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

sold

"Sophie" is for Kim, who has had her two other dogs already painted by me.  Sophie is a one-year-old Yorkiepoo.  Here is her story.  Kim's mother had come last Christmas to help Kim as her husband had the double knee replacement.  Kim's daughter thought her grandmother needed company as her dog had passed away the Christmas before.  So without asking, she brought home Sophie four days before her father's second knee replacement. 

Unfortunately, Grandma was not ready for a puppy yet.  Guess who ended up with her?  Yep, Kim and her husband did.  Sophie thought her name was "damn dog" for the first three months of her life.  But, now, she has stolen all the family's hearts and they don't know what life would be like without her.  A happy ending for an adorable puppy!

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

sold

"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.

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

sold

"Juno" is for Madeline, who commissioned the painting for her husband.  Juno is a one-and-a-half-year-old Goldendoodle who loves rubber balls.  She is a wonderful guard dog and pal to Madeline's baby son.  She has yet to meet a person whom she doesn't like, regardless of how they feel about her!  She still has some puppy exuberance, but she always has a bit of regalness about her, that's why her nickname is Lady Juno.  

Madeline liked another photo better for the commission, but the moment I saw my favorite picture with a titled head and puzzled, inquisitive expression, I was sold.  I talked Madeline into this composition.  She graciously accepted my suggestion, with one proviso: get rid of the hunting vest Juno was wearing.  So I did.  Thank you, Madeline!

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

sold

"Apple" is for Elena, who commissioned the painting for her dad.  Apple is a one-year-old, wire-haired fox terrier/bichon/field spaniel mix.  According to Elena, Apple is a total goofball, and I love her more for that, because I am occasionally a goofball myself!

By the way, I've noticed that quite a few of my pet portrait orders are by daughters for their fathers or in-laws.  We women, the loving, caring, gift-giving gender, rock!

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

sold

"Moose" is for Holly, who found me on the Internet.  There are many competent pet portrait artists out there, but she chose me!  I am honored.  Moose is a one-year-old St. Bernard and belongs to Holly's daughter, for whom the painting was painted.

I have been dying to paint a St. Bernard, so I was thrilled at the opportunity.  According to Holly, Moose is a well-behaved, laid-back puppy.  To my question of whether he drools massively like Beethoven in the namesake movie, she said: "Not yet, but it's coming!"

By the way, it is not too late to order pet portraits for Christmas.  Please send your pet's pictures to kimstenbergart@gmail.com.  A separate page on my blog, "Pet Portrait Orders", will answer all the questions you may have about ordering a pet portrait.  Thanks!

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

sold

"Henry" is the second painting for Lynn's family.  Henry is a one-year-old dachshund.  He is a Daddy's boy, but currently lives with Lynn's son, Kevin.

Henry obviously has a promising career ahead of him as a model.  Even from the tiny file, probably taken with a phone, I could tell what an incredible painting it would make.  The late afternoon light pours into the room.  The puppy is lying down in the sun on a wooden floor.  The far and front ends of the picture frame are in deep shadow.  Someone calls his name, so he turns his head to look.  A moment captured; a lasting beauty.

If you send your pet's pictures to kimstenbergart@gmail.com, I will make beautiful pet portraits out of them.  How fun is that!  Besides, my pet portraits make perfect birthday and Christmas presents.  Thanks!

My readers, in case you didn't notice, I have created a new page on my blog, called "Pet Portrait Orders".  You will find all the information you are dying to know about ordering a pet portrait.  Please check it out.

"I Love My Puppy Lab" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold

sold

Bailey is a Yellow Labrador Retriever.  She was two months old when the picture was taken. Look at her, with the furrowed forehead, trying to figure out what this strange thingamajig is.  I bet she put it right into her mouth soon after.  Ah, I love puppy labs!

"Happy Birthday Dog" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold

sold

A cute dog brings you a "Happy Birthday" card around her neck.  Which dog lover's heart will not melt at such an offering!

"Guilty Look" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold

sold

The guilty look of this cute dog melted my heart.  I knew I had to paint him.

(The painting was juried into the prestigious Small Works Show at the Art League Gallery in Alexandria, VA in November 2013.)

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

sold

"Oreo" is for my good friend, Anne Fox.  She wanted me to do a portrait of her mother's dog last fall, but hesitated because she thought her pictures were not good enough.  Well, look at what I came up with!  Oreo is a 10-year-old toy poodle.  It was difficult to go beyond the excessive cuteness to get at the smart, spunky dog he truly is.

Anne is the kind of a person whose friendship make one's life richer.  We got to know because our daughters went to the same preschool.  We hit it off from the beginning.  The two girls had lots of playdates so that we could hang out together!  Below is the double portrait of Anne and her younger child, Declan, that I did many years ago as a token of my affection.  Thanks, Anne!

"The Foxes" (watercolor, 14" x 18"; gift)

If you would love to see your beloved pet painted by me and shared on my blog and Facebook page, please email me at kimstenbergart@gmail.com.  Send me a picture or two, preferably taken in natural light without flash.  I will do a drawing at the end of September and give one painting away!

