New Art and a New Movie

"Reaching for Sun"
11" x 14" acrylic and collage on canvas
available here in my Etsy shop

Here's my latest...a landscape abstract titled, "Reaching for Sun". Part of the abstract process that I really enjoy is allowing a painting to unfold without putting too many restrictions on myself. I start out with a line drawing...but if the painting isn't happening with the initial concept...I just let myself go. I keep adding layers of color, line and collage until that magical thing happens...it WORKS! Makes it worth the sweat every time, doesn't it?

Hope you had a good weekend. It was beautiful here with lots of cooler weather and some nice thunder bumpers. By the way...James and I went to see the movie, "Away We Go" and we loved it. Go see it!

A beautiful face!

"Pabst"
Winner of the Petaluma Ugly Dog Contest 2009
photo from SFGate.com

OK...how can you call this guy "ugly"? I think he's got one of the cutest faces ever! (well, always except for Maisie of course). Pabst is the winner of this year's Petaluma, California's Ugly Dog Contest. You can read about this sweet guy right here. Congrats Pabst!

On another note...I enjoyed this column from Clay Evans of the Boulder Daily Camera the other day regarding whether art is a luxury in these tough economic times. Let me know what you think.

Hope you're having a great day out there. It's hot here!

Landscape in Moonlight
8" x 8" acrylic and collage on canvas
Available in my Etsy Shop here

Here's a new abstract landscape I just finished. Hope you like it!

It's been a busy week with family visiting...so I'll be back next week...hopefully with more interesting artsy stuff to share with you.

In the meantime...have a great summer weekend! xox

Monday Still Life

"Red and Juicy"
7" x 12" acrylic and collage on canvas
available in my Etsy shop here

Hi everyone! Here's a new still life I just finished last Friday. It started out as sort of a wimpy pastel-y kind of thing...and ended up being quite a bit bolder than I anticipated. I rarely use dark backgrounds so this is a little different for me. Let me know what you think.

On another note...a very big THANK YOU to all of you who voted for Miss Maisie to be in the top 10 for the Mutt Lynch Label Competition. She didn't make it this time...but was so happy to be involved in the process. Congrats to all who did make it...especially to my friend, Christine Throckmorton. Her entry was amazing...I loved it!

The winner of the contest will be chosen today so stay tuned to Moira's blog for the big announcement. Good luck!

Dog's Rule in Somerset!

Somerest Magazine Cover ~ Summer 2009

Remember the Dog's Rule Fatbook from awhile back? Well it made it to this summer's issue of Somerset Magazine...yay! Below are two pages from the article with a wonderful introduction written by fellow Dog Artist, Jill Beninato. Great job, Jill! The second page down has the artwork that Melissa Langer and I did for the book. There are eight other fabulous pages in the article with beautiful reproductions of each participating Artist's work.



Pick up a copy of the magazine if you get a chance. It's jam packed with lots of beautiful artwork and interesting reads.

Back soon with a new still life. Have a great Thursday out there!

Cast your vote!

Emmett says...Vote HERE!

Hi everyone! So look who's been campaigning for Maisie this week! Emmett is one of Maisie's very loyal friends and he's been making the rounds asking people to vote for her in the Mutt Lynch Winery and Dog Art Today's Wine Label Competition...this week through Friday. I think he's a little biased thinking Maisie is his girlfriend and all...but he's also a big supporter of the Democratic process.

There are some really fantastic submissions this year and I am honored to be among them. Everyone's work is awesome! Good luck to all!

Shepherd of the Grapes

"Shepherd of the Grapes"
10" x 11" acrylic on canvas

Here she is...Miss Shepherd of the Grapes herself, Maisie Rose O'Neill! This is what I submitted for the wine label competition today. I also submitted a title for the wine, "We carefully shepherd our grapes".

If you'd like to vote for having Maisie on Mutt Lynch's limited edition wine label...you can do so on Dog Art Today's blog starting Monday, June 15th through Friday, June 19th. One winner will then be chosen by judges from the top 10 finalists and announced on June 22. The wine label will be revealed at the August 8, 2009 Dog Days of Summer event. How exciting!

Heading out tomorrow for a friend's wedding in Oregon. Hope you all have a great rest of the week!

Maisie has a secret!

Maisie wanted you to know that I've been away from blogging this past week...working very hard on a painting that SHE happens to be the star of the again. Actually yes, I've had nose to the grind painting a piece for the upcoming Mutt Lynch Winery Label Contest. I heard about it via Moira's wonderful Dog Art Today blog and it sounded like so much fun. Hope to be able to show it to you after I submit it on Wednesday. The deadline is June 12th for any of you who want to try a last minute creation of your own.

