Archives for January 2012

Pet Portraits In Charcoal “Mama & Bubbles”

"Mama" Pet Portraits In Charcoal

"Bubbles" Pet Portraits In Charcoal

Welcome back to my Pet Portraits In Charcoal Blog!  Please read on about  Mama & Bubbles, their breed, and other Pet issues…BUT FIRST…If you would like your pet, or a friends pet portrayed in an 11 x 14 in. Charcoal Portrait sent to you, (or anyone you choose), anywhere in the world, and included in one of these blog posts for the world to see… Please visit this link and get the Info!   http://www.petportraitsbycy.com/?page_id=743

Mama and Bubbles are owned by Nick and Sarah from Boulder Colorado. In a recent  blog I discussed the Bulldog breed, See “Max & Willie”, so for this blog I am just going to tell the story of this wonderful union between Mama, Bubbles and their masters told in Nicks own words:

Mama and Bubbles are mother and daughter. Mama is 8 and Bubbles is 4. They came from a Breeder in Longmont, who kept them as their family pets. When the breeder needed to move, and could not bring the dogs with them, they put an ad on Craigslist, trying to find a good home for them. The ensuing process was like online dating. They wanted to know everything about Sarah’s and my lifestyle: our backgrounds, history of pet ownership, horoscope signs, you name it.

After beating out a couple dozen other competitors, the breeders decided we would give them the best home — mostly because Sarah had grown up dogs her whole life, and had 3 other bulldogs before. We only wanted one dog, and Bubbles was our first choice. However, they wouldn’t let Bubbles go without Mama too, so we got both.

These are my first dogs ever. I’ve always been a cat person, but I like these bulldogs because they’re not hyper, and don’t require a lot of exercise. I think Sarah wanted another dog anyway, because she had always had them. Together, we both knew that having dogs would be good practice for having kids. I would say it probably helps, but we both know we won’t be able to just lock the kids in the kitchen while we leave the house for hours, like we do the dogs.

They’re not very smart, but they are both beautiful in their own way. We can’t walk down the street without getting a lot of attention from people who want to get a closer look.

Mama tends to jump on people, and especially likes jumping on kids, so we have to keep her on a tight leash. Left unrestrained, she likes to hump children (and small adults) who she thinks she can dominate. Bubbles is the most gentle dog in the world, because she’s always been submissive to Mama, and has never been separated from her. The most vicious thing Bubbles likes to do is nibble on people’s fingers.

Thank You Nick for the great writing! And thank all of you for reading another Pet Portrait In Charcoal Blog! Check back again soon for another fun installment and don’t forget to share with your pet loving friends!!

Cy

Pet Portraits In Charcoal “Jack, Toonces & Savannah”

"Jack & Toonces" Pet Portraits In Charcoal

"Jack & Toonces" Pet Portraits In Charcoal

"Savannah" Pet Portraits In Charcoal

"Savannah" Pet Portraits In Charcoal

 

Welcome back to my Pet Portraits In Charcoal Blog!  Please read on about  “Jack, Toonces & Savannah” about their breed, and other Pet issues…BUT FIRST…If you would like your pet, or a friends pet portrayed in an 11 x 14 in. Charcoal Portrait sent to you, (or anyone you choose), anywhere in the world, and included in one of these blog posts for the world to see… Please visit this link and get the Info!   http://www.petportraitsbycy.com/?page_id=743

Jack, Toonces and Savannah live in Boulder Colorado with Daniel and Jessie. I do not know of a couple who love their cats more. They are very well cared for and are very happy with both their owners and each other. Savannah and Jack are 6 years old and are brother and sister.  They are Long Haired Calicos. Toonces is 3 years old and was a rescue from Long Beach California. She is a Nebelung, A rare breed originated in Denver Colorado, and is a cross between a Russian Blue and a Persian. Beautiful cats for sure!  

All three of these cats are pretty high energy, They are basically indoor cats and are constantly running and jumping all over everything in the house. Jack will jump onto you head while you are sitting or lying, or will try to crawl up you if standing. Savannah is very athletic and when I delivered these portraits I witnessed her jump to the top of the refridgerator from the floor!!!  Toonces is like the little sister of the three. Jack and Savannah take care of her, clean her and as you can see in the Charcoal Portrait of Jack & Toonces above, cuddle with her.

All three are very friendly but have there own way of showing it. Jack is the most outgoing and will pretty much climb right on anyone who comes in. Toonces also likes to meet people but keeps a little more distance at first. Savannah is the shy one, she will stay hidden at first but will soon make her way to the lap of a visitor. Aparently the way to their heart is to give them a a piece of cheese or a yogurt lid to lick . No lactose intolerance here!!

A Long haired Calico cat can be a number of different breeds, It is sort of a generic term which refers to the distintive White, Orange and Black markings. The Calico is the state cat for Maryland. The Nebelung is a relatively new and rare breed. This beautiful cat has a silky Blue/Gray coat, a long body, wide set eyes and long dense fur. it also has a mild disposition. This all sums up Toonces perfectly!

 Thank you for reading about Jack, Toonces & Savannah, I hope you found it interesting and informative. Check back soon, or “like’ my Facebook fan page and you will be notified of all my new Pet Portraits In Charcoal  Blogs plus other fun and educational pet and animal  information!

 http://www.facebook.com/petportraitsbycy

 I have got some cute dogs coming up next!  Until then Have fun with your animals, and pass this Blog along to your cat loving friends!!  Thanks!   Cy

Pet Portraits In Charcoal “Jarvis & Lucy”

"Jarvis & Lucy" Pet Portraits In Charcoal

"Jarvis & Lucy" Pet Portraits In Charcoal

 

Welcome back to my Pet Portraits In Charcoal Blog!  Please read on about ”Jarvis & Lucy”, about their breed, and other Pet issues…BUT FIRST…If you would like your pet, or a friends pet portrayed in an 11 x 14 in. Charcoal Portrait sent to you, (or anyone you choose), anywhere in the world, and included in one of these blog posts for the world to see… Please visit this link and get the Info!   http://www.petportraitsbycy.com/?page_id=743

Jarvis and Lucy are owned by Jenni and Jeff from Louisville Colorado. Jarvis is 3 years old and Lucy is 11. They are both Pure bred Dachshunds and are happy little dogs, enjoying a loving relationship, with their owners. according to Ali, Jenni’s friend, they enjoy jumping from surface to surface  around the house, and are not happy if their masters leave home. But I am sure all enjoy an exuberant and happy reunion upon the return.

The Dachshund breed belongs to the hound family. They were bred in Germany hundreds of years ago to hunt Badger. “Dachs” is in fact the German word for Badger.  The Elongated body and short legs were bred into this dog to dig the prey out and go inside their burrows, forcing them to leave their dens. The miniature variety was bred to hunt Hare and stoat (Weasel). Dachshunds also hunted Fox and Otters.

The Dachshund is now mostly seen as a companion rather than a hunter. They are very clownish and mischievous, and is a very intuitive dog. This breed loves people, is friendly, fun loving and outgoing and steals the hearts of everyone he, or she meets. They can become jealous and irritable at times, being complex in both mood and temperament. Proper training, care and affection is important and advised, and  children should be gentle and considerate. This wonderful and cute little dog would be a great addition to  any home.

Thank You for reading about Jarvis and Lucy, I hope you found it enjoyable and educational. Check back  soon for the next Pet Portraits In charcoal Blog.  I have a lot more fun animal pictures and stories to share. Next up I will be showcasing three of the most beautiful cats that I have portrayed.

Please share this with anyone you know who may be interested….. Thank you and  I will be talking with you through my Blog soon,  Cy

Pet Portraits In Charcoal “Smarty Jones”

"Smarty Jones" Pet Portraits In Charcoal

"Smarty Jones" Pet Portraits In Charcoal

 

Welcome back to my Pet Portraits In Charcoal Blog!  Please read on about “Smarty Jones”, about one of his greatest fans and about his wonderful career as a thoroughbred racehorse.…BUT FIRST…if you would like your pet, or a friends pet portrayed in an 11 x 14 in Charcoal Portrait sent to you, (or anyone you choose), anywhere in the world, and included in one of these blog posts for the world to see… please visit this link and get the Info!   http://www.petportraitsbycy.com/?page_id=743

Smarty Jones is a retired champion thoroughbred racehorse. In 2004 he won both the Kentucky Derby, and the Preakness Stakes, and narrowly missed the triple crown by running second in the Belmont stakes. He earned $7.6 million over a wonderful career running against the worlds best horses.  Upon retiring he stood stud at Three Chimneys farm in Midway Kentucky, and now resides at Ghost Ridge Farms in Felton PA.

I was commissioned to draw Smarty by Tara from longmont CO. As a sweet gesture she wanted to give this piece as a gift to one of her good friends and as it turns out one of Smartys most avid fans, Tammy from Niwot CO.  Tammy fell in love with the Smarty Jones story shortly after his wonderful 2004 Triple Crown run. She has traveled to Three Chimneys or Smarty’s other farms at least once a year since 2005 to see and learn more about him. I would consider Tammy an expert on this horse, and as a racehorse fan myself, I found it very enjoyable, and informative to discuss him with her. 

Smarty Jones’  Sire (father) was Elusive Quality and the Dam (his Mother) was I’ll Get Along .  Smarty’s blood line includes some of the most famous racehorses ever to run including, on his fathers side, Secretariat, (his great, great grandfather), Bold Ruler, and Native Dancer.  And on his mothers side Fool-Me-Not and his sire, Tom Fool.  Smarty Jones has sired some fine horses himself since his retirement including,  Backtalk,  Be Smart and Smart Coco.

 Smarty Jones was bred by Roy and Patricia Chapman. Patricia’s mom,  Mildrid (Milly)  McNair who died in 1989, shares the same birth date as Smarty (February 28, 2001) and this is how he got his name, Milly’s nickname as a child was Smarty Jones.

Smarty Jones is a beautiful Chestnut Colt. There is a  great heritage and success story that will always follow him and I am honored to share my Portrait of him, and his story with you all. Thank you for reading my Pet Portraits In Charcoal blog, and check back soon for another informative entry and some great looking animals!  

Know some Horse lovers or Racing fans?  Please share this!  Thanks, Cy

Pet Portraits In Charcoal “Max & Willie”

"Max & Willie" Pet Portraits In Charcoal

 

Welcome back to my Pet Portraits In Charcoal Blog!  Please read on about “Max & Willie”, about their breed, and other Pet issues…BUT FIRST…if you would like your pet, or a friends pet portrayed in an 11 x 14 in Charcoal Portrait sent to you, (or anyone you choose), anywhere in the world, and included in one of these blog posts for the world to see… please visit this link and get the Info!   http://www.petportraitsbycy.com/?page_id=743

Max and Willie are brother and sister from the same litter, born on May 25th and owned by Susan and Ron in Boulder Colorado. Willie is currently 11 years old, and Max sadly passed on at the age of 8. They were inseparable, and shared a special bond. Willie, the sister and smaller of the two was in fact the boss, she would at times herd Max around and would often literally sit on his head during times of rest (which come often for a Bulldog). As younger dogs they loved to chase the spot of a flashlight  around the yard. Ron would wield the light watching them flounder on the grass trying to get the elusive bright circle. This would tire them quickly and they would soon retire to their doggy bed in the kitchen, usually with Willie sitting or lying on some part of Max.

Willie, understandably went through a period of depression after Max died but eventually returned to her more or less normal cute and very sweet tempered demeanor. She will follow you where ever you go around the house (especially if there is lightning) and is a cherished and loved important part of the family.  Max and Willie could not have found a more wonderful family to live with, and Susan, Ron and their family all can say the same about these two awesome Bulldogs.

The Bulldog breed has made the most radical shift in canine history–from ferocious fighter to gentle companion. Originally they were bred for violence, mainly Bull baiting. With his short head and powerful jaw he could maintain a grip on another animal and remain breathing indefinitely. His low slung body was protection from a bulls horns. A Bulldog is a cross between a Mastiff, a Pug and a Terrier.  Males weigh about 50 lbs. females around 40.

Bulldogs are renowned for their courage and tenacity and also possess great dignity and a noble heart. Not withstanding the previous paragraph on violence, nowadays he is a great guardian of both property and children, and few breeds can match his zeal and devotion as a friend. Bulldogs are  an admirable breed for sure.

Thank You for reading about Max and Willie, I hope you found it enjoyable and educational. Check back  soon for the next Pet Portraits In charcoal Blog.  I have a lot more dogs, cats and next up I’ve got  the Racehorse Smarty Jones!  The 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner!