Sunday, January 28, 2007

Hot link

To all the people who have kept dropping by, and said many warm words about this blog: thank you. Just for you, I found Lover Glovers. The times might be cold, but I'm still here. And will be back in a couple of weeks with more.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Running with the big dogs!

Sophie

Wow, this past month we have seen quite a few big dogs come through the studio. We have worked on portraits for all types of retrievers including golden's, black labs, white labs, and yellow labs. I also finished up the artwork for a boxer and a little boston terrier that probably thinks he is a big dog. Today I met with a lovely lady that wants me to work on her akita. I have only created artwork of one other akita in 8 years so this should be a real treat.

I have not been blogging very much lately because I feel a little bit behind on my projects however I should be caught up by the end of the month with most of my portrait work. I have some non-pet related art projects spinning around in my head and I hope to be able to jump on those very soon.

Friday, January 26, 2007

The Dance


The Dance, originally uploaded by verika-art.blogspot.com ©.

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The Gateway to Heaven

This is a diptych.It is the story of 3 people on their way to the Gateway of Heaven.
At the Gateway, they are welcomed by an angel.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Photoshop workshop

I am heading home today after a terrific day long workshop in Photoshop. Yesterday I had the pleasure to learn from one of the best known experts in the Photoshop design community, Bert Monroy. This guy is totally amazing. This Photoshop hall of famer creates all of his digital "paintings" from scratch without the use of any photos. He is the author of several books on Photoshop and is a very fun speaker. I learned a lot and can't wait to get home to share my new knowledge with the girls on Friday. If you want to study from this guru check out his calendar and sign up for a seminar.

Sharing is Learning:
I find that when you return from a workshop and show off the things you learned it really sinks into your brain. Diane went to a 3-day photographer's seminar last month in San Antonio so she has been sharing her new tips with us all week. I think Friday may be an entire day devoted to tip sharing. Yea, life is pretty good. Having other artists in the studio has really made my life better in so many ways.

To learn more about Adobe Seminar Tours go here:
http://www.photoshopseminars.com/

Saturday, January 20, 2007

My old pallete


My old pallete, originally uploaded by Verika.

My old pallete. I had to throw this away as i was wasting lots of money on paint i could no longer use

Friday, January 19, 2007

untitled commission

I finished my painting today!!!! i am so excited- this is the biggest
project that ive done- and a major accomplishment for me! next time
ill inform you guys on the name and meaning of my painting:)

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Commission update

Today i had a brakethrough with my painting. Yesterday the composision did not work and i was struggling
to get the painting to work and for all the different faccets to flow into one another and become one.
Im looking forward to working on it tomorow- might even be finished...!!

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

New commission takes form

Making some progress on the large commission after spending a week
doing research.

Large commission

Photo of a new comission of a 3meter by 1.6 meter painting

Serenity (work in progress)


Serenity, originally uploaded by verika25.

Oil on canvas.


Serenity, originally uploaded by verika25.

Painting away...



Serenity, originally uploaded by verika25.

Serenity, work im progress.

Jar Jar


Jar Jar, originally uploaded by verika25.

Have i got news for you....

Young cheetach


Young cheetach, originally uploaded by verika25.

How can you say no to those eyes. Adopt a cheetah at Cango Wildlife Range (http://www.cango.co.za/adoptacheetah.htm)




Young cheetah, originally uploaded by verika25.

Photo of a young cheetah at the Cango Wildlife Ranch

Michael and I


Me and Michael, originally uploaded by verika25.

A pleasant day out at Notze beach near Knysna

Painting @ Sevenoak knysna


Painting @ Sevenoak knysna, originally uploaded by verika25.

A present for Marj for her birthday.

Monday, January 15, 2007

From pooch


Pooch, originally uploaded by verika25.

Hello pooch. Picture of shy sam.

Work in progess

From Art portfolio


From Art portfolio


From Art portfolio


verika-art.blogspot.com ©

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Cool Bulldogs


Kate

During the last holiday season I got to play with a few really cool bulldogs. We immortalized Olivia, Kate, Ole, Suga, Capone, and Gordo. You can check out a wide assortment of our bulldog art we have created over the years by clicking here.

Speaking of cool bulldogs you should check out Tyson's new website. Many of you may have heard about the skateboarding bulldog as he has a huge web following. Now he has his own fantastic site with plenty of video samples of Tyson doing his thing.

Thursday, January 4, 2007

More Balls to enjoy


For me there is often no better way to have a ball than enjoying eye candy on the web. Last year I ran across a video by Sony where they released 250,000 balls over the streets of San Francisco. Every time I see this fun commercial I think about how this must be the way my boy Tommy dreams ... in color with thousands of bouncing balls. Check out the site and read the behind the scene info ... the entire piece was done without computer graphics.


Watch The Movie at YouTube or
Visit Bravia

Monday, January 1, 2007

Have a Ball in 07!


Happy New Year to all! We had a great holiday season in 06 and we all worked our little behinds off ...yay. Now we look ahead and my only New Years resolution is to somehow manage to play as hard as I work in 07. I watch my dog Tommy with his focused and intense attitude towards his ball, and I know I can do this ... yes I can play as hard as I work ... and work needs to become play more and more each day.

We have plans to have even more fun on the website in 07 and we hope you guys will play along. To start the new year off right I will be posting a new art piece on the homepage every day in January that celebrates dogs & cats at play with their favorite toys. I ask everyone ordering this month to consider letting us add your pet's favorite toy to their portrait and to nudge you I am offering a free 8 x 10 print of your second favorite proof when you order any size or style in January... the only catch is you have to let us include your pal's favorite plaything!

Now ... get off your behinds and go to the park with your dog! Have a ball in 07!