Painting Cats & Dogs

Cat Commission 8x10

2011-10-27T13:22:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure of painting this beautiful cat and 4 of her companions. My client wanted color and I chose a different color for each background. She had them all matted and framed in a dark wood frame and they are now hanging in the living room of their home. It was a fantastic experience working with her and painting these beautiful cats and dog!

Heidi After a Swim 8x10 pastel

2011-10-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

'After a Swim' 8x10 pastel

This painting shows my more traditional approach to a pet portrait. I like to be painterly and colorful with my fur and not too much like a photo. I like to capture a moment in the life of my pets so I work quickly and try not to get too bogged down with the details. Pastel is the perfect medium for my style!

My Puppy Heidi 8x10 pastel

2011-10-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

'Heidi Bear' 8x10 pastel

This was a different approach for me but I love the fun and funky look I was able to get with the charcoal lines in my painting. I loved playing with color in this painting.

Six Cats in a Window 12x24 commission

2011-10-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

This pastel painting was a part of a wonderful commission project I did this summer. The client's six cats graciously posed in the window for their photos. We chose a long and narrow format for this painting which worked out well.

A Fun Commission!

2011-10-05T12:31:00.000-07:00

This was a great commission. I had the pleasure of painting 4 cats and a puppy all 8x10 and this larger 12x24 painting of the client's six cats in a window. I had so much fun with them and had a chance to do colorful backgrounds. Here is a quote from my client when she saw the paintings in person
"They are absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!!!!!"

Tabby Cat on Red Blanket SOLD

2011-10-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

'Tabby on Red' 8x10 pastel

Siamese Cat Painting SOLD

2011-10-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

'Tobi' 8x10 pastel

Goldendoodle Painting pastel 11x14

2010-12-23T08:41:00.000-08:00

The Afternoon Nap...Siamese Cat Painting 16x20

2010-12-23T08:37:00.000-08:00

This painting won an Honorable Mention at the 2008 Southeastern Pastel Society's International Exhibition

Jenni...Cat Eyes 8x10 pastel

2010-12-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

Tobi 16x20 Pastel SOLD

2010-12-23T08:22:00.000-08:00

Jennie's Bath

2008-04-02T14:49:00.000-07:00

'Jennie's Bath' 5x7 pastel

Here is a painting of one of my favorite poses of my tabby cat Jennifur. The larger version sold already but it was fun to paint a smaller version.

Painting a Cat in Pastel

2008-02-29T07:51:00.001-08:00

Golden Retriever Pastel Painting

2008-01-23T07:16:00.000-08:00

'Tucker' 10x8 pastel

Here is a recent commission of Tucker, a sweet and gorgeous Golden!

Sweet Jennifur

2008-01-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

'Sweet Jennifur' 7x5 pastel

My cats make great models for me. I couldn't resist this pose of my tiny Tabby Jennie. She is very sweet but can hold her own especially with Tobi the Siamese who teases her.

Two Buddies

2008-01-23T07:08:00.000-08:00

Here is a recent commission of two Shelty friends. This painting is 8x10 on LaCarte pastel card.

Jazzpurr...SOLD

2007-12-04T15:29:00.000-08:00

'Jazzpurr the Cat' 7x5 pastel

I love finding my cats in the most paintable poses! When I saw the light hitting Jazz, I grabbed the camera and took a few shots. He is so much fun to paint!

Just a Tiny Bulldog

2007-11-08T11:38:00.000-08:00

Here is another mini painting this time of a bulldog. I am working on a commission of this guy and did this small painting to work on colors. I started it as a 5x7 piece but wasn't happy with the position of his body. When I put the mat on top of the painting, his face peeked out and said it all! This is 2.5 x 3.5 in an 8x10 mat.

Exciting News!!!

2007-11-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share that my painting 'Siamese at Rest' was accepted into the Art Alliance of Georgia's juried exhibition and was sold at the show! It is nice to get such recognition for my work. I am thrilled!

Sleeping Siamese Cat Painting

2007-11-08T11:29:00.000-08:00

'Sleeping Siamese' 5x7 pastel

Here's another Siamese cat. I think it is becoming a series! This painting is in my private collection. Let me know if you'd like a portrait of your pet!

Blue Eyes!

2007-11-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

I had a request for some Siamese cat paintings which is a fun assignment for me. I love the gracefulness and colors of the Siamese. This 5x7 painting has sold.

Calico Cat Miniature Painting

2007-11-08T11:23:00.000-08:00

Every once in awhile I like to do a very small painting. This one of my cailic cat Ceara measures just 2.5 x 3.5 inches! I do them for color studies for larger paintings but sometimes just for fun. This painting has sold.

A Sleepy Cat

2007-11-08T11:17:00.000-08:00

Here is a typical pose of my cat Jazzpurr. He is a very mellow and easy going cat who like to be cozy and warm. Now that it is getting cold he takes his place every night under the covers!
This painting of Jazz is pastel and is 8x10.

A Portrait of Juneau

2007-08-24T08:17:00.000-07:00

'Juneau' 8x10 pastel

Here is the finished portrait of Juneau. I hope I have done him justice! Next I will start on another painting of him asleep on the couch so stay tuned!

Wolf Dog Part 2

2007-08-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

In this photo you can see I have put in the dark areas and started on his eyes. I have also started on the background

Wolf Dog

2007-08-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest pet portrait commission. He is a big beautiful dog who is part wolf. I am actually going to paint him in another pose where he is laying on the couch so this is a warm-up. Here I have sketched him on my paper which is 8x10.

Siamese Cat Close-Up

2007-08-08T12:05:00.001-07:00

'Royalty' 5x7 pastel

This siamese cat does seem to have a regal look. He has a way of looking like he's the king no matter what he is doing. Here he is having a little catnap. I love trying to paint different angles and close-ups of the cats. To me, cats are so beautiful you just can't go wrong no matter what angle you paint them!

Golden Retriever in the Lake

2007-08-01T16:30:00.001-07:00

'Gone Swimming' 5x7 pastel

I had time for a quick little one tonight. A few weeks ago I took a picture of this Golden going for a swim in the lake during the magic hour of late afternoon. I loved how the light hit her coat and how the lake water just shimmered.

Angel the Tortoiseshell Cat

2007-07-24T14:46:00.000-07:00

'The Window Seat' 5x7 pastel

Here is the finished painting of Angel. She likes to hang out in my studio during the day looking out the window at the birds and squirrels. I was lucky to capture her in this pose with my son's camera with image stabilization lens....it's great for low light!

Our Tortoiseshell Cat Angel..in progress

2007-07-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

I tried to take some photos of my painting today but only managed to take two. I think I need a timer or something to remind me! As you can see in the top photo I have done a drawing of Angel on my paper which is 5x7 piece of LaCarte. In the bottom photo I have massed in the dark parts. After that...I guess I just got too involved in the painting to stop for a picture! When you really get into a zone it's hard to break away! I'll post the finished painting next. And in case you are interested in my working methods...I usually do these smaller paintings right at my desk on a towel. At the end though I find that I will be standing up at my desk.

Siamese Cat Miniature Painting ACEO

2007-07-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

Now this is a tiny cat painting! It measures 2.5 x 3.5. In case you aren't familiar, this size painting is also known as an ACEO short for Art Cards Editions & Originals and they are widely collected. I had mats cut in both 5x7 and 8x10 so that these little mini paintings could be used in standard size frames. The mats and frames really make them look fun!

Dune Kitty Pastel Painting

2007-07-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

'Dune Kitty' 5x7 pastel

Here is a quick study I did last year. I seem to find the cats where ever I go and so I had to take a picture of this cat I saw at the beach. She reminded me of my own cat Ceara. This painting has been sold. I will be working on a couple of commissions this week and will try to post some work in progress. Thanks to all who have written with such nice comments on my new blog! Keep on looking, I appreciate it!

My Tabby Jennifur

2007-07-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

'The Morning Bath' 8x10 pastel

"I put down my book, The Meaning of Zen, and see the cat smiling into her fur as she delicately combs it with her rough pink tongue. Cat, I would lend you this book to study but it appears you have already read it. She looks up and gives me her full gaze. Don't be ridiculous, she purrs, I wrote it. - from "Miao" by Dilys Laing

Here is the finished painting of Jennie. She is sitting here next to me in the midst of another morning bath. She approves of her painting!

