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.

Merry Christmas - From pet portrait Artist Julie Deans

Hot Dogs Anyone? By Pet Portrait Artist Julie Deans

Everyone likes hot dogs right? My hubby is a little overzealous with these eatables, not the most nutritious food, but hey, you only live once right, why not enjoy it...

So inspired by my hubby's love of this unhealthy item, and my love of dogs, I came up with this painting for the child's room.


Acrylic on pre-stretched canvas, and oh what fun this one was!

Interested in a unique pet portrait like this one? Check out my website or contact me for details.

www.juliesillustration.com

Little Angels, by Artist Julie Deans

I don't get the chance to create many people portraits, as my forte is pets, especially dogs, but I was given the opportunity to capture these two beautiful girls in a portrait, and am delighted with how it turned out.

This is an 8"x10" pencil piece, and due to some unforeseen circumstances, it may be available for sale.

If anyone is interested in a portrait of their loved one, please feel free to contact me, or check out my website for details.

www.juliesillustration.com

I'm Addicted! Artist, Julie Deans

The little guy is really quite photogenic, so he's been added to my list of favorite things to photograph along side the little dog for number one spot.

And I can't resist photos of them together - it's really quite the combination, especially since it doubles the cuteness factor. Little boys and Jack Russells go well together.

The little dog was not impressed with this pose. She loathes Halloween because it means that she has to wear her Bee costume. You'd think she'd get used to it by now, since every year I dress her up (the little kids love it!), but noooooo, putting it on is, to her, the equivalent of pouring acid on her back. Can't you see the hate in her eyes? Plus it makes her look fat. Gawd, I can't even do it up, had to tie it on with a shoelace this year, so next year, thanks to two crazy sisters, she will be a skeleton and she'll hate that just as much.

I have two portrait sessions coming up in the next couple weeks, and will post some of the results after they are complete. If anyone is looking to have photos taken of their dogs, please feel free to contact me or visit my website: www.juliesillustration.com and check out the photography page for details.

Featured on MAFE - Julie Deans, Artist

Look for my bio and business to be featured on MAFE this Monday!

Milton Area Female Entrepreneurs is an email networking group dedicated to featuring and supporting female entrepreneurs from Milton and the surrounding area.

Sandy Hatzis, a real estate agent with RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp., Brokerage, is the founder of this group, and does a bang up job of getting all the members information out there for others to view and connect with.

For information about joining, please email Sandy at sandyhatzis@remax.net or join the Facebook Group Milton Area Female Entrepreneurs (MAFE).

Welcome Evan! Julie Deans, Artist

It's been a little while between posts, but I do have a good reason for my absence ... really, I do.

I'd like to introduce the newest member of our family, and this time it's not a 4 legged one. Please help me welcome Evan Douglas into the world. Actually I'm a little behind with the welcome, he arrived on September 3rd, but hey better late than never and really, I've been a little busy to post.

So without further ado, here is the little guy in all his glory!

Experiments in Black and White, and shades of ... Jack Russell, by Julie Deans, Artist

Lately I've been neglecting my forest photography adventures, but I am finding that the older I get, the more I melt in the humid weather. And this summer, above average humidity seems to be the norm, forcing me to hibernate in my (thankfully) air conditioned home. So, I have to make due with what I've got at home for photos - and what I've got at home is a little crazy dog who likes to pose for the camera - though she'd prefer it if she made the rules, and not me.

This time, since we were indoors, without a bright blue sky or abundance of foliage for colour, I decided to experiment with some black and white (and shades of, with some colour blended in). The little dog seems to translate well to monochrome, it makes her look more debonaire and sophisticated.

She was getting bored with this shoot at the end ... it's not as fun when there is no toy or bone involved. What can I say ... she's just not a serious dog. Lazy? Yes. Tough? Yes. Smart? Hell yes! Serious? Not a chance. Takes after her people I suppose ...

Random Cartoon

Can dogs obsess? They sure can, and studies on dog behaviour issues, obsessions, fears, additions and imbalances etc. have become useful when looking at and researching similar behaviour quirks in humans. Hell, even the medication used in treatments is the same at times.
Can dogs have additions? Oh yes indeedy...toys and food come first to mind. It seems that additions and obsessions often go hand-in-hand - one can be addicted to and obsess over anything really.
The above picture is Brandy's obsession and addiction. The coveted BALL. I don't know what makes it so good, so luscious, so needed, but to her, it is all encompassing when it makes an appearance. Everything else ceases to exist when the ball comes out to play. I guess we all have our idiosyncrasies - crazy dog.

Milo's Acrylic Portrait is Complete!

Whew, after a long, hard fought battle with the 36"x36" canvas, I have finally overcome all odds, and am now victorious!

I will let the pictures tell the story for this one. I've compiled all of the progress photos so that you can actually see how the painting took shape over time. And of course, Brandy pitched in at the end.

It was very satisfying to work on a piece this large as the progress was so obvious all the way along ... helps with motivation.

Background and outline first

Under painting - have a lot of ground to cover

Blocking in depth and shadows

Starting to take shape

Highlights, outlines and shadows, he looks like a real dog now

Final highlights and shadows, touch ups on the outlines

Signature, and ahhhh, completion

Apparently it's extraordinarily stressful to pose in front of a painting for me

Yeah Canada!

 Congratulations to all of our wonderful Canadian athletes who participated in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. You did our country proud!