July 31, Lucy and Luigi!

Yes, okay, I know I said "30 Dogs in 30 Days" and there's been a few more than that this year, and I couldn't resist this pair either-  This is Lucy and Luigi, Great Dane and Yorkie, and what a pair!

Here's their stories as well, from Christina!

We got Luigi first (on March 1, 2013) during our first year of law school. He's a rescue and came from a bad breeder situation. To spare you the sad details, I'll summarize by saying he was malnourished (3 lbs 7 oz when I picked him up and barely any hair on him) and scared of everything. However over time, and with a lot of patience and hard work, he's learned to love just about everyone and everything. He's at a healthy weight (5 lbs), an expert traveler, and a food connoisseur (curry chicken is one of his favorites). He'll be turning three years old on July 12th. 

Lucy, on the other hand, just turned one year old on June 24th. We were searching for a great dane to rescue but we kept hitting a wall. After a couple of years of searching, we decided to go to a breeder. She's a big, silly, gentle giant. She loves to play with Luigi and has learned how to accommodate his small size. She lets him jump up on the couch, puts her own front legs on the couch as well, and then does a sort of "downward dog" yoga position so she's face-to-face with him, and then they'll play tug of war or just mouth at each other and "talk". Even more adorable, whenever we go to the dog park I can tell Lucy to "go find Luigi" and she does, even in the thick grass or the smallest corner of a play area. She's also quite the foodie as well, but her tastes are more simple; she's an apple monger! I'm looking forward to see how they continue to grow and bond together.  

I love how big Luigi is in this painting-  and those expressions!  What a pair!

10x10 acrylic on panel, sold

July 30, Frankie!

Frankie is such a sweet faced guy~  when Audrey sent me these photos and we had a conversation about our cockers we have loved, I immediately felt that love for my old black cocker spaniel, Jojo. He was a squishy old dog, eight or older when I adopted him at the pound and skinny, and he never barked.  I had Jojo for four years until he developed serious mouth cancer and we had to let him go, and for a long time after he died I felt his soft, loving presence near me.  Audrey seemed to have the same experience with her Frankie.  There are some animals who really do make our hearts so much bigger, it is sad that they have to take a piece of it when they go~

I tried to include his multi-colored sweater in this, but I am not sure I like it...

15x15 acrylic on panel, SOLD

And the 30 Dogs Opening Celebration is THIS SATURDAY at DIAMOND'S COFFEE, 1618 Central Ave NE!  from 6 to 8 pm!  Come see all the dogs!

July 29, Mystery Dog!

Only one more dog to go!  And I have to admit I don't know whose dog this is!  I took the photo at the Hopkin's Raspberry Festival in August two years ago, I think, when my sister was with me and we sat and oogled over dogs all day long.  Boy, have I got a tough job!
SO I really don't know this dog's name or anything about it, but I loved that smile! And because it is a Mystery Dog, I've marked the price down for a Mystery Price!
And this Saturday please come join me in the Opening Celebration of all the dogs at Diamond's!  I'll have all the dogs plus cards of all of them and some snacks and drinks too~  this has been another amazing year and I want to thank all of you who have contributed to this project!

Oh and this Sunday, Aug 2 is Paws on Grand and I'll be sitting out at Wet Paint with a group of artists and we'll be doing 10 minute sketches for FREE!  Bring your pets along and get a sketch!

AND I'll be teaching one last class at Wet Paint as well!  Popular demand has resulted in one more class being scheduled on Tuesday Aug 4 from 10 to 1 for ages 10 to 15!  Send your kids to me!  We'll paint pets!  Sign up here!
And I am working on my Fall Adult Painting Lessons at my studio-  that schedule will be out soon as well!
OH And there are still spaces for the Habits of Painting- Advanced Acrylic up at the Art Colony in Grand Marais, MN!  This has been a life-long dream of mine, to teach there!  Come up and play with us!  Sign up HERE!

8x8 acrylic on panel, $150, click HERE to purchase!

July 28, Handsome Harry!

Ain't this the cutest pup you've ever SEEN?!  But he isn't a puppy anymore!
Here's what Shelley wrote about him~  he's a Bernese Mountain Dog, so you know he's not small!

