Rally Obedience Title for young Black Labrador

Is that a look of disbelief?  You can't imagine that I waited so long to announce your first AKC title?  Let's get right to it! 

Black Labrador, Mooki, earned  his Rally Novice obedience title at the Wine Country dog show circuit in New York at the end of September 2015.  He earned 99 points out of 100 on the first two legs and the judge loudly and pointedly - and politely - told me it was all my fault and not his.  Knock me on the head a few times to remind me that rally is looking for something different than regular obedience!  I finally got my act together so he earned 100 points on the third leg to finish his title.  He got second place and third place the first two days thanks to my error.  We won first place the last day and a nice bag of treats.  Good work for a 17-month-old boy at his first all-breed dog shows, and very large ones at that.  "Overwhelmed" was the word of the weekend.  Onward and upward to more life experiences Mooki.

Cool off with thoughts of Holiday snow

It seems funny to post an OtterTail Dog Art Christmas card during this heat wave we have been experiencing in the northeast.  Maybe it will help cool us down!  I know lots of my customers begin looking for holiday cards in August as I get requests every year, so it's definitely not too early to get started.  This fun design of 2 Labrador dogs leading one of Santa's reindeer is available in sets of 10, sets of 20, and beautifully made single greeting cards.  You can choose a black Lab with a chocolate Labrador if you prefer, or even 2 black Labs walking the reindeer out to the sleigh.  The verse inside reads:  May your Christmas be merry and bright.

Other new designs will be added for the 2015 holiday season soon.  Meanwhile, I'm feeling cooler already - just chillaxing while the Labs enjoy their job.

Zen Dog Painted Statue

 My first Zen Dog.  Ohmmm.

He was a joy to paint and I did, indeed, get totally caught up and carried away in the process.  He was started to be a fun, colorful, eye-catching addition to my artwork display at the newly rebuilt shelter of the Humane Society of Schuyler County in Montour Falls, NY.  I got so involved that he became a piece of art himself.  I now have a shelf full of wonderful items for sale at the shelter, including:

•  OtterTail Dog Art fine art prints,
•  dog design greeting cards and Labrador Christmas cards,
•  OtterTail Dog Art wood cut peg racks and picture frames
• cat and dog original paintings.  

Zen dog is welcoming shoppers and bringing his own joy to the display.  To top it off, I am donating 30% of all sales of these items to support the Humane Society of Schuyler County.  It's a win-win situation for all!

This Zen Dog is approximately 17" wide from tip of toe to tail and 20" tall to the tip of his nose.  He is made of wood and finished with a protective coat of polyurethane.  Although he went outside to have his picture taken, he is meant to be a house dog to brighten any room in your home.  Zen Dog is looking for his own happy home.  His adoption fee is $138.00 plus shipping.  Are you the one?

This portrait painting of two Labrador Retrieves was fun and challenging.  The background was requested to be reminiscent of the ocean.  Finding a nice flow of colors and variations was an interesting exercise when combined with making it a nice backdrop for both a black Lab and a yellow Lab side by side.  I always use some of the background colors in the animal colors.  I enjoy using a very limited palette for all of my paintings and strive to get color coordination by using the same few colors throughout, mixing my own rather than opening another tube.  In this case, the black coat is actually a mix including blue from the background with ochre and sienna and those colors are used to create the yellow Labrador's coat.  You may note in some of my previous Labrador paintings that I tend to use Alizarin crimson and Pthalo green as my favorite black mixture, but that would not have blended as well with the background and yellow Lab.  It is a good exercise to make myself use different combinations.

Did you think I used black paint from the tube to create a black Lab?  Nope - that was one of the first lessons I read about in attempting to teach myself to paint and I'm so glad I did.  Mixing colors adds much more richness and I love how each one peaks through as I shift the balance of the mixes.

Color challenges aside, both the owner and I love the result!  These two Labs are getting older now, so the owner asked me to turn back the clock a bit and take out some gray.  I may try that on a self portrait - LOL!

Would you love a pet portrait of your own?  Visit my OtterTail Dog Art Portrait page for basic information and then contact me.