My only worry about doing another painting of Maisie (on the heels of the Party Animal project) is that she's starting to get quite the big head. Look out world...here comes Miss Celebrity big pants!

Look at Lucy!

"Lucy"

10" x 11" acrylic on canvas

Here's the final result of the "it's yellow and it sniffs" hint I was talking about the other day...the lovely Miss Lucy, a yellow Lab from Denver. Lucy's favorite thing to do is go for hikes in the beautiful hills of Colorado. This bundle of energy was a pure joy to paint!

For a little inspiration today, head to Susan Tuttle's blog...it's one of my favorites. I love her photographs, her words and her views on life.

And lastly...here's a pretty cool artsy quote to fill your day...

"The word composition moved me spiritually
and I made it my aim in life to paint a composition.
It affected me like a prayer and filled me with awe."
~ Wassily Kandinsky

Have a good Tuesday!

New Work and Pet Haiku

"Blue River"
acrylic, collage and ink on canvas
available in my Etsy shop here

Here's the second of the three paintings I've been working on. The first was Dudley, the second is this Abstract...and the third is still in progress. My only hint about the third one is that it's yellow and sniffs. Hmmm...

I came across this article from SFGate.com the other day about their first annual Pet Haiku Contest. Here are a couple of them that really tickled me...hope you enjoy the rest!

"Gunther the glutton / preys on food left out, alone / No cheese plate is safe." -Leslie Nuccio

"We wanted a dog / But we got a toad instead. / You can't walk a toad." -Emerald (Age 12)

The Delightful Dudley!

"Dudley in the Sheets"
8"x 8" acrylic on canvas

This is my latest dog portrait...of Dudley, Shitz Tzu extraordinaire! Dudley is one of three Shitz Tzu's who are lucky enough to live with my friend and wonderful Artist, Ruth Welter. I saw a picture of Dudley on one of Ruth's blog posts awhile back...and just had to paint the little man as a thank you gift for her. The way he takes over the sheets before laundry time really cracks me up. His expression looks to me though like he's about ready to take those sheets and tear around the house with them. Well, that's what Maisie would do anyway!

Hope you all had a nice Memorial Day weekend. It rained a lot here...but the garden is lovin' it!

Cherries anyone?

"Cotton Candy Cherries"
5"h x 7"w
acrylic and collage on canvas
available in my Etsy shop here

Here's a new still life that I just finished today. I know it has kind of an unusual title but it really does make me think of cotton candy! I'm trying to let it flow a little more with my titles anyway...rather than just a boring 'ol "Four Cherries" or something.

I came across the blog of one of my very favorite painter's for the first time today, Kate McPhee. If you don't already know about her then you should because I think she is such a talent! Her paintings are bright and beautiful and have wonderful uplifting meaning to them. James and I purchased three of her paintings when we first moved to Boulder and we love them even more today. Check out her Etsy shop too when you get a chance.

"The Two of Cups"
Kate McPhee

Hope you're having a good Monday out there! xox

Tiptoe through the Tulips

Here's my little sweetie pie in the shade garden this morning. What probably won't surprise those of you who have been following the antics of Maisie O'Neill...is that she totally devoured one of the tulips right after I took this photo. That's my girl!

Thanks to all of you for your support and kind words about the new website! By the way...I do have a new links page on the site so if you have the same and would like to exchange links with me, please let me know. I also have a new newsletter sign-up...so add your email address if you'd like to be included!

I'm working on three new paintings right now...so hope to show you those soon.

Enjoy your day!

New Site is Launched!

The new Abby Creek Studios site is up and running! Yay! A very big THANK YOU goes out to my Web Designer, Keith McCurdy for all his hard work and dedication in helping me to create and develop a whole new look. I couldn't be happier with it...I love it!

Hope you all enjoy looking at it too. I'm looking forward to hearing your comments!

Have a great weekend and a wonderful Mother's Day.

My new Public Relations team!

Ruby and Emmett

Could I have a better PR team than this? How lucky can I be...to have Ruby and Emmett grace my new testimonials page! Thanks, Shennon for taking such a wonderful photo of two of my very favorite people. I don't think I could come up with a better advertisement for Abby Creek Studios than this!

The new site is almost here...I can taste it! Keith and I are doing some final prep and fine tuning...but everything should be ready to go by Friday. Keep your fingers crossed.

In the meantime...here are some beautiful words by one of my favorite poets to keep you in the mood for spring. The flowers are poppin' around here!