Harry is the sweetest, most lovable, huggable guy ever. He adores people, particularly little girls. Once at the dog park, a little girl asked her dad if they could hire Harry for her birthday party. Harry doesn't realize that he's big: he's a lap dog and can't understand why most dogs are afraid of him. His favorite hangout is the Happy Gnome restaurant patio where he resides as head maître de on a regular basis~

 I could go on and on about this guy!  I've had dogs all my life and this one is so special~

8x8 acrylic on panel, $170 click HERE to make this your own!

July 27, Hannah!

Here is Hannah's story from her loving owners, Shari and Bill~

Hannah was a very special part of our lives for 14 years. We got her from Bill’s brother whose dog had puppies so we saw her right after she was born. She was a little rascal when she was a pup. One of her favorite things was untying  shoelaces.

 She loved to go for walks, swim, camp (went to the Boundary Waters many times) and watch animal shows on TV but most of all she loved just being wherever we were.

 It was hard to sneak a banana without her finding out. She would race out to the kitchen and wait for her share. We found it was a good way to give her pills when needed…..just stick them in a chunk of banana.

 She was obedient, loyal, friendly and the best dog anyone could ask for.

And I did also finally make a video of me painting~ I am not sure why it won't pop up in the e-mail but it should work if you click on the "Kat Corrigan: Paint!" part!

8x8 acrylic on panel, SOLD

July 26, Natalie, the Wad of Fur!

I LOVE this face!  What a look!  And here's what Loren says about Natalie-  I also had to include a photo of her leaping over the obstacles because that's pretty amazing!

Rescued at 4 months from the local high-kill shelter, Natalie is everybody’s fantasy of the perfect dog- Whatever I’m doing is what she wants to do….crazy about dog sports? she’s a retired Flyball Master Champion. …..wanna just chill and hang out? she’s happy to do it forever…..What’s not to LOVE about this 60 lb. wad of fur?!?

 8x8 acrylic on panel, sold!

July 25, Tex!

This guy is a birthday present from Lisa to JD!  I love the tongue on this one!  They don't always turn out well-  sometimes a dog looks absolutely goofy with its face wide open like this!
And here's what Lisa wrote about him~
Tex is a sweet, simple and loving 12 year old golden retriever who lives in the mountains in Colorado. His days are spent sleeping, playing ball and following his Dad around. He likes traveling and recently completed a 4,700 mile road trip from Colorado to Boston and back, visiting 16 states. He also has a picture in front of his favorite spot from the trip...Niagara Falls! 

8x8 acrylic on panel, sold!

Come see Tex and all the other dogs in a week at Diamond's!  1618 Central Ave Ne, the party is Saturday Aug 1 from 6 to 8pm!

July 24, Eleanor and Marcel!

Today's dogs were painted this morning in a brief lull when I could get the boys out of the house, in between other familial goings-on since my sister popped into town yesterday!  I do love this one, it seems I don't often see lovely photos of two dogs so comfortable together, or even two animals so obviously attached to one another.  I was a little worried about being able to properly suggest those delicately closed eyes, and I am pleased with the results!

Nate and Erin Moren a husband wife team of custom furniture adopted the short hair Marcel. This photo is from the first day they the adopted the long hair Eleanor to join their family.  

9x12 acrylic on archival hardboard panel, sold

July 23, Belle!

And this is Belle, which is rather apropo, because I have a sister by that name, oh and my mom might read my blog before this afternoon so I better not say anything else right now...
Belle has a great story too!  I love hearing about people's pets, don't you?!

Belle, a year-old Brittany, was a surprise gift to our daughter, Megan, after she graduated from college. Megan always wanted a dog of her own, and what better time, right?  Well, Megan now lives with us as she attends graduate school and so Belle has MOVED in!  She is crazy active, into everything, and requires a lot of supervision -- as puppies generally do!  But to make up for all of that, she is the most loving dog we have ever owned. She literally gives hugs, wrapping her front legs around our necks, and laying her head on our shoulders. She eagerly greets us as we walk in the door and follows us around everywhere. When Megan takes her on weekend trips, we feel the emptiness she leaves behind. 

Belle has definitely become a part of our family and it did not take us long to love her!

8x8 acrylic on hardboard panel, sold

July 22, Toby!

Yet another irresistible face!  Yes, I understand how you can walk into a place not expecting to come home with a pet and yet be unable to leave without this little soul that is grabbing your heart and pulling it out your body so that you can't possibly exist without that little being in your life!

And this is Toby!

8x8 acrylic on hardboard panel, $170 click HERE to purchase!

July 21, Eleanor!

Good morning!  I was up early today, painting and painting-  staying at my parents' house to check on their recoveries (both doing great!) and this is the dog of today!  I know it said Tex on the list, but I have decided to swap them for reasons of Lisa's request, which I forgot about until this morning, and I am the master of this project so I get to decide what happens and WHEN!  Wahoo!  And so THERE!
Sandra sent this about Eleanor!

Her owners Mark & Jessica were not really looking for a dog when 

they casually went into a store in Miami. They saw her and it was the

face that drew them back the next day to take her home. Eleanor has

an amazing amount of determination and an enormous personality

packed into her little body. She likes other dogs, as she does people

of all ages. And, Eleanor is a pretty sharp cookie, knowing 25-50 words! 

8x8 acrylic on hardboard panel, $170 click HERE to purchase!

Here's my painting set-up this morning...

and ME painting!

July 20, Elvis!

You didn't know Elvis was a part of this collection, did you?!
Ha!  and I found one of my fav brushes and LOVED painting those strokes around his face-  dang!  I love paint!
This is Elvis' story, from Eve, his loving owner~
He was originally named Joey and was surrendered to a high kill shelter in Ohio because he did not hunt and barked when left tied outside during storms. When I fostered him last fall he had major anxiety issues. He is much calmer these days and enjoys the company of my other dog, Victory or Vic a 2014 30 Days dog. I re-named him as I thought he needed a new start and since he is a big 'talker' I thought of the Elvis Presley song Hound Dog since he barks a lot and has never caught a rabbit - although he is a good friend of mine unlike the song.

This is Elvis with a retouched nose, because I didn't like how cone-like it appears below-  and the funny thing too, is the lighting this morning wasn't as good as when I took the photo yesterday!  Because the color of the floor and the rest of Elvis below is much truer than this photo above!  Aint' that crazy?  I do like the re-done nose better, myself...

8x10 acrylic on panel, sold

July 19, Boo Radley and Scout

I am saying this one is In Progress because it is a larger piece and I didn't have the time today to finish it yet-  but I DID want to post it today, so I am posting it and will update the image when I get it TOTALLY finished!
Here is what Boo and Scout's owners shared with me!

Amy adopted (Boo) Radley from a woman in her neighborhood that couldn't take care of her.  Radley was just a year old and was overweight and and went by a different name.  To Kill a Mockingbird is also one of Amy's favorite books and she gave Radley the namesake because even though she looked scary, she was very friendly.  Amy soon discovered that Radley had very significant hip dysplasia and would need hip replacements on both back hips.  Radley is now 9 and gets around pretty well on her fancy titanium hips.

Scout is now 3 and was rescued from Second Hand Hounds as a puppy.  From a litter of seven, all named after dwarves, her original name was Happy, but we knew that Radley would look out for her and show her the ropes, so Scout seemed like a perfect name.

Initially Radley really did not want to share the roost with Scout (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LScL21pJPkg) but they have since become great friends and playmates.

15x15 acrylic on panel, IN PROGRESS

7/18 Lucy!

I had so much fun painting this one!  All that light and shade... and mixing those greys...
Here is what Wendy says about the lovely Lucy!

Lucy is a 9-10 year old Collie who found her way to us via the Animal Humane Society.   As a suspected abandoned animal, we are a little vague on her first 2-3 years life experience.

She’s made up for the slow start by becoming an AKC Canine Good Citizen and a certified TDI Therapy Dog.  She is a laid back, happy and helpful friend.

Word on the street is that if Timmy was stuck in a well somewhere, Lucy would be his best bet!

10x10 acrylic on archival panel, sold~

July 17, Max the Corgi!

I can't help it!  I lOVE corgis named Max!
And he's got a story to match!
My name is Max (Max Power) and I am a 7 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi who lives in Northeast Minneapolis.  I enjoy walks, treats, food, barking, shedding, ice cubes, freshly laundered blankets, car rides, taking naps, and playing with my toys.  My favorite toy is a purple crying onion.  I can do many tricks (sit, stay, paw, other paw, wave, crawl, bang (play dead), and wipe my paws), though I tend to complain every time I am asked to do a trick.  I dislike going to the vet, taking a bath, having my nails trimmed, having my picture taken, the UPS/FedEx truck, the vacuum cleaner, ferris wheels, sneezing, and aerosol cans.  

8x8 acrylic on archival panel, SOLD

July 16, Nelly!

Sometimes when I open up an image it just makes me smile!  How 'bout THIS for a wide-open-face-filling grin?!  How could I possibly resist painting Nelly?!? She's thirteen and looks like she's still got life by the tail!

8x8 acrylic on panel, already sold!

July 15, Neville Longbottom!

HOW could I possibly resist painting a dog with THIS FACE and with THAT NAME?!?!   What better name for a dachshund!!!

Here is what his loving owner, Melissa, has to say about this character!

This is a 2 year old dachshund named Neville Longbottom.  His mission in life is to rid the world of squeakers and to make folks laugh while doing it. He likes tennis balls, collecting sticks, running laps in the back yard, and taking naps in the sunshine. 

8x8 acrylic on panel, sold!

July 14, Mick and Maya!

Wow these two took a bit longer today! What a pair!  They look like they are planning their next move...

Mick and Maya are two of a kind.  They are irreplaceable.  They may be a handful, but they are a handful of love, loyalty, kindness, and fun.  The fact that they are experts at getting into trouble and food is only outmatched by their ability to get into one's heart.  To know them is to love them. 

Whew!  And both my parents are fine, thank you all for the kind wishes!

10x10 acrylic on panel, sold

July 13, Betsy

This is Betsy the Australian Shepherd, and her owner Sarah sent me two possible photos, this one which was her "Beauty" shot, and another darker one which was her "Noir" shot.  I really wanted to paint the "Noir" shot, but I couldn't see enough info in the photo, which is why it is the Noir one, I suppose but I opted to paint from the Beauty photo instead, and you can see what a beauty Betsy is!

8x8 acrylic on hardboard panel, $170 click here to purchase~

7/12 Meronym!

Alright!  We were supposed to have a date at Psycho Suzie's to paint Meronym, so I could meet her and her owners in person, but too many other things got in the way so I painted Meronym here at home by myself (with two six year old boys and all their pokeman cards, but do they count?)  and I am pleased with her smile!  What a light of a face!
Here is what Meronym's "Aunt" says of her~
She is named after my sister’s favorite character in the book Cloud Atlas. She shares the house with two other kitties Katsu and Tali.  She is a Collie and German Shepard mix and is simultaneously the most rambunctious, yet well behaved dog I have ever met. Every time I come over to my sister and my brother-in-law's house to visit we have to let her outside so she can run around and pee because she is so exited to see me. I think of her as my niece because Meronym is a great source of happiness and light in their life.

10x10 acrylic on hardboard panel, sold

July 11, Doogan!

And this is Doogan, though I do need to say that again, I didn't quite have the time to paint that I needed for this guy, so this may be a redo-  I don't think I got his lovely whiskers quite long enough!
He's a Labradoodle from a red poodle mama and a black lab dad.  He's got a tolerant and aloof personality but he loves his family, children, his toys and snow. 

8x8 acrylic on panel, sold

July 10, "Henri and Frankie, Friends Forever"

This is a sweet one, for sure!  I really tried to pull those old-dog expressions out of their faces so they glow a bit more love~

Their sweet stories are below~

12x12 acrylic on panel, SOLD

Frankie, The Cocker Spaniel:

"Who is ever gonna adopt that old dog?" I whispered to a fellow volunteer at the Humane Society as we walked down the dog adoption aisle.  "You'd be surprised" he answered.  Yes, Frankie was that forlorn-looking older cocker spaniel (his cage card said he was 10) that workers had just brought up to the adoption floor.  However, he was completely delightful on our walk, calm, he did not pull on the leash and seemed to be smiling!!  I could not help but spend extra time with him in his kennel, where he immediately came and sat on my lap for some dog-lovin'.  He was still there the next week and during my shift I spent even more time with him.  Yes, I adopted him two days later and for the next four years I learned over and over from him that old dogs are the best dogs!  He was always laid-back, but yet energetic, lovable, and loyal.  At the age of 12 until his passing two years later, Frankie became a volunteer at a local nursing home, where the residents lavished him with love and too many treats.   Even though Frankie and I were together four short years, it was so worth it.  

