1297. Winnie the Wonder Dog

 Winnie is a good family friend's dog and has become our unofficial Grand dog, winning our hearts from the very beginning.  She was rescued along with her brother, full of ticks.   She's the smartest dog I've ever met.  She has taken basic "sniff" training, behavior training and knows lots of tricks.  We see her often and she never ceases to delight, making her a great candidate for therapy dog.  She is particularly cute when her one ear flops.  We love her.  This was a gift for her Dog Mom's recent birthday.

1296. Max

 

This sweet pup crossed the Rainbow Bridge in February.  Max was a Cavachon who left a very big void in his loving family but assure me that his portrait brings them solace.  

1280. Did Someone Say Rabbit?

 Our dear friends and their adult kids have had several Golden Retrievers, and have been involved with Yankee Golden Rescue for many years.  Goldens are such great dogs, and Odie was no exception.  He was loyal, very well mannered and certainly well loved.  He would sit in front of the glass patio doors patiently waiting for rabbits to hop by.  Odie had a seizure disorder and left this world too soon.  He will be missed along with all the others this family have had as part of their family.  Rest in peace, Odie.

Many artists I know cringe at the thought of painting pet portraits.  I enjoy them, possibly because I am a dog lover and treasure the memories of the animals I have loved.  I've painted approximately 55 pet portraits, mostly dogs, many of whom have died.  The paintings are treasures to the people who have lost their loyal friends, including mine.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1280-did-someone-say-rabbit/1180867

1258. Love

 We had to say goodbye to our best buddy, Oliver on October 21.  He was 14 years old, but still acted like a puppy until recently.  It has been a very painful loss.  When someone looks at you like this every single day, you feel loved.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1258-love/1145569

1151. Jack

Jack recently crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and his "mom" is heartbroken.  Jack was a Maltese Poodle mix, and was a very sweet dog.  He will surely be missed.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1151-jack/994214

1121 Luna

 The portrait of Luna, an Imperial Shitzu, was commissioned as a Christmas gift for a couple who had experienced a fire in their home.  They self-proclaimed that they would NEVER get a dog, but finally succumbed.  Luna provided them with comfort and love during the difficult recovery time.  Dogs are great therapists.

As a side note, our family watched the hilarious movie,  Best of Show, last night.  The Shitzu won first place in its category, and I noticed all the Shitzus had bows exactly like this one.  

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1121-luna/966459

1095 Norma Jean Baker a.k.a. Sugar

 

Introducing Sugar, a Coton de Tulear, who is living the good life.  Her real name is Norma Jean Baker, named by her "mom," a big Marilyn Monroe fan.   Her name was modified to "Sugar," Marilyn's character's name in the movie, Some Like it Hot because Sugar's "dad" refused to call her Norma Jean, which I think is hilarious.  

This was a commissioned painting to be given as a gift. 

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/1095-norma-jean-baker-aka-sugar/937390

1036 Chewy

 This is a commission painting of a dog who recently passed over the Rainbow Bridge.  It's always a good feeling to create something that helps to heal the void created by a lost pet.  

998 Mia

 Meet Mia, one of my grand-dogs.  She is the happiest dog I know, and very disciplined.  She is so happy that she once had "happy tail syndrome," and yes there is such a thing.  She injured her tail by wagging it too much into walls and furniture.  Hard to believe that being too happy is a problem.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/998-mia/836368

Commissions welcomed.

883 George

Say hello to George.  Isn't he cute?

"883 George"
acrylic - 6x6 in

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/883-george/640959

859 Patton

One of the many things I love about being an artist is that I have so many opportunities for learning, not just about painting and art, but about everyday life, nature, history, etc.  For instance, this dog's name was Patton, and since my history knowledge is a little rusty, I thought I would try to learn a little about the World War II General George Patton.  I won't go into anything that I learned about General Patton, other than that he had a white bull terrier named Willie.

This portrait of Patton was commissioned by friends of two fire fighters who loved this dog so much, and initially had hoped Patton would be ferocious.  Instead, Patton was a sweetheart who was a friendly, gentle soul who loved to ride on their boat.  I am pleased to say that these folks named their dog, Patton, and Patton was female.

"859 Patton"
acrylic - 8x10 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/859-patton/583000

848 Teddy, #1 Packer Fan

This is Teddy, a much loved Teddy Bear from the same breeder as my Oliver and several other pooches in my community.  Teddy loves the Packers, and he even has his own Facebook Page!

751 Joon

"751 Joon"
acrylic - 8x10 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/751-joon/435551

dianecampion.blogspot.com

648 Pepper

It's been awhile since I've painted a pet portrait.  Pepper is my friend's father's dog, and he is the only dog I've ever met that actually poses for the camera.  I took only three pictures of him, all decent, because he sat and looked right where I wanted him to.  Most of the time I have to chase the dog around hoping to get a nice shot. 

"648 Pepper"
acrylic - 6x6 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/648-pepper/395351

532 Chester

Felt good to paint today after several days off.  This is Chester, a neighborhood friend's dog, a "teddy bear" mix of shitzu, toy poodle and bichon, we think.  Chester and our pooch, Oliver are good buddies. 

520 Saki

This is Saki, a lucky little pooch.  Her "grandmother" commissioned this painting of puppy Saki for her son and his family.  It will be given to them tomorrow, Saturday and I hope they will like it.
Merry Christmas!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/…/diane-camp…/520-saki/298413

440 Bela

Bela and Gracie (yesterday's subject) both left for the giant dog park in heaven within days of each other.  Bela was a loyal companion to my friend and her family for many years.  Her presence is missed greatly.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) I am painting in my first plein air competition.  I would rather not think of it as a competition because it is too stressful.  I just want to enjoy the day in a lovely setting and paint the best painting I can.  

439 Gracie

Three of my friends lost their dogs within a short time.  This is Gracie, a springer spaniel.  I know firsthand how heartbreaking it is to lose a four legged friend.