Daily Painters of Louisiana

Josie, custom dog portrait by Carolyn Finnell

2012-01-25T16:56:00.001-08:00

Josie is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. My first Duck Tolling Retriever. How often do you get to say "I painted a Duck Tolling Retriever".

8x8 oil on Raymar canvas panel

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Henri, custom pet portrait

2012-01-22T17:47:00.001-08:00

My apologies for taking so long to post. Life got rather complicated for a while. But, hopefully, it's a little more normal now.

Henri is a very regal young man. His full name is Henri Tomas Bonaparte.

8x10 oil on Raymar canvas panel

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Nitro, custom pet portrait

2011-12-26T17:04:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We celebrated with the grandkids on Christmas Eve and spent a quiet and relaxed Christmas day with each other.

This is Nitro. He is 7 months old Deutscher Wachtelhund. He is a great family dog. He's smart, active wants to follow the rules but also likes to see what he can get away with. He loves stuffed animals whether they belong to him or not. Very good with the sad face when in trouble.

8x10 oil on Raymar canvas panel

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Della

2011-12-18T14:47:00.001-08:00

Della is an English Springer Spaniel. Oh, those eyes and ears.

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Max

2011-12-15T17:00:00.001-08:00

Max was a challenge. The only photos the owner had were older printed photos. She mailed them to me and I scanned them in, but no amount of manipulation in photoshop could do much with them. And the one she really wanted to use was the worst. It was essentially a black dog shape with two eyes and a bright yellow tennis ball (with no shading). However, between the clever use of several black labrador reference photos and a goodly dollop of imagination I painted this.

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

14x11 oil on Raymar canvas panel

Stella

2011-12-11T16:14:00.001-08:00

I still have a few more pet paintings to do for Christmas delivery, which would be cutting it real close, except one of them is local, which means it's only cutting it close. After this I expect business to slow down. Maybe I'll paint something different for a change. I love painting the "puppies and kitties" but a little change every now and then is nice.

10x10 oil on Raymar canvas panel

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Roman

2011-12-04T15:16:00.001-08:00

From the purchaser. "My mom's cat's name is Roman and he is very special to my mom I found Roman the year my dad passed away, and this little guy has brought my mom so much joy. He's quite the character, he's very refined, but also mischievious. He gets into things all the time and keeps my mom busy. When he is not getting enough attention he tends to knock things off the counter. All in all he's my mom's baby (corny I know, but true)"

8x8 oil on Raymar canvas panel

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Hazel

2011-11-27T18:16:00.001-08:00

Every so often, I do a painting that I think is special. This painting of Hazel, a Bengal cat, is one of those. I try and figure out what makes it special and how I did it ... it's a mystery to me. But that magic moment when it all comes together is fabulous!

I've been pretty busy with my custom work. I haven't posted all of them. Some people have asked me not to, they worry the recipient might see it and spoil the Christmas surprise.

8x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Zoe

2011-11-24T16:54:00.001-08:00

Zoe is Wash's sister. Her owner says, "She is our little girl - she is a lot smaller than her brother - but her personality is so big! Wherever there is something going on in the house, she is there. If you open a cabinet, or a closet, chances are she'll be inside of it before you can blink."

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Wash, custom pet portrait

2011-11-20T16:29:00.001-08:00

Wash's person says, "Wash is such a sweetie, and is also our most independent cat. He might be just as content to "hang out" with us from across the room while everyone else is on the couch, but when he wants love and pets, he will come at me with 100% intent to get them. He has never met a string he didn't want you to pick up and play with him as he runs after it in circles - endlessly!"

Wash is part-tabby, part-Abyssinian. I've always found tabby cats a challenge, but I've done a few of the lately and I think I'm starting to get the hang of it.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Cooper

2011-11-15T20:05:00.001-08:00

Cooper is a yellow lab, if you couldn't tell. His portrait will be a Christmas present for the buyer's husband.

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

11x14 oil on panel

"Braided" by Linda Snider Ward

2011-11-14T04:31:00.000-08:00

Braided is a portrait of my mare Roxie, a black & white Tennessee Walking Horse. She makes a great painting subject. This little 8" x 10" oil painting on gallery-wrapped canvas was sold to someone who'll give it to their horse-loving grandchild as a gift, so the painting found a wonderful home. Speaking of home, we're in the midst of moving--Roxie's already been moved to her new stables & we'll be following her at the end of this week. My husband & I had to both agree--no art, until this move is done! Can't wait until we get the studio set up, and I can start painting again. You can see more of my work at my blog

Sophie

2011-11-13T16:14:00.001-08:00

A friend asked me to paint this for his wife, who is grieving the loss of her sweet dog, Sophie.

