What?

Wondering what exactly you consider the most important aspect of a successful portrait.  Is it the pose, the lighting, the look on your dogs eyes?   Let me know what you would want to see in your dog's portrait.  

Kelly

OK, time to get back to posting after the holidays.  I had a wonderful holiday season, painted LOTS of doggies, and managed to get them all delivered by Christmas!  I have four dogs to deliver this month, and so far, I'm on track.

I'm working on the largest dog portrait I've painted to date.  A 30x40 portrait of a Rottie named Kelly.  Kelly passed away recently, and her owners wanted something painted that will have a real presence in the room, as if Kelly was right there with them. 

FALSE START
I started the painting a few weeks ago, and after looking at it for several days, I decided that Kelly was too small on the canvas.  There would be too much background and not enough Kelly.  I wish I had figured that out sooneer, but at any rate, the first painting was put aside.  I started another and I'm much happier with it.  Because of the large size of this piece, I am working differently than I usually do.  I normally will approach the entire painting at once.... pretty much keeping the entire painting at the same level of "doneness".  But I decided on this one, it would be best to tackle each part of the body separately. 

I started with the head, figuring once that was done, or at least mostly done, I could feel confident of completing it by my deadline of January 31st.  I think I will be on track. 

So here's the start of the piece..... Kelly's head!  Still needs some final punches of light and detail, but for the most part it's done............I'll be sending an image to her owners for approval, because as good as it might look to anyone else, only they will know for sure if it's really Kelly!

ZOE, English Bulldog

Sometimes beauty comes in all shapes and sizes!

Its been a really busy month and I'm very grateful that my business has grown in spite of a sluggish economy.  I appreciate each and every client that has had me capture their dog in oils!  I completed roughly fourteen paintings during the month of November, and I'm due for a little resting of my eyes!!  I am so grateful also for the help of a wonderful webmaster and friend in California named Lorri Collins, who has generously shared her knowledge with me in growing my web presence.  She also does gorgeous digital portraits.... www.elledesigns.com so check out her site!  

This year will bring many changes to my life, including a move from my home of 20 years...so lots going on, but I plan on continuing to focus on the portraits, working hard at my life long dream of learning to play jazz piano, and finding time to travel and paint plein air too!!

www.elledesigns.com

Looking for Ideas!!!

I am really hoping that over time this blog will be quite interactive!  I know there are lots of dog lovers out there, and also, lots of people with great marketing ideas AND lots of people with great ideas on how I can use my dog portrait business to also benefit DOGS!!  So I'm going to start asking for ideas.... both on how I can most effectively market my dog portraits, and also ways that I can give back to the dog world through my portraits!  If you are involved in a dog rescue or some other charitable organization, maybe we can brainstorm together.......... I look forward to any ideas you want to share.  Email me at mary@marybuergindogportraits.com

In the mean time, here is another portrait..... this is TRUEST.   This painting depicts a very special moment between dog and owner.... Her owner told me that Truest was abused and abandoned, and she had a hard time trusting anyone.... and apparently had a hard time making eye contact.  So when Truest looked up at her new owner on this day, it was very poignant, and a moment to be captured!

www.marybuergindogportraits.com

About SIMPLY DOG PORTRAITS Blog

I thought it might be fun to share some of the paintings that I am creating for people all over the country.   SIMPLY DOG PORTRAITS has been such a fun venture for me, and I hear great stories about all the dogs I am painting.
I will be posting some of the photos I worked from along side the paintings, so you can see what I am working from... as well as the finished product!!


So here is the first of my posts.... hope you enjoy seeing some of these beautiful animals and hearing their stories !!!


KAYLA!!  I had the pleasure of meeting Kayla, and although her appearance could be a bit intimidating, she had the sweetest personality.  She lives in Brooklyn, a real city dog!  I wanted the portrait to capture her kind nature, but also show that she had a protective side to her!   So here she is, city background suggested, and sporting her special collar of bottlecaps!!