Dog Painting Donated to New Shelter

I painted this dog portrait of Pit Bull, Maximus, as a gift for the Humane Society of Schuyler County to commemorate the opening of their fantastic new shelter.  The old dog shelter was a sad and sorry place.  Now they have a new warm and safe building that also houses the HSSC cats and has rooms for surgeries, grooming, meeting potential adopters, educational programs and fun gatherings.  Now, finally, all of the dogs have beds.  Max was the first to get one.

Maximus is the honorary "mayor" of the HSSC shelter.  Sadly, he has been in their care for 4 years, ever since he was about 6 months old.  Max is a very sweet guy.  He takes part in local parades and other events.  He even got to "cut" the ribbon at the opening of a new wine store.  He is waiting for a special someone to adopt him - I hope they find him soon!

It was my pleasure to donate this dog painting in honor of Max.  It is 16"x20" acrylic on canvas and hangs prominently on display in the new shelter building in Montour Falls, NY.

Tree Hugger Painting

I admit I have (at least) a couple of self-imposed hang-ups when it comes to painting.  One is that I find a white canvas uninspiring and the second is that I hate to waste paint.  So after I complete a painting project I satisfy both problems by using left over paint to awaken a blank white canvas that will be used for a future project.  I may do this once or multiple times before a canvas is chosen for its "real" job.

This painting called "Tree Hugger" was born through my waste-not process.  The background colors were layered smears of leftover paint from several other projects.  I also used it to test colors as I worked on another canvas.  It lay on the side table waiting to collect more dregs when I happened to have some extra brown mixed at the end of a dog portrait.

Inspired by the wild array of colors I used the brown to paint one of my regular activities - tree hugging.  I have been practicing animal communication for over a year now and discovered that it is also fun and easy to talk to the trees.  Turns out they are very wise.  I chose one tree I pass on my daily walks with my dogs to be my regular counselor.  It's a young ash tree - no different than the hundreds of others on our property.  It isn't as big as the tree in this painting, but I hug it anyway.  Trees have great energy.  I read this article the other day that confirms what I already felt - Trees Can Heal You.  If you haven't hugged a tree lately (or ever), I highly recommend it.

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse at my painting process.  I kind of like this little ditty.  It will likely inspire a future rendition and that is always fun.  Not a bad way to use left over paint and a blank white canvas.

Visit my OtterTail Art website and Amy Reges Print Gallery to see more and shop.

Do you need a cuddly gray kitty to make your house feel like a home?  This sweet cat is waiting for you.  One of my latest paintings of another model from the Humane Society of Schuyler County (if you are looking for a live version there is one there looking for you too!).

This was a fun painting that went through many transmutations.  It started out wildly colored.  I thought the cat would not be gray at all even though the model was this color.  But as it progressed my fairies took over and kept changing colors of both the subject and background until this image emerged.  Sometimes that happens - what I start out planning takes a totally different track.  It's part of the fun and always a learning experience.

The original Gray Cat is an acrylic painting on canvas panel, 8 inches by 10 inches and is available for $175.00 to the first adopter offering a good home.  It will be simple for you to frame and no glass is needed.  If you prefer a print in the size of your choice with a variety of substrate options you can find your heart's desire here at Gray Cat Prints in my Amy Reges Print Gallery under Other Animals.

Thanks for visiting!  Can you hear the purrrrr?

Black Lab and Yellow Labrador dogs lead Santa's Reindeer

One of my new Christmas designs for 2014 is this dynamic trio of two Labrador Retrievers leading one of Santa's reindeer to the sleigh in preparation for his long night's work.  All are filled with the excitement of Christmas! 

This design is available in my Labrador and Dog Christmas Cards gallery as well as on prints of various sizes and greeting cards in my OtterTail Lab Art print gallery.  These are two of my shops and both printers make high quality Christmas cards with my Labrador and dog designs.

This design is also available with a black Labrador and a chocolate Lab leading the reindeer.  I know very well that Labrador lovers have their favorite colors!  I like to keep everyone happy.  If you would like this design with 2 black Labs (always popular) or any other color combination I will be happy to set it up for you. --- As long as they are REAL colors.  Labrador Retrievers come in three colors - black, yellow and chocolate.  The whole silver, charcoal, champagne and other crazy colors people have come up with lately are recent mix breeds, not true Labradors.  I'm sure there are lovely dog souls among them, but as a traditional Lab lover I cannot recognize the "flavor of the month" dogs that are offered by breeders who only care about money and not the health and integrity of the breed.

