Dogs & Wine: Connected at the Label

After entering the recent contest to have my dog art chosen as the label for Mutt Lynch Winery, I started wondering whether other wineries around the country, and around the world, have the same fixation with dogs that the folks at Mutt Lynch do. Has that love of all things canine also compelled other wineries to put pictures of dogs - photos or other art - on the labels of their wines?  Is the art any good?

A very brief and not-at-all comprehensive search of the internet turned up some interesting artwork on the bottles.  Readers should note that I usually use the label as my primary criterion for purchasing a bottle of vino,  and am not endorsing the taste of any of the following wines. They sure are nice to look at, though.

The sampling of faces below are part of the Vicktory Dog Wine Collection.  Featured on the labels are individual portraits of all 22 dogs rescued from Michael Vick's dog-fighting operation.  

Do you know of any other good dog wine labels out there? Please let me know.

Watercolor & Ink Practice

Here's another watercolor and pen practice portrait. I plan on making a series of these this summer, with the idea I may add this type of portrait to the Rainbowdog line.  

Below my drawing is the original photo of Ellie I worked from. Isn't she a beautiful girl?

Here, Kitty Kitty

This painting is my entry in the Canine Art Guild online art show "Here, Kitty Kitty." I knew there was a reason I was practicing cats.

Tinkers, my poster child, is another denizen of Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals. This portrait of Tinkers, a 16 x 16 inch acrylic, will be for sale through the CAG show, with 100 percent of the profits going to Francisvale.

"Here, Kitty Kitty" will go live at the CAG website on July 1.  It should be interesting to see what this group of dog loving artists comes up with when playing with the theme of cats.  Also of note, prizes - CASH prizes - will be awarded to the top three finishers, as determined by popular vote.  I'll give the alert when it's time to cast your vote for Rainbowdog.

Thanks, as always, for your support!

Is that . . . a CAT?

Gasp! It's a cat! Summer is here, the kids are finishing school and trying new pursuits, and I thought it might be fun to try something new as well. Hence, the change from my usual canine subject matter, as well as the new medium. watercolor and pen.  

This portrait is of a beautiful cat named Betty, currently residing at the Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals in Radnor, PA. According to the folks at Francisvale, Betty is seven years old, and although she's been passed from home to home over the years, is still a gentle soul who loves to be picked up and snuggled.   

Francisvale is having a Cat Open House this Saturday, June 12, from noon to 3 p.m.  Adoption fees will be waived on this special day in favor of a donation!  If you have been thinking of adding a cat to the family, please consider adopting Betty or one of the other lovely cats at Francisvale.

The Canine Art Guild

Imagine my surprise, having worked as a dog portrait painter for several years now, to discover that there is an actual Canine Art Guild. Where have I been all this time?  The Guild has been around for five years, establishing a community for dog artists of all levels, exhibiting their work and providing a place to find support and advice. It's a great place to see and buy dog art on the web as well!

Their most recent show, entitled 'Dog Gonn-it Art Exhibit "The CAG is five years old!"' featured artists from around the country and the world.  Some of my personal favorites included:

"Snuggly" by Judy Johnson

 

"Macy" by Harry Boardman

"He's Looking at You, Kid" by Susan Garrigues

"Curious" by Mary Singer

"Trio (Halle)" by Judi Evans

I'm inspired by so much dog art in one place. It makes we want to get to my studio and create. Look for a Rainbowdog painting in their next show!