Green sings
like no other
color.

Green rings
my heart round
with the starlight
of laughter,
the dance
of enthusiasm.

Green brings
vibrant shoots
of energy
laced with passion.

Green flings
bouquets of dreams
meant to come true.

~Joyce Rupp

New Painting

"Room 103"
12" x 13'"acrylic and collage on canvas
available soon in my Etsy shop

Hey there! Finally managed to squeeze out a new abstract...yay! The new Abby Creek website is about ready to launch so things have been hoppin' around here and I haven't had much time to paint.

I started this particular painting from a photograph (below) I took near our house. It took quite a different turn I think but similar in that the pink structure in this photo looks like a "door" to the natural world. Using that and the latest theme for a new show at EBSQ that I'm entering...I ended up with "Room 103". The numbers and the pink strip with the white lines (lower right) were collage pieces taken from regular old junk mail.

reference photo for "Room 103"

By the way...thought you might be interested in this book..."Merle's Door...Lessons from a Freethinking Dog". A neighbor of mine just read it and loved it...so it's now on my list. You can purchase it here if you're interested.


Can't wait to show you the new site...hopefully next week! Back soon...

Slacker alert!

Do YOU know where she is...Maisie asks?

She's right here Maisie May Rose Margaret O'Neill! Your mom has been a blog slacker but is trying to get back on the creative bus. The trip to Hawaii, working this week on the upcoming new website...blah blah blah...have taken the paintbrush out of her hand lately. Besides the fact that she has to take care of YOU, you energetic little vixen.

I DO have some exciting news to share with you! I am featured in the April/May 2009 print and online issue of San Diego Style Weddings Magazine. My good friend, Ruth Welter of Artful Creations was interviewed by Kathryn Bechen for an article called, "Your Blessed Nest, Finding and Creating a Comfortable, Beautiful and Harmonious Living Space for Two".

Kathryn interviewed Ruth for her expertise in home decor and because of the amazing artwork she creates; original paintings, vintage tins, jewelry and more. Ruth's work would obviously add beauty and that special touch to any new living space.

Graciously, Ruth also recommended my dog portrait commissions as another unique way for a newly married couple to start an art collection and to add something personal to their home decor. San Diego Style is a very lovely magazine and it's an honor to be included. A very big thank you goes out to Ruth!

Read the article here

Hope you're all enjoying a spunky spring day out there. Back soon!

Home from Hawaii

Maui Snorkel Cove

Hi Everyone! James and I got back from Maui Sunday morning...we had a great time. This cove is one of the places we went snorkeling. How beautiful is that water! Coming face to face with a sea turtle really made our day too. They have to be one of the most ethereal and sacred creatures of the sea.

Still feeling a little jet lagged from the red eye flight home...but I'm starting to get back in the swing of things. Lots of chai tea is helping...thank you, oh divine creator of caffeinated beverages!

Hope you're all doing well. I'm looking forward to catching up on your blogs.

Back soon...xox.

Mardi Gras Maisie!

"Where's the Party?"
12" x 12" acrylic, glass beads, ink on canvas

Hi everyone...sorry I've been awol for a week without a post. I've been working hard on this painting and the new website. I just finished the above piece yesterday for an auction that is coming up to support Bernie Berlin's A Place to Bark. About 20+ of us Dog Artists from around the country are donating an original work...with the theme, Party Animal. Can you guess who my beautiful model was? I will be back with more details on when and where you can bid on these pieces as soon as I hear more from our illustrious organizer and fellow participating Artist, Jill Beninato.

One reason it's been extra busy around here is that James and I are leaving for Hawaii this Saturday...and you KNOW how it gets before a trip! We're having a week long family reunion thingie on Maui. We're both looking forward to getting away for a bit and enjoying some nice, warm weather and no snow! Alright already with the snow!

I'll be back in touch the week after Easter Sunday. Wishing you all a wonderful spring week ahead! xox

Snow Day!

We finally got the spring snowburst we've been waiting for yesterday...about 16 inches! I took this photo this morning as the soft, sweet sun was rising. The sky was glowing like a big cottonball. Our flowers beds are now drunk with happy moisture!

My friend, Mary (Maisie's Auntie)...sent me this lovely poem the other day. Seems fitting with spring unfolding...