Henri, The Schnauzer:I know I speak for Frankie when I say Henri is one of those one-in-a-million Schnauzers who we came to love.  Both Frankie and I couldn't wait for Henri's family to go on vacation so he could stay with us.  Even at age 14 Henri loves nothing more than to sing along with the "Happy Birthday" song or "How Much is the Doggie in the Window", throwing his head back and howling with so much gusto, he almost falls over backward .  I've been told when his family has guests, Henri makes them feel welcome by choosing to sleep in their bed with them at night.  Henri and Frankie liked nothing more than to curl up together for a quick snooze before going to the dog park for some running around time.  Though Frankie is gone now, what a comfort it is to still have Henri in my life. Some day we will all meet again at the Rainbow Bridge.

July 9th, Peter the Mexican Crested!

We've had a bit of drama around home lately-  no one likes emergency room visits and especially not the night before your birthday, but that's where my mom and I spent the eve last night-  so there's that rule that life always throws at you, when you least expect it, and so I am needing to limit a few things here and there but hopefully it won't affect my painting these dogs too much because I kinda need to do this for MY mental health!

SO I picked this dog because I absolutely LOVED that whole demeanor!  And he sounds just like he looks!  This is Peter, and here is what his owner, Candy, has to say about him~





8x8 acrylic on panel, $170 click HERE to purchase!

He is, obviously, a Chinese Crested. He is a whooping 7 pound boy. I adopted him through Crest-Care Chinese Crested rescue, but he is actually a re-home from a family that had a few too many dogs. He was the "trouble maker" so he was one who had to find another place to live. When he first came in he was afraid of anything outside the house. His behavior though was typical of an unsocialized dog - definitely not an abused dog. Now that he has had a lot of experiences he has decided he is a social butterfly. When we are out walking, especially around campgrounds, he wants to stop and meet everyone he can see. They don't have to be nearby - if he can see them he wants to "talk" with them. He walks over to folks, stops and stares at them. If they don't greet him and fuss over him, he will stand and grunt until he gets some attention. At home - his two favorite past-times are sitting in the chair with Dad while listening to the TV and watching the street so he can warn off all the invaders - an invader being anything moving that is within his site. He definitely envisions himself as the big dog in charge - he just happens to be in a very small body.

July 8, Teddy!

Oh this was SO FUN to paint!  Love that tilt of the head, that little shiny glint in the eye, those oh so effective teeth!  What a fluff ball!  THIS is Teddy, folks!  Ain't he something?!

I love his story, too, and have included a VIDEO of his bark!
Teddy is a 2 year old rescue Shih Tzu with failing kidneys & a missing tooth who has a job of unofficial therapy dog to twin brothers with autism. His bark is like nothing you've ever heard & he loves to use it to talk to the squirrels. Everybody who meets this fluffy little brown beast absolutely falls in love with him!

Ain't he something?!

8x8 acrylic on panel, sold~

July 7, Hershel!

I gotta admit I had some trouble with this one, but more because I wasn't using my usual brushes and paints and lighting... it is funny how that can really switch things up!  I LOVE Golden Acrylic and I don't have a tube of my Titanium white here so I had to use another brand and it is TERRIBLE.  REALLY REALLY TERRIBLE.  But I think Hershel turned out alright...

8x8 acrylic on panel, $170 click HERE to purchase!

And here is Hershel's story~

Hershel is a darling rescued miniature long-haired dachshund who was dumped in the woods in Becker, MN as part of a domestic dispute when he was 2 years old. He came into my life and heart 9 years ago after a determined foster mom finally caught him.  Hershel loves walks and belly rubs and hates baths and vacuums. He is the ultimate people dog and has never met a person he didn't love. 

July 6, "Ace"

This is Ace!  And this painting has taken the longest so far this month-  I usually like to finish a piece in one sitting of a couple hours, but I was interrupted this morning and had to set it aside until this afternoon, and then I didn't like his nose and felt the background wasn't working so I had to regesso some bits, but now I love it! Look at that FACE!
And here is what his Grand-dog-mom, Susan has to say about him!

So here’s my grand-dog Ace (aka Acey-Boy). He is the hardest dog in the world to photograph. I swear as soon as he sees the camera he starts moving non stop, especially when you try to get his face! I’m sending several photos. :-D

He is the sweetest dog ever, and such a good boy. He hardly ever barks - can you believe that? And so good with my daughter’s kids, even though he came several years before them. He makes me want a Schnauzer. :-D

 He makes me want to BE a Schnauzer!

8x8 acrylic on panel, SOLD

July 5, "Beau"

I think Collies are like the saints of the dog world-  they are the kindest, most open faced, smiling, happy to help kind of dogs around.  They just see to be willing to help or to lend an ear or to help get Timmy out of the well, whatever you need at the drop of a hat~
And THIS one is Beau!
Here's his story, sent in by his owner's friend and fellow dog lover, Joyce!

Jan got Beau in 2012 from the Collie Rescue of VA/MD. He is half Rough Collie and half Great Pyrenees. Jan is the Jefferson Lab Science Education Manager and the National Science Bowl Coordinator for the Department of Energy. So each year, Beau comes to the Virginia Regional Science Bowl and acts as the mascot, the Science Bowl Puppy. He even has his own name tag! The kids all enjoy petting him and interacting with this gentle giant. His warm, smiling face brings their stress levels down so they can concentrate on answering all the tough science and math quiz questions.

I love it when a dog has a job and does it so well!

8x8 acrylic on panel, SOLD

Happy July 4th! Here's DASH!

This seems to me to be an all around American dog, for the 4th of July~  just what we should all be doing today-  relaxing and rolling around happily in the green green grass!
And I didn't really get a story, but I will admit that I usually try to crop in to the faces of the dogs for this project and that this one took me longer than usual, in trying to get the proportions right and get that face to look correct and not too goofy-  just the proper amount of goofy!
I think it worked!

8x8 acrylic on panel, SOLD

July 3, "Rosie and Lola"

Another one you can't blame me for painting~  "Watership Down" was my all-time favorite book for a long time-  I don't get the chance to paint many rabbits!
Here's what Rosie's owner says about her, AND the bunny!
Here is our dog Rosie, who is 3 years old. She is a golden retriever and loves to greet everyone who walks past our corner yard. Luckily for her even our windows are low enough for her to watch the world go by. We have had 2 bunnies and she has loved both of them. At first we thought her nudging them with her nose was her way of tenderizing the bunny but then we realized she just wanted to play. This bunny was named Lola.

8x8 acrylic on panel, $170 click HERE to purchase!

July 2, Azzura!

This is another one I couldn't resist once I opened the attachment and saw that expression!  I mean, really-  I am only human!
Here is Azzura's story by her loving Jenn!
We rescued Azzura, also known as Z, shortly after we had to say goodbye to our Potcake puppy, Luna, and our senior Boston Terrier, Bogey. We were not ready for a new dog, but the house was too quiet and we were too sad. My in-laws had recently adopted a Catahoula and saw Z, also a Catahoula, listed on the Secondhand Hounds site. We went to visit her at her amazing foster home and fell in love. A week later we brought her home. We celebrated her first "gotcha day" a few weeks ago and can't believe what an amazing addition she's been to our family. She's cuddly and crazy, gentle and playful with our daughter and completely obsessed with tennis balls. 

Seriously!  LOOK at that face!

8x8 acrylic on panel, SOLD

July 1, Beatrice! For Rosemary!

Okay, this is much later in the day than I meant to post it, but things got off to a slow start this morning!
And sadly, I have no story for this first dog of the month!  All I know is I thought her name was Bernice, but have been corrected and it is Beatrice.  And I loved the photo so much, and those eyes, and I just had to paint her!  You can see why, can't you!

8x8 acrylic on panel, $170 click HERE to purchase!  These eyes can be yOURS!