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Murphy and Tabby

2011-11-08T16:56:00.001-08:00

Finally back in the studio and painting. This is one of my custom paintings.

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Mayleen, Sold

2011-11-05T11:33:00.001-07:00

This is Mayleen, a Siamese mix, 28 toes Hemingway cat. She's lovable but... very mischievous, likes to get into things she's not supposed to !!!!!! That innocent look on her face doesn't fool us at all.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel

Secrets of the Wind

2011-10-21T05:31:00.000-07:00

Secrets of the Wind is part of a series of small watercolor paintings titled Sun Horse. This painting is 5" x 7" and can be purchased for $65 on my Etsy Shop

Rootin' Around by Linda Snider Ward

2011-10-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

A little watercolor drawing on a 5" x 6.5" greeting card. This is Rootin' Around, a response to Daily Paint Works' challenge "Paint Your Pig" (I'm way behind on DPW & I'm trying to catch up on some of the challenges!). You can purchase this greeting card w/envelope for $10.00:

Zulu

2011-10-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

In any other part of the country this little dog might have been named "Pierrot" or "Harlequin". But in New Orleans his black and white face evokes the black and white painted faces on the riders of Zulu on Mardi Gras.
One of the things I've found in painting largely (or all) white animals, is that the subtle lights and darks in the white areas need to be exaggerated in order to create dimension.

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store
6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel

Sun Horse III by Linda Snider Ward

2011-10-09T06:59:00.000-07:00

Sun Horse III is part of a series of sun horses. The series is painted in oils, all in warm colors. This one is painted on a 5" x 7" canvas greeting card.

Mildred Fierce

2011-10-06T15:28:00.001-07:00

Since kittenhood, Mildred has been fearless in her pursuit of helpless socks and pantyhose.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Glass Hat

2011-10-02T15:48:00.000-07:00

This peach is just a little too big for the sugar bowl I put it in. When I put the top on, it looked like a glass hat.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Comes with folding wrought iron scroll stand.
Click here to bid

Red Horse by Linda Snider Ward

2011-09-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

Red Horse is a very small oil painting on a 5" x 7" canvas greeting card. I've been having fun with these greeting cards, making quick sketches in oil and allowing myself to work gesturely without detail.

Panda Snack, Sold

2011-09-22T17:31:00.001-07:00

I think we all love Pandas. They are so appealing. My husband is especially fond of them. In fact, he had a Panda costume that he wore on Mardi Gras for many years.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Comes with folding wrought iron scroll stand.

White Horse Running by Linda Snider Ward

2011-09-22T02:34:00.000-07:00

This is my first posting to Daily Painters of Louisiana! White Horse Running is an 18" x 30" oil painting on gallery-wrapped canvas.

Da Juice

2011-09-21T06:13:00.001-07:00

I started this with a nectarine instead of the orange. After wiping it twice, and getting very discouraged, I decided to switch to the orange. And it quickly came together. I realized that the nectarine had been too busy and contrasty and was distracting from the glass. The orange worked much better.

8x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Comes with folding wrought iron scroll stand.

Click here to bid

We're Home

2011-09-18T15:29:00.001-07:00

I needed a little break from things in glass. What better break than cows.

10x12 oil on Raymar canvas panel

Click here to bid

Rosemary and Lemon

2011-09-15T18:35:00.000-07:00

I was amazed to discover the wide variety of martinis people make these days. Not being much of a drinker, I had no idea.
I found the softness and subtle tonal shifts very different from my usual subject matter. It made for an interesting challenge.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Comes with folding wrought iron scroll stand.

Click here to bid

Dry Idea

2011-09-13T15:59:00.001-07:00

I had so much fun ... well after I got over the agonizing part ... painting the last one I decided to start a new series. I don't know how many there will be, but I'm calling it Things in Glass. Which makes for many possibilities. One of the fun things to do with things in glass is to add a liquid, in this case a martini. The refraction of the liquid lets you see what's in it from the top and the side at the same time!

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Comes with folding wrought iron scroll stand.

Click here to bid

Glass Houses, Sold

2011-09-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

It was time to paint another still life. It had been so long, I was afraid I had forgotten how. To make it just a little more difficult for myself, I picked this glass cup that has given me fits in the past. Naturally, it wasn't going too well, miserably in fact. When I wiped it down I was almost ready to just give up, but I didn't let myself off that easy. Nope, I stuck with it, and sure enough it paid off. I was able to figure out what I was not doing that I needed to do, and after a while it began to come together. Now I can't wait to do another one.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel

Minnie

2011-06-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

Well, the worst of my "dawn til unconscious" paying gig is behind me. This week I will finish. The work I'm doing is time consuming, but repetitious and tedious but not nearly as stressful. I do have to pay close attention to what I'm doing or I find that the last 20 or 30 steps are out of sync and I have to go back and redo them. It's boring. I general work until my eyes roll back in my head, take a short break and go right back to it. Next week I'll be back in the studio!!! Until then here is Minnie of the soulful eyes.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

The Look

2011-04-12T18:29:00.001-07:00

I don't know what kind of chicken this is, but it sure has a compelling stare.
The Daily Paintworks challenge this week was a chicken. I've had the photo of this guy for a while now, pulled it out to paint several times but didn't. It seems like the perfect time to finally paint it.

