August 24, 2011
Recycling is Good for Art, too
Remember the Zodiac Babies? They were images I created while Finley (then a baby himself) was napping. Well now they are getting a new life as greeting cards on CardGnome.com. CardGnome is a company that creates high quality greetings utilizing wind-powered, recycled paper and organic inks, so not only are the images recycled, the cards are, too!
August 1, 2011
His Fatness
Another tribute to Rocco pug! He was truly an old soul and had a wise quality that transcended his chubby pug body.
I hope the angels are giving you lots of belly rubs and the best cookies heaven has to offer! xoxox
For more information on Karen Windness pet portraits, please visit: www.mudpuppystudios.com.
July 19, 2011
Little Big Stink
I’m discovering all sorts of artsy treasures as I organize my digital files. Here’s one called Little Big Stink.
For those of you familiar with Boston Terriers, they are playful, loving and tenacious… and can peel the paint off the walls with their gas. My Bijou is no exception.
I remember taking Bijou to one of my first art openings and making the mistake of letting her eat some raw broccoli from the deli tray. It was about 10 minutes later that entire gallery was filled with noxious fumes and people were literally running for the doors. I finally had to take her home, and vowed never to feed her broccoli again.
I created this piece in acrylic on board.
If you’d like more information about my pet portraits and pricing, please visit my website: www.mudpuppystudios.com.
June 26, 2011
Monster Step-Dad
Mama Married a Monster
by Karen Windness
Mama married a monster. Mama calls him Mike.
She says that he’s my step-dad and a man I’ll learn to like.
Mama lets him in our house. She feeds Mike every day.
He’s allowed up on the furniture and now won’t go away!
I’ve asked Mike when he’s leaving. He says, “I’m here to stay!”
I guess there’s nothing I can do except to move away.
My bag is packed, my tires are pumped, it’s time to say “adieu”.
Mama says she’ll miss me. Mike says he’ll miss me, too!
Mike says I could get hungry. He’ll make a monster snack.
Mama offers me some cocoa as she puts away my pack.
I suppose Mike isn’t so bad. I like the way he cooks.
And I think I could get used to his funny monster looks.
Sometimes he takes us to the park. We’ve made a silly kite.
And when I’m on his shoulders I know everything’s alright.
I know my mama loves him, and that they both love me.
Perhaps there’s room for monsters in a happy family tree.
“Mama, can we keep him?” Mike’s really not so bad.
It might just be an okay thing to have a monster dad.
Harry Potter illustration
I went hunting for old art files and came across a disk of my graduation portfolio illustrations (circa 1999-2002). This image is my take on Harry Potter’s first visit to Gringots with Hagrid. The movies hadn’t came out yet, so all the elements are influenced by the books alone. This was created in pastel on gray paper.
Ahhh, memories.
April 21, 2010
Birds
Late last year (2009), I was commissioned to create some bird paintings for a boy’s room. The clients didn’t want my “cartoony” style, they wanted something more realistic yet still full of personality. They told me which birds they would like to see, and I developed everything from there. Here are the finished paintings:
