PROGRESSION - Dachshund Art - 3 stages...

As I continue on with this piece you see the progression from last week when I first posted the initial footprint.

Stage 1 getting the basics down.


Next a little defining...

Truly on the easel...will wrap it up on the final pass and bring it all together...

"Tangled Up In Blue...Flowers"

Thanks for looking and please STAY TUNED!

New Beginnings - First Look!

The studio is humming along. Just wanted to share 2 that I started yesterday.
The Dalmatian is in the VERY bare bones stage ...I put in a few markers on the canvas yesterday just to get a sense on a start...This Dal is at the Rainbow Bridge and was an old friend of ours, a "DalPal" ...it is an honor to paint him. He has a gentle soul. There will be many changes to this piece to find "Mercury" in this canvas. I hope to do him justice.


The second painting is a 100% donation winning portrait from the Jack Russell fundraiser in June.
The JRT is "Cleopatra" and this is the second pass ...from here I will correct and detail the painting to capture Her. You can see the difference in the first and second passes of the two paintings.
I always start with a very loose line drawing to put some landmarks down as a guide. In animal or people subjects I start with eyes...after all who wants blank eye sockets watching them paint? And it is the window to the soul...you find "life" staring back at you. Stay Tuned for a whole group of finished work coming soon to an online site near you!
:)

Happy 11th Birthday LIZZIE!

11 years ago today our Spotted Girl was born.

We can't believe how fast the time has passed and how much one dog can be loved.

Well in fact, she was loved before she was born as we waited for her a long time.

***

Lizzie has been my Dalmatian model, a wonderful model who works for food.

It is amazing she is not overweight because food is her life!

The day I brought her home at exactly 8 weeks of age the only way she wouldn't cry as I held her in the car on the ride home was to let her eat little puppy chow nuggets and she cried after each one was gone.

The training of "Mom" had begun and she was on the road to teaching me everything she wanted me to know.

Leo and I laugh at this story ...his philosophy is "They deserve to be spoiled" ...he is not the dog whisperer.

But here is the thing about Liz....she has been a wonderful girl. Happy and full of life, never destructive, trust worthy, yes a tad spoiled, very very smart and extremely loving to us. Pretty darn healthy too. Thank Heavens!

***

So Happy Birthday our Lizzie and we wish for many more birthdays and tons of inspirations for paintings that help ....Dalmatians in Need.

Lizzie was not a rescue Dalmatian...we don't have many Dals at all in these parts but her likeness has sold around the world in oil paintings and those donations are our way of giving thanks for her and her contribution for being my Muse for shelter dogs everywhere!

Donated Art for Charity ...Summer 2008

These two paintings were oils that I was able to do this summer for FUNDRAISERS.
100% was given to the charities.

The top piece, "GABE" was a custom portrait that benefitted an Educational Memorial Scholarship fund in honor of Dr. Lincoln D. Lynch for the Middleboro, MA school system.






"AS FREE AS THE BIRDS" was painted and auctioned for Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay
generating funds to help with the costs of veternary care for some of the neediest Dals in their care. The rescue is in Florida and the painting was won by a wonderful supporter in Texas!
It takes many hands to help the animals who wait in rescue for the chance at a new life.

******

STAY TUNED for the finish of

Foley's Portrait

for

FRIENDS OF BRISTOL ANIMAL SHELTER!

***

as always thanks for supporting Rescue with art!

Recently Painted, Recently Sold.

These two paintings are part of the 8 recent pieces I have been working on in the last two weeks. Both paintings sold almost as soon as they were listed. Much appreciated with 20% going right to rescues!

The top painting sold to help SAVE THE DALMATIANS located in So. California.
The second was listed today for my weekly contribution to DAILY PAINTER'S GALLERY where every Thursday I list a new piece of work representing my artist fellowship, Art Helping Animals. The donation helps TURTLE RIDGE WILDLIFE CENTER.

"Dalmatian: With Ocean View"

12x12

oil on canvas
SOLD

"If Only..."

12x12

oil on canvas

SOLD
****

Both of these paintings are focused on using light to create a sense of atmosphere and

emotional pull.

they were a joy to paint.

***

Stay tuned!

IN THE WIND - March #3 -Year of the Cat

SOLD

IN THE WIND

12x12

oil on canvas

***

This is the latest painting in a 12 painting series the first 2 have sold.

Representing the month of MARCH this painting is inspired by the work being done by

TABBY'S PLACE

a cat sanctuary

150.00

20% of the sale goes to this wonderful rescue.

***

The series is a very fun challenge to myself to imagine this whole group of totally original paintings by either finding the cat that inspires the scene or planning the scene and then finding the purr-fect cat!

Below is a little collage of what we have so far...it is always neat to see them together.

I think it is an elegant series so far and even I don't know how it is going to unfold!

The artist is also the observer...and that is exciting for me.

ALL 3 HAVE SOLD!

The next painting is representing APRIL will be based on my idea for a vintage scene

but the cat model hasn't been decided as yet.

***

STAY TUNED!

Painting away....progress?

Work In Progress....

This is the 3rd stage of a formal portrait of FOLEY it is 14x18 oil on canvas and I have been working away on 8 different pieces of art including this one. I feel like I am making a dent now on this oil...It is for a special purpose. And it is my great honor to do it.

I will post the finish and his story when it is done.

***

When painting a portrait it takes a different kind of concentration and patience with myself.

You need to appreciate the stages...take time to evaluate the details...and in the process you do develop a bond with the subject.

While I have rarely met the subjects of portraits in person, I have gotten to know some of them through their people.

While I paint them I am aware of what their loved ones have told me about them so I have that reference point that I always hope adds the extra ingredient to the meaning

behind the work. People trust me with these captured moments of their most beloved pets

and that is pretty amazing stuff to me.

I haven't taken this work lightly. The deeper and deeper into these waters I venture, the more I appreciate the impact it can make for healing, or uplifting and to even help the rescuers who save some lives they find hanging in the balance in shelters ....it is very humbling to me.

...

Happiness is having a chance to say it with paint!

***

STAY TUNED!

Organized Chaos?

The Organized Chaos... that is my work corner of my studio.
Some things that are currently "works in progress" to share in their earliest stages can be seen below...

The official count is 8 in progress pieces of art but 4 are very near completed.
The following are in the Ugly Stages of near-new. Very raw but it gives a glimpse of how I start if you are interested in my process.

Year of the Cat series # 3 ...MARCH "In the Wind"
*********

The next two are for our ART HELPING ANIMALS
September Focus on Rescue
we will be highlighting
Saluki Rescue STOLA

*****

And lastly...the newest Dachshund Rescue painting in the works
with "Oscar" once again as my furry Muse.
His mom (Pam) keeps me inspired by sending me reference images that I keep on file for that moment when a Doxie is just the right note for helping rescue!

a LONG way to go as you can see.

And it is all good... as I work to wrap them up and look forward to some new plans for Fall,
that will include a special piece for Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay for their
yearly OCTOBER event.
STAY TUNED!

On the Easel...FIRST LOOK!

As yet untitled.

12x12

oil on canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

Its been busy in the studio the last couple of days.

This is new on the easel...I had taken some great shots for reference of this white Chow Chow in bright kitchen light and knew there would come a time when I would want to paint him. His name is Bear...I painted him as part of a group portrait a few years ago.

I have always loved painting white animals or subjects in bright light for all the colors you can find in their reflected shadows.

When finished it will benefit homeless animals when it is sold.

STAY TUNED!

Patterns and more patterns... An update.

UPDATE...

AVAILABLE

First Light of Fall

10x10

oil on canvas

CAROL CHRETIEN

***

Not sure how accurate the color is on any given computer screen but in reality this painting conveys the first light of Autumn...my favorite season.

It was painted with the impulse to create heat and light and interesting shadow patterns along with a "patterned" dog.

(Well let's be honest my Lizzie stood in as my model but I have added a different pattern than her own.)

