Sam..."has superman genes in his DNA"

My clients Jim & Carol commissioned me to do another portrait for their newest member of the family...Sam! Who, I'm told, has quite the a personality "...he is a crazy retriever, a good game of fetch can last hours if you let it, he thinks every toy in the house is his and will pile them up on his bed to prove it, he's the life of the party and isn't afraid to show it, he has superman genes in his dna (can leap tall buildings or sister dogs in a single bound) 6) he's going to be a little too helpful in the garden..." Sounds like lots of fun to me! This is the 4 foot portrait I did a few years ago of their other dogs, Bud, Waldo, Meenie and Ella:

Lucas the lab finds the perfect pet feeder...

Lucas the lab, came in to pick out his favorite sized Pet Feeder the other day...he went with a 'Large'. We have very limited editions of these tables available so let me know if you would to claim one.

Sizes & Prices:

X-Large 18" Dog Feeder $169

Large 12" Dog Feeder $149

Medium 6"Dog Feeder $109

Small 4.5" Dog Feeder $95

Kitty Feeder $95

Bruiser...

Meet Bruiser! This was another holiday Pet Portrait Gift Order from December. Did you know that I can personalize this with your pet's name and custom colors if it looks like your Pug? It will save you $100 on your Pet Portrait Print!

Art on Tap...

I'm loving the brick walls at The Village Tap, where I hung several paintings last week...my works contrast well with the casual urban vibe of this popular Roscoe Village pub known as "Chicago's Premiere Neighborhood Tavern & Beer Garden". My show will be up through May...so stop by to have a drink (over 26 beers on tap!), enjoy some of their fabulous food and the art (all works are available for sale)...and hey, why not swing by my studio on the way, if I'm here I just might join you!

 

Recent Pet Portraits...Rudy & Murphy

My most recent Pet Portrait subjects, Rudy (Yorkie) and Murphy, live in sunny California.

Murphy is my official portrait of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

If you are thinking of a Pet Portrait for a Mother's Day or Father's Day Gift get your order in soon as my Art Fair Schedule ensues at the end of this month!

Sister Prints...

Over the years I have done some kids and family portraits, but stopped for awhile as kids are usually pretty challenging for me to capture (not having my own). My wonderful clients Brian & Gretchen asked me to do these for their new nieces both of whom were adopted from China, Gracie most recently this past December and Molly back in 2007. The kids are so adorable and it is such a happy ending story, it was a pleasure creating the images for these prints.

Art imitating life...

After 10 days of feeling not at all myself...I'm angry and done with feeling sick, so today I started some new paintings. The image above is really just about my nose and head and the expansive congestion and wanting to fly away from it, but still feeling grounded (not in a good way). My friends this week, scads of kleenex and hot beverages...sorry to be negative but glad that at least it has inspired some new imagery...even if it is on cardboard!

These next 2 pieces actually have paintings on the other side that I'm only semi happy with...interesting I omitted the border without even realizing it...this top one was inspired by a drawing in my sketchbook.

Industrial Zen Treasury

I was excited to have my Teal Night Scape painting included in this wonderful Etsy Treasury of Water Towers put together by jeweler Rone Prinz. I find them whimsical in spite of their industrial, utilitarian design. I used to paint a lot more of them but they are disappearing from Chicago's skyline. Another reason I love to visit New York city, they are everywhere...delightful urban dinosaurs.