A little BIG EYE art

I have had two delicious days to myself. Although most of the 1st one was spent with a migraine that was trying to attack me, I didn't have to leave the house for anything. Which means...I could actually allow my creativity to emerge again! As soon as I was able, I went down to the studio and began this color pencil painting. It all worked so perfectly (I love it when that happens!). Stroke after stroke, this artwork titled "Uncle Sam" came together easily.

It all began when I was browsing through my photos from the dog show. When I saw the shot of this Pekingese pup, I could just see him wearing patriotic gear for the 4th of July. I could also see him as a BIG EYE dog...a form of art I've been meaning to try for years with my animals. So while I felt I was dying on the 4th, I managed to infuse life into this little fella with my Prismacolors.

This is the first time I've used vellum paper (1oo lb) and I LOVE IT. I think it's what made the painting flow so smoothly. I'm so excited with how this one turned out, I've decided to keep on with the big eye animals, and some other critters like birds and reptiles. I'm going to do them all in color pencil, and under my brush name of Silajai, which I haven't used in several years. I've even set up a separate website address to showcase just these works of art. I hope you'll stop by and bookmark it. With my work schedule, who knows when the next one will be done. I know it will frustrate the stew out of me not to be able to work on my art as much as I'd like, but who knows, maybe the originals will begin selling and I'll be able to do what I'm supposed to be doing again - painting and illustrating.

As always, thanks for stopping by, and thanks for sharing my blog and websites with your fellow art lovers.

InJoy,
Jai

Dalmatian Portrait

This is another digital portrait of a Dalmatian from our local dog show. Fine art prints are available here, and cards and gifts here. :)

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Shop for prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Labrador Retriever Portrait

Sam is such a handsome black Lab. Very well trained too. His owner told him to stay and look at me from the back of his truck and he did it! Below is the original photo of Sam in the truck, and this is his painted portrait.

You can purchase this handsome black Labrador on fine art prints on paper and canvas and on neat gifts, business cards, greeting cards, stationary and more here.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

In the Garden | Pug Painting

Here's another painting in my "At The Dog Show" series. This little Pug was having some fun exploring the gardens outside at our local dog show. I captured several photos of him, and just completed his painting.

His owner told me he is still very young, and he would begin participating in dog shows later this summer.

Pug Fine Art Prints • Pug Gifts

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

The Observer | Long Haired Dachshund Painting

Here's another new painting from my "At The Dog Show" series. This painting is titled The Observer, and features a long-haired Dachshund observing all of the excitement going on around him at our local dog show here in Jackson, TN.

Dachshund Art Prints • Dachshund Art Gifts

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

New Paintings!

It has been a c-r-a-z-y week but I have managed to get some new paintings done and put online!

New in my At The Dog Show series: "Arms of Comfort", featuring a Cocker Spaniel in the arms of his owner. Click here to view my At The Dog show series webpage and see more detail of this painting.


Next up, I was in a bit of a fruity mood....so I completed a couple of still life paintings of juicy oranges. Click here to see them in more detail on my website.


And finally, the last painting was a quick floral study I did of a Daffodil. I was still experimenting with different brushes in all of these paintings, and I finally nailed the look I was after with the Daffodil. See this lovely flower in more detail on my website.


Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Attentive | German Shepherd Painting

Time for another series. I've been thoroughly enjoying my "Dogs With Toys" series, however, submissions of photos have been so slow...and I want to paint a VARIETY of dogs...so I just have to be patient and wait for people to send me their best photos of their dogs in order to do more paintings for that series. I *did* get two dogs at the local dog show playing with toys, so those will be painted for the series.

In the meantime, I decided I'd take a portion of the coolest of the 3,000+ photos I made at the dog show and do paintings based on them. :) Hence the new series..."At the Dog Show".


This is the first painting from the series, titled "Attentive", featuring Ria, the blue ribbon winning German Shepherd I met on day one. I've included a close up of the brush work using an impasto style technique which I am super-thrilled about! The original photo is shown here too.

This painting is available on canvas and paper (with matting and framing options) and also on cards and other cool gifts in my GalleryJai gift shop.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Chow Dog Portrait

More for the Chow Chow dog lovers out there! Painted from a photo I snapped of a Chow at the local dog show.

Fine art prints are available here and cards, mugs and other fun gifts with this Chow painting are available here.

This morning I experimented with some more of my dog show photos are created two other paintings using a different brush I haven't tried before. I really like the way they came out and I'll post them soon.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Wood Chow Dog Earrings

The plan yesterday was to work on a wood burning of a tiger, which I've been trying to get moving on for over a week. Life incidents managed to fill my days, however, and when I got down to the studio yesterday afternoon, I was a bit hesitant about starting it. Usually when I feel this way, I'll work on something smaller-quicker-simpler to get the "feel" for the larger piece.

I decided to create a pair of earrings as a warm up for the larger work. Using one of the photos I shot this weekend of a Chow at the dog show, I created these earrings. I think they turned out really well. I like the fact they're large enough to see the art well, yet still very lightweight and easy to wear.

I burned the design of the Chow and also burned the edges of the teardrop shapes in order to give them more interest. I sealed them for protection and then added silver hardware. I've added these to the Pyrography section of my website. Visit there to see more photos of the earrings.

I'm also really excited because I found some ACEO size wood this weekend. The plan is to make some wood art cards using pyrography with them.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Pomeranian Painting

I couldn't resist doing another painting of this sweet little Pomeranian. I know she looks bigger than life here, but she's only about 9 pounds. She's just a tiny fluffball! Her cream colored fur is simply gorgeous, and I love her perky little ears.

This painting is available on paper, canvas, and a range of artsy gifts for the Pomeranian lover.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Yellow Ducky | Chihuahua Painting

How about some good news for a change? It's been a pretty crappy month for me so far, but despite it all, I plugged along on Shadow the Chihuahua's painting.

I painted Shadow with a yellow ducky toy which he really wasn't at all interested in, but the pose made a cute one for my Dogs With Toys series of art. :)

Little Shadow is sure adorable. He's just a tad overweight...too many snacks from the table, I'm sure! He's only about 12" tall. I do believe he's the smallest dog in our neighborhood!

I think Chihuahua lovers will enjoy his cuteness on these great gift items.

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow art lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Driver's Seat | Rat Terrier Painting

This is Rufus the Rat Terrier, and this is another painting in my Dogs With Toys series. Yes, believe it or not, this doggie's favorite toy is the family vehicle. If it's moving, he wants to be in it. Not just in it, but in the driver's seat! Someone commented to me he looked like he was really in charge - well he is. All 10 pounds or so of him. :)

This painting was awarded a Today's Best Award from Zazzle.Com this week. Thanks Zazzle - as always, I am honored!

So what kind of toys does your dog like? Share your dog's photo playing with balls, stuffed toys, squeaky toys, plus toys which aren't considered a traditional dog toy, and your dog could be chosen to be in the "Dogs With Toys" series of artwork! Visit this page to see how.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

P.S. I just have to share some of my daughter's work...Allyson, age 16, is already an AWESOME photographer and has recently got into photographing various food items. This is her latest card and I thought the image is just fantastic of this deliciously-sweet cupcake:

Cupcake Happy Birthday Card by AllyJCat

Dachshund Love | Puppy Painting

I knew the minute I saw this sweet little face, I had to paint him. And after doing so, I'm tempted to do another series of just puppies. Cuteness factor times ten. :)

This little fella is available on fine art prints, cards, and other fun gifts for Dachshund lovers.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Dachshund Love Tote Bag by jaisjewels

Let's Play | Black Labrador Retriever Painting

Yes, I'm behind on paintings this month and blog posts. I'm so happy, though, that my newest painting in the Dogs With Toys series titled "Let's Play" has won a Today's Best Award from Zazzle!

"Let's Play" features a black Labrador Retriever named Sam who is TIRELESS when it comes to fetching his red, white and blue ball. As long as you are willing to throw or kick this ball for him, he will go get it and bring it right back. He doesn't stop until you stop.

Prints & lots of cool gift items for Labrador lovers are available with Sam's painting.

So what kind of toys does your dog like? Share your dog's photo playing with balls, stuffed toys, squeaky toys, plus toys which aren't considered a traditional dog toy, and your dog could be chosen to be in the "Dogs With Toys" series of artwork! Visit this page to see how.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Japanese Chin Dog Painting

About a week ago I shared the custom pet portrait of Archie, a Japanese Chin dog. His canvas arrived today and it turned out absolutely beautiful, as always.

I get so excited when the canvas print of one of my paintings arrives. First of all, it's like opening a Christmas present...unwrapping paper and paper and more paper to uncover the treasure within. But once the canvas is listed from it's box, it's even more thrilling, because the pet just jumps to life, right from the box. My daughter said it best -- "He looks so REAL! I just want to touch him!"

