Black Lab and Yellow Labrador Steal Snowman Carrot Nose Dog Holiday Christmas Cards

Black and Yellow Labs with Snowman Holiday Cards
Here is a new holiday design for your 2017 Christmas cards, or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Happy New Year or whatever you like to share and celebrate.

A silly black Labrador tries to steal the snowman's carrot nose as the happy yellow Lab watches wagging her tail.  Carrots are a daily treat for my dogs, we love them!

This design is also available with a black Lab and a chocolate Lab stealing snowman's carrot.  Visit my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop and browse the large selection of Labrador Christmas cards.  You can save 25% when you choose sets of 20 Lab Christmas cards or select sets of 10 Lab Dog Christmas cards for your shorter list.  Many designs are even available as single Labrador Holiday cards.

  Inside verse: Wishing you joy and happiness this holiday season and throughout the new year!

There are more greeting cards with horses, other dogs and a special Hanukkah Labrador Card in the Other Pets Christmas and Holiday Cards section.  Something for everyone!  Happy shopping and sharing!!

New Combination Frame for Upland Game Bird Dog AKC Titles

As OtterTail Dog Art we are happy to announce this new design for our popular Combination Frame.  This frame was created to hold a standard AKC title in the bottom cutout and a photo of the title-holder in the top opening.  The original design features flying waterfowl and cattails.  You can see it on my OtterTail Dog Art Wood page.

This design displays a pheasant creeping through the corn ($92) and was created at the request of an upland game bird hunter for two of her newly titled Labradors.  It would be a great gift for anyone with bird dogs.  The lower opening is sized to accept an approximately 8" x 10" photo in place of the AKC title, so you can fill it as you prefer.  It is lovely either way.

This example is cut from solid maple.  All of our wood items are created in solid hardwoods with the beauty of the natural wood color and grain highlighted by a hand-rubbed finish.  You can also choose black walnut, cherry, or request which other hardwoods are periodically available.

Celebrate your accomplishments in partnership with your dog in this lovely display.   Order today!

Labrador Dogs Tug Santa Scarf Christmas Cards

Those silly Labs are having fun with Santa's scarf.  He was looking for it while getting ready for his big trip and finally tracked the dogs down having a game of tug in the yard.  If Santa gets a late start this year we will know who to blame!

This is my first new Christmas design for 2016.  I love my regular customers who ask me to make a new card every year.  I have a large collection of Labrador Christmas Cards in packs of 10 and 20 as well as single cards in my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop Greeting Card section.  There are cards with black Labs, yellow Labs and chocolate Labradors, of course!  You will also find a nice selection with two dogs in various color combinations - Something to make everyone happy!

Holiday greeting cards are just the first step.  You will find great gifts for all your Lab loving family and friends.  Happy shopping at the OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop where finding unique dog-theme gifts is easy and fun!

Hand-Painted Silk Scarf Labradors and Botanicals

Today is our coldest day this winter and we got a couple of inches of snow yesterday to cover our bare ground.  It's making me think of spring!  Phil said it is coming early this year.  Are you ready?

"6 Heads Botanicals" is an 11" x 60" China Silk scarf adorned with hand-painted Labrador dog head profiles among twining leaves and flowers.  The colors are spring green, warm golden yellow and blossom blues.  $70.00

China silk, also known as Habotai, has a nice sheen, light and billowing drape.  It will help you feel shiny and special.  6 heads has been the most popular design of my Labrador silk scarves and every one is unique.  All of the dogs and elements are hand drawn with resist on a suspended blank silk scarf.  Once the resist dries I apply colors that I mix specially for each individual scarf.  This completely hand drawn and painted process results in one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art.  How special is that?

6 Heads Botanicals is $70, payable by check or through PayPal.  Order this or any of my scarves by emailing me.   I can also paint a new scarf just for you in colors of your choice.  Get your spring juices flowing!  See more at my Hand-painted Silk Scarf webpage.

Hand Painted Cute Black and White Dog

Introducing Zen Dog Too.   He is made of wood and is 13 inches long by nearly 15 inches high, 3 inches wide.   Hand-painted and covered with a protective coat, he will be faithfully adorable in any room of your home.   I don't think you would believe the hours I spent lost in creating his doodles, he will be the last of his kind.   Zen Dog Too is available to good homes only.  You can adopt him for $158.00 plus shipping.  He will make you smile.

He is, in fact, the second Zen Dog, but his name is not a typo.  Since there will be no more of these I am going with "also" instead of number "2".  Plus it matches his cuteness better.  Check out lots more of my artwork at OtterTailArt.com

Labrador Dogs Silk Scarf Ready for Winter Cold

Something new in time for chilly weather and holiday gift-giving. This one-of-a-kind Labrador scarf is a combination of hand-painting on 100% silk crepe de chin stitched to a comfy, warm polar fleece backing. Now you can show your heartfelt style all winter! My popular 6 Lab Heads scarf pattern in black, chocolate and yellow Labradors shines to keep the cold out. Total size including fringe is 8.5 x 59". I don't plan to combine this again, so the first person making a claim will be the only lucky one! $70.00 - tell me you saw it here before December 15, 2013 and I will give you free-shipping.

