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

sold

"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!

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

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"Salty" is for Marie who commissioned me to paint this adorable Bichon Frise for her dear friend.  Salty is ten year old and is a sweet boy with a dashing sense of style!

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

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"Bocci" is for Kristen.  Bocci was her childhood dog who just passed on at the age of 11 and a half.  He was a white Maltese, with brown stains under his eyes.  He loved getting into the garbage, but hated baths and only allowed Kristen's mom to bathe him.  He was able to jump on his hind legs for tricks for an incredibly long time.  He would play fetch, but give a fight to give it back to you.  He also loved to "dig" feverishly in the sheets if he was put on a bed.  

Kristen had an island counter in the kitchen, and if she were sitting at the counter with her feet dangling from the stool, he would walk under her feet back and forth almost like a little back massage.  Bocci was a quirky and funny buddy, as you can see in his portrait.  He is much missed by his family.

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

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"Nick" is for Amy.  Nick is a 17-year-old pointer.  His head is really dented in on the one side due to getting hit by a truck.  That is how Amy and her husband got him.  He was on the side of the road for three days before someone thought to call the SPCA.  Amy happened to be the ER vet, put him back together as well as she could and the rest is history.

The reference photo was taken when he was about four.  Now he is the typical old man--lives to eat and nap.  As Amy lovingly describes him, he is dumb as dirt, but the nicest, dopiest dog you will ever meet!

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

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"Max" is for Dustin, who commissioned the painting for his family.  Max is a 12-year-old Great Pyrenees and still alive.  Yeah!  He is a huge dog and all fur, probably 6' 2" when on his hind legs!  He thinks he is a small lap dog though and will routinely try and sit on your lap.  He loves to run around with his sister and pretend that he is still a puppy.  He is always smiling, just like he is in the painting.  According to Dustin, Max is the most gentle and smiley dog in history.  I believe Dustin.

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

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"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!

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

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"Abby" is for Emily, who used to be my daughter's babysitter and the best babysitter in the world too!  She is now all grown up and moved away, but she has been following my blog.  She decided to order a pet portrait for her friend, Susie, for Christmas.

Sweet Abby is a 12-year-old Cockapoo.  She is spunky for her age, loves to go on walks, and enjoys being outside.  She loves making new friends, and is one of the few dogs who are not bothered in the least by other animals.  She walks by squirrels, cats, and other dogs, without even looking twice.  Abby has been a great companion for Susie, who got her as a newborn puppy!

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!

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

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"Gibson" is for my old friend, Karen.  She asked me to paint Gibson for her sister-in-law, Amy. Amy, a vet, loves Huskies.  Gibson, who passed away a year ago, was a sweetheart.  I can relate to that.  Strong, handsome, noble--that's how I feel about Huskies.  My mother-in-law had a Husky named Jediah, who always sat by me at dinner table, because he knew I was a softie, sneaking him food under the table.

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 want to know about ordering a pet portrait.  Please check it out.

"Bennett James" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold

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"Bennett James" is for Lynn.  Mr. Bennett James, a 12-year-old sheep dog, is going to be a Christmas present for Lynn's daughter, Kim.  As a matter of fact, there are two more paintings coming up, because everybody in Lynn's family is going to get a pet portrait for this Christmas!

I would like to thank my awesome fan, Pat MacMaster, who introduced my work to her college friend, Lynn!

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.

"Teddy" (oil on canvas; 5" x 7") sold

sold

"Teddy" is for my dear friend and neighbor, Bruna.  Bruna commissioned me to paint Teddy for her friend, Gerry, as her birthday present.  It was not just a commission, but a mission on my part, because of the challenge of having to work from a stamp-sized print picture.  Instead of saying "No, I can't do it," I said "Sure, I will try".  Why?  Gerry fell recently and hurt herself badly.  She was hurrying to greet a postman who returned to work after a severe injury caused by dog bites during delivery.  She can certainly use a cheerful present.

Teddy, a Maltese/poodle mix, came to live with his grandparents after his dad passed away in a car accident.  He took a very good care of them.  Everyday he took a walk with his grandpa in a wheel chair.  The picture Bruna gave me for the painting has Gerry, her husband, and Teddy on a sidewalk during one of their walks.  Teddy passed away three months after Gerry's husband's death three years ago.

If you think there is a lot of sadness in today's post, I beg to differ.  I believe it is all about love and friendship.  Bruna is one of the most generous people I know.  She has helped countless friends in their illnesses, bereavements, and moving-aways.  For decades, she has been sending packages of the Washington Post newspapers to a friend who had moved away to Hawaii!  I painted "Teddy" out of love and friendship.  Please send prayers to Gerry for her speedy recovery!

If you send your pet's pictures to kimstenbergart@gmail.com, I will make beautiful pet portraits out of them.  How fun is that!  You can buy the painting anytime, but there is no obligation. Thanks!

Today is Day Twenty Eight of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 Challenge.  Two more days!

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

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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.