Logan
Sam and Makai check out larger-than-life Logan printed on a 30×36″ canvas. Finishing a portrait this size made me and my husband immediately agree that we need to upgrade the portraits I did of our dogs and go bigger!
Add comment January 7, 2010
Holiday portraits Group 1
I haven’t posted anything for quite sometime because of the holiday rush. It was so great to be so busy and I definitely didn’t mind putting in the hours I needed to get all my portraits done by Christmas. Now that all the gifts have been handed out, I feel that it’s safe to post them for all to see. This is the first batch…more will be up soon!
Add comment January 7, 2010
Holiday order Deadline
The last day I can accept holiday orders is this Friday, December 11. Of course, I will still be taking orders after that, I just cannot promise a Christmas delivery!
Add comment December 9, 2009
Fritz
I love when people want to use candid or whimsical shot of their pets to turn into portraits. These are the poses that really showcase the personalities, like this Schnauzer I recently did. Fritz’s mom ordered his portrait on an 8×10″ canvas.

Add comment October 22, 2009
Pit Bull Awareness Day
I recently worked with the Virginia Beach SPCA to create the advertising poster for Bring on the Bull’s, a local Community Awareness & Adoption Event for Bull Breeds. It will be this Saturday, October 3 at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. This event is the local celebration of National Pit Bull Awareness Day, which is on October 24.

1 comment September 28, 2009
Nice Weiner(s)
Three portraits I did for Maryann, the owner of a great pet store in Norfolk called Muddy Paws. Her three dogs are Hunter, Fritz and Toby and all three portraits were done on 16×16 canvas. I hope to get into the store soon and take a picture as she’ll be hanging them up to display. So if you’re in the area and want to take a look at my work in person, stop by Muddy Paws on Colley Ave.

Fritz

Toby, who is never seen without his "baby", which Maryann asked be shown in his portrait
2 comments September 18, 2009
Dog Days of Silver Spring Event
I had a great time this past weekend at the Living Ruff Dog Days Event up in Silver Spring, MD. An entire street block was closed and the street was filled with all sorts of people and their dogs. It was a gorgeous day and the people and dog-watching was certainly entertaining. Here are a few pictures I took in between talking to people about my portraits.
Add comment September 14, 2009
Fifi
The perfect name for this cute little fluffy pup.
Since my portraits are done digitally, a common misconception is that I simply take the supplied photo and manipulate it using Photoshop or different filters. I’ve included the pictures the client supplied for Fifi’s portrait to show that this is not the technique used. Instead I use the photo as a reference much like an oil painter uses a photo to go by. Even though I am able to use photos like the ones shown below, I very much prefer high resolution color images as it makes it much more accurate to get the correct coloring and markings of your pet!



1 comment September 1, 2009
Bandit
Here’s my latest commission, a portrait of a yellow lab named Bandit. The canvas is 9″x12″. Here’s what the client (Stephanie, Bandit’s “Aunt”) had to say:
I finally gave my brother the Bandit portrait yesterday. He really liked and couldn’t believe it was Bandit! He kept going back to look at it and being like, wow look at Bandit, I can’t believe that’s him, etc. My parents also loved it and my mom proclaimed it one of the coolest things she’s ever seen. The Spear family was totally impressed by your work! Hopefully I’ll be able to take a picture of Bandit with his portrait once my brother hangs it in his new apartment. Thanks so much for your beautiful work – I was so happy to give it to my brother and he just loved it.
I really love when I get to hear about the reaction of the recipient when it’s a gift. Stephanie, I’m so glad your brother liked it! Here’s the finished portrait:

Add comment August 28, 2009
Olive
Our friends just got a new puppy, a black boxer named Olive. I did a quick portrait of her as a birthday/housewarming gift for her new mom.

Add comment August 10, 2009





















