In the works...The Snow Leopard

The Snow Leopard

New and second in the big cat series ...this one will help Tabby's Place Cat Sanctuary when it sells.

Still on the easel but will be finished soon. I LOVE big cats. It is amazing that these incredible and beautiful animals really exist! How gorgeous is nature?!

Snow Leopards are not one of the "Great Cats" because they do not roar. They are endangered and there are about 4000-7000 left on the planet. The literature says that they are closer to the lower estimate of that figure.

Many years ago I read the book "The Snow Leopard" by Peter Matthiessen (still have it and love it) about his journey to find this animal but really to find himself after a life changing loss.

Any way this piece is fun to paint...the ref image was from Morguefile.com and used with their generous permission to inspire the art.

Let's Hear It for The Boys....

Gunner & Bubba Gump

commission

***

These two magnificent Mastiffs were rescued to live their lives with love.

Time cut short by illness, they reside at the Rainbow Bridge but they live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved them.

They also help other Mastiffs by being models of a wonderful Giant Breed.

I hope to use some of the reference images of them for future work for rescue.

Check out this rescue if you would like to help other Mastiffs in need or wish to know more about this majestic breed!

www.mastiffrescue.org

Halfway through February!

I can't believe how fast the time is flying. It goes faster every month. I have been working on a couple of different canine commissions and getting close to completion. And have several waiting for me to start. All have a donation to charity attached to the work.

Why does it take so long compared to work I do for rescues and charity?

It is such a different approach to painting when I am doing work that is specific and most important to match expectations from another's viewpoint. The goal is trying to find that "something" in a static refernence image(s) of someone's beloved animal that combines the artistic vision I have designing the work with the intimate knowledge about the pet that the client has. This needs to be a translation in oil paint to the one who knows them best.
In other words...trying to see the animal a bit through their eyes.

No two people see the same thing. It is very gratifying when I am told that I captured THEIR much loved or missed companion. It makes the slower approach to the work worth the time that goes into it.

I paint these oils in layers and while the layers are drying it gives me time to study what I have done and where I need to go next with the piece. Sending off updates when there is something to show helps me hone in on the finished work making changes if needed before it is signed off.

Below is a near finished piece currently on the easel, two Mastiffs now at the Bridge, who had the blessing of living their lives, once rescued, with love and dignity


Below in previous posts the work for charity sold to help the rescues they were listed for.
As always, thanks so much for helping homeless animals.

First Look for Bristol County Animal Shelter

LINEAGE

11x14 oil on canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

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SOLD

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the BRISTOL COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER is doing good work to get a wonderful state of the art rescue shelter built, it will benefit not only the animals in their care but also the community it serves.

With a new fundraiser this month, it is going to be a nice boost to their project.

If you are local to Bristol Rhode Island and can attend please see their link below for details!

IF you want to make a donation...please see their link of how to help.

***

I am proud to offer art to help their animals in need.

thanks for looking!

Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter - About Us

Where Have I Been?

ON THE EASEL

SOLD
...and what happened to January???? that is my big question. First day of the second month and I have started this wildlife piece. The reference image that inspired the painting is from Morguefile.com with thanks.

This painting will be offered to assist a rescue when done.

February promises to be a really busy month.

I am working on several commissions that will also give a donation to homeless animals when done.

Life is good.

FIRST LOOK! Dachshund Love

WON'T YOU BE MINE?

8x8

oil on hand stretched gallery wrapped canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

Oscar is the star of this little piece that will be auctioned off on Ebay

soon. He is here to advocate for Dachshund Rescue.

If you are looking for the perfect Valentine for your favorite Doxie person...you have found it.

SOLD

questions? email me! carolchretien@aol.com

In the works...

Just a little note to say that there is a new piece on Ebay and it will be featured for ART HELP
ING ANIMALS tomorrow on DAILY PAINTERS GALLERY.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110341058567&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

That is the UNDERCOVER CAPER painting in the Cat & Mouse Toy tales series. This painting will help The Norther Rockies Regional Office of the Humane Society. They have a special fund that we support from AHA that helps their crisis rescues.
We recently helped with the housing of shelter animals who lost their entire shelter to a fire.
Art Helping Animals artists are so glad to lend our artistry to this wonderful cause.