6x8 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Click here to buy $70

Trapper John, pet portrait

2011-04-05T16:59:00.001-07:00

I finally got back into the studio today!!! I'd planned to start yesterday afternoon when I'd finished work, but I was just too tired. So bright and early this morning I was out there painting. Then wiping. But, I still felt really good about it. After lunch I went back out armed with conviction, determination and the knowledge of what I needed to do to get it right. The result is Trapper John.

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Silverback

2011-03-06T16:38:00.003-08:00

I painted this gorilla from a photo I took at the Dallas Zoo last fall. He was not a happy camper and I was lucky to get a good photo of him. Mostly he only showed us his backside.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Click here to buy $70

Zee Zebra, Sold

2011-02-23T16:34:00.001-08:00

And here it the last one of the custom series. Painting a highly patterned animal offers the challenge of distinguishing pattern from form. It's especially difficult when the pattern acts to hide the form as happens with some wild animals where the pattern acts a camouflage, blending the animal in with it's surroundings. The way to do it, of course, is to pay close attention to how the form is affected by light and shadow. In the zebra, The black stripes are only truly black in deepest shadow and the white stripes only truly white in the brightest light.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel

Sparky, a Challenge

2011-02-21T17:22:00.001-08:00

I painted this in response to a Daily Paintworks Challenge. It was subject I would not ordinarily choose and the challenge required limiting my palette to Ultramarine, Burnt Sienna and Titanium White, but I'm rather pleased with how it turned out.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Click here to buy $70

Stacked

2011-02-08T16:11:00.001-08:00

The bottom cup has a dark blue rim on the interior. You can't see it, but the reflection of the blue is there, and it made the shadow on the upper cup a cool gray. This, combined with the reflections of the cherries, is what made this setup interesting to me. I seem to have run out of catchy titles recently. Hopefully this is just temporary.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Click here to bid

Pandemonium

2011-02-04T18:12:00.001-08:00

After a couple of successful animal paintings, I felt ready to move on to a still life. I found this little panda in the thrift store and had to paint it. I'm still experimenting with a dark dominant composition and I'm beginning to feel more comfortable with them.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Click here to bid

Mojo, Staffordshire Bull Terrier

2011-01-31T17:02:00.001-08:00

You've gotta love the smile on this guy.

This afternoon, after wiping a still life for a while, I decided to paint this adorable dog instead. And it went so well! I was so happy I was ready to dance my "good painting" dance (it closely resembles Snoopy's suppertime dance).

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Two Cups of Flower

2011-01-30T17:18:00.000-08:00

As a change from my high key paintings I did this one with dark dominant. It's probably my least favorite type of composition and this is one of the few I've done that I really like. I've tried, unsuccessfully, to paint this little yellow flower before. I usually get too much detail in all the little petals, but somehow I pulled it off this time.

I've almost finished my deadly work schedule and by tomorrow afternoon I'll be back in the studio. I'm looking forward to it and dreading it in equal parts. Painting again after almost three weeks away is like pulling a cart with square wheels. A lot of effort for very little progress. I know if I keep at it, sooner or later the corners will wear off and it will roll smoothly, but the first week is so hard. So bear with me. I still have a few paintings I've held back, but once I've posted them I hope to have something decent to show you. If not, I'll just share the struggle. (Why should I be the only one to suffer?)

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Click here to bid

Mimi, 6x6 pet portrait

2011-01-25T16:24:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I painted a pet, and I thought it was time. This precious little dog needs a barrette to keep her hair out of her eyes.

Click here to bid

King Orange

2011-01-11T16:32:00.001-08:00

Actually, this may be a queen orange, I've never learned how to tell the difference. At this time of year in New Orleans, we start celebrating the coming Mardi Gras with King Cakes. They don't have oranges in them, but they have been on my mind. A lot! I must not be getting my minimum quota of King Cake.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Click here to buy $70

The Duel

2011-01-09T16:17:00.000-08:00

The cherries on the plate are preparing to have a duel, but I don't think their weapons are loaded.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Click here to buy $70

Adventure

2011-01-02T15:59:00.001-08:00

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Click here to buy $70

Life seems to finally be back to normal. I decided after Carol's workshop that I want/need to do more paintings using a light value as my dominant value. Most of my paintings have midtone dominant, perhaps because that is the easiest to do, but I want to experiment with more light tone dominate and use more neutrals. This one is my attempt to set up what is probably the hardest version (at least for me), light dominate, dark secondary and mid third.

