July 22 Tate and Hillary!

It isn't often that I see a photo of two dogs that works together really well. Often, one dog or the other will be looking off in another direction or will have shut eyes or something.

THIS is a great photo!

And here's what Beth says about these two!

I definitely want these sweeties captured by you. 
The one on the left is Tate. He is a rescue. I got him when he was about 9 months. He was super shy. Now he’s kind of a knuckle head but oh so love able.
Hillary is the Diva.  She’s the queen and she bosses Tate around.  And she loves him too. 
They are both almost 4 years old. 

9x12 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

 

July 21 Scout for Laurie!

And today's sweet pup is Scout~ such a cute face!  And here's his story from Laurie~

Scout is a rescue dog - a foster fail!  A mix of yorkie and jack russell,  he was found walking a country road in South Dakota with his traveling buddy Scamp.  Scamp found a home right away.  I took Scout  to foster.   We tried for months to find a good match for him.   He had many admirers and met a good number of people who thought he might be the one for them.    But there was always something.  He was too tiny.   He didn't like being handled.    He growled at a 5 year old boy who tried to grab him.   He was not playful enough with Carlton the Cairn.    After the 4th or 5th failed meet and greet, I took Scout back to the car and called Howard.  He knew why I was calling and just said "yes."   Scout and I sang all the way home.  Scout's been with us since 2010. 

8x8 acrylic on wood

Spoken For!

July 20, Maggie and Charlie!

So I ended up doing another two dogs today!  This is Maggie and Charlie who live together and love one another and are just so beautiful!

I have a dog to nominate for this coming month's Pupzapalooza! My sister’s dog Maggie is a little skittish, but devoted to her. She’s a cattle dog, and ain’t she a beaut? 
 And here is Charlie, the other cattle dog, who belongs to my sister Lisa. He looks very happy in these pics. He’s a big goof.

Maggie!  8x8 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

Charlie! 8x8 acrylic on wood

Spoken for!

July 19 Harvey AND Hudson!

This one took a bit longer because it's a bit bigger, but I just couldn't resist this photo of these two! Those smiles are so big! Okay, Harvey's is huge and Hudson's is a little smaller....

18x36 acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

usually would be $1296,

BUT right now it's only

$700!

click here!

July 18, Tulley~

It's hard to believe it's possible to have this many beautiful dogs in the world, but dang!  Tulley's face is one that appears recognizable, like maybe you know this dog from somewhere, and then BANG it is SO definitely this ONE SPECIFIC TULLEY.
What a great name!
Here's what Tanya sent me about Tulley~
Hi Kat!

I wanted to give you a funny little anecdote about Tulley.. Tulley was very sweet but also quite mischievous!

One evening we were preparing dinner, she hopped up and grabbed the loaf of French bread and headed for the dog door. It took her two tries to realize if she turned she could escape with her plunder! 😂❤️

8x8 acrylic on wood

Spoken For!

July 17, Phyllis~

Sometimes you get a photo that is just so intriguing, you HAVE to paint it!  Here's one of those-
and I was lucky enough to get to go paint by Minnehaha creek this morning, so I'm a little late with this one today. It's a fun challenge to try to paint what's in front of you- a little trick to get your eyes and your mind and your hand to separate a bit- to look and translate that directly into the color you stroke onto the panel~
Ah~
So, here is Phyllis!

8x8 acrylic on wood

$224

click here~

July 16, Skye!

Today's dog is another one with an incredible smile! So irresistible!
Here's what Laurie says about Skye~

Skye was rescued by RAGOM from a commercial breeder 2 years ago. She used to live in a barn, have puppies, and probably ate food right off the ground. Now she is a house dog who eats from a Dansk bowl, and sleeps on a couch or bed (her choice). She is loved by her forever family and smiles lot.

 In rescue, Skye’s foster dad introduced her to peanut butter toast. To this day, nothing excites her more than hearing the toaster click into action to prepare her favorite morning treat. Skye is sweet, beautiful, funny, smart, loving—and very loved. 

The toaster is a Magic Machine, not unlike the grill. 

8x8 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

July 15, Shiloh and the Ball

Got up a bit earlier today to get going on this one! And I had to re-set the eyes once or twice- it is really important to get them in the right place or it just doesn't feel like the same animal. That's where portraits are different from a painting of a dog. I want to make sure I'm getting the actual dog and not just any dog. I want it to look like YOUR dog!
So this is Shiloh!
I had to paint the entire dog and the ball too~ it was just so necessary to the composition.
And here's what Karyl wrote about her!

Shiloh is a rescue pup from Kentucky — she found her forever home with us six years ago. She loves the summer months because she can eat the zinnias in my garden, which are apparently delicious! We can tell Shiloh loves us and we love having her in our pack!

8x10 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

July 14, Emmet

Here's another one of those ones with such a fantastic gaze! When a dog looks at you like this, you can FEEL the being-looked-at!
Here is what Kimberly says of her Emmet~

I adopted this handsome pup from Big Fluffy Dog Rescue in Nashville TN. He’s a Black Lab/ Golden Retriever mix, with a bit of mystery thrown in. (Pyr? Black bear?)  Emmett is a true gentle giant. He’s 100 pounds of love: loyal companion, goofball, wanna-be lap dog, and bed hog. He’s also a good watchdog – keeps me safe from chipmunks, squirrels, and deliveries (but would happily let a burglar in if they brought food). I feel so lucky to have him!

8x8 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

July 13 Aimee

I do love short-haired shiny coated dogs, don't you? Catching those little gleaming bits in paint is a joy-
This is Aimee, and here's what her owner Jill says about her!

As a German Shorthaired Pointer, Aimee was born to hunt.  For her first two years it was pheasants in Minnesota.  Then she moved to Northern California where she now runs through the Sierra Nevada mountains hunting butterflies, lizards and chipmunks.   It's different, but she is still a hunter dog.. and oh such joy!!!

8x8 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

July 12, Lou!

There's something about a dog's smiling face, with that relaxed mouth and direct gaze that makes me feel the world is all okay.
This is Lou!

Lou belongs to Lindsey & Isaiah Love.

And, he’s a true Love, too.

Tender, gentle, sensitive, loyal, wise, regal.

Lou loves jumping in the lake.

He loves going to Canada when his family fishes.

He loves hearing the word “walk” so much that 

now it needs to be spelled out.

He loves Grandma.

He loves the stuffed polar bear she gave him.

He loves french fries. 

He lives in fear of Bernice, the family cat.

Lou is a K-9 Mpls rescue.

He was found abandoned in Jasper, Alabama. 

8x8 acrylic on wood

$224

Click HERE!

July 11, Ruby Dee with Dandelion Crown

This one was so fun to paint! Dang- those eyes- I'm enjoying just looking at it sitting here in front of me-  that Ruby must have been an incredible creature! Her owner  has this to say about Ruby~

"I lost my heart to Ruby Dee the moment I met her, but over the years it became clear we may have just been the same person in 2 different bodies. Every pet is unique and beloved in so many ways, but in a lifetime one or two come along that are so perfectly fitted to be yours it seems like proof of a benevolent universe. Ruby Dee greeted each morning with a pure joy that inspired me."

10x10 acrylic on wood

spoken for~

July 10, Jasper for Jodi!

My cousin lives in Seattle with her family, and we've been lucky enough to get to travel to visit frequently. I love that she and her family love dogs just as much as my family, and when we were kids I loved her family dogs as much as mine.
So this is Jasper!

8x8 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

July 9th, Lila!

This is Lila, she is a sweet dog that my friend Lucy gets to dog sit for occasionally, and because Lucy loves her, she wanted me to paint her for her. So here is Lila!

12x12 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

7-8 Boss!

This one is for Valerie, my newest sister-in-law!  What an amazing head this sweet beastie has- and he was SO much fun to paint!  another one of those "noses-in-the-camera-lens" shots~ and such a fun angle with such a great look in his eye, and really wonderful negative spaces all around!

9x12 acrylic on wood

$351

click here~

7-7 Lucy!

I love the name Lucy! Such great personalities seem to go with it, including those 4 legged versions!  And the added plus is that THIS Lucy is a beautiful shiny black dog! I LOOOVE painting black dogs!  Have I mentioned that before?
Here's what Grace says about her!
"Lucy (my black dog) is five years old and loves to be with her people, especially her human kids."

8x8 acrylic on wood

$224 including tax and shipping!

click here~

7-6 Becky's Sweet Dog!

This is my cousin Becky's dog, and I know there's lots of photos out there of the close up dog's nose variety, but I loved the eyes on this one too!
So big and brown, and open, and trusting, and in the NOW that we all need.
Yup.
Need some dog energy most of these days!

8x8 acrylic on wood

$224 inc tax! Free Shipping!

Click here!

7-5 Moxie~

This is one of those faces that just makes you smile when you look at it. Aren't these the kindest eyes?
This is Moxie~
And this is what her owners wrote about her~

Moxie loved her people - including her family’s friends and neighbors. Affectionate and devoted, she brought comfort, joy and love to all who knew her. We no longer feel her sleeping at our feet, but she will live forever in our hearts.

8x8 acrylic on wood

spoken for~

7-4 Peabody!

I love this one!  Peabody seems to be a rather All-American Dog to me, hanging on the beach, waiting eagerly and attentively for you to throw that ball into the lake for the hundredth time, please!
I'm hoping you are able to have some fun by some water today, especially if you are in Minnesota where it is pretty darn hot and muggy.  We'll be spending time in our little backyard pool today for sure, and maybe in the sprinkler too!
Happy Fourth of July!  May you have a safe and healthy one, and all your family too!
XOXO

10x10 acrylic on wood

Spoken for!

7-3 Monkey!

So we never meant to fall in love with a pug, but we have our own Bunny, and our friends have a sweet pug named Pig, and as my son Max says, this is the 3rd Animal Pug, Monkey!  Isn't she the cutest?!
I'm really pleased with the reflections in her eyes, and the green...

8x8 acrylic on wood

$224

click here!

7-2 Mojo~

My friend Julie sent me some photos of her brother's dog, Mojo and she has some sweet things to say about Mo!
"She is so gentle and loving, loyal beyond belief, and she keeps his heart full of hope and purpose.

If you could paint the one where she's riding in the boat with my brother that would be heavenly, since that is my dad's old boat and it is the place where my brother is his happiest, especially if Mo is fishin' with him.
Mojo waits and watches and is always wherever Brian is."

8x10 acrylic on canvas

spoken for!

7/1 Eloise is the first dog!

I could NOT resist this one!  And I don'f often paint white dogs so I thought this would be a good challenge-
Isn't she cute?!
And here is what Mary, her owner, says about her~
Eloise came to us on June 28, 2019 at 22 weeks.  This photo was taken by my sister that first night. We were still sad from losing our 14 year old golden doodle, Lulu, only a month previous when we found Eloise.  She is the sweetest puppy! We couldn't love her more and she has healed our broken hearts. 

8x8 acrylic on wood

spoken for!

6/30 OFFICIAL LIST for "30 Dogs in 30 Days!" Wahoo!

So sorry people!  We've had a bit of a crisis, with an infected tooth and some emergency surgery, and things are better now but I wasn't feeling like posting...
But NOW I do!
See below for the OFFICIAL LIST which is always capable of changing!

And follow along because the first dog will be tomorrow!!!
Wahoo!

8x8 acrylic on wood

Special! $150

Click here for this one!

YAY!!!!

7-1 Mary S- Eloise

7-2 Julie P- Mojo

7-3 Alison H- Monkey

7-4. Tracy Y - Peabody 

7-5 Penny T - Moxie 

7-6 Becky S-

7-7 Grace G - the black dog

7-8  Valerie - Boss 9x12

7-9  Lucy B- Lila 12x12

7-10 Jodi W-  Jasper 8x8

7-11 Joyce L-  Ruby Dee  8x8

7-12 Sandra H- Lou 8x8

7-13 Jill S- Aimee 8x8

7-14.  Kimberly M - Emmett  8x8

7-15 Karyl R- Shiloh

7-16 Laurie A- Skye 8x8 

7-17 Rachel H- Phyllis

7-18 Tanya S- Tully 8x8

7-19 Rosemary H- Harvey and Hudson

7-20 Kelly E-   Maggie, 8x8

7-21 Kelly E-  Charlie  8x8

7-22 Beth B- 9x12 

7-23 Becky A- 

7-24 Jeremy B- two Goldens

7-25 Heidi K- 8x8

7-26 Kris M- Bella the Bloodhound

7-27 Anita B- Max

7-28 Barbara E-  Leopold 

7-29 Liz Greenbaum

7-30 Jay R- pup puppy!

6/25 Yoda-Baby Kitten

As I was sketching this little blue-eyed baby, I was struck by how much she looks like baby Yoda!  it's gotta be the ears, and those big eyes, and that sweet little mouth~
So fun!
I'm so lucky!
And I'm looking forward to painting DOGS starting NEXT WEEK!  Still time to send them to me!  More info HERE!

Hope you are well!

6x6 acrylic on wood

$75

including shipping!

Buy NOW!

6/23 Mama Love

We were out of town for a couple days there, and what with one thing and another, it was tricky to get a post in! So here is a smaller version of a larger painting I've exhibited widely and only just got back into my possession. I've retitled it "Mamma Love" to differentiate from the larger "A Mother's Touch".  When we were out of town, I ran out of my yellow and we had to run around, in masks and with hand sanitizer, to see if we could find some but nowhere was any Golden Acrylic to be found!   The moral of the story is-  make sure you pack your paints!!!

I am pleased with this version of this painting- the main focal point where their sweet faces touch was  tricky to pull off, but I liked my solution of pushing the background further back and allowing their faces to be sharper.
So fun!

And I also have a winner of the grapefruit painting! Liana Kiff, your name was pulled out of the hat!  Congratulations!  I'll be contacting you and sending it off~
Wahoo!

9x12 acrylic on wood

$216

click here to purchase!

6/21 Lola for Katie!

Happy SUMMER!
Hope you've had a good day!  We are all a bit exhausted at the moment, having spent the day busily social distancing at the beach... Max just LOVES the water and he'd been hoping to catch some crayfish but only minnows in this lake~
And this is a commission!
And I haven't had a chance to do the drawing for the grapefruit painting yet but I'll let you know tomorrow!

And send me your DOGS!  YAY!

8x8 acrylic on wood

sold!

6/20 Oh THAT Apple...

I am suddenly very well aware of the fact that we are NOT up in Grand Marais, celebrating the Summer Solstice... with lots of people we love and usually a few people we didn't know who are quickly amongst our favorites ever... sleeping in our 1991 pop-up camper in the Municipal Campground, skipping rocks and watching waves...
AAAAAAGH!
Here's a link to past Solstice Pageants because I can't STAND that we aren't there and you may not know what I'm talking about!

We've been in all the last four shows, and LOVED it!!!
And I'm compelled to tell you I'm listening/wathcing "To Be or Not To BE" which Betsy Bowen starts out narrating, and calling out to people to take care of bees, but also a call to keep Philando Castille in our thoughts and prayers....

And so, here is an apple, who wants to perform, but isn't quite sure what its role should be....

6x8 acrylic on canvas

$87

click here

no Shipping!

6/19 From the Campground

I took this photo last summer when we were staying at the Municipal Campground in Grand Marais, MN, which we LOOOVE, and probably won't be going to this summer but maybe in the fall, because it seems people aren't wearing masks as much as I would like them to- and I'm not sure what a campground full of people will be sharing with one another but I'd rather stay out of it for now, thank you very much...
Anyway, Duane and Max and I think at least one of our dogs went further out on these rocks than I did-  I'm realizing the scale may not be apparant, but most of those rocks are as big as a car...
I'm particularly pleased with the sky and the water, and all those lovely diagonal bits~

9x12 acrylic on wood

usually $216 but NOW $195 and FREE SHIPPING!

click here, my friends!

Yay!

6/18 Free Grapefruit!

Hi everyone!
I'm teaching an online class to some of my school students for a summer camp, and this is the demo I painted for them the other day, and I figured it's time to give away ANOTHER painting!
This time, I'll draw a name from a hat of everyone who makes a comment on Facebook or Dailypaintworks or Instagram!

Seeing as how these things happen, like breaking a glass in our house, there will probably be another one next week too~
So Duane broke one of my wine glasses on Tuesday, I broke my favorite Dia Des Los Muertes glass yesterday, and Max just broke a water glass after supper tonight... so you know, that saying that things happen in threes...

SO I'm saying there'll be another freebie soon!
OH and I'm working really hard on something I'm hoping to launch by my birthday!  HEE!

6x6 acrylic

FREE!

6/17 Murphy and Felix

This is a commission from a fantastic patron and Sheltie lover, and I was so happy to paint a pair of pups.  Those sweet faces and postures and the shading and fluffiness and all, SO fun!

Do remember, I am gearing up for this July's "30 Dogs in 30 Days" Daily Painting Project and I need more photos of dogs!  Please send them to me!  More info HERE!
Wahoo!

12x12 acrylic on wood

Spoken For!

6/16 Shadows on the Water

This is one I've wanted to paint for a bit too, and I wasn't sure how to crop it either and knew I wanted to include the wonderful dark patches of shadow on the surface of the water. And I also love the spiky green of the rushes as well~
I also loved trying to figure out the colors in the water, how to see deeper under and what is above.
So fun!

6x18 acrylic on canvas

usually $216 but 

because it's my Birthday month 

this one is $195!

And FREE SHIPPING!

CLICK HERE!

6/15 Long Tall Hiawatha

I have been trying to paint Lake Hiawatha again, since the fun light filled spring ones and finally think I managed. I admit I am also loving these long format canvases... they are unusual and make me look hard at a composition to see if it works.

I think this one works!
And it's a great piece for that between-the-windows spot, or that near-the-door-but-needs-some-color spot, or that area behind you in your Zoom meetings that would look more interesting with something THERE!

6x18 acrylic on canvas

usually would be $216 

but right now $195! 

FREE SHIPPING!

click here!

6/14 Peony Attempt #1

SOOOOOOO.....
I am not great at painting flowers.
This is supposed to be a peony.  It looks like a bunch of fluff to me.  Which I suppose is what a peony is, isn't it?  I liked the challenge of trying it anyway, of looking closely and choosing where to put light and where to put dark, and how to make the bits and pieces move and flow.

Just not sure it reads as FLOWER.

If you like it, you can be the first to send me an email and I'll give it to you!

6x6 acrylic on wood

FREE!

6/13 Morning at the Creek

I've got a couple more from Minnehaha Creek, painting outside- it's really been great weather here in Minneapolis, cool and breezy, great nights for sleeping. I'm starting an Online Painting Class next week through Breck for some of my kids, and it goes for two weeks from 9-10 am every morning.  I'm a bit nervous because I'm not sure how it will work for the kids, and I'm concerned about their getting frustrated and me not being able to show them in person how to correct something, you know what I mean?
SO we'll see how it rolls!
And I'm planning some adult on-line classes as well- stay tuned!
Oh and SEND ME YOUR DOG PHOTOS!!!

9x12 acrylic on wood

usually $216,  but now $195!

FREE SHIPPING!

click here to buy!

6/12 Creek Weeds

And here is another one I painted sitting by the creek yesterday~ water is so interesting to paint. I need to do it more often!

6x9 acrylic on wood

$108 FREE SHIPPING!

click here to purchase!

6/11 Creek By Nokomis Street

I was FINALLY able to get up and go painting in the morning today! I met my friends Robin and Michele at Minnehaha Creek where it flows under the Nokomis Street Bridge, and it was a bit buggy but I loved it. Water is so interesting to try to see. What is it doing? How is it moving? Is it dark or light?  Lots of great thoughts to pull you out of your too-analytical brain!

