project for the vet school. Pictures of that project are coming soon! Tonight, though, I took some time to try out my new Ultra pen mouse and ArtRage software. It's taking some getting used to, but I am really liking it so far. Here is my first digital rough sketch:

Happy Howl-o-ween!

2010-10-30T18:16:00.000-07:00

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

Just trying out a few colors...

2010-10-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

I think the dog is having about as much fun as I am!

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

Cowboy

2010-10-15T18:25:00.000-07:00

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

Getting started

2010-09-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

Five blank canvases just waiting to be painted. And so it begins...the Lynn Hall art project!

Me and my shadow

2010-09-07T22:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks goes to Devin McKnight of Canine Rehab Aptos for use of his photograph, which inspired this painting! Bazza is a handsome dog that loves to play on the beach!

I got it!

2010-08-28T13:57:00.000-07:00

My art proposal for the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine was accepted!!! I will soon begin creating five 2 ft. by 4 ft. panels that will eventually hang in the west lobby of the school. It is a project of epic proportions...the largest that I have attempted, plus, I'm trying out a different technique for the background. Below is a prototype of what one of the panels will look like. I will post pictures of the project as it progresses.

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

D.O.G. Project

2010-08-22T06:53:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars! D.O.G. project (my first solo exhibit!) will be on display at Arts Place in Portland, IN. The show begins with a reception on Thursday, September 9th, and runs through November 1st.

SVM proposal

2010-07-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

Excited that my art proposal is being considered for hanging at Purdue's School of Veterinary Medicine!

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

Plugging away at my Art-o-mat project

2010-06-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

I have been working on my blocks for the folks at Art-o-mat. Never imagined 50 little blocks would be so much work...but it's awfully fun, too!

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

2010-06-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

Hunter and Bazbo

2010-05-20T05:24:00.001-07:00

The stage is set...

2010-05-11T18:32:00.001-07:00

Priming all of my little blank Art-o-mat blocks! More pictures to come as this project moves forward ;-)

Cooper's snooze

2010-05-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

After much trial and error, I have found the airbrush to be my tool of choice for my plate project! I love the way the enamel looks...nice and smooth. I'm sure Cooper doesn't mind that I used pink for his first plate ;-) Definitely more to come, to be sold in my Etsy shop!

Kerplunk!

2010-04-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

My prototype for Art-o-mat has been approved! Soon I will be producing these mini versions of my captivating canines, which will be headed to an Art-o-mat near you ;-)
"What is an Art-o-mat?" you say: Art-o-mat machines are old cigarette vending machines that have been converted to vend art (one heck of a recycling project if you ask me...happy earth day!) These machines are in various locations across the US. Over 300 artists from 10 different countries create work for the Art-o-mat project.

That'll do

2010-04-18T19:11:00.001-07:00

This piece is being sent this week to The Galaxie in Chicago for their 4th annual Square Foot exhibit. The show opens May 15th.

Art on the go

2010-03-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

I have a special treat for all my fans! I have created a few images for you to download for your desktop, iPhone, or Blackberry. Visit http://essentialdog.4shared.com/ where you can download the jpeg files for free. Just a small token to say thank you for your support!

The Boys

2010-03-23T16:38:00.001-07:00

This painting honors Bob and Bullet, the faithful clinic cats at Pets and Vets as Partners. It is on display in the clinic's library.

A laugh and a half

2010-03-15T19:46:00.001-07:00

Peace

2010-03-14T18:19:00.001-07:00

Ball!

2010-03-14T16:40:00.000-07:00

Everyday Princess

2010-03-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

The Canine Art Guild is hosting the Dog Gonn-it! online exhibit in honor of the guild's 5th anniversary. All submissions are 5 in x 5 in, and have a 5 in the price. The show will be exhibited online in April. This is my submission:

Waiting

2010-02-20T15:56:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like a dog waiting patiently for you to come home. (Or, waiting to bark at the mailman ;-) It's amazing how some dogs are so in tune with their owners, that they sense their owner's arrival, even when not on a set schedule. Brings to mind the book "Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home" by Rupert Sheldrake. An interesting read on animal perceptiveness.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

2010-02-09T20:23:00.000-08:00

...and painting is so delightful. So since I've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow let it snow!

Barking for Buckeyes

2010-02-01T16:45:00.000-08:00

The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association has accepted "Lean on me", "Sweet Dreams", "Tasty Treat", and "Give a dog a bone" for their 2010 Wings, Tails and Scales art exhibit! Artwork will be on display February 25-28 at the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH during the Midwest Veterinary Conference.

Going to visit Dorothy and Toto in Kansas...

2010-01-28T17:24:00.000-08:00

Just received word that my works "Border Patrol" and "Happy Lab" have been accepted for the 24th annual Art Show at the Dog Show in Kansas City! This show is held in conjunction with the Sunflower Cluster AKC All-breed dog shows put on by the Wichita Kennel Club. Artwork will be on display at the Kansas Coliseum March 1st through April 11th.

Da Peeg

2010-01-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

Callie is the cutest guinea pig you ever did see! How could I pass up an opportunity to paint her?

Penny for your thoughts

2010-01-26T18:35:00.000-08:00

Should old acquaintance be forgot...

2009-12-31T11:32:00.000-08:00

My mantra for 2010:

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler."
Henry David Thoreau

Happy New Year everyone!

Tyson

2009-12-31T11:21:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry, is this your chair?

2009-12-31T10:54:00.000-08:00

Mr. Big Stuff

2009-12-31T10:50:00.001-08:00

Window to the soul

2009-12-31T10:42:00.000-08:00

Clean your plate!

2009-12-13T09:26:00.000-08:00

For this week's arts and crafts time I decided to try something new. This is a stoneware plate painted with acrylic enamel. I like how it turned out; I think I'll do a few more of these!