Also the colors within shadows, their own interesting contribution from all the various light sources and bouncing reflections and then my own creative description as seen though my own artistic eye is brought together in a piece like this.

Then it begs the question of how does that translate on any given screen in digital mode?

***

My collectors (and you know who you are...) tell me that when they get the painting in their hands it looks "even better"....whew! that is a boon to me to know that.

We do what we can via cyberspace and digital photography but there is nothing like the original in YOUR light in YOUR hands.

I can say this as I look around the room at what hangs on my walls!

LOL

so...this painting is for

SAVE THE DALMATIANS

and the price is 125.00

and the shipping is

FREE

and you can purchase it here...it is NOT reserved!



20% or 25.00 of the Sale goes straight to the rescue

to help their great work!

THANKS FOR HELPING ANIMALS IN NEED!

August - New Month, New Work...in progress

This first piece is the inspired by photos I took of a friend's dogs and this is the "blocking in stage" of the first pass. I will be offering this oil painting to help one of our Art Helping Animals supported rescues. This husky is so beautifully marked. She is a very shy girl and that gave me the working title:

SHADOW GIRL

RESERVED

~~~~~~~

FIRST LIGHT OF FALL

This new Dalmatian piece is all about temperature and seasonal color along with pattern and light.

I will list this one for SAVE THE DALMATIANS one of our Dalmatian rescues that Art Helping Animals supports through art sales.
~~~~~~~~

UP DATE ....

Adding pieces of the gate to this one .... designing as I go.

Will be adjusting here and there before it is done.

***

You have to enjoy the journey and not just the destination in creative projects.

I do enjoy sharing the process...hopefully you enjoy watching the paintings develop.

STAY TUNED!

FIRST LOOK at the End of July!

WORK IN PROGRESS!

Waiting At the Gates

10x10

oil on canvas

Carol Chretien

***

Started this week with one of our Art Helping Animals rescues in mind,

This little guy waits by the gate.

It could be perceived as a Rainbow Bridge piece but in reality I was interested in using the design of the "wrought iron" backdrop to off set the high value light and use the black in the dog to connect the two.

I have been having fun with backgrounds, the challenge being always to punch it up and not let it overpower.

***

Stay Tuned for the Finish work!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE THIS PAINTING

email me: carolchretien@aol.com

***

and look at what I posted on our ART HELPING ANIMALS BLOG:

"WILD NIGHTS In MOONLIGHT"

http://arthelpinganimals.blogspot.com/2009/07/wild-nights-in-moonlight-carol-chretien.html

Brand new WET PAINT!

Ta DAH!

You saw their beginnings...Here is the promised finish!

(scroll down through the blog to see the "befores" )

" As Free As The Birds"

8x10

oil on canvas with painted sides.

(AnnaMae is my model she is currently in foster care)

100% of the Auction proceeds will go to

DALMATIAN RESCUE OF TAMPA BAY!

details coming on their site!

***

" Fireside Dreams"
Year of the Cat Series #2 representing February
12x12 Oil on Canvas w Painted sides
SOLD
20% of the proceeds go to
Friends of Bristol Animal Shelter
***
and finally....


"Her World Is Silent, Her Dreams Are Not"
Keller was my model and she is in foster care for DRTB
10x10
oil on gallery wrapped canvas
SOLD
20% of the sale goes to
DALMATIAN RESCUE OF TAMPA BAY!
***

A note about painting for DRTB:
they have a VERY ill Dal girl named Pheonix who is undergoing intensive healing, surgery and hopefully successful rehab.
2 of the paintings above were specifically painted to help with the finances.
The TOP painting will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefitting the rescue.
These rescue volunteers at DRTB are the best of the best and do work that goes above and beyond for these animals.
At any time they also care for an average of 15 senior dalmatians in final refuge, giving them love and dignity to the last day of their lives.
****
Thanks for looking and thanks for helping homeless animals with art!

All three paintings are done and drying as we speak. This frees up my easel to create new work!
each of these paintings will help rescue.
Stay Tuned!

YEAR OF THE CAT series... Updates!

"Year of the Cat" series is in progress...The 3rd painting in the series will be started soon.

