Puppy Love

Emma
10 x 12 acrylic on canvas

Here's sweet Emma...my latest commission. This is her when she was a puppy...all cuddly and cute and fuzzy. My friend Kathleen always says that "puppy smell" is her favorite scent in the world. If they could bottle it...she would buy it!

So the big move is this Thursday. I will be signing off the blog probably until next Monday when everything is up and operating in the new studio.

Funny thing before I go...Maisie keeps introducing us to our new neighbors by chasing bunnies into their yards. Hmmm...not so sure that's the best way to go about it but at least she makes us all laugh and get to know each other. The fence builders won't be able to start building until August 30th...so Maisie will not be able to roam on her terms until then. That's like saddling a wild pony. Help me, people!

Until next week...take good care everyone! xox

Dog's Rule!

"Dog's Rule" Book Cover by Jill Beninato

Before I let another day slip by...I have to tell you about a new book I'm honored to be a part of. The fabulous Jill Beninato of Sit Stay Smile Photography organized 14 of us Dog Artists to create a fat book with the theme of "Dog's Rule". Every Artist created original art for each book and they were beautifully put together and bound by Jill. We all received a copy...but there is one extra copy (all original art) that will be auctioned off on Ebay, November 15, 2008 to raise money for Bernie Berlin's animal rescue organization, A Place to Bark.

"Dog's Rule" (thanks to Jill) will also be featured in the upcoming Fall issue of the BARK Magazine so be sure and check it out. I'll be back in November again to remind you about the auction so you can bid your little hearts out to raise money for dogs in need...and win this beautiful book in the process!

Below are just a few samples from four of the participating Artists, including myself. Check out Jill's blog to see additional art from the book..and be sure and visit each Artist's website to see more of their incredible work.

Have a great weekend!

Linda O'Neill

Jill Beninato

Melissa Langer

Wendy Crumbley

Participating Artists

Jill Beninato of Sit Stay Smile Photography
Bernie Berlin from A Place To Bark
Wendy Crumbley from 2 Dog Studio
Manon Doyle of Hoochie Poochie Studios
Anne Leuck Feldhaus of Anne Leuck Feldhaus Studio
Leigh Jackson of Noisy Dog Studio
Melissa Langer of Pug Notes
Rebecca Lansdowne of Art Paw
Moira McLaughlin of Dream Dogs Art
Nicole Mlakar-Livingston of Nicole Mlakar Photography
Linda O'Neill of Abby Creek Studios
Jamie Pflughoeft of Cowbelly Photography
Kathy Weller of Wellerwishes Illustration

Movin' and Mutts

Lots of pictures today and lots going on! As you know, James and I closed on our new house last Friday...so it was a busy weekend getting things ready for the movers, ordering new carpet and unloading the POD. We took Maisie there for the first time on Friday evening and she had a ball...sniffing every corner, meandering around her new territory and looking for any bunny she could find. She introduced us quickly to some of the neighbors by chasing a bunny into their backyard. Let's just say we are building a fence next week to keep this little pony in her corral!

James, Maisie and I on our first day as new owners!

Maisie and I in the doorway of my new studio

James in the wicked POD

Now in OTHER news...we have a new kid in town. Bungie became a proud part of the Saltz family (our wonderful neighbors across the street) a couple of weeks ago. He and Maisie made fast friends. Bungie was adopted from the Boulder Human Society and is mostly American Bulldog we think...a beautiful brindle color just like Maisie. We are so sad that Maisie will have to move away from her friends, Bungie and Yoshi...but we are planning to stay very close with play dates. In fact, we're calling our new back yard, "Maisie's Dog Park". Lots of fun to come there!

Bungie and Maisie

Bungie with his human brother and sister, Ben and Julia Saltz

Hope you're all doing well out there. Thanks for all your well wishes about the move...I couldn't do it without you! xox

Waxing poetic

I had the great pleasure of taking an Encaustics class at the Art Students League in Denver on Wednesday. I have always wanted to learn the medium, so my friend, Melissa and I headed there together to spend the day with hot wax. We were joined by another wonderful Artist and Printmaker, Alicia McKim...who also teaches at the League. We had a wonderful day together...just what I needed to get my mind off the upcoming move!

My two encaustic pieces (nice try?)

Me, Melissa and Alicia

James and I become the new owners of the house today! We'll be unloading the POD there this weekend although the big move is on the 21st. I'll take some new pics this weekend to show you. Excitement is in the air!

Have a great weekend everyone! xox

Sidetracked!

"Not So Red #1"
6" x 7" acrylic and collage on canvas
available in my Etsy shop here

So...I got a little sidetracked from my Red Series...and this happened (above painting). I guess it mimicks my being a little ADD with the move coming and everything. Can't seem to keep my mind on any one thing (or series) for more than 10 minutes. Anyway...thanks to some ideas from my wonderful neighbor, Jackie (Yoshi's mom)...I decided to call this the "Not So Red" series. Seems fitting.

James and I had a busy weekend packing up the kitchen and doing other things to get ready for the big move. This Friday is the closing...so after that...the house will be ours! I can't wait to take Maisie there for the very first time. She wants a chance to sniff around and make sure that things are to HER liking before we move in. Maisie Rose O'Neill is a very particular girl!

I love Jack Russells!

"Bogey"

13" x 16" acrylic on canvas

Here's Bogey, the Jack Russell...my latest commission. The purple blanket with green dots was his favorite thing to sit on. Bogey isn't here with us any longer ...but his spirit was surely with me in my studio. I could tell he was a very sweet boy with a sassy attitude and a heart as big as they come.

James and I will start packing up the rest of the house this weekend...our moving date is set for August 21st! All the commotion and change is making Maisie a little crazy...but she's going to be very happy once she see's her new bunny town.

What are YOU doing this weekend? Have a good one whatever it is! xox