Painted Ceiling - Master Bedroom project

Our new master bedroom addition is a project that is still in progress, but here is the completed painted ceiling. It was fun to do and I was delighted when I showed Jim a few colors and he said he loved the purple! Who would have guessed?! It was difficult to photograph, so I took a few sample shots to show some closer views.

The painting was done very free-hand and without any plan. I made it up as I went adding color and textures until I got something I liked. I have found that is the best policy for any of the faux finishes I have done on walls -- If you don't like it just keep adding more until you do. This celing is much more dramatic than any house painting I have done before, but the philosophy still worked for me. I never use a roller when I paint, just don't like them. So even when I make a solid color wall I use a brush with free flowing stokes in every direction and thinned paint. The benefits of this method are that I get good, even coverage after a few easy coats. I do not have the roller texture and missed, alligator spots, each coat dries very quickly and - important for me - it is much easier to get stray dog hairs out of the thin coats. I find it a much more freeing, fun and creative way to paint a wall than the rigid rollering and cutting in of edges. I mostly use a good 3" brush and mix my own colors from "junk" paint that others return. Other size brushes, sponges and rags, and my artist acrylics enter the scene when inspiration strikes.

The walls of this room appear solid colored at first, but there is a subtle, gradual blending from the ceiling gray-green through yellow and down into a peach. I had not planned that, but I like it the way it is so it can stay like that for now. I enjoy how the colors appear to change as the light of the day changes.

This is partial explanation for my not posting more completed art lately. I am bound and determined to move into this addition within the next week. Still have a big cement floor project to complete with a lot of unknowns - learning as I go. Wish me luck!

Art Donated for Seneca Pure Waters, Diving Black Labrador Dog Life Ring

Here is another item I have painted as a donation for a fund-raiser. This time it is for Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association, a group dedicated to preserving Seneca Lake and, with it, our drinking water. They chose to have a life saver ring as the item to be painted and auctioned at an up-coming event. I must admit it has proven a challenging surface to paint. I hope everyone will like my design of a Black Labrador Retriever diving in to Save Our Seneca. That is the motto for this event and the letters SOS were a required element in the design. I haven't decided if it is finished yet - I may change the letters and possibly add a few other touches. I am looking forward to the artists reception to see what others did with their rings. All of them will be on display at venues in Geneva and Watkins Glen, NY as well as online on the SLPWA website. I have used my diving Labrador dog design on many wood items. It is nice to use it in a black Lab painting and I'm sure I will use it again, perhaps a painting on canvas next time.

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!!

Happy Birthday to the Oldest Labs in our Pack

Marius and Eponine celebrated their 13th birthday on Sat., 12 June. It was a miserable hot and humid day, so the party was mostly sedate with all Labs enjoying rawhides in the shade of the big trees. Here are some old pictures of my "babies". These two lovelies were the last puppies I kept from the last litter I bred. What will I ever do without them??

Eponine was a cutie as a pup and just as cute in her prime as these photos show. She is still adorable, but a lot more gray. I love watching her swim these days. She lolly-gaggles along barely moving her feet like a slow stroll, but her proper Labrador coat keeps her floating high like a cork. She can't hear much anymore, but otherwise is in pretty good shape and has a daily "go-dog-go" run in the midst of our pack walk.



Marius was a beautiful puppy and grew into a very handsome man who got compliments everywhere we went. He hates having his picture taken and I'm sad to say I have never gotten a really good picture of his best soft, sweet expression. Here he is having fun with his big balls - as a baby puppy and still up to the same silliness many years later. He hasn't played with the ball at all this year, his back is too weak for wild games. He was also diagnosed with Pannus in April, so he has to wear Doggles to protect his eyes on sunny days now. He doesn't like them much and they are not conducive to "ball-mania". Still, with drops his eyes are stable so he can still see enough to get around and most days his back is strong enough for a leisurely walk and drink from the pond. All in all he's a happy guy.

I named these two for favorite characters from "Les Miserables" because I was les miserable myself when I decided that would be my last litter. But I couldn't be happier about the sweet souls I got to share in my life for the past 13 years. I love you 'Ponine and Man-i-kin Babycake. Thanks for being you!

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.

Training Tips: Showing Dogs, Teach to Focus on You, Clicker Training

A friend recently asked me about training her show dog to look at her and not focus on or try to grab the bait. There are many steps to training a show dog to free stack and show herself. Here are some basic training tips and a suggestion of how to apply them to this one step.

