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!

Logan on 30x36" canvas

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!

Wrapping canvases

One group of boxes ready for delivery

Henry on 24x30 canvas

Dexter on 9x12 canvas

Bella on 16x16 canvas

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!

Tripp

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.

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.

The National Pit Bull Awareness campaign is a nationwide effort to bring positive awareness to the American Pit Bull Terrier.

In early 2007, Bless the Bullys introduced the idea of a national “pit bull awareness day,” and it took off like wildfire.  Devoted pit bull advocates jumped on the opportunity to participate in the first of its kind nationwide initiative to bring about positive pit bull media attention together on one day.

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

Hunter

Toby, who is never seen without his "baby", which Maryann asked be shown in his portrait

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.

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!

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:

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.