I make this pattern in a wide variety of colors and currently 3 choices of silk in 8 x 54" and 11 x 60".  You can order one (without the polar fleece backing) in any 3 colors of your choice at no extra charge!  I will be cutting my choices of silk to one as my supplies of the others are extinguished, so if you want lots of options order soon!  Visit my hand-painted silk scarves page at OtterTailArt.com to see more examples and the other dog designs for scarves plus one-of-a-kind originals.  Every scarf is unique! (plus hand or machine washable.)

Why is this be the only "winterized" silk scarf I will make?  Simple - the hand stitching makes it a steal at this price and not a good investment of time for me.  An un-backed version of this design on this type of silk can be purchased for $65.00.  It was a fun experiment that I know some lucky dog woman will love!

Custom Dog Urn with Yellow Labrador Print

It is always sad to say good-bye to beloved pet friends.  We have a collection of Labrador designs for urns that we create out of natural hardwoods.  The designs are backed with a contrasting type of wood.  In this case my collector asked for a custom urn that would hold a print of one of my yellow Labrador paintings.  She thought it looked so much like her boy who had crossed the bridge that she wanted this special print to honor her Lab.

So, now we have a new urn design to offer.  Not only can this hold a print of one of my paintings, it can also be sized to hold a photograph of your pet.  There is a glass covering on the opening and the print is securely backed to keep it separated from the bag containing your pet's cremains.

Our urns open at the bottom and are firmly closed with the four inset screws provided.  Our standard size was designed for Labs, so it hold dogs up to about 100 pounds.  Custom sizes can be made upon request.  It is a nice way to honor the loss of a good friend.

By the way, this yellow Labrador painting is entitled "A Head Pillow Is Nice" and is part of my "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" series.  The original is sold, but you can get a print in a variety of sizes, on a selection of substrates and even have it matted and framed to your specifications if you like.  Visit my OtterTail Dog Art by Amy Reges gallery on Fine Art America to order this or many of my other dog prints.

Portrait painting of two black Labrador Dogs

This was my last portrait for 2012, finished in the (Saint) nick of time to be a surprise Christmas present from my collector to her husband.  This is Stella and Gus, sister and brother black Labs.  The reference photos were taken in a hurry and that really does influence the details of the finished painting.  Both of these were taken from above the dogs looking down.  Your angle is one more thing to consider when you take photos whether it is for portrait painting references or your own photo collection.  Try to get down to dog eye level for some shots and see the difference it can make.  Speaking of photos, this is not a very good one of the painting as the light is uneven and color is off.  I had to hurry them off in the mail so no time was left for accurately recording the finished painting - tch tch.

I think you can tell that Stella (on the left) is the boss of the pair.  Gus is a softie.  Sadly Stella's time with her family may be short now due to cancer.  I am happy for them that they got this painting as a lasting tribute to her and her bro.  What will Gus do without her?

Give the Gift of a Memory, Commission a Pet Portrait Painting

Here is my latest dog artwork commission.  This yellow Lab portrait painting has been enthusiastically approved by my collectors and will be heading home in a couple of days to be a surprise birthday gift for her Dog-Mom.  I hope she loves it too!

This sweet yellow girl was caught sunning on the back patio.  Like all good Labradors, she is ready in an instant if there is something to help with or fun to be had.  I cropped and edited the reference photo to exclude distracting details while maintaining the feeling of the moment.  Good quality reference photos lead to good paintings, but they don't have to be perfect in every aspect!

It's not too late to book a special holiday gift for someone you love and give a painting that will last a lifetime.  Our wonderful pets do not stay in our lives long enough - as I am feeling all too keenly having just lost two of my own.  I cherish the portraits I have of my dogs.  It is difficult to put into words how special these paintings have become to me.  I know that is true for many of my collectors as well.  Don't wait for a "better time", treat yourself or someone you love with a portrait painting of your own.  Visit my OtterTail Lab Art website for pet portrait painting information, then email me for details.

Pssst - only a couple of openings left for the holidays, but gift certificates make wonderful presents and allow the recipient to be involved in the process.  Even last minute shoppers can be heros!