"Rocky and Thelma Lou" (oil on linen; 8" x 10") sold

sold

"Rocky and Thelma Lou" is for two good friends, Jenny Frampton and Sherry Worshum.  The painting shows the ill effects of excessive TV viewing for kids.  Rocky of an unknown breed, on the left, is over-excited; Thelma Lou on the right, a Basset Hound, is completely dazed!  The two kids are best friends and often have playdates.  Don't worry.  They play outside too.  I've seen pictures.

By the way, Jenny is a good Samaritan.  She fosters rescued dogs until they find permanent homes.  Sherry teaches gifted children.  What awesome friends I have!

If you would love to see your beloved pet painted by me and shared on my blog and Facebook page, please email me at kimstenbergart@gmail.com.  Send me a picture or two, preferably taken in natural light without flash.  I will do a drawing at the end of September and give one painting away!

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

sold

"Monte" is for Liz.  Monte is a 2-year-old Havanese.  He loves being around people.  He likes to run around the house at top speeds and when he is tired from that, he snuggles with his family and takes a nap.

On a sadder note, he has to have surgery this Thursday because he has a condition common to small dogs.  Both his hind legs have "trick" knees; his knee caps keep popping out of place, which is quite painful for him and can lead to bad arthritis and serious walking problems later.  He will be out of commission for 8 weeks, but the good news is that he will no longer have leg problems after the surgery.  Let's keep him in our thoughts and wish him well!

If you would love to see your beloved pet painted by me and shared on my blog and Facebook page, please email me at kimstenbergart@gmail.com. Send me a picture or two, preferably taken in natural light without flash. I will do a drawing at the end of September and give one painting away!

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

sold

"Winston" is the first painting in my new "Pet Portraits Project."  I was inspired by a good friend, Jo Mackenzie, who paints gloriously fresh watercolors.  She also paints pets from her Facebook fans' photos.  If they like their beloved pets' portraits, they can buy them.

I sent out the June newsletter on June 1st, announcing my intention.  An old collector sent me an email with attachments right away!  Winston is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  He was sitting on his new mommy's lap on the day he came home 15 months ago.  I transformed her pink sweater into a pillow.  Winston is now 18 months old.  He is full of energy at all times and is very smart.  He really enjoys cold treats; some of his favorite treats are ice cubes and vanilla ice cream!

If you want to have your cats and dogs (and other furry friends) immortalized in oil painting, please contact me.  The paintings are not commissions; prices will be lower than my commissions and I can be a little relaxed about the likeness of the subject. What I need is good photos taken in natural light (either indoors or outside), without flash.  It will be better if I have several pictures (large files, such as 3 MB) to work with.

By the way, the winner of "Pink Rose" is Ruby Jung.  Congratulations, Ruby!  I would like to thank more than 30 fans who participated in my painting giveaway.  I will be giving a print away in less than 10 days.  So stay tuned!

"Charlie the Yorkie" (oil on linen; 7" x 5") sold

sold

Charlie is an 8-year-old Yorkshire terrier, who is luckily not inflicted with hair bows.  A furry ball of joy he is to his human parents.  His mom told me a very cute story.  After his first veterinarian visit, his vet came out of his office with Charlie on his shoulder with a big smile and told her that the puppy was a good one!  I haven't seen him for years although he lives just down the street where I live.  He hasn't grown at all.  He and Finn the Westie are brothers.  Finn is not a big dog, but next to Charlie, he looks like a human hanging out with a hobbit!

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

"Cutie Westie" (oil on linen; 7" x 5") sold

sold

Finn is a seven-month-old West Highland white terrier, who belongs to one of my neighbors.  A couple of weeks ago, I saw her taking him for a walk.  I just had to ask her to let me take pictures of the cutie pie.  I am told that he likes to put everything that fits in his mouth and swallow.  I believe her.

As we were talking, we heard him chewing something that sounded like a hard candy.  He probably was checking out the local pebble collection.  Boy, he swallowed it fast when his mommy tried to get it out of his mouth.  He must have a strong digestive system!

"The Itch" (oil on linen; 7" x 7") sold

sold

Reference photo

I don't know if Ethel has lice or not.  But she kept scratching for minutes!  I am sure I made her nervous and this was her response.  I probably didn't make her snout long enough, but I nailed her doleful expression.  Oh, I love dogs!

"Beagle Siblings" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold

sold

Reference photo

Last Friday night, I was at a party.  While talking with other guests, I kept getting distracted by a pair of handsome beagles.  As I have been dying to paint dogs, I tried to take pictures  with my BlackBerry.  Unfortunately they were camera-shy.  I managed to take a few snap shots, but couldn't get my "dumb" phone to email them to my laptop.  (No wonder that RIM, the producer of BlackBerry, is in trouble.)  What you see above is the picture I took of the image on my phone's screen!  When there is a will, there is a way.

"Puppy Love" (oil on linen; 4" x 5") sold

sold

Lily is the newly adopted puppy of my painting buddy Vanessa.  She comes along on our plein-air painting outings to greet passers-by and other dogs.  Last week we went to the Mall to paint the Smithsonian Castle.  It was a hot and humid day, so we sought a shady spot behind the castle in Enid Haupt Garden.  Soon we were bombarded by biting bugs and curious tourists.  After about an hour of torments, we escaped to a nice sidewalk cafe in Shirlington, VA.  There I took a picture of Lilly, now immortalized in my painting.