I am in the process of deciding which cat I will choose for my model. It will be a cat up for adoption from TABBY's PLACE. The month of MARCH will be represented.

The first two are below.

" Fireside Dreams " has been RESERVED and the donation will be going to

Friends of Bristol Animal Shelter. This painting will be finished soon.

" Fireside Dreams "

***

SOLD

" The Queen Of All She Surveys"

STAY TUNED for The BIG FINISH UPDATES this week...
thanks so much for supporting homeless animals through art!

As Free As the Birds - Update!

Here is Phase II and the title is: "As Free As The Birds" 8x10 oil on canvas.

The idea speaks to the feeling of freedom for the adoptables, to have their own family to love them for all their remaining days and not have to be taken away again. A lovely circumstance for sure!

This painting will be offered with 100% donation to help the Dals in rescue through TAMPA BAY DALMATIAN RESCUE!

One more session will finish this painting starring AnnaMae as my model.

STAY TUNED FOR AUCTION DETAILS!

FIRST LOOK! - Work in Progress 3 new ones!

These next 3 pieces are on the easel. I have been busy. But not as busy as the rescues that I paint to help. There are an increasing amount of animals ending up in shelters and not in the nicest ways. Of course we want to save them all. We have to focus on what good we can do and just keep going forward.

One of my very favorite rescues is DAMATIAN RESCUE OF TAMPA BAY. They are good people working their fingers and hearts to the bone to get these animals saved. Not all are pure breds. Does that matter? No. I was inspired for this first one below by a photo of a mixed breed Dalmatian named "KELLER" who is a deaf girl in foster care. Available to be adopted! Visit their site for the info.

The painting is entitled: Her World Is Silent, Her Dreams Are Not

RESERVED

This second one is the second in the 12 painting series The Year of the Cat...this is February.
It will be offered for Friends Of Bristol (RI) Animal Shelter. Right now there is an interested party who may reserve the painting so check back on that. The model who inspired this cozy scene is Sunshine...she was adopted.

The title is: Fireside Dreams Come True

Lastly this painting has the least amount of work done but will be a BIG WINNER...why you ask? Because this painting is for Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay and it will be 100% donation to the rescue when sold. The model is AnnaMae and she is up for adoption being fostered by one of my heroes in FLORIDA, the dog magnet known to the street dogs as just "Jay" the painting will be auctioned with All proceeds to the rescue. They are swamped in dogs right now and not simple shampoo and feed a bit and find a home...but serious health issues, expensive ones. So...

Stay tuned for the finish of these paintings I will update and we will keep on painting for homeless animals hoping to do the best we can to help in this imperfect world.

Wading in the Shallows - Completed!

I have completed this new oil that will help BONES rescue.

20% will be donated to help homeless Beagles.

This painting was RESERVED prior to completion at FIRST LOOK.

SOLD

Thanks go to Pam a BONES volunteer who keeps me in ideas that help rescue!

STAY TUNED! More work on the way!

Airedale Nocturne - First Look!

Finished this painting 12 x 12 oil on canvas and now available to help

NATIONAL AIREDALE RESCUE

20% will go to the org to help support their work.

The painting was inspired by images from the NARA library.

150.00

Free Shipping

just email me for an invoice.

Original oil.

carolchretien@aol.com

Update: The Explanation

The painting was finished and posted and SOLD to help True Blue Rescue.
I was telling my artist friends at The Art Colony that I really did identify with the relationship of this little girl in the painting. I had a dalmatian that was my best friend when I was her age. We

spent a lot of time together and she was so loved. We enjoyed many long talks together.

It is a magical time between children and their dogs.

True Blue Rescue is in Texas and helps many different types of animals find loving homes.

Update: Work in Progress for BONES

THIS PAINTING HAS BEEN RESERVED!

The second pass on this new painting for BONES beagle rescue.

I am layering in the colors to deepen the atmosphere and give more drama of this duo on the beach.

More detail coming for the dogs and reflections etc...so Stay Tuned for the finish.

thanks for looking!