Today, to celebrate this month that marks our Independence Day, I wanted to share a few recent pet portraits. Here is a puppy who really did wear a red-white-and blue scarf around his neck:
On a different note, in my effort to learn and understand form, I recently completed a figure sculpture class. This was a part of my Fine Arts degree; here is a first try at sculpting a head:
Wishing you a happy summer!
During late spring-early summer in Sonoma and Napa Valleys, we rejoice in the warmth of the sunshine and step into the vineyards or onto a path for a walk. Winter has passed, our gardens are full with roses, and the air is fresh and clean.
This year, to celebrate those who work to help animals, four of my paintings will be going to auction in Napa Valley at the Jameson Humane animal rescue Wineapawlooza event.
My visit to the Jameson Humane ranch earlier this spring inspired me to paint their beautiful animals en plein air. I hope that you are able to participate in this auction, which will be filled with exquisite wine and will help provide them the ability to support thousands of animals each year.
Here are my paintings.
Resting from left: Delilah, Duke, Willy, Tulip, Poppy
This was a special moment at the ranch; the pigs were in the shed dozing, Willy the cow sauntered over, laying his large body down with the pigs with ease. Everyone was fully accepting of the closeness; only a few slight adjustments needed to accommodate this new form. The others, too large for the shed, lowered themselves to the earth, gently melting into the warm afternoon light.
WHY
Jameson Humane co-founder Monica Stevens was my inspiration for these paintings of some of their rescued residents. It was my hope that I could portray, on canvas with oil paint, some of the compassion and caring that she, the staff, and the volunteers shower onto these rescued animals each day.
What I saw on my first visit to the ranch were cows living in harmony with pigs, and sheep wandering casually in their paddock–unique personalities and relationships between very large and very small animals. There was a spirit of grace in the air that had to come to these creatures after troubled times past.
Each pair of eyes revealed curiosity when I looked closely at them, and each in turn looked closely at me. They moved nearer to me, such that I could fully see them; hopefully you may visit them here as well, resting in peaceful companionship.
Each canvas were painted at the ranch using 100% cotton on wood stretcher bars. The frames were custom made for me of the highest quality wood by a framer. Similar frames can be found in museums worldwide. All supplies are completely vegan.
Please visit me at Arader Galleries on Main Street in Saint Helena. On weekends, you will find me amongst the maps, Audubon’s, and glorious art pieces depicting animals, birds, maps, architectural drawings, botanicals and much more.
I wish you much rest and a peace-filled summer.
Art of Leisure has always been circling around home and the leisure lifestyle in Sonoma and Napa Valley. This naturally includes the physical structure of a home, the spirit of its occupants including pets, surrounding gardens, and the thriving wine country community. Below, you will see my oil paintings of pets, very much a part of a healthy and happy home life. Our four footed friends are an important element of our lives, as noted by artists and authors over the centuries.
For many years, I have endeavored to help the shelter pet community. Many afternoons, I would visit the shelter, sit with an animal, paint a plein air painting of it and share a print with the person who eventually gave it a new home. This practice developed into the creation of my Shelter Pet Cards, sold at such shops as:
Now I am bringing this service to those who would like to memorialize a moment in their and their pet’s life. Hopefully, a delightful, happy occasion in which I can help bring your pet to life in a pet portrait painting.
It is a gorgeous summer in Sonoma and Napa Valley, and as many are on vacation, I wanted to share with you that in my spare time, I paint portraits of dogs and cats who are temporarily living in animal shelters. When the pet is adopted, a professional print of the oil painting is given to the person who provides these four-footed friends of ours a new home. Also, gift cards are made of the paintings and the proceeds are donated back to the shelter for food, bedding & care of other rescue animals. The following are a few of the paintings:
Buttercup, adopted 2019, she had an outgoing personality and was petite & highly active. She would look directly in your eyes, just asking to be adopted.
Charley, adopted 2018, this dog was a beautiful Grand Pyrenees mix who was found under an abandoned house.
Bella is actually my own puppy, and she is helping shelter animals through the sales of gift cards.
Rigo, adopted 2018, was a small, friendly dog, with an especially expressive face.
This dog sat so proudly. He had been adopted and I painted him as a fundraiser for Pets Lifeline.
Pinky Pie, adopted 2019, this puppy was sweet and gentle, with a lovely personality, and is the sister to Buttercup.
Oliver, adopted 2018, he was found on the street and rather unsure of his surroundings.
Mariah, adopted 2018, she was a very small kitty with lots of personality and unusual markings, very friendly and loved visitors at the Pets Lifeline kennel.
Happy, adopted 2019, he was this wonderful, slightly older dog, who was quite calm and grateful for warm companionship.
Jack, adopted 2019, this puppy was quite shy. He had been abandoned, then found under a house with his two siblings. After some very special care from Pets Lifeline, he gained weight and became more comfortable with people.
Emily, adopted 2017, she was a wonderful calico cat with large, kind eyes, although exceptionally shy. She had been at the shelter for awhile and would hide under a blanket or go to the far edge of the cat room so that nobody could see or pet her. Her adoption occurred soon after this painting was finished.
Jewel, adopted 2019, this kitty had a very gentle personality and sat with such a sense of place on her perch at Pets Lifeline in Sonoma.
These cards are now sold in five stores from Sonoma to Palo Alto. They are:
Wishing you a happy summer! Do check back soon….