New Agility Dog Design - Special Frame for Your Special Labrador

Here is a new agility dog design for you Labrador lovers who run the obstacle course behind your agile companion. The teeter-tooter with Lab ascending is shown here on our popular wood Combination Frame for picture and title. The bottom opening is sized to fit a standard AKC title or an 8" x 10" photograph. The top opening is for a 3.5" x 5" photo of your star. It's a great way to display your title and commemorate your accomplishments together. The frame shown here is black walnut, this design and others are available in a variety of hardwoods, all naturally finished to show the beauty of the wood. Give one as a thoughtful gift to a dog-lover friend or a fun gift to yourself. You and your Lab partner deserve it! As always, visit OtterTail Lab Art for more choices or contact me for custom inquires. Have fun with your dog!

Remembering 9-11 on this historic day

I had the honor of being commissioned to create several tributes to canines involved with the 9-11 tragedy. In memory I am posting pics on this historic day. First, I created a Labrador Retriever sculpture plaque in memory of NY PAPD Labrador, Sirius, who perished in the basement of the towers that day. It was presented to his surviving partner (Officer David Lim) by his breeder/donater (Pat Gadaleta).

Twice I was honored to create custom hand-painted silk scarves for brave women who participated in search and rescue at the towers in NYC immediately following 9-11. Amazingly they both had black german shepards. Here is a picture of one of the scarves. It was specifically requested that I include the twin towers still standing. The first scarf was commissioned by FEMA US&R handler Jen in honor of her black GSD partner Taboo. The second was a custom order by Rose in tribute to her partner, Logan. His name and badge number were a subtle inclusion on two of the buildings. Still amazing to me that I should be found and contacted by two such brave women with so much in common!! I continue to be grateful to them for their service.

Ducks Cut in Wood Picture Frame

We started making dog-theme wood frames and products back in the 1980's and they remain popular today. This example is a vertical version of our "3-Ducks" frame. It is made of solid cherry, individually cut by hand with a scroll saw and has a natural oil finish. We have other designs and use a variety of hardwoods with each piece being selected for the particular project. All of my OtterTail Lab Art has evolved over the years in response to customer requests as well as my own shifting interests, yet it remains always inspired by my own dogs. It is a bit nostalgic to see the photo in this frame which was taken in 1989. The Labrador dog I was showing was my OtterTail Beau Buckaroo, Am/Can CD when he was 18 months old - he looks so young. The judge was the well-know Labrador breeder, George Bragaw. Both have been gone for some time now. The show was during the Wine Country circuit in NY with a large entry and tough competition. It was a long time ago and yet I remember it vividly. That is what special pictures can do. They deserve special frames.

Yellow and Black Labrador Retriever Dogs Sledding Holiday and Christmas Cards

Just in time for your holiday greeting card needs, here is a new design with two Labrador dogs sledding fast to spread joy and cheer. Send these yellow and black Lab Christmas cards because everyone deserves a laugh along with season's greeting. Choose the yellow and black Lab Christmas card with a simple merry verse inside or the versatile black and yellow Labrador Holiday card to spread joy to all your friends throughout the season. There are many more Labrador Christmas cards for your selection, don't miss the cards for chocolate Lab lovers. If you would like to order individual cards and customize the inside verse or even add your own picture, then my OtterTail Art Cards shop is the place for you! There you can also sign and address the cards to have them shipped directly on the date of your choice. It doesn't get any easier than that!


This fun new Labrador dog illustration was created from an original drawing which was colored and finished digitally. It is fun to experiment with the many different ways of creating designs for greeting cards, t shirts and clothes and gift products. Let these two silly Labs bring smiles to all of your friends this winter and holiday season.

New Labrador Christmas Card Yellow Lab Dog Tugs Santa

Here is a fun new little painting I did for a Labrador Christmas card design. This yellow Labrador dog has Santa by the leg as he descends down the chimney with holiday gifts for all. Well, this Lab may not be on the "Good Dog" list anymore - Will Santa leave him coal in his stocking? Brighten your holidays with humor and a smile when you send this holiday card to friends for Christmas. Two inside holiday verse versions are available singly or in set of 10 and 20 in my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop or create your own verse and customize the card with your signature, photos inside, or whatever you like at my OtterTail Art Cards Shop.

OtterTail Labrador and Dog Art Links and Connections

Wondering where else you can find my OtterTail Labrador and Dog Art and learn more about me on the web? Here are a few links you might like to bookmark.

OtterTail Labrador Art - my main website. Here you will find original dog and pet paintings, hand painted silk scarves and other art, as well as links to my various shops, galleries, social networks and everything OtterTail.

OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop - a shop with hundreds of fun products featuring many Labrador and dog designs. You will enjoy the ease of secure online shopping with international shipping. Please browse the many levels of this gift shop because it's fun to poke in the corners and find something special.

OtterTail Art Gallery on Imagekind - a wonderful place for purchasing your fine art prints. You can even try out a large selection of mats and frames to complete your print before you buy, or order one on stretched canvas. Excellent customer service - my favorite giclee printers.