Hide and Seek

2010-12-30T18:33:00.000-08:00

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel

Click here to buy $70

Merlot, Pet Portrait

2010-12-15T17:21:00.001-08:00

This is a golden retriever named Merlot, the best 80 lb. lap dog you'd ever met.

8x8 oil on Raymar canvas panel

See more of my pet portraits on my website or in my Etsy store

Biggie Smalls, 17/30 Pet Portraits

2010-11-24T15:41:00.000-08:00

Biggie Smalls is an English Bulldog and the darling of her Momma and Daddy.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel

Woosie, 9 of 30 Pet Portraits in 30 Days

2010-11-16T15:52:00.000-08:00

This is Woosie, an Australian Terrier. Woosie was a doosie to paint with fur going ever-which-a-way.

I still can use a few more photos. You may not realize it but this is your chance to get a portrait of your pet at a discount. I usually charge $90 (instead of $70) for commission work. Doing a commission is more difficult and stressful than just picking something I want to paint, so I charge a little more for it. But I figure I requested these from you - instead of the other way around - so as my thanks for your help in meeting my challenge, I'm selling them for only $70.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
$70 + $10 S&H

Toela and Memphis, 8/30 Pet Portraits

2010-11-15T15:39:00.000-08:00

Toela (pronounced Too-lah) and Memphis snuggling. Toela is the lynx flame point and Memphis is the gray. They look very comfortable doing what cats do best.

6x8 oil on Raymar canvas panel
$70 + $10 S&H

Pretzel, 5/30 Pet Portraits

2010-11-12T16:11:00.000-08:00

Pretzel is a foundling kitty who will be about 18 years old this Christmas. Her person told me, "Some stupid person deserted her in 1995 and it was she that actually found me. She's been the most loving kitty anyone could ask for. These pictures were taken about a week or so after she almost died from six seizures one night, that also blinded her temporarily. The vet said she had high blood pressure, which caused the blindness (detached retinas), but her sight could return in a month. She responded to treatment really well, got lucky and her sight returned three days later, at which time she loved to lounge in the sun on the deck, and I got these pictures of her."

I still need more pet photos to paint if I'm going to meet my 30 pet portrait goal. So please email me your pet photos.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
$70 + $10 S&H (US)

Mac

2010-10-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

6x6 oil on Raymar panel
Click here to buy $70

I was drawn to the brilliant plumage of this beautiful bird. I still think feathers are harder than fur.

Carolyn Finnell
Mandeville, LA

Digging deep

2010-08-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday ,with one of my private students, I finished a still life of Crabs, seasoning and boiling pot, alla prima. I LOVE WHAT I DO. What a gift I have been given from God. I try to share this love of art with everyone I meet and other artists that are trying to get their career going. I quit a full time job painting walls and mouldings a few years ago to fullfil my spirit and renew myself to a previous happiness. Money and stuff can replace what you love for a short time. It has been an adjustment, but one that in the long run is well worth it. My entire lifestyle has changed, Im not stressed anymore, I eat right
excersize, and take better care of my husband and kids. Last week an artist called me about advise... she is going thru the same thing, and has made moves to make her life easier and more productive. Use the gifts God has given you and your life will have meaning again! Dig deep inside yourself and let the creativity flow, trust me , you are worth it!

Louisiana Blue crabs

2010-08-11T08:05:00.001-07:00

This is a recent painting I did with a student of mine that loves to paint food items that are native to Louisiana.
I purchased these at a local seafood vendor(live) and stuck them right into the freezer when I got home! Frozen crabs dont walk away from a painting session!!

One Cup, Two Cup, Sold

2010-07-07T16:32:00.000-07:00

6x6 oil on canvas panel

Carolyn Finnell
Mandeville, LA

Grape Intervention

2010-06-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

6x6 oil on canvas panel

Click here to buy $70

Carolyn Finnell
Mandeville, LA

Jump Up

2010-06-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

6x6 oil on canvas panel

Click here to buy $70

Carolyn Finnell
Mandeville, LA

Ima Lil' Teapot

2010-06-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

Isn't this little teapot precious. I couldn't resist buying it and painting it. I'm sure you'll see it again.
There is something about teapots and pitchers that appeals to me. Maybe it's the shape or the spouts. Or maybe it's that if you put something into it, you get something back. What a great metaphor for successful relationships.

6x6 oil on canvas panel
Click here to buy $70

Carolyn Finnell
Mandeville, Lousiana
Daily Painter Originals

coming soon!

2010-03-21T11:50:00.001-07:00