There are lots of ways to train anything - if one approach doesn't work for you or for one dog you can make up another way as long as you understand the principles. Basically, behaviors that are reinforced are likely to be repeated. The beauty of the clicker - used well - is that it marks the moment in a clear, concise "language". So you only need a second of the good behavior or something that is closer to the desired behavior than what you are getting to begin. You reinforce that and build on it. Think of the click as a camera shutter - take a picture of the moment you want to capture. We've all taken lots of crummy pictures in a row with one or two great ones depending on the exact snap of the camera. Click the clicker as if you were taking that great picture - the one when the dog is doing what you want, even if it only lasts a split second. Catch it with the clicker, then give the treat. You can't deliver a treat or say "good dog" with the same accuracy as you can click and the click becomes extremely meaningful to the dogs -- and they love it because it is so clear. Look at my photos. The picture on the left was what was happening only a few seconds before the picture on the right. The sweet puppy sitting politely would be the one you want to capture with the clicker. It's all about your timing.

Try this for redirecting a dog's focus - put the treats on a table within arm's reach. Problem dog will look at the treats. Wait until she looks at you instead, even if just for a second - click. Then give her one of those treats. It won't take long before she only looks at you and does not bother looking at the treats anymore because looking at the treats gets her nothing. Looking at you gets her clicks and treats.

Work up to taking a treat from the table and holding it in your hand and wait for her to make eye contact. Leave your hand by your side, not up by your face. Don't move it away from her. Close your fist around the treat and don't let her take it. Bump her if you want or just wait until she backs off for a second and looks at you - click and give her the treat. You can repeat that many times a day in all different situations, not just while working on show baiting. She will quickly learn that looking at the treat does not get her anything (if you make sure it doesn't) and trying to take the treat should NEVER result in her getting one. Really, that is just rude and disrespectful anyway, so she should learn that regardless of showing. Trying to take food from your hand gets nothing. As soon as she back her nose away the hand opens and treat is delivered. Ask for a little longer time of not touching before you deliver the click so she learns to maintain the backed off behavior. Build slowly on lots of little successes, lots of repetition. You want to add a short delay fairly soon in the process or you will inadvertently teach her that bumping your hand is what you want. Keep you final goal in mind, then dissect it into little steps. Start with the simplest little step and build up to your goal. Don't worry about what else she is doing while you are working on this - sitting, standing, wagging - doesn't matter. You are only working on getting her focus and nose off of the treat.

You can only teach one thing at a time. You can work on different things, but break up the session so she doesn't get confused. Don't try to work on tail wagging, perfect stacking, eye contact and bait attention all at once. Work on tail wagging, take a little break, then work on eye contact and forget about what the tail is doing. Later you can work on perfect foot placement, but forget about where her tail and eyes are during that session. After she learns each piece you can put it all together. You can make showing fun for her by teaching these things, then giving them to her as little jobs for which she will earn that bait she so dearly wants. She will have more fun and be more focused if she understands how to play the game and knows that she can get that reward by working for you and giving you "the right answers". You are giving her control. You are also giving her knowledge. That is much more exciting to a dog than standing there trying to dive for bait and getting kneed in the chest. It also presents a prettier picture to the judge.

Cement Leaves Add Colorful Sculpture to Deck and Garden

I experimented with making these cement leaves just for fun. I sculpted them last fall and finally got around to painting them a few days ago. I made two of them to remind me of Caladium leaves - plants I have always admired, but have not had much success growing. It was a fun process and I am actually letting some burdock weeds get big this spring so I can cast some "lunker leaves". They will look nice in my garden and, perhaps around a fountain I am considering building next to our porch. Once I set up a casting station I will make enough to sell. Keep an eye on my OtterTail Lab Art website, follow me as LabradorArt on Twitter or join me on Facebook to see when and where they are available for sale (along with all of my other art updates and events). Are you interested?

Painted Table Donated to Raise Funds at ARC Auction

Last year I painted a giant Adirondack chair for the Yates County ARC "Chair-ish" auction. This year I got one of the new little tables. It was a fun shape to consider. I changed my mind several times about what I would do, but liked the idea of this pond theme. I was inspired by the colors of spring out my window as I mixed paint and planned for a unique design. I hope it brings them a good high bid at this year's annual auction scheduled for 11 July at Keuka College.

