Rufus

"Rufus by the Pool"
10" x 11" acrylic on canvas

Whoa...the days are flyin' by lately. I've been busy in the studio working on two dog commissions and two new abstracts. Working on the dogs has been lovely, the abstracts are being a little stubborn...screaming for more layers.

Here's the first dog commission to be finished. This is Rufus, who belonged to a very special client of mine in Denver. He was a beautiful, sweet Golden Retriever who apparently liked the finer things in life like lounging and playing by the pool. :) It was an honor to paint this adorable boy. Your spirit is definitely still here with us, Rufus!

Speaking of beautiful dogs, Michele Maule wrote a great post this week about FencesForFido.org, an organization that builds fences and dog houses so that people don't tether their dogs and leave them outside all day and night, alone and unprotected in the elements. Another good link for the same cause is DogsDeserveBetter.org. Thanks for bringing this really important issue back into focus, Michele!

Returning soon with one of those stubborn, sassy abstracts!

Meet Rosie!

"Rosie"
10" x 11" acrylic on canvas

Here's my newest dog commission...Miss Rosie (aka Batgirl). She's the sweetest, goofiest Lab with a tiny obsession for balls.

This quote reminds me of her...and all Labs in general!...

"I put contact lenses in my dog's eyes. They had little pictures of cats on them. Then I took one out and he ran around in circles." ~Stephen Wright

Hope you all had a good St. Patrick's Day! Maisie is enjoying some leftover corned beef. She deserved some...being an O'Neill and all!

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

A Gimpy Girl and a Golden

My sweet Maisie Rose
(not really wanting this picture taken!)

I know, I know...calling Maisie a Gimpy Girl is not very nice of me. We're actually calling her Pegleg now! Guess you gotta have a sense of humor in these cases. That's all you can do. I have to say though...isn't she cute with her new beautiful scarf on? My very special friend, Kate made it for her...thank you so much Kate! Seems her Chocolate Lab, Lytton has a crush on Maisie and wanted Maisie to be nice and warm here in Colorado this winter. And Kate...how did Lytton know it would match her cast?? That is too cute!

"Arcea"
12" x 13" acrylic on canvas

Here is another one of my Christmas commissions...of Arcea, a beautiful older Golden Retriever. He has the sweetest eye lashes...and heart to match. It was a pleasure to paint this boy.

Have a nice Thursday...tomorrow I will be back with pictures of two wonderful gifts I received for Christmas this year!

Merry Christmas!

"Two Pugs" 2003
digital card from one of my original paintings

Merry Christmas!
Hope you have a magical holiday filled with all good and tasty things!

~Love from Linda, James and Maisie Rose

More Holiday Spirit!

Maisie wants to be in the Christmas spirit but is feeling a little blue without her snow to romp in. It was 72 degrees here in Colorado on Tuesday! What's a snow lovin' dog to do?

It's a little frantic and busy here in Santa's Dog workshop this week. Dog painting commisssions must be done and sent out in just over a week so I am panting and pacing a little. Everything always works out though so I just need to take a little breath, have a little kibble to keep my energy up and keep that paintbrush in hand!

Here's a little holiday cheer for you from Maisie, James and Myself. My step-sister sent this link to me the other day and it really had my laughing. Hope you enjoy our performance! Click here to view!