Jennifur..a work in progress

2007-07-13T07:02:00.000-07:00

I don't have to go far to get a cat to pose for me. With five of my own and friends with multiple cats, there is always a cat doing something interesting. This is my cat Jennifur. She is a delicate little tabby with a sweet but tough personality. She keeps my chair warm for me all day and my pillow warm at night! This painting is 8x10 on LaCarte paper. Unfortunately this is the only WIP photo I took becaue I got so wrapped up painting I forgot to take more pictures! This shows my first 'block in' stage.

Siamese Cat at Rest Pastel Painting

2007-07-12T06:32:00.000-07:00

'Siamese at Rest' 5x7 pastel

"Like a graceful vase, a cat, even when motionless, seems to flow."George F. Will

I love all cats but I admit I have a fondness for Siamese cats...I always did...since I first saw them in 'Lady in the Tramp'. All cats are beautiful and graceful, but I just love the colors in a siamese ...that rich velvety brown against the soft cream and those amazing blue eyes! They just fascinate me!

Rocky the Welsh Terrier Finished!

2007-07-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

'Rocky' 8x10 pastel

Here is the finished painting of Rocky. I have added even more layers of colors to the dog and the background, finishing up by emphasizing the darkest and lightest areas. I have made some strokes to show the fur on Rocky's beard and ears. Rocky is a great little dog full of personality and I hope I have captured his spirit!

Rocky Work in Progress Part 3

2007-07-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

I began this stage by starting to fill in the middle tone areas. I have also added some Terry Ludwig Dark Eggplant to the very darkest areas. I have also started putting in the background. I will be adding several more layers of colors. At this point I will just keep building up the layers, trying to squint to make sure I am getting my values correct. In this photo Rocky's nose is still not right and the shape of his whiskers are off as well. I will brush these areas out and redo them. I love color so you will notice that my animals are not just 'brown and black'. I will use a mixture of blues, purples and colors you might not expect to see....hopefully it will work in the end!

Rocky Work in Progress Part 2

2007-07-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

Here is the second stage of my painting of Rocky. After I am satisfied with the sketch, I am ready to block in the color. I start by blocking in all the dark areas. I will use more than one color and lightly layer them. Then I will block in the very lightest areas the same way using sometimes 3 or 4 colors. The areas that are left will be the middle tone colors that I will do next. Notice I haven't added the background which I need to do soon. I like to have the background work well with the dog so I don't want to wait too long!

'Rocky' Work in Progress

2007-07-11T09:51:00.000-07:00

I'd like to share my painting of Rocky as a work in progress so you can see how I go about painting a dog (or cat). I am using LaCarte pastel paper in a beige color. This is 8x10. I begin by sketching Rocky using a pastel pencil. You might be able to tell that in my sketch, the nose is off...I didn't catch it here as I should have...but fortunately pastel is a forgiving medium and I corrected it later.

Sleepy Boy Jazzpurr

2007-07-10T05:58:00.000-07:00

'Jazzpurr' 8x10 pastel

Jazz is a big sweet boy who is friendly to everyone but he has a special fondness for my husband. He likes nothing better to get on his lap at night and watch TV....but Jazz also seems to think he is in charge of waking Michael up every morning....no matter what day it is! Glad he doesn't try to wake me up!

Our Tortoiseshell Angel

2007-07-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

'Angel on the Books' 8x10 pastel

Angel found us about 4 years ago. It was a very cold Christmas Eve and we came home to find this cat huddled at the doorstep. I had to bring her inside from the cold.....and the rest is history!

Siamese Cat in the Sun SOLD

2007-07-09T18:43:00.000-07:00

'Siamese cat in the Sun' 8x10 pastel

There is something so relaxing about watching a cat sleep in a warm sunny spot. They always seem to find the best spot in the house!

Getting Started

2007-07-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

'Ceara' 8x10 pastel

Welcome to my new blog 'Painting Cats & Dogs'. It is the 2 year anniversary of my Daily Painting blog and it is time to devote a site to my animal paintings. I originally began painting with pastels so that I could paint my favorite subjects...my pets! I discovered I loved painting landscapes and so I only painted my own cats and the pets of family and friends. I have been asked to start accepting pet portrait commissions and I feel like now it the right time. I will use this blog to share my pet paintings. The site is still a work in progress so look around and feel free to email me with your questions or comments! kemstudios@yahoo.com

The painting above is of my cat Ceara...the Queen...my first cat and ruler of the house. I will share more paintings and stories of Ceara in future posts.