Happy Earth Day!

www.earthday.ca

Coton De Tulear by Milton Ontario Artist Julie Deans

Just finished this piece for a client, a gorgeous Coton De Tulear named Simba. I've never actually seen one of these little guys in person, but I hear that they make great companions.

This is an 8"x10" mechanical pencil piece on Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper.

I'm loving the tonal contrast and details that I am able to achieve with the mechanical pencil, so I think I've found my new favorite medium.

If you are interested in having your pet's portrait completed, feel free to email me at julie@juliesillustration.com or visit my website at www.juliesillustration.com for details.

At this time, I will only be offering pencil portraits.

Jack Russell Rescue in Need of Foster Homes!

Volunteers needed!!!

Foster homes needed for Jack Russells needing a well deserved second chance. Please contact Emily Skelton tomandemily@bell.net or Cathy Chambers at adoptions@russellrescue.org.

Visit the Jack Russell Rescue of Ontario website to see how you can help.

www.russellrescue.org

Family Portrait by Artist Julie Deans

Family portrait, and yes, the dogs are included as family. This is an 11"x17" piece on heavy weight paper. A really nice size for framing.

This is going to officially be the last post on this blog. I'm am semi-retiring this as my main blog and focusing on the business now. This will be saved for art only, so any portraits or paintings that I have will be displayed here, but photography and dogs will be no more.

I will post a link to my new main blog that relates to the business as soon as it is up and running (not to worry, photography is included) and please, feel free to follow along or like my business on Facebook: Chickadoo Expressions.

Also, have a look at my new dog training blog. For those that are interested, there will be advice and tips on dogs, and I will be offering private training sessions in the future. http://smartdogsblog.blogspot.com

So I bid you farewell from here for now. I've enjoyed the ride, and thanks to those that follow along on Blogger and Facebook.

Painting a Pit Bull on Canvas by Pet Portrait Artist Julie Deans

This dog was just gorgeous, so I had to give it a whirl. The above is a new style that will be available for pet portraits. Acrylic on canvas or illustration board, this style is more about shape than detail, but really portrays the subject nicely.

This piece isn't quite done yet as I need to add a few more dark areas in the ears, and of course, my signature, but I had an itch to get it on the blog right away. And yes, I will have more samples soon, but baby E keeps cutting into (in a good way) my painting time.

So, if you're looking for an acrylic painting of your pet in this style, please feel free to contact me at julie@juliesillustration.com or check out my website for more details www.juliesillustration.com

Finally ... Painting Again, by Artist Julie Deans

Yeah, it's about time. Enough with the camera, how about some art like the title of the blog says?

I've managed to finagle a little time for myself to putter with the acrylics, and the results are below.

These pieces are great little paintings for kids rooms - they love the bright colours and high contrast (it's true, ask Baby E, he endorses them). If anyone is interested in purchasing, please contact me - they're in a great price range starting at $25.00.




There are more paintings to come, don't you worry. I'm going to be adding some fantastic dog pieces (perhaps some other animals - haven't decided yet), and the style will be available for pet portraits. Check out www.juliesillustration.com for pet portrait information.

Boredum Due to Weather - Photographer Julie Deans

This is what I do when I'm stuck inside. I'm not sure these two appreciate the constant camera in their face. I suppose it's kind of like they're being followed by the paparazzi, even though they're not famous (yet).

The good news is it's almost time for perfect outdoor portraits. With the coming of the green grass, warm sun and spring blooms, it's going to be the perfect setting for family, couple and pet portraits. So, if you are interested, check out www.chickadoo.com for portrait information or contact me with any questions. I'm booking for spring/summer right now.

I Am Canadian

And if you are too, check out the following petition to see why I Am Canadian. Not Harper's Canadian, just Canadian, and proud of it!

http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43549.html

Real Estate Head Shots by Photographer Julie Deans

Here's just a few samples from a recent business photo-session with one of my favorite agents.

I love to try and make the business shots as natural as possible, it helps to convey who you really are through the photo. I find that the more natural the photo, the more approachable people seem, and isn't that the point of photos for real estate agents? I think we accomplished that in this session.


If you're looking to update your business photo don't hesitate to contact me, and check out the website for more information:

www.chickadoo.com

And if you want something a little different, we can shoot "on location" head shots. Places around the city/town you work in, your farm area, at your office, etc.

Contact me at info@chickadoo.com and I'd be glad to help.

What are you doing? By photographer Julie Deans

Seriously, was it over ambitious to get baby E a periodic table for his 6 month birthday?

More Dog Collars Available!

Well, I finally got around to finishing, photographing and posting the new collars that I have available. Time constraints with baby E make things somewhat slow, but slow and steady wins the race ... right?

Anyway, check out the new, hand made collars that I have available, and if you're interested in ordering, please feel free to contact me. Don't see a pattern in the right size for your dog? Let me know, and I will custom make one for you at no extra charge.

COLLARS AVAILABLE

Ahhhh, warm weather... by Milton Photographer Julie Deans

Warm weather, why must you tease us with your fleeting presence?
Making an appearance for two short days, taunting us, lolling us into a false sense of security.
Warm weather, with your short lived, mocking existence, it is not fair.

Anyone longing for this right about now?

Portraits by Photographer Julie Deans

New camera, new backgrounds, new lights ... action!

Just some recent results from my favorite subjects. I will be offering discounted portrait photography for a few months so that I can build up my portfolio. If you are in the Halton area, and are interested, please feel free to contact me - julie@juliesillustration.com.

I will also be posting some business portrait samples in the next little while - so check back as I will also be offering business portraits in the near future.

Meet Jersey. Jack Russell Rescue of Ontario

Hello, my name is Jersey and I am a sweet fella of 9 years old. I am looking for a new home cause I got kicked out when the kids grew up and moved out, went to stay with one of them, but now she is going to be away all the time with new job! I am a very nice boy, and get along well with cats and doggies too! As you can see by my reading ability, I am very clever, and can pick up new tricks in the blink of an eye! I can guard things and people if you let me, but if you show me that I don't need to and get rewards when I don't, then I wont. I sometimes get scared of strangers running up to me, but who wouldn't? Nice strangers are just fine. I am sad that I need to look for a new home at this stage of my life, but hopeful that some nice person out there feels for me and wants to give a nice guy a second chance at happiness. I love walkies, and promise to take you on lots of them too! We can keep each other in great shape!

Spayed/Neutered • Up-to-date with routine shots • House trained • Prefers a home without: young children

Check out Jersey's Petfinder page at:
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16516240

And visit the Jack Russell Rescue website for details on adopting, fostering, donating and breed info:
www.russellrescue.org

Hand Made Dog Collars

So, I've involved myself in yet another project. I figure, why not, I don't really have the time, but for what ever reason, I like to be busy.

Check out my other blog site: http://thelittledogsstuff.blogspot.com/ I've got some awesome, hand made dog collars for sale. You can search through what I have available or I can customize one for you. The prices are right, at just $15 for small and $17 for medium/large, and I've got a bunch of bright, colourful designs to choose from.

And of course, the little dog is my model. She's a 13lb Jack Russell, so you can get an idea of how the small size fits from her pictures.

Meet Lizzy - Jack Russell Rescue Ontario

Hi there, I am Lizzy, a sweet girl of 2.5 years old looking for a home without little kids, I am okay with some dogs, better with males. I like to play and cuddle with people, hang out outside, chase bugs, and go for walks. I am only 13 lbs so nice and dainty! I haven't had any obedience training and would benefit from a home with a schedule and rules. In the right home, I would be a wonderful companion and with a smile like this, who wouldn't want me around???

Spayed/Neutered • Up-to-date with routine shots • House trained • Prefers a home without: young children

Check out Lizzy's Petfinder Page:
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16715320

And visit the Russell Rescue website for more adoptable dogs, fostering and donation information.
www.russellrescue.org

Welcome New Camera! By Photographer Julie Deans

My built-in models helped me break-in the new Canon and new lighting/backdrops that I've acquired. And yes, my XT was enthusiastically adopted by my father-in-law, so he now has a new, camera loving owner.

I did get a little ahead of myself though, as you will notice (I can't help it), I have yet to iron out the wrinkles in the back drops, and didn't set up all the lighting, but I had to get a feel on how things would turn out right away ... I'm not impatient, just excited.

So, the little dog and baby E pose for my new equipment.

What kind of camera is that? By Photographer Julie Deans

Was it obvious from the above shots that it's a Canon? I love Canon.

Note how I let baby E chew the lens cap before the little dog. I love her, but baby sharing dog saliva is just gross, no matter how clean my Jack Russell is.

So, this is a tribute to my XT and what it is capable of. I've finally taken a teeny upgrade step, and my XT will soon be adopted by my father-in-law who will provide him with a great, loving home. He's not yet aware that he will be adopting him, it's suppose to be a bit of a surprise. And if, for what ever reason, the XT cannot be adopted, he will live out the rest of his days here as he has served me well - it's amazing what you can do with an entry level camera and a couple of good lenses, but now it's time for bigger and better things in my world of DSLR photography.

God speed XT - we've had a lot of fun together.