"Westie Love" (oil on linen; 10" x 8") sold

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"Cutie Westie" (oil, 7" x 5"; sold)

"Cutie Westie" is the first pet portrait I have ever painted, even before I started doing custom pet portraits. It was back in 2001 or 2002, when I painted my neighbor's cute westie, Phin. He is not a rambunctious puppy anymore, but I still see him taking a walk with his mom Vivian.

For some reason, the portrait remains one of the most popular pet portraits on my Etsy shop. A gentleman really liked it--the subject, background, and whole shebang--and asked me to copy it. Apparently it looks just like his westie. The reason why the two paintings look different is because of the variations in white balance. Next to each other, you have to look carefully to tell apart. Anyhow, the client is happy and so am I. Anybody who wants a copy of "Westie Love"? Lol.

"Peanut" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") gift

gift

"Peanut" is for Maggie who won my third Instagram pet portrait giveaway. Congratulations! This happy dog is about 4 years old and a mix of toy poodle, French bulldog, bichon frise, chow chow, and Staffordshire terrier. She enjoys doing agility and going on hikes.

If you are on Instagram, please follow me (@kimstenbergart) for beautiful art and giveaways. The next giveaway is the custom portrait of your child!

"Athena the Aussie" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") gift

gift

"Athena the Aussie" is for Roseline. Athena is a happy Australian shepherd who loves to wear bandanas. Roseline won the portrait in my second Instagram pet portrait giveaways. Congratulations! If you are on Instagram and owns a pet, please follow me (#kimstenbergart) for a chance to win a free pet portrait!

"Tonka" (oil on linen; 7" x 7") sold

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"Tonka" is for Lauren. Tonka, a Golden Retriever, has a title of "Grand Champion" show dog and is dad to many dogs, including Lauren's. For a while he was a service dog, too. He will be ten January, 2017. So, the portrait is the birthday present for him!

"Kisses" (oil on linen; 7" x 7") sold

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"Kisses" is for Lauren, who commissioned the portrait for her friend. Kisses, the 10-year-old Bulldog, loves all food. More than once she's even swallowed a tennis ball whole! She loves to snuggle, as her name suggests.

"Jelly" (oil on linen; 7" x 7") gift

gift

"Jelly" is for Nicole Yates. I have been developing my Instragram account of pet portrait paintings. Nicole is the luck winner of the first pet portrait giveaway that I ran for fun in October and November. Congratulations! By the way, if you are on Instragram, please follow me @kimstenbergart for a daily dose of beautiful art and occasional pet portrait giveaways!

Jelly is a very energetic one-and-a-half-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Her nicknames are "Jelly Belly" and "Jelly Bean". She's a friendly puppy to everyone she meets and loves cuddling up with as many blankets and pillows as possible. She loves being the center of attention, running around the yard with her puppy friends, and finding any reason to be given a treat.

"Sophie" (oil on linen; 7" x 7") sold

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"Sophie" is for Laurinda. Sophie, a Bichon Frise, passed away two years ago when she was 15. It was for the best though, as she had developed diabetes, was blind and nearly deaf. She was a trooper and didn't let it stop her from loving life (and food especially!). She was the best family dog we could have asked for--a true lap dog who loved her belly rubs. In the reference photo, one could tell she had cataracts, but I restored the youthful look for Sophie. She will be always remembered as an adorable puppy!

"Merlin and Blarney" (oil on linen canvas; 12" x 12") sold

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The double portrait is for Tania and based on a 17-year-old photo of a poor quality. I couldn't really see the black cat's features, so had to make up! Merlin (black) and Blarney (tuxedo) were brothers and were considered domestic long hair. The vet thought that they may have some Maine Coon in them, as they were big, playful and vocal cats. Blarney especially almost seemed dog-like with his affectionate personality, sleeping and drooling on your pillow, or joining you in the bath or the shower. Merlin was a little more reserved, but still affectionate. They were good brothers and used to sleep together and groom one another.

They were born under a friend's front porch on a farm, and Tania adopted both brothers. They were playful and funny. Merlin was a better hunter and would catch birds like robins, but brought them home still alive. Blarney was a little lazier, but wanted to hunt like his brother. His hunting, however, seemed focused on butterflies. He was so proud of his catch!

Tania still has Merlin, though he is 19 and recently had surgery to amputate most of his tail. She lost Blarney 10 years ago. I hope the double portrait brings back happy memories to Tania and her family.

"Reilly" (oil on linen; 8" x 8") sold

sold

Reilly is an 8-year-old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. He loves going on long walks to the park with his Dad, surprisingly adores his veterinarian and is obsessed with chasing balls and carrying around the largest stick he can find. While he is a very energetic 8 year old, he also enjoys spending Sunday's watching football on the couch with the family.