Just to set the record straight, I personally have loved many mixed breed dogs.  Both those I have owned and those I fostered for rescue groups when they were in need.  I love all dogs.  I paint portraits of dogs of many breeds and mixes and consider that an honor.  I offer animal communication with all dogs of any heritage.  It is the unscrupulous, devious breeders that I am against - not the dogs!  Here's to the pure hearts of dogs everywhere!!  May all people find that level of love and integrity within themselves.

So, off my soapbox, I am happy to offer this and many other Christmas and holiday cards designs featuring black, yellow, and/or chocolate Labradors and other breeds.  My ever-growing collection is sure to tickle your fancy if you are a dog lover looking to share some fun and happy canine spirit this holiday season!

Be Thankful for all of your blessings

Rest In Peace Dad.
Aug 1925 - Oct 2014

Thank you, Universe and Dad, for everything.

Another dog portrait painting commission is ready and waiting for approval.  As usual, my photograph does not do it justice.  Photographing original paintings is a skill in itself!  They always look better in real life!!  I think it captures her and the fact she is a cutie with plenty of thoughts and ideas of her own.

This lucky girl was adopted from a rescue group by a very loving family who has provided a great home for quite a number of Lab and German Shepherd dog mixes.  This is Daisy and she is one of two new members to their pack.

This original portrait is painted in acrylics on stretched canvas, 11x14" full of color and loving energy.  Get one of your own by contacting me.  Check out the basic information for pet portrait paintings on my OtterTail Dog Art website at:  http://www.OtterTailArt.com/Portraits.html

 

Since I have been practicing animal communication I discovered that once you tap into your ability to talk to other souls you find it is not restricted at all. It was actually the trees who first contacted me. Since then I have found them to be full of wisdom and great teachers. There is one particular tree I stop to connect with on my daily walk with the dogs. It is a young ash tree - one of hundreds, nothing particular. In addition to great advice, this tree has given me numerous images to paint. Here is the first one in what I hope will be an interesting series of Paintings from the Trees.

Titled: The Tunnel in the Trees, this original artwork is acrylic on 8"x10" canvas panel. Before I began painting the canvas was textured with shapes of leaves scattered throughout which adds another layer of dimension.  To get your daily dose of inspiration buy the original for $159.00 and go deep in to the tunnel.  Contact Amy to purchase this original paining.


Giclee prints, canvas prints, acrylic prints, and greetings cards of my Paintings from the Trees are available through Amy Reges Fine Art Gallery where you can process your order efficiently and safely online.

Feel the energy, hear the wisdom, be inspired by the trees.

 

Dog and cat paintings are in progress, as always.

Pretty Black Labrador Portrait of a Dancer

This was a fun portrait to paint!  Pretty girl, Maggie, was a dance partner with her person.  They enjoyed participating in Canine Freestyle.   Here she is in her fancy dance collar, ready for the show.  No doubt if you are a dog lover you have seen videos of some of the fun dog-and-person dance routines.

Maggie crossed over a few years ago.  It was my privilege to honor her with this memorial portrait painting.  I know her person will treasure it forever.

During the progress of this Labrador dog portrait painting I took some time to communicate with Maggie.  I have been doing animal communication for 6 months or so and it has opened up a new world for me!  Maggie told me how much she loved dancing with her partner.  She said sometimes she comes back and tries to get in the way now when her person is practicing with another dog.  Her presence has been felt!

I love the way this painting turned out - as does the owner - such a sweet remembrance!  Please visit my OtterTail Dog Art website for information and contact me to commission a portrait of your own!

New Labrador Retriever Puppy at OtterTail

I am pleased to welcome this new little boy into the OtterTail pack.  I had recently started looking for a puppy, but did not expect to get one so soon.  Fate had a different idea and this boy became available.  He is the son of my Tonto's litter sister, making Tonto a true uncle as well as an honorary one.  I had this pup's mom, Vampire, here for training when she was about 7 months old and we quickly bonded.  I love her temperament just like I love Tonto's - and her good looks too.  So, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to have her son.

