Featured Art

"Paul Anka"

After spending a great deal of the first two years of his life with me, on Saturday, I will be taking Paul Anka on a transport run to St. Louis where he'll be reunited with his girl - my daughter Allanah.

Very simply, I am going to miss him.

Open edition. Unstretched canvas print, lustre finish. Image size: 12" x 8", $85.00. To purchase, click here. Brush Stroke finish, Gallery and Museum wrap also available.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and gallery mount on request.

Image also available as a 12x18" poster, magnet and single or boxed notecard.

"Helping Paws" Update

I received an email from Eric at Smilin' Pit Bull Rescue letting me know that the donation they received from the sale of the pen and ink drawing "Pick Me!" that I did for the Canine Art Guild's fourth annual "Helping Paws" exhibit - an event to raise funds and awareness with a portion of the proceeds going towards the artist's designated rescue/shelter - would be going towards little Olivia's emergency clinic bill, and I couldn't be happier.

Born December 7th, little Olivia and her seven siblings were rescued along with their Momma Ella from a West Viginia kill pound - a place where, because of their breed, they were unable to be adopted to the public and slated to be euthanized if a rescue organization could not be found to take them.

The dedicated people behind Smilin' Pit Bull Rescue were not about to let that happen.

On Christmas Eve, at just fifteen days old, the pups began to show symptoms of pnuemonia - Olivia's the worst, and she was taken by her foster to the emergency clinic, where they gave her, and the rest of her litter a grim prognosis, telling SPBR that the pups would not make it. Again, the dedicated people behind Smilin' Pit Bull Rescue were not about to let that happen. After incurring a $1,500.00 vet bill for Olivia's emergency clinic two-day stay, she was taken home to have volunteers continue her treatment - oxygen, nebulizer, Unasyn and tube feeding - round the clock. The other pups were put on antibiotics and their condition improved.

Olivia improved daily in their care, and is now happily reunited with her siblings and will be available for adoption in early February.

Read the whole story about this family's incredible journey here: Ella and Eight

If you are able to help, you can Chip In for Olivia's vet bill until January 22nd. Donations after the 22nd can be made by clicking on the link on the left hand corner of Smilin' Pit Bull Rescue's home page: http://www.spbr.org/. Thank you!!

If you haven't visited the Canine Art Guild's "Helping Paws" exhibit, please stop by and be sure to cast your vote for the People's Choice award by January 31st - a monetary donation which also goes to the artist's designated rescue. I would be thrilled to have you place your vote for "Pick Me!" on behalf of Smilin' Pit Bull Rescue!

Pic of Olivia courtesy of Smilin' Pit Bull Rescue

Morgan

Here are a few pics from my session with Morgan, a twelve year old Golden Retriever. We're creating a surprise portrait for his Mom's 60th birthday ~ a gift from one of my clients.

Cerragh Leigh

Here are a few pics from my session with Cerragh Leigh, a wonderful twelve year old yellow lab owned by Frank and Jeanne Lauta:

Photography Exhibit

"Walk These Woods"

Solace Place, A Ten Year Retrospective

An exhibit featuring fifty photographic works

July 1 - September 10, 2010

Bank of Castile Main Gallery at GoArt!
Seymour Place
201 East Main Street
Batavia, New York 14020

Gallery hours are
Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm
and by appointment

Opening Reception
Saturday, July 17, 2010 1-3pm
All are welcome to attend

Featured Art

"Mute Swan with Cygnets"

Our featured art for the month is an image of a female, or "pen", mute swan with her three cygnets. These are the grey, or "royal" form - hence their grey down. As they mature, they will grow grey-brown and white feathers, giving them a mottled appearance instead of the all white form of the "polish" cygnets.

Although mute swans are native to Eurasia, they have established breeding populations in North America after escaping parks and estates where they were originally introduced. Due to their territorial, aggressive behavior, there is concern regarding their impact on native waterfowl. Some areas are seeking to control the number of mute swans, while in other areas they are protected.

Despite the controversy over their status, I enjoy their graceful, regal nature. This pen and cob pair reside at a large pond where Michaela and I like to go and have breakfast on our errand days. A large number of Mallards and Canadian Geese also frequent the pond. Originally, the pair had four cygnets; on the following visit they were down to two. Mute swans, like most birds, are attentive, protective parents. Although the pen is tolerating my presence here, the cob did not hesitate to fend off a couple who brought their little dog too close to where the cygnets were wading.

Open edition. Unstretched canvas print, Premier Gloss finish. Image size 24" x 16", $225.00. To purchase, click here.

Museum and Gallery Wrap also available.

Additional sizes, papers and frame options on request.

The Fox and the Dogs

"The Fox and the Dogs"

It was a temperate day for early March, so the dogs and I headed out back to collect firewood. As usual the dogs ran along exploring, disappearing into the undergrowth whenever a new scent was discovered.

When Jordan came bursting out of the brush, I initially thought the flash of brown was a rabbit he had caught. I was stunned to see him holding this fox by the back, shaking it back and forth savagely, his intent to kill it obvious. As I commanded him to let it go, I reached for my camera.

Here, Caleb seeks to make friends with the fox as Jordan keeps it from retreating. After his encounter with Jordan, it is clear that the fox wants no part of them. The moment captured, the dogs are told to stand down. The fox heads into the woods and the dogs are off on their next adventure.

Featured Art

Although taken last Spring after a late snow storm caught many returning migrating birds off guard, I was prompted to use this image for January after sighting a robin who has appearently, this year, never left. We've only had a few days of milder weather recently, and there he's been - teasing me as if Spring were right around the corner. Wishful thinking. On both our parts.

Open edition. Unstretched canvas print, Premier Gloss finish. Image size: 16 x 10.6", $125.00. To purchase, click here. Museum and Gallery Wrap also available.

Additional sizes, papers and frame options on request.

Mitch

"Mitch"

Darling little Mitch explores the vast green sea that is his world. Endlessly devoted to his person, Mitch would follow Michaela around the yard; bounding through tall grass, scooting up the nearest tree, leaping at insects and butterflies. His was an exhuberant spirit, spreading joy with his infectious enthusiasm, who sadly left us far too soon. Mitch became suddenly, violently ill, and after running a series of tests that left us with a grim prognosis, the heartbreaking decision to have Mitch euthanized was made; compounded only by the heartbreaking task of having to tell my young daughter that we could not save her best friend.

Mitch is remembered fondly, and he still brings us happiness when we recall the sweet days we spent with him, and how he taught us so much about the simple joys in life: bounding through tall grass, climbing trees, chasing butterflies, and most of all, friendship.

Open edition Fuji Crystal Archive photographic print. Image size: 9 x 6", $35.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and canvas prints available.

Mallard Hen with Ducklings

"Mallard Hen with Ducklings"

Like most areas around here near the water, an abundance of Mallard ducks can be found, especially if they can get a handout from a kindly human - though like most of us, they shouldn't be eating those kind of "treats".

I look forward to them visiting when we are at the boat, as I am quite fond of them. I have a flock of twenty some odd domestic ducks to prove it. They are such cheerful, animated little creatures.

The other day after Michael and I had been out on the sea-doo (my water pony), a group of hens came up to me as I waited for Michael to go get the trailer. One was so friendly she climbed right onto the back of the sea-doo.

The hen pictured above visits our dock regularly with the remaining members of her brood. They are just darling, and just about full grown. They like to follow me around while I'm swimming. Hoping for one of those handouts, I'm sure.

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. Image size, 10 x 7", $35.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and canvas prints available.

Daisy

"Daisy"

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. Image size: 12 x 9", $42.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and canvas prints available.

Tree Frog

"Tree Frog"

This irresistable little character strikes a pose as he climbs a set of dried flower stalks.

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper, matted and framed. Finished size: 14 1/8 x 16 3/8" (image 8 x 10"), $240.00. To purchase, click here.

Print only, image size: 9 x 12", $42.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers and canvas prints available.

Ducklings

Isabelle and five of her six ducklings hatched yesterday afternoon.

Our Rouen hen, Isabelle, successfully hatched her first eggs yesterday. Isabelle is one of the first ducks we got , now two years old. Michaela and I hatched out four eggs last year, two taken from Katie and two saved from Gillies nest. They were all Cayuga/Black Swedish crosses, and all look like Cayugas. This is our first successful hen raised group. Four of them look like they are Rouen crosses, and the other two look to be Ancona crosses. I'll post some better pics once Isabelle lets me get a better look. She is still keeping them all to herself at this point, and also has more eggs in her nest that have yet to hatch.

Spring Peeper

"Spring Peeper"

A welcome chorus of frogs can be heard as the nights warm and they emerge from their winter slumber.

Open edition. Printed on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. Double matted. Image size 10 x 7" $35.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and canvas prints available.