Also new on the easel is the start of a double Mastiff portrait and a piece for Valentines's Day that hopefully will help Dachshund Rescue.
Pictures soon.

Stay tuned!

FIRST LOOK! Undercover Caper

This new piece is on the easel and is the latest in the CAT & MOUSE TOY TALES Series.

Undercover Caper is another fun oil painting that stars the duo in yet another story together.
The reference image for this painting was of Emmi and her favorite toy mouse captured as
I was changing the bed linens. She was playing the game we play where she hides while I tuck them in...her toys are always there too...and when I lifted up the sheet to play with her I got the idea of having her mouse toy doing what she was doing. The Undercover Caper was the result.

Of course I am laughing the whole time. I have to get the image quickly (I think) and didn't have time to get a great exposure but she didn't budge. Which made the whole thing funnier...she did her best Mona Lisa thing and I got a great idea for the painting.

Available soon for helping homeless animals.

Helping Missy with Art - PREVIEW

"HER DAY IN THE SUN"

As Promised...

this is a simple piece in line and design...the story is not. (THE STORY & HER PHOTO IN THE POST BELOW)



I am listing this painting soon for sale with 30% dedicated to Missy's care.

DALMATIAN RESCUE OF TAMPA BAY is one of my favorite charities and they are all volunteer and all foster care.



Help us help Missy and DRTB to keep doing their good work.
Any interest in the piece just email.

Helping Missy...and she needs it.

Missy is a Dalmatian from GA that was saved from death by a rescue there...she was found under a house with her umpteeth litter...unfortunately the litter had to be euthanized. They are a small shelter with no resources and did the best they could for this poor girl.

The good news is she is in foster care because this rescue who couldn't keep her did the right thing and got in touch with DALMATIAN RESCUE OF TAMPA BAY...one of the best! Susan, the founder of DRTB and friend who keeps me up on the latest homeless Dalmatian there, tells me she has heartworms, an ear infection and a bad case of kennel cough.

Missy needs lots of medical care and she is only 5 yrs old. She is getting rehabbed with love and care and will be a wonderful girl for her own family in no time ...she deserves it, she was almost bred to death. Imagine being her with no love and care for herself for 5 yrs.

Look at your own pets and companions and imagine that!

I can't.

But it is a fact and we have to act.

I will post the painting as soon as there are spots to show! It is on the easel.

contact the rescue or myself if you have any questions.

Contact DRTB http://dalmatianrescuetampa.tripod.com/ if you need details about how to adopt her in the future or if you want to help in her support. She could use it. In the meantime I am working on a painting that will be offered to assist in her rehab.

She is the inspiration for the painting. Let others know too. We are all in this together.

Let's Party Like It's 2009

So it's the NEW YEAR...and here we are trying to get on track with all the new and exciting things we want to do in this "new" year.

Let me start with the newest version of showing my work...

http://www.1000markets.com/users/wwwcarolchretien

this is a new place to see work, book commissions or buy art that will help homeless animals from my available work.

Always 20% to rescue no matter what.

Today is for painting so off I go... new things are coming in this new year.

Wishing you the best!
as always....

The Season and Spirit of Love

MERRY CHRISTMAS

&

HAPPY NEW YEAR

in this season of light and caring and Spirit

I wish you a joyous

holiday.

the painting above is just completed and has been presented to the

giftee by family and a good friend.

I think it conveys a love that trandsends ....

a donation was made to help

Willing Hearts Dalmatian Rescue.

see you in the

New Year

all my best,

Carol Chretien

DECEMBER in Full Swing!

I don't know about anyone else but I think time is in warp-speed mode this month.

Just a quick message about the new page on my site....

THE GIFT OF ART

The Gift of Art

this is pretty self-explanatory

please visit and keep it in mind when you are trying to come up with that great suprise.

ok...now get back to that SEASONAL activity we are all behind on!

see you soon!

Thanksgiving Wishes

Just a quick pop in to say I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones and enjoy the day that we have officially nominated as a time for GIVING THANKS for all our blessings.