The sire is a handsome and popular young champion making this a match that was hard to resist.   I think he has a bright future as a stud dog, having already produced some eye-catching pups from other dams.

Like all of my puppies, this boy got started in training from the moment we arrived home.  Puppies learn so fast and are so eager - truly little blank slates waiting to be taught and shown.  You can see his first training video on my LabradorDogs channel at youtube, where I will also post more videos as training progresses.

I have not posted about this here yet, but I have been working on expanding spiritually for the past year.  This includes learning animal communication.  I contacted this pups mom, Vampire, a few weeks ago to ask about her and her puppies.  At that time this boy was destined for another home.  Vamp remembered me from when she was here and told me she wanted me to have one of her pups because she knew he would have a really good home here.  I thanked her, but figured the Universe had different plans.  Then things changed and through a quick and unexpected course of events here he is!  In keeping with my current journey and becoming a Lightworker and to add some balance to his mom and litter sister's who are all named following the "darkness" theme, I am happy to introduce:

Moonlit OtterTail Knight of the Light   aka  Mooki 

(CH Wiscoy's Jack Sparrow, JH x Moonlit's Queen of the Night).

Yellow Labrador Canvas Painting Commission

One of my recent dog portrait painting commissions was this yellow Labrador named Merlin.  He crossed Rainbow Bridge a few years ago so this painting will serve as a wonderful memorial and tribute for his family.

If you would like to commission a portrait painting of your animal friend please visit my Portrait Painting webpage for information on getting started.  All of my commissioned pet portraits like this yellow Labrador painting are done in acrylics on canvas.  This painting is a head study with a simple background, which is the standard composition.  It is on 11x14" canvas and is currently priced at $339.  Want extras?  No problem.  Just let me know!

Although I specialize in dog paintings, I am happy and honored to work with you on creating artwork of any animal you may know and love.  Don't hesitate to contact me for more information and to get started on a special keepsake of your own.

Adopted dog leaves us after a year of peace.

It was just over a year ago that my Dad's old dog, Buddy, came to live with us.  He was blind for years, did not hear well, had serious skin issues and his arthritis was pretty bad.  Dad just could not take care of him anymore with his own health issues handicapping him.  So rather than euthanize Buddy as Dad had feared was necessary, we loaded him into the van with our 3 other dogs for the 7 hour drive upstate.  For a dog who had rarely been out of his own backyard and never liked us much he handled it pretty well.  My dogs spent the ride plastered against the walls to stay out of his snap-zone and did their best not to touch him.

Over the next few weeks Buddy adapted amazingly well and began to enjoy his close encounters with the Labradors.  He was still a cranky old man, but he began to mellow out and take an interest in his new surroundings.  We had a host of health problems to deal with which kept us busy, but even those eventually got under control and life became a new normal.  Buddy began to enjoy his daily walks and accept direction from us much more amicably.  By late summer he was melded into our pack and our lifestyle.  He began to enjoy walks off-lead (his choice - "Don't tell me what to do.  I can do it myself!"), taking himself slowly around our hillside property, gently bouncing off of obstacles without issue and smelling new smells.  His crankiness waned and he rarely snapped at anyone or the air anymore.

Winter was long and cold.  Although he enjoyed the snow and cold weather more than the heat, he was clearly aging with each passing month.  His arthritis got worse and he could no longer stand without help.  His breathing began to be congested.  Eventually he lost the fun in walking himself, sometimes falling, and preferred to stay on lead.  Buddy said "Jump" and we asked "how high?".  Finally on April 24th he lost his will to go on, collapsed and let us know he was done being a dog.  The vet suggested a number of conditions which could cause his symptoms, but we were not up for any of the tests and drugs that would only mask some issues while causing others with no hope to fix his condition.  I asked Buddy what he wanted.  He said he was ready to rest.  We kissed him good-bye and held his head as he departed.  I am surprised how much I miss this cranky old man.  He had worked so hard at his self-appointed job before he came to us and yet he managed to carry on his work and teach us lessons while he was here.  It was a good year Buddy.  We are glad you came.  Rest in Peace.