"Lucky" (oil on stretched canvas; 14" x 11") sold

click here to buy

"Lucky" is for Ali.  Lucky was a 'sheprador'--Lab and some sort of Shepherd.  He was Ali's mom's best friend.  They got him at a shelter when he was 5 and kept his name.  He had been returned there twice, and was a really sensitive guy.  He was amazingly well behaved, and loved his kitty friends he lived with--chased them, slept with them every day.  Ali's mom called him "McDreamy" because she thought he was the most handsome dog on the planet.  He loved snow and would roll and roll the second he got outside when Chicago got enough.  He died when he was 13.

Collage of My February Paintiings

Collage of My February 2015 Paintings

Another month over, which means the time for another collage.  How do you like the collage of my February 2015 paintings?  My focus of this short month was cityscapes and landscapes.  Which painting is your favorite?

"Bhodi" (oil on linen; 7" x 5") sold

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"Bhodi" is for Lacey.  Bhodi is a young golden retriever.  The portrait shows him when he was puppy; he is now two years old.  He is a sweet, obedient, and loyal boy who loves to go for walks on the beach and play in the sand.

"Scout" (oil on linen; 10" x 8") sold

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"Scout" is for Susie.  Scout is a 9-months-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  He is loving, loyal, and as sweet as they come.  He loves people and super friendly.

"Patches" (oil on linen; 10" x 8") sold

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"Patches" is for Jen.  Patches is an 8-year-old, black and white cockapoo who weighs about 19 pounds.  He wags his short nubby tail and shakes his hiny every time he sees one of his family members.  He is such a little love bug.  He is a jumper, hopping like a little bunny around the yard.  His nicknames are Booger, Stinker, Love Bug, and Booger Butt!

Patches thinks he's human.  He sleeps in the bed, wants to drink water out of plastic cups, and loves to go bye bye and ride in the car with his head out the window barking at his own echo.  He likes socks, his stuffed animals, and to play fetch.  He is, however, scared of cardboard boxes or things unfamiliar.  He hops backwards and barks, then runs side to side in efforts to figure out.  He is definitely a joy!

"Mac" (oil on linen; 8" x 8") sold

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"Mac" is for Jamie.  Mac, a collie, is one of those dogs that are practically human.  He can communicate almost as if he could talk!  He has been the faithful companion of Jamie's parents for 13 years, and they call him a "Velcro dog" because he stays attached to Jamie's dad whenever possible.  He used to crawl in their laps too--all 70 pounds of fur.  He is very patient even now that there are two little kids added to mix.  He is a truly amazing dog. Although he is sick now, he sure loved playing and "herding" his people as a young dog.

"Fin" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold

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"Fin" is for Amy, who commissioned the painting for her friend.  Fin had little blond hairs all around his muzzle and across his chest and down his legs.  Other than than, he was all black. He was quiet, smart, and protective of his family.

"Bosley" (oil on linen; 10" x 10") sold

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"Bosley" is for Kellie, who commissioned the portrait for her husband.  Bosley is a 3-year-old boxer with more personality and energy than anyone could have ever imagined a dog having. He is the sweetest, happiest, and most energetic boxer!

"Cas" (oil on linen; 8" x 8") sold

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"Cas" is for Meagan.  Cas is a 10-year-old Shar Pei who is Meagan's mother-in-law's baby. Meagan's husband got him in college, but a few moves resulted in Cas's new home with her in-laws.  Cas has become super playful in his old age, playing around with Meagan's two kids. When he was a puppy, he loved chasing squirrels.  But his new home doesn't have enough trees, so he has to resort to snagging the kids' stuffed animals.  Cas doesn't have a mean bone in his body, just a very sweet dog.  He is highly intelligent and fiercely loyal as most Shar Peis are.

"Buddy" (oil on linen; 12" x 9") sold

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"Buddy" is for Melanie, who commissioned the painting for her mother.  Buddy, a poodle, turned four this month and was lucky enough to get his own cake!  He loves to play.  He can run, jump, and roughhouse all day and night if you let him.  During the freezing winters in Edmonton, Canada, Buddy likes letting off some energy by walking on the treadmill.  

Melanie's mom is a band teacher, and Buddy goes to school with her a few times a week to sit at her feet while she teaches a class.  He has a lot of personality and loves kids, his family and dog-cousins.  I might also add that Buddy has a fabulous sense of style! 

"Buffy" (oil on linen; 7" x 5") sold

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"Buffy" is for Heide.  Buffy was a Maltese-Shih Tzu mix.  Buffy was the constant companion of Heide's mother-in-law's.  She didn't really know that she was a dog.  She was the baby of the family and was treated as such.  She loved a warm lap and a tender pat.

Buffy loved playing fetch with cat toys and would chase balls around the yard.  She would sit for hours on her special spot on top of the couch where she could survey her yard and all squirrels that dared to enter.   Buffy passed away this year at the age of 16.