It is easy to forget we have so many when we see the daily news and how the economy is so frightening.

We don't how what is coming ...well, we never really do even when times are easy!

It is a great time to subscribe to the idea that when things are unsettled it is an OPPORTUNITY to take stock.

I have more blessings in my plus column than I will ever have in the negative side.

Has nothing to do with money....the only riches I truly possess are the ones I carry inside.

Has everything to do with sharing love and helping others.

Please look at all you have and see the gold there.

Share what you can with family and help those in need (especially the animals who only have us!)

Make the day one of potential and possibilities.

Practice good Karmic principles.

Give thanks.

Enjoy the holiday!

Prayers Come to Us On Angels Wings - NEW!

new and will be offered soon for rescue

this image was inspired by a photograph of an angel statue used with permission.

The photo offered the idea.

Thanks, Alenka!

Spotted in the Park.

detail

of

"The Finishing Touch"

Listed this one on Ebay:

Dalmatians liver black snow CHRETIEN SDAL new holidays - eBay (item 120325784428 end time Nov-05-08 05:22:35 PST)

Liver spotted and a Black spotted Dalmatian play in the city park at dusk decorating their Snowman.

A whimsical painting in oil.

This painting is part of the 14 paintings challenge for rescue.

I have a few of them still listed on EBAY and some have sold. A couple more to go and I will have met the creative challenge of painting for the Holidays at Art Helping Animals!

Today the Halloween painting is featured on

THE DAILY PAINTER's GALLERY as I represent AHA for Thursday.

Wishing everyone a safe and fun Halloween.

and...REMEMBER...no CHOCOLATE FOR YOUR DOG!

First Look...The lastest in Halloween fun!

Below is the collage of what I have painted so far for the Holiday Painting Challenge...

some have already sold and some are listed for sale...new work is still on the easel.

The second image is new on Ebay.... for the Halloween Art collectors or those who just love art that is FUN!

Carol

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Detail of newest listing!

"Midnight Madness"

live auction!

Halloween Art dogs cat costumes night CHRETIEN oil NARA - eBay (item 110304714156 end time Nov-01-08 06:02:03 PDT)

5 day listing

Rainbow Bridge Series of Angels & Animals

In Progress and Cominging Soon!

as part of the

ART HELPING ANIMALS

Holiday Painting Challenge.

***

stay tuned for newest work and info.

FIRST LOOK! what's coming.

Maximus Christmas

&

Autumn Caper

Two new oils coming soon.

True Blue Rescue and Malibu Pet Companions

will benefit from these sales

Stay Tuned!

October Madness...events and art news

So much to share and Lots of events on the horizon...

Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay hosts annual Dal-o-ween event:

http://dalmatianrescuetampa.tripod.com/

Our annual DRTB Dalloween picnic is approaching fast! MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18TH from 10am to 2pm. We hope to see alot of our rescued Dals and make some new friends too.
Start getting those Dal costumes ready, practicing those Dal tricks....we're gonna have lots of fun for humans and dogs alike! HINT: games to practice for include Bone Bob, Popcorn Toss, Pumpkin Dash, and Karaoke Howling.
For questions or to help, please email daldoglady@netzero.net or daldogevents@msn.com See you soon!
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BONES Annual BEAGLE BASH... October event...see their web site www.bonesbeagles.org

for more details

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HELPING PAWS online exhibit...coming this month to CANINE ART GUILD!

http://www.canineartguild.com/

see the site for the show.

I will have 3 pieces for sale with donations helping:

BONES

DALMATIAN RESCUE OF TAMPA BAY

DACHSHUND ADOPTION RESCUE & EDUCATION

more info and art to come!

AND FINALLY...BUT NOT LEAST....

Just completed the September ART HELPING ANIMALS painting for our charities challenge.

14 paintings completed ...7 SOLD with 20% of the sales donated to rescue, 1 sale pending and 6 paintings from that challenge still available!
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the Art Helping Animals 3 month painting challenge has just begun...

stay tuned!

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THANKS FOR HELPING!

pass the links along to those who love helping animals

www.arthelpinganimals.com

www.carolchrtien.com