Poem on a Line by Anne Sexton,
'We are All Writing God's Poem'

by Barbara Crooker

Today, the sky's the soft blue of a work shirt washed
a thousand times. The journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step. On the interstate listening
to NPR, I heard a Hubble scientist
say, "The universe is not only stranger than we
think, it's stranger than we can think." I think
I've driven into spring, as the woods revive
with a loud shout, redbud trees, their gaudy
scarves flung over bark's bare limbs. Barely doing
sixty, I pass a tractor trailer called Glory Bound,
and aren't we just? Just yesterday,
I read Li Po: "There is no end of things
in the heart," but it seems like things
are always ending--vacation or childhood,
relationships, stores going out of business,
like the one that sold jeans that really fit--
And where do we fit in? How can we get up
in the morning, knowing what we do? But we do,
put one foot after the other, open the window,
make coffee, watch the steam curl up
and disappear. At night, the scent of phlox curls
in the open window, while the sky turns red violet,
lavender, thistle, a box of spilled crayons.
The moon spills its milk on the black tabletop
for the thousandth time.

I'll have a very different dog painting for you to see next week. I'm working on a collaboration with several other Artists who are all donating original paintings for a dog rescue auction. All I can say at this point is Maisie is involved in a mardi gras kind of way. Stay tuned!

Have a nice weekend! xox

Melissy Doodles!

Have you tried a blind doodle yet? I call them Melissy Doodles because Melissa Langer started this on her blog awhile back. It's such a fun thing to do...especially if you're frustrated or having an art block. It frees you up and shows you the fun of drawing again. Give it a try and see what you come up with.

I did this one of Maisie in your honor today, Melissa. She gave me a "look" though...I don't think it was up to her artistic standards. HA!

Blind Doodle "Maisie"

Blind Doodle "Abstract"

A Girl and a Puppy

I have a real treat for you today...these beautiful photos taken by my wonderful friend, Ashley Singleton. This is her daughter, Cameron and their new Aussie/Border Collie mix named Wyatt. I gotta say that these are some of the most amazing photos I've seen of a child and puppy together. The lighting, the sepia tone, the feeling they convey are all what make for top notch imagery. I think Ashley has a real gift here...plus two cutie pie subjects!






I'm leaving you for the weekend with a quote that really hit me the other day. With all that's going on in the world right now and in keeping these touching photos in mind...remember...

"Even in a time of elephantine

vanity and greed, one never has
to look far to see the campfires
of gentle people" ~ Garrison Keillor

Have a heck of a joyful Vernal Equinoxy kind a day!! xox

Meet Rosie!

"Rosie"
10" x 11" acrylic on canvas

Here's my newest dog commission...Miss Rosie (aka Batgirl). She's the sweetest, goofiest Lab with a tiny obsession for balls.

This quote reminds me of her...and all Labs in general!...

"I put contact lenses in my dog's eyes. They had little pictures of cats on them. Then I took one out and he ran around in circles." ~Stephen Wright

Hope you all had a good St. Patrick's Day! Maisie is enjoying some leftover corned beef. She deserved some...being an O'Neill and all!

IKEA is my friend

I bet most of you out there have a love affair going with IKEA like Melissa and I do, don't you? Well, when James and I were in the Bay Area a few weeks ago...we went to the IKEA store in Emeryville where I found this major cheapo hanging system. It's marketed for curtains...but I knew it would make a really cool industrial looking "print" hanger. I have some of my mini prints on it now in my studio and I love it! Unfortunately, IKEA doesn't sell these on their website...but you can find them here on ebay.



Got my new issue of Fido Friendly magazine in the mail over the weekend with their "100 Best Products" for dogs and their people. I think I may have to get this and some of these.

I'm working hard on finishing my new dog commission so stay tuned! Hope you're all having a good Monday!

Good Art...BAD Art!

"Green Green Tea"
by Shellie Mitchell

First of all, thank you SO much for your sweet birthday wishes...you made my day! We had a yummy dinner out and the play was great. James was one of only two guys in the audience...but I think he rather enjoyed being surrounded by women.

Now the above art is the good art I'm talking about. It was a birthday gift from my friend, Melissa of Pugnotes.com. Melissa and I like to meet for tea every couple of weeks which is something I always look forward to. This beautiful little painting will always remind me of our wonderful "art and other things" tea talks! Thank you, M!

Now the BAD art I'm talking about is something I came across yesterday as I was doing some research for my new website. My fantastic Web Designer, Keith and I are brainstorming to come up with just the right new logo for Abby Creek Studios. I've been going through old monotypes and drawings from school to give me ideas and THIS illustrious self-portrait popped up. Wow...do I really look like that? I sure don't look very happy. HA! My Professor was probably thinking I'd better work on those drawing skills! At any rate...these older pieces are sure fun to see again.

Self-Portrait, 1993

Have a wonderful weekend out there! Play with your pooches! xox