My custom digital pet portraits are created on high-quality, gallery-wrapped Chromata Matte Canvas. And they are absolutely spectacular!

I've taken some photos of Archie's completed canvas print, shown next to some of my original acrylic paintings in my office. As you can see, the quality is excellent. For size reference, Archie's canvas is 8x10" in size and the larger painting next to his is 18x24". Click on the photos to see them in closer detail.

So....are you ready to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Reach for the Sun | Australian Shepherd Painting

This Australian Shepherd dog gives new meaning to the phrase "Reach for the Sun". Don't just REACH...dive in and grab it! That's what we truly have to do in order to meet our goals, isn't it? :)

Reach for the Sun is available as fine art prints, cards, and on numerous fun gifts. It's the perfect art to remind us all that we have to move beyond just reaching.

So what kind of toys does your dog like? Share your dog's photo playing with balls, stuffed toys, squeaky toys, plus toys which aren't considered a traditional dog toy, and your dog could be chosen to be in the "Dogs With Toys" series of artwork! Visit this page to see how.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Close To My Heart | Greyhound Painting

If you love something very much, you should treasure it, and keep it close to your heart. That's exactly what this sweet Greyhound does here, as she holds her favorite toy close to her heart and safe from harm in this painting from my "Dogs With Toys" art series.

Fine art prints, cards and other unique gifts with this Greyhound painting can be ordered from my website.

So what kind of toys does your dog like? Share your dog's photo playing with balls, stuffed toys, squeaky toys, plus toys which aren't considered a traditional dog toy, and your dog could be chosen to be in the "Dogs With Toys" series of artwork! Visit this page to see how.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Eat Your Veggies | Dachshund Painting

"Eat Your Veggies" features Copper, a Dachshund I met at the local pet store recently. He's shown in his painting with a favorite toy he thinks is absolutely yummy - a carrot!

Fine art prints and other fun gifts with this cute Dachshund painting can be ordered from my website.

So what kind of toys does your dog like? Share your dog's photo playing with balls, stuffed toys, squeaky toys, plus toys which aren't considered a traditional dog toy, and your dog could be chosen to be in the "Dogs With Toys" series of artwork! Visit my news page to see how.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Snow Play | Newfoundland Puppy Painting

Last week I received a really fun photo submission for my Dogs With Toys series. I knew as soon as I saw this precious Newfie, he would be the subject of a painting.

His owner explained that while 9 week old McKinley wasn't shown with a toy, he is shown with one of his favorite play things...the SNOW! Perfect. I love the look on his face.

And only 9 weeks old? Good golly, this is going to be one BIG dog. His owner said at the time of this painting, McKinley is now five months old and weighs 62 pounds. Yes - he will be a big boy when he's full grown. His owner, Scot, also says, "He has a wonderful heart, is very docile, playful and mischievous. He has an older brother (a rescue mutt) who he loves to play with and shares the house with two older cats, who are not at all thrilled with his youthful vigor."

Thank you Scot, for submitting McKinley for me to paint. He makes an excellent addition to the Dogs With Toys series!

For Newfoundland and other dog aficionados, fine art prints, cards, and other fun gifts with McKinley's painting can be ordered from the website.

So what kind of toys does your dog like? Share your dog's photo playing with balls, stuffed toys, squeaky toys, plus toys which aren't considered a traditional dog toy, and your dog could be chosen to be in the "Dogs With Toys" series of artwork! Visit my news page to see how.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!

Little Cheerleader Receives Award!

I'm thrilled! Little Cheerleader, a painting of a Pomeranian with a favorite toy, has received a Today's Best Award from Zazzle.Com. Thanks Zazzle, you made my day!

This painting is also going to be the book cover for the Dogs With Toys book, which will be released later this year.

So what kind of toys does your dog like? Share your dog's photo playing with balls, stuffed toys, squeaky toys, plus toys which aren't considered a traditional dog toy, and your dog could be chosen to be in the "Dogs With Toys" series of artwork! Visit my news page to see how.

Want to have your pet's portrait painted? Visit my custom pet portraits page for information and pricing.
http://www.jaiart.com/custom-pet-portraits.html

Thanks so much for stopping in to view my work and for sharing my website with fellow pet lovers! Comments are always welcome.

InJoy,
♥ Jai
http://www.jaiart.com
Enjoy my mini art gallery on the front page, and shop for limited edition prints, cards, and gifts with your favorite paintings. Be sure to read the news page for upcoming series, events, contests, and more exciting things!