Happy for No Reason

Happy for No Reason 12 x12 oil painting by Dawn B. Dwyer

Today I wanted to share a story about a chance meeting with a guy’s father, who I met in STAPLES, who knew how much his son and daughter-in-law loved their pets.  As a result of him taking my business card and giving it to his son.  A very lucky wife woke up on Christmas Day  to find a fine art 12 x 12 oil painting of her beloved yellow lab under the Christmas tree.  Her husband had commissioned me to do this painting along with 3 others (another dog and 2 cats) so that he could surprise her.  He knew how much she loved theses beautiful animals and wanted to give her something that would last for years to come.  How romantic I kept thinking as we put together the plan.  I just love it when I see a man go way out of his way to put together an elaborate plan to surprise his wife and do something that he knows will really make her happy.  What an incredible way to show how much you love someone.  Pet Portraits fill up your senses in so many ways when you look at them.  A certain look reminds us of a particular moment that we shared with them. “Happy for No Reason” does just that.  If you have spent time with a Lab you know this look.  They are the sweetest dogs and have an incredible happy spirit.  This painting is SOLD but if you would like a Giclee (high quality print version on canvas or paper) I will have them available early 2013 and taking orders now.  Please just contact me.  The sizes will vary from 6″ x 6″ to the largest version 36″ x 36″.

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Dawn B. Dwyer Explains the Creation Process of Making the Official Portrait of Euka, P&G’s retired V.P. of Canine Communication

    This is the process that I did to create the official portrait of Euka.   I will post a few pictures each day till we have the completed painting.  So be sure to check back each day to eventually see the completed painting.

Creating a portrait of an animal always starts with a photograph.  Once I have the photo I will work with it to find the perfect composition.  Euka got to sit on some chairs for this photo because we wanted to be sure she would givet off the essence of feeling important.  By elevating her from the floor it changed her demeanor.

I was also looking for a certain light to make the portrait more interesting.  So there is cool light coming from the window on the right side of the portrait and warm light in the shadow.

Next I did a quick oil sketch to block in the shapes of the painting.

Portrait of Euka Unveiled at Procter & Gamble – Commission by Dawn B. Dwyer

Hours before the reveal at the Procter & Gamble Mason office, Dawn B. Dwyer was photographed with the oil painting, Euka, which was about to be unveiled to the Procter & Gamble Pet Division.  Euka served over 50 dog years as the V. P. of K9 Communication.  During her time of service she was even featured on the cover of Fortune Magazine, in 2004.

A grand retirement party was held in her honor where the official portrait of Euka was revealed.  It was an honor for Dawn to be chosen to capture this magnificent yellow labrador retriever in an oil painting.  The whole experience was a lot of fun!  Dawn will be posting the “Making of the Portrait of Euka”  in the next few days at www.dawnbdwyer.com

You can also see more of the oil paintings of Dawn B. Dwyer on April 27th & April 28th at the Pendleton Art Center.