6x6 acrylic on wood

$72 including shipping in the USA!

click here to nab~

6/10 Light Breaks Through

It's much cooler here in Minneapolis today- I'm in one of those slumps I fall into occasionally, when I feel "at loose end" because I don't have every minute scheduled. I am often too busy, but I have found that being busy means I get things done. This week, I am finding stretches of time where I don't know what to do with myself. I don't mean that there aren't things I SHOULD be doing- there's always toilets to be cleaned and windows to be washed and cupboards to be cleared out, but I sit with this expanse of art-fair-less summer in front of me, and I'm slightly stunned.
I'm also trying to frame a new Advanced Painting Cohort/Buddy/Critique Series of Lessons, and I'm possibly procrastinating...
One thought I've had is to open an Etsy shop of some of my smaller work and post those at a bit of a discount since those are what I usually sell the most of at my events..
Anyway, this is from a swampy area outside of Duluth, and made me think of Tom Thomson...

14x18 acrylic on canvas

usually $504 but now

 $375!

click HERE to nab this one!

FREE SHIPPING

6/9 Through the Trees

Yes, I can't stop painting this scene.  I swear I'm going to paint some Lake Hiawatha of Nokomis soon, but I'm just still a bit in need of that familiar grey/purple/pink pallet...

I am looking for dogs for my "30 Dogs in 30 Days" Daily Painting Project this July!  Send them in and spread the word, please!

And keep looking for volunteer opportunities in your area!  If you are in the twin cities, here is a list of things you can do to help-  I am planning on going over to the Greater Friendship Church today because we live up the block from them- it's been hard to feel connected with the Covid distance, and these ideas can help.
XO

6x9 acrylic on wood

$108

click here!

Cold Shoulder

When someone walks away from you, they do often take something with them.  This one is a bigger one, and in that long format that I've been loving.  I kinda wanna paint some peonys in this format...  not that peonys are anything like a wolf...
I have long said how much I appreciate the hind quarters of dogs, and wolves fall into that category as well. Tail, hocks, ankles, so many lovely angles!

12x36 acrylic on canvas

$864

click here to purchase-

Sidewalk Chalk Blessings...

It's been a bit tricky trying to paint with feeling like I should be doing something bigger, like volunteering and donating and getting groceries to people. And it's also been a bit traumatic, waiting to see what else might happen.  I was honestly afraid this weekend would be like last weekend, with sirens and racing cars and fires and gunshots, but it's been amazingly peaceful, with a giant Rose moon.
I drew chalk hearts in front of our house and our neighbor's houses up and down our block on Friday. I needed to do someting creative and was having a hard time settling on anything, but these felt so good. They felt like a spell or a wish or a blessing... protection, of love...
And then I was able to paint during our FFPP Zoom meeting, which went longer than expectd and had participants from 4 different states- I love community, no matter what form it takes!
This is one of the paintings.



6x12 acrylic on wood
$145
click here to purchase~

June 4th, We are Okay, and "Line Dance"

Hi everyone, from South Minneapolis!

I wanted to let you know that so far, my family and I are just fine, and my studio in the Ivy Building is also just fine. Thank you so much for all your concern and for reaching out to me. There is so much that needs to be done in our city and our nation and our world, I hope you are finding ways to feel connected and useful at this anxious time.

I want to have a First Friday Painting Party Zoom tomorrow evening, not that it is time for a party but it IS the First Friday and I need to paint.  I haven't been able to for over a week now, and I'm hoping to get some painting in tonight maybe, and tomorrow too...

here's the Zoom info-

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85896146718

Meeting ID: 858 9614 6718
Password: 485053

I'm reposting some of the paintings I've brought home from the studio because they are my favs and I wanted them to be safe.

Today's painting is "Line Dance"- it is 6x6 and acrylic and one of my otters!  It's a good one, and I'm pricing these at 20 percent off the original price of $75 (not including tax and shipping though I am happy to do curbside pick-up/drop-off!) so just $60!  

click HERE to grab this one!

Wahoo!