Funny Old Women Pool Walking Watercolor Painting

It's not your age, it's your attitude! And the older you get the more you realize the truth in that saying! I painted this funny little watercolor of two old friends pool walking. It's an activity old women do to keep their joints moving and get some weight bearing exercise without undue strain. My mother pool walks with a group of women in Florida, so I made this watercolor into funny old lady greeting cards for her to share with friends. These ladies know how to live in style, pool walking with their cocktails. Keep your pinkies out! This painting is also available on a variety of products that make great gift ideas for old women. Share a little laughter and a happy attitude with a senior you love.

(This design will be available on greeting cards you can customize in my OtterTail Art Cards Shop. Just give it a couple more days to work through their process.)

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.

Black Labrador Painting for Lab Rescue - Shadow

This painting is for my new series of dogs that have gone through shelters and/or rescue programs or that I have rescued myself. 25% - 40% of profits from the sale of prints in this series will be donated to Lab Rescue. Most original Labrador paintings in this series will also be available and donations will be made from those sales as well.

You may recognize this as our old black Lab foster dog, Shadow, from 2009. The reference photo was taken early in his stay with us and I entitled this black Lab painting "I Rest My Weary Head". Shadow was a serious and grumpy guy when he first moved in with us, but he had been through some trying times. He was also grossly overweight, arthritic and, dealing with so much as a 10 1/2 year old man, he was tired. On this particular day he was beginning to adjust and make himself comfortable in our home. Over the course of the 2 months that he lived with us he transformed into a sweet, happy, affectionate smush. His bum elbow slowed him down, but he loved his daily trip to our Lab swimming pond. He would usually stay there while the rest of us walked the paths of our land or he would head back up the hill where he had a better view to watch us. I hope many dog lovers will feel a connection with this senior black Labrador painting and purchase prints. It will be a double positive - you can enjoy the print in your home or make a friend happy with a thoughtful gift and you will be helping Labs in need! Accept my thanks in advance!!

I chose to paint Shadow as one of the first in this new series to celebrate his recent 1-year anniversary in his new forever home. - Live happily ever after, Shadow. You touched our hearts -

Chocolate Labrador Wins and Earns First AKC Title

Nissa continued her winning ways by finishing her Rally Novice AKC title with a score of 99 points (out of 100). She completed her title with 3 first place wins, making me very proud of her. Now she is officially Lobuff OtterTail Noble Nissa, RN. We competed at the 4-day long Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac Specialty Show last week and had a wonderful time (despite the cold, wind and rain on the day of our rally competition). She also placed 4th in her American Bred class in conformation at LRCP. This is a grand show, once again this year it was the largest Labrador show in the world with over 1000 Labs from far and wide. Definitely a gathering of the creme de la creme. I'm not sure what Nissa will do next - either Rally Advanced or Novice Obedience, but we will have fun training no matter what we do! I did not expect her to do as well as my black Lab and Nissa's mentor, Tallulah, but by gosh, she did it! Good job, Nissa!

Black Labrador Portrait Painting Birthday Surprise

I'd like to share my latest dog portrait commission. Here is Hobie - RIP. She was a rescue dog who taught her family about the special love of a Labrador. This black Labrador Retriever portrait painting was commission by a dog-loving husband as a birthday present surprise for his wife. She doesn't know it yet and I am excited to find out how she likes it next month after her birthday. It has been a very sneaky undertaking conspired by husband, daughter, and other family members. I sure hope she loves it!!

I did her background a little differently than usual. Client wanted a woodsy background, but I found the detail too distracting and it competed with Hobie - the center of interest. So, I took artistic privilege and changed it to this medley of greens. Still has an outdoorsy feel, but not the distraction of unimportant elements. I like to keep my artwork simple and straight-forward. I guess that's the Lab in me! Happily, client loves it and I am pleased with the outcome as well. Now we will just have to keep mum and hope for a great and happy surprise on the big day! Good-bye sweet Hobie. It was nice to spend time with you, but now I have to send you home.

For your own custom dog portrait painting contact me and send pictures of your doggy model.

Fun Dog Tips - Training Your Retriever to Deliver to Hand

I regularly see people who throw balls or sticks for their dogs and the dog happily gets the item, but does not give it back or drops it on the ground and encourages the person to pick it up. I figure I am not the retriever, the dog is! There are times when delivering to hand is essential, so I like to make it a habit for my Labs. We particularly enjoy playing ball with a chuck-it (since I throw like a girl at best!).