OtterTail Art Cards on Greeting Card Universe. A relatively new shop just for greeting cards with a wide variety of designs and many more to come. You can order one card or take advantage of the quantity discounts, customize the verse inside and/or add your own images, have cards sent directly and even schedule the special date you would like them delivered. Does sending greeting cards get any easier?

OtterTail Labrador and Dog Art on Facebook. Become a fan, find out about ongoing sales and specials, and share with your dog-loving friends. [facebook.com/LabradorDogArt]

Labrador Art Amy on Twitter. Follow me on Twitter. I love to hear from all my Twitter Friends. [twitter.com/LabradorArt]

In case that's not enough, my prints are also available at Art.com, AllPosters.com, Artist Rising and more products can be found at Labrador Dog and Nature Designs by Amy Reges at Zazzle.com.

Join the continuing tributes to Labrador Retrievers and dogs and celebrations of nature's beauty.

Shop 2 Day Sale on Dog T shirts, Labrador and fun dogs

Cash in on the savings and get fun, creative, original dog designs on T shirts in time for summer heat. ** SPECIAL SALE ** Buy any t-shirt from my OtterTail Art for Dog Lover's Shop and save $3 by using coupon code: TMINUS3 on July 7 and 8 only. Buy as many as you like and save $3 on every one! Tell your friends, shop for Christmas presents in July, and find great gifts for birthday surprises no matter what age! The heat wave in NY and general hot spring and summer we are having so far is enough to convince me you can never have enough fun Tees to keep you cool and show your style. There is a huge selection to choose from and designs include flowers, wine, nature, positive energy, cats and fun sayings in addition to many Labrador and dog designs.

While you are there check out the great selection of Labrador Dog Christmas Cards as well as Labrador Retriever cards for Halloween and Thanksgiving and dog design invitations for holiday or party events.

On a roll for holiday shopping? For that special gift consider an original Labrador dog painting or print or commission a pet portrait painting that will be treasured forever. Shop now, relax later - Have a blast!!

Labradors Help Artist Make Dog Art

A Labrador lover friend has been having a sad time lately and I wanted to make her a special card. She has only met my chocolate Lab Nissa so far, so I let Nissa be the model for this art project. It only took about 5 minutes to clicker train her to rest her chin on my knee and peak up at me, then hold it until the pre-set camera snapped the shot. The cropped "Before" picture is on the left. I digitally added pants and took out the messy background to create the card front "After" picture shown on the right. I thought some of you might enjoy seeing how my Labs and I work together to create my OtterTail Labrador Art. My friend loved the card. It will be available in my OtterTail Art Cards greeting card shop where you can change the inside verse to fit your occasion. Look for it in my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Store shortly too.

Beautiful Labrador Photos - Custom Photograph Retouching

You already know that I am an artist, but you may not know that I also do a lot of photo retouching and manipulation. This is used in my quest for great reference photos for my dog paintings, to crop and clean up pictures used for my custom pet portraits and for the creation of fun Labrador fantasy photos, as well as my flower and nature photography. Now I will be offering this service to you so you can get those lovely photos of you dogs cleaned up and ready to display on your website. The example shows the before and after shots of a picture I took at LRCP in April 2010. Doesn't this girl look even nicer without the busy background? I can crop, edit backgrounds, remove collars and leashes and create a peaceful scene so your dog is the star. Contact me for your own custom dog photo retouching.

Labrador Valentine Cards and Gifts - Black Lab, Yellow Lab and Chocolate Labs

This is a sample of 2 of my designs for Labrador Valentine cards and gifts. The Lab running with "I Love You" balloons is available with a yellow Lab and chocolate Lab too. If your heart dog is a black Lab, you will find that design as well as others at my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop. In addition, I have even more dog Valentine cards at my OtterTail Art Cards Store at Greeting Card Universe. Here you can totally change or personalize the inside verse and have your card mailed directly for you. There is still time to order that special someone a special gift for Valentine's Day or send a card to all of your favorite or secret Valentines. Labradors and Love go great together!

Labrador Dog Show Trophy - Wood Peg Rack

We were honored to be chosen to create the trophies for the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac Bare Bones Specialty dog show again this year (LRCP). Here is an example of one of our wooden peg racks with dog designs cut through in silhouette. We call this pattern "Pheasant in the Corn" and it is one of six designs that we currently offer. We can also provide custom design services, in fact I have done this design with a German Shorthaired Pointer in the past. Our other wood items include picture frames, corkboards, and shelves. They all make great gifts for dog friends as well as treasured trophies and awards that contribute to a memorable doggie day. I also customize products that I sell in my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop. Here is an example of another Lab show trophy created for LRCP. This is a lovely tile topped box. It is always a pleasure to work with the folks at LRCP (and to go to their shows!) and we wish them great weather and another wonderful event.