A Reflection of Self

2009-12-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

A portrait of Cooper and I for Mom and Dad's Christmas present. Turned out so well, I decided to give it to them early...Happy St. Nicholas' Day!

Featured!

2009-11-22T05:20:00.000-08:00

My piece, "Hey, what's that?" was on the wall of featured artists at the Six by Six Gallery in NYC this month. Very excited to be in the company of such talented artists! It will continue to hang in the gallery, along with my new piece "The Sentry" through January.

Be sure to check out all of the new art next month at Six by Six Gallery: www.sixbysixgallery.com

The Sentry

2009-11-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

I decided to do another piece for the Six by Six Gallery's December show. It's just fun to whip up these little works of art!

Where's Waldo?

2009-11-07T06:40:00.000-08:00

I know that I haven't posted anything in a couple of weeks, but that doesn't mean I haven't been creating anything new! I have been diligently working in Santa Paw's workshop painting a few pups on commission for holiday gifts. Unfortunately I can't post them yet, otherwise it might ruin the surprise ;-)

Rescue me

2009-10-20T19:34:00.001-07:00

10 x 20 in. acrylic on canvas. Donated to All-Star Greyhounds for their rescue's fundraiser.

Hey, what's that?

2009-10-19T22:27:00.000-07:00

I just shipped this one to the Six by Six Gallery in New York City for their November show!

“Each month, Six by Six Gallery will exhibit hundreds of original works of art – every single one of them on a six-inch square canvas. This small and consistent size allows the gallery to show the works of a large and diverse group of artists each and every month. It also allows collectors the opportunity to curate their own selection of artwork at an identical size that will look great when hung together.”

Visit them at:
www.sixbysixgallery.com
531 East 13th Street (btwn Ave. A and B) in New York City.

Live your dream

2009-10-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

So this blog post is arriving a little late in the game, but better late than never! I am proud to announce that my work "Puppy Love" won the Marilyn and John Wells "Live Your Dream" Award while on display at the Art League of Montgomery County's eighth annual Fall Art Exhibit. That painting, along with "Is that a cookie?" and "Border Patrol" were selected to be on display in downtown Crawfordsville, IN last month. I extend a big thank you to the Art League for this award, and putting on this tremendous show!

Peek-a-pug

2009-09-30T05:20:00.001-07:00

Lazy day

2009-09-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

Give a dog a bone

2009-09-17T18:49:00.000-07:00

Buddies

2009-09-17T18:45:00.001-07:00

Welcome home

2009-09-07T06:31:00.001-07:00

11 in. x 14 in. acrylic on canvas (Sold)

Dane-ish

2009-08-30T15:58:00.001-07:00

What better to go with your morning coffee? ;-)

Number 2 of 4:

The first installment of a four part set:

Tasty treat

2009-08-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

8 in. x 10 in. acrylic on canvas.

Beautiful (Ayla at Wolf Park)

2009-08-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

8 in. x 10 in. acrylic on canvas

Puppy in pink

2009-08-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

16 in. x 20 in. acrylic on canvas. Sold (commissioned piece)

Wigglebottoms

2009-08-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Lean on me

2009-08-13T16:57:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited about this one:

Cleared for takeoff

2009-08-04T19:20:00.000-07:00

16 in. x 20 in. acrylic on canvas. Sold.

Just getting started:

Dog Logic

2009-07-31T16:29:00.000-07:00

"Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it & walk away!"

--Anonymous

My sweet girl

2009-07-31T16:09:00.001-07:00

16 in. x 20 in. acrylic on canvas.

Ruff day

2009-07-31T16:03:00.000-07:00

16 in. x 20 in. acrylic on canvas. Sold (commissioned piece)

Mr. Sully is looking good!

Border Patrol

2009-07-26T12:36:00.001-07:00

Sleepy

2009-07-23T21:35:00.001-07:00

8 in. x 8 in. acrylic on canvas board.

Leading the way

2009-07-18T20:47:00.001-07:00

12 in. x 24 in. acrylic on canvas. Donated to the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine 2009 Fall Conference Silent Auction.

7/24/09 Finished!

Getting started on a new one:

Puppy Love

2009-07-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

7/18/09 All done!

Progress thus far:

Rough sketch and color test:

Is that a cookie?

2009-07-08T20:32:00.000-07:00

Mush Face

2009-07-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

Tweaked the color on this one...looks much better!

Like it? Wear it, tote it, drink from it!

2009-07-04T19:40:00.000-07:00

Get some of my recent art on coffee mugs, t-shirts, pet bowls, tote bags, and more! I just opened a store on Cafe Press:
http://www.cafepress.com/essentialdog

If you're interested in an original piece, email me.

I triple dog dare ya

2009-06-30T23:10:00.001-07:00

Hiya, what's new?

2009-06-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

Hey, those aren't dogs!

2009-06-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

I know, but Bullet (top) and Bob (bottom) are the clinic cats where I work. I have taken them on as a special project. They are as close to dogs as any cat could possibly get! I'll post shots of their painting as it progresses.

What's out there?

2009-06-24T05:34:00.000-07:00

Reduce Reuse Recycle

2009-06-23T05:25:00.001-07:00

Did a rough sketch of Cooper on my gas bill.

Escape artist

2009-06-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

Get the ball

2009-05-25T09:42:00.000-07:00

Gettin' some sun

2009-05-19T18:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Lab

2009-05-10T17:01:00.000-07:00

Blackie's bling

2009-05-08T19:48:00.000-07:00

Invitation to play

2009-05-08T19:26:00.000-07:00

Amy's Ace

2009-05-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

Mom hurry up!

2009-05-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

June's Nap

2009-05-06T18:55:00.000-07:00