Yellow Labrador Lazy Afternoon Painting and Prints

Here is one of my recent yellow Lab paintings created while I was dreaming about warm weather.  It's been a long cold winter.  Today we are having an April snow shower with temperatures in the teens tonight.  I covered as many daffodils, tulips and hyacinths as I could and now it looks like I am growing upside-down pots and buckets in my garden!

This painting was lots of fun.  It is a scene I saw many times between these two OtterTail yellow Labradors who were mother and son, as well as the yellow mother with her best friend, a chocolate Lab girl.  They were such good friends and loved to relax on the porch, sun bathing and keeping watch over their dog-dom.

I made this painting small and simple, just to catch that feeling.  I love it!  It is 8"x10" acrylic on stretched canvas.  The edges are painted so it can be hung framed or unframed.  For a mere $175 you can have this charming scene to admire on your own wall.  Email me to claim this bit of sunshine.

You can also purchase yellow Labrador canvas prints and paper prints from my online OtterTail Art by Amy Reges print gallery.  There is a nice selection of mats and frames for you to choose if you would like to have it arrive ready to hang or give as a beautiful finished gift to a special friend.

Gray and White Cat Painting Donation for Animal Shelter

I am donating this handsome gray and white cat's painting to the Humane Society of Schuyler County for the Mardi Gras party fund-raiser auction.  It's happening this Saturday night in Watkins Glen, NY.  Join the party and bid high!  The money will go toward the long-awaited new shelter building for dogs.  The cats have already been relocated into a nice, new facility.  It has taken YEARS to jump hurdles and raise enough money to finally get the dog building re-modeling underway.  The place they are housed now is - miserable.  There is no way to say it nicely.  It is old, cold and dingy with tiny spaces for each dog, sometimes needing to contain more than one together.  Being in the country without many local adoptions, the sad fact is that some dogs live in our shelter for years.  Please make a donation to help HSSC help all the dogs who pass through.  Better yet, join the party Saturday night and help while you are having fun!

This cat painting is based on one of the long-term resident HSSC felines named Boots.  I chose background colors that coordinate with his dark grey tuxedo cat coat in gentle, mellow neutrals so it will fit right into anyone's home - just like Boots himself (who is available for adoption).  He is looking very sublime and will bring a calming and peaceful energy to your space.  Gray kitty prints are available at Amy Reges Fine Art Gallery.  Have it matted and framed while you are there, or choose a canvas print.  Either way it will arrive ready to hang.  You can even get a greeting card to match.  Great for gift giving!

If you would like to commission a special portrait painting of your cat -- or dog, or horse, or any pet, visit my OtterTail Dog Art portrait page for general information, then email me to get started!

Being Happy and Sharing it - A singing black Labrador Retriever

I have not been posting much because I have been so busy learning many new things.  2014 is off to an exciting start with my OtterTail Dog Art business expanding in new and different directions. I hope it is a great new year for everyone else too!  Being busy never stops me from taking time to enjoy little pleasures and that always includes fun time with my dogs.  So here is a video of my little boy, Tonto, making his singing debut.  Have fun with your pets and remember to enjoy the moment!
Click this link to go to LabradorDogs on YouTube.  You can find some of my training videos and other fun stuff there too.
Tonto dog sings a song

Happy Holidays Dog Lovers!

Happy Holidays from our OtterTail Lab Art dog family to pet lovers near and far!

We attempted to take a family photo with me setting the camera timer and rushing in to the picture.  It was fun.

As you may guess we got a lot with dogs looking the wrong way, changing positions, me as a blur, and just crazy expressions.  This was the best one - at least we are all facing forward. (Grin!)  Helen, the cat, and Dad's cranky old dog, Buddy, (who lives with us now) opted to skip the photo session.  So this is the rest of us, here to put faces behind the names and wish you all wonderfully happy holidays filled with festivities and joy!

Best wishes for a new year full of good health and love!
Amy, Jim, Tonto, Tallulah and Nissa

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!