Here is my quick training tip: Think of the retrieve in "reverse". Instead of "you throw the ball and the dog brings it back and gives it to you" make it be "the dog gives you the ball, you throw it and the dog brings it back". So don't throw the first ball with the chuck-it. Drop it on the ground and encourage the dog to pick it up and deliver it to your hand. The reward is that you load the chuck-it and throw. Dog runs out, gets it, runs back - has a great time. The only way dog can have that fun again is if he hands you the ball. Turn and start to walk away if dog runs off or drops it on the ground (as in "game over"). I use body language to explain "sorry, I can't reach that and won't chase you. The only way to get me to throw it again is if you help by handing me the ball." This works well for my Labs and keeps them very enthusiastic and happy. It also teaches them to always deliver to hand. Throwing a stick or ball at my feet will not work. That's a pattern my naughty husband gets into when he plays with our Labs and I have to "untrain". This is my pain-free remedy. It gives me dogs that work to put items in my hand even when I am not offering. The only bad part? Sometimes my dogs insist on handing me road-kill frogs or wet, dead shrews, or ... But that is why we teach "drop it" - a different cue altogether. Have fun training your dog. It can be a joy for both of you! (This article was written by Amy Reges, copyright protected - despite what it might say where ever you find it after someone else has stolen it and claimed it as their own. Been finding my posts copied and pasted all over without credit or permission. Come on people - write your own!)

Pictured: OtterTail Labrador Retriever - Marius very proud of himself with his big red ball.

Black Lab Rescue Foster Dog - February 2010

Meet Brandon aka Brandy. He joined the OtterTail Labrador pack two weeks ago as our first foster dog for 2010. Brandon is a puppy in a big dog suit. It seems he and his brother spent their puppyhoods in an owner's basement or tied outside. By the time they were turning a year old they were big, unruly kids and the owner finally realized they needed training. She did not work with them long before deciding they were too much and they were left at a boarding kennel with instructions to find them a new home. With no further payments for their stay this pair of boys were indeed lucky that the kennel operators are kind-hearted and allowed them both to stay for free until rescue group fosters could be found and transport arranged. The rash of snow storms along the east coast delayed the boys' trip from Georgia to New York for four weeks, but they finally made it.

Brandon has learned a lot since he joined us and he is really getting with the program now. He is a typical Lab teenager, big on the outside and silly on the inside. With us he is getting basic obedience lessons as well as learning general manners and that cats are not for chasing. He is doing great on all counts! It appears he was a thief in his previous home, but being so young he is not committed to it. Yesterday on our walk I unknowingly dropped my hat. When I looked to Brandy he had found it and was carrying it up our hill. As I praised and encouraged him he looked totally nonplussed. "But, I'm stealing this" you could almost hear him say. He started to veer in another direction so I called him with a happy voice and encouraged him to me. Once he arrived I had a whole handful of treats ready and made a quick exchange prying my hat from his mouth before he could think about it too long. He didn't intend to bring it or give it to me, but it worked. He was "good by accident" and earned a great reward. Sometimes those seized opportunities give dogs the greatest lessons and lead to big steps in training progress. From the first day I have only called him to come when he is already on his way so that I was sure he would respond correctly and it would be a fun experience for him. Now he is developing a happy, reliable recall. All in all I think Brandy is a sweet boy who will make someone a very devoted and loving pet if they are willing to continue his training and give him the affection he so enjoys. Keep your fingers crossed that Brandon finds a wonderful forever home soon and can truly begin the new life he deserves.

Remember that a portion of sales on designated OtterTail Labrador prints and products is donated to Lab rescue. Shop for great Labrador Retriever clothing and gifts or original Labrador paintings and support Labs in need.

Custom Dog Art Frame for Award Certificate and Photo

In addition to my OtterTail Lab Art dog paintings I also make a variety of dog theme wood items. My husband helps on these projects so it is a family affair. Here is a custom design I created to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of a Lab and her owner. Black Lab Nell has earned her OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion), MH (Master Hunter title), and several agility titles and she is only 5 years old. They are a busy team!

We call this basic piece our Combination Frame. It is sized to hold a standard 8x10" AKC title certificate in the lower opening and a photo of the title holder in the upper opening. (Of course, you could put photos in both openings instead.) They have been very popular since we started making them in 1992. Purchasing a Combination Frame has become a tradition for many of our customers and we are thrilled to help them celebrate their awards and achievements with our beautiful naturally finished hardwood frames. We typically use maple, cherry and black walnut woods, though may have other fine hardwood choices as well. This example is spalted red maple. All pieces are individually cut with a scroll saw and receive a hand-rubbed natural finish that honors the beauty of the wood. Some of the other wood items we make include peg racks, shelves, other styles of hunting dog picture frames and dog urns with multiple design options. Custom inquiries are always welcome.

