Affectionate Aristocrat Spaniel

Maddie - the Affectionate Aristocrat Spaniel

"Read to me about Royalty!"

Not only does Maddie look regal, but she is an AKC registered Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Madigan's AKC name is Kimark Our Brown Eyed Girl.

Despite the big impressive name, this lap dog enjoys nothing more than to lend a helping paw to those who need a little love and attention. She and her person, Annette, work regularly as a therapy team, certified through Pet Partners. They visit nursing homes, assisted living centers and libraries, where she touches lives with a wet nose and a wagging tail.

After a long day's work Maddie begins her evening routine by finding her favorite red Kong for a few healthy rounds of fetch. She dedicates some time to chewing on her red Kong, before she climbs onto the couch for some relaxing snuggles.

It's good to be the queen!

Maddie and Annette read with pretty-in-pink Victoria

Watercolor & Ink

8" by 10"

Cold Pressed Paper, Matted & Framed 12 3/4" by 16 3/4"

Original *SOLD

Prints, Custom Framed Prints, and Stretched Canvas starting at $15

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TP Trailing Toddler Labradoodle

Nala - the TP Trailing Toddler Labradoodle

"The snow may be taller than me, but I'm still gonna jump through it!"

Nala has learned a lot in her 3 1/2 months on earth. The joy of being naughty is her favorite.

And toys are her favorite. And treats are her favorite. And socks are her favorite. And shoes. Shoes taste soooo good.

And snow is her newest favorite. She looks like a giant snowball when it clings to her fur, but she doesn't mind one bit.

Oh, and don't tell her mom, but Nala really loves toilet paper. It's soooo much fun to watch it unroll from the tube and follow you all through the house!

Nala shows Kathy how she can sit still for an entire second

Watercolor & Ink
8" by 10"
Cold Pressed Paper, Matted & Framed 12 3/4" by 16 3/4"
Original $250

Buy Original Art

Prints, Custom Framed Prints, and Stretched Canvas starting at $15
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Quiet Quarterback Keeshond Mix

Sasha - the Quiet Quarterback Keeshond Mix 

"My smile always earns me treats. Who is this evil 'Diet' monster that keeps stealing my treats?"

Whether she's part of a pack of wild dogs in the Missouri countryside or watching over her residential herd of cats in her forever home in Minnesota, Sasha is always the quarterback everyone follows.

Abandoned by the side of the road, Sasha joined a group of stray dogs that traveled together for almost a year. Rabbits, squirrels, and raccoons better watch out for Sasha, because she's a survivor who will do what it takes to support her team.

Luckily, her winning smile (Keeshonds are known as the "Smiling Dutchman") and her gentle nature earned her a trip to a large suburban home filled with adults and kids and two cats.

The Australian Shepherd part of Sasha comes in handy when dealing with her cat siblings Cosmo and Caramel. Cosmo is the very rambunctous kitten who loves following calm and quiet Sasha around the house.

Sasha patiently sits by as Cosmo the cat destroys another toy

Watercolor & Ink
8" by 10"
Cold Pressed Paper, Matted & Framed 12 3/4" by 16 3/4"
Original $250

Buy Original Art

Prints, Custom Framed Prints, and Stretched Canvas starting at $15
Purchase Prints and Canvas

Rowdy Remodeling Guinea Pig

Izzy Roo - the Rowdy Remodeling Guinea Pig

"Just because I'm a piggy, doesn't mean I have to live in a pigsty!"

Izzy knows exactly where everything goes in her house. And when her maids clean her abode, she has a devil of a time getting everything back into precisously the right spot.

This 7 year old, senior, American Guinea Pig insists on moving her tunnels and nests around until she is completely satisfied, no matter what her housemates think. She'll knock over the plastic igloo where her friend Candy is sleeping and push it to the corner for herself.

In fact, this rebel pig often turns over all of the huts, except for one. All that work tires a girl out, and she needs a nice quiet place to catch up on her beauty sleep.

Rescued from a shelter on Mother's Day, Izzy is a strong willed, mighty pig who enjoys caring for her friends and snuggling with her people.

Izzy with pig companions Candy, Mouse, & Wisp held by Savanna, Abby, & Cameron

Watercolor & Ink

8" by 10"

Cold Pressed Paper, Matted & Framed 12 3/4" by 16 3/4"

Original $250

Buy Original Art

Prints, Custom Framed Prints, and Stretched Canvas starting at $15

Purchase Prints and Canvas

Hungry Hockey Cat

Booker Matisse - the Hungry Hockey Cat

"That sandwich you're eating belongs to me." 

After a rousing game of bottle cap hockey, (the goal is in your favorite shoe) Booker needs a snack and yours will do nicely.

This former, farm cat has a bit of an identity crisis. 

• He's dressed like a cow with black and white spots. 
• Booker acts like a chicken when anyone comes to the door. He even peed on me once to get away from a first-grade girl! 
• He dreams of being a swamp monster. He hides behind the shower curtain and jumps out to scare people.
• He's part fainting goat. Booker falls to his side and offers up his tummy every (I really do mean every) time you climb the stairs.
• Booker really should have been born as a dog. He greets me when I come home. He comes when you call him. He wags his tail. He is 100% a food hound. He carries sticks and hockey pucks (aka plastic bottle caps) in his mouth. Most importantly, he is very loyal. 

Booker & Melissa Black

Watercolor & Ink
8" by 10"
Cold Pressed Paper, Matted & Framed 12 3/4" by 16 3/4"
Original *SOLD

Prints, Custom Framed Prints, and Stretched Canvas starting at $15

Purchase Prints and Canvas

The Petburbia Project

Family Dogs Painted in 2013

Yes. I'm the geek who goes to a party and sits on the floor playing with the dog for most of the night.

I love animals and I love talking to people about their pets. My family loved the paintings I did of their dogs, so for 2014 I'm amping up the challenge.

Each week I will post a new painting of a suburban pet I have met and photographed recently. I'm all about a great pet personality with a wonderful tale to tell.

I'm limiting this 2014 project to just the Twin Cities suburbs, but not to just cats and dogs. Great pets come in all shapes, ages, and sizes.

Each week I'll paint an 8x10 single pet portrait with watercolor and ink on 140 lb cold-pressed Arches watercolor paper. I'll post the painting here, along with a photo of the owner(s) and pet, and a short story about what makes that pet extra amazing.

If you and your furry best friend would like to be considered for the Petburbia Project contact me at Petburbia@gmail.com