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!

She's Like An Old Friend

This is my Rosemary tree I've had for nearly 20 years. Well, she was a little $2 plant sprig in the beginning. I trained her into this tree form and made a few babies for friends along the way. But she has been a big tree for a long time now and 'abused' in a pot. I put her outside every summer - as long as I can from spring until the temperatures dip regularly into the 20's. I keep thinking I should give her a real vacation and plant her in the ground for a season, but she's so heavy and tight in her pot that I never manage to get it done. As you can guess, I have not repotted her in a long time either. Somehow she forgives my neglect and here she is flowering for the second flush this winter. I do use her regularly, but it would probably be even better if I cut her way back and let new growth fill in. Rosemary makes regular additions to my roasted or fried potatoes. I put it in sauces and salads and of course, she in an important member of our Thanksgiving feasts. Yup, she's like an old friend to me. Always there, always happy and smelling good and easy to please, brightening my cold winter days with dainty blue flowers and my cold winter meals with herbal freshness. If you can't have a pet, at least have a plant :-).

Labrador Retriever Remains Most Popular Dog Breed

The numbers are out and Labrador Retrievers are the AKC's most popular dog breed for the 19th year in a row! That always makes me sad. Of course I think Labs are the most wonderful dogs on the planet, but AKC popularity means many Lab were bred and, unfortunately, many Lab puppies were born in less than optimal conditions. The best way to combat this problem is to buy your Lab puppy from a truly reputable breeder. How do you know? For starters, the best breeders LOVE their dogs. They are not looked upon as livestock or "a means to an end" or simply a money making device. Be an educated shopper. Contact multiple breeders so you have some reference for comparison. Ask lots of questions and - if the breeder cares about their dogs - expect to be asked a lot of questions as well. There are many places online to find out what to ask and understand. Click this link for one list provided by the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac. Why does buying from a reputable breeder help? Good breeders do not produce many puppies each year and they will take their puppies back anytime in their lives if the need arises. These dogs rarely end up in shelters or rescues. They also require spaying or neutering and may sell dogs on limited registration. Supporting the good breeders means less demand for dogs from bad breeders. If there is no mass demand they will no longer waste their efforts on creating "supply".

Another way to bring a Lab into your life is through a rescue organization or directly from a shelter. Adopting such a dog will not help stop the irresponsible breeders, but it can save a deserving soul. Usually you will see Lab mixes rather than purebreds and the purebreds you do find may have been poorly bred. These can all still be wonderful dogs and certainly need and deserve good homes. Be aware that you may adopt a dog with health and/or temperament problems who will need rehabilitation. Your "good deed" is not done the day you bring him home -- rescuing your dog has just begun. There are many rescue group around the country, some taking a variety of breeds and mixes and others specializing. I volunteer for Rudy's Rescue for Labradors and occasionally other groups. Many rescue volunteers are just as protective about where their dogs end up as reputable breeders are, so expect a review process from them as well.

All dogs deserve a good home. I have fostered and directly rescued many. I believe the best thing I can do for the future of the breed I love is to support those breeders who truly care and I look forward to the continued honor of sharing my life with these beautiful, well-bred creatures.

(Pictured: Tegan - a wonderful yellow girl of my OtterTail line born in 1988. Incredibly smart and born to be Queen.)

Happy Black Lab Makes Fun Portrait Painting

Here is my latest portrait painting. This smiling black Labrador is living the good life now. A friend of his current owner found him on the side of the road, thin and missing patches of hair. Look at him now - glowing with good health and spreading happiness wherever he goes. It was fun to receive a variety of photos of him from which to choose one for this painting. His joie de vivre was evident in every one of them. I hope you can feel it in this portrait too!

The background is much richer and darker in real life. Not sure why my camera didn't pick it up this time. The reference photo was of this sweet dog trotting down his dock to the water and this painting is traveling to Florida, so I wanted to capture a bit of the tropical colors surrounding his happy life. Will have to have a discussion with my camera.

For information on commissioning your own custom dog portrait painting visit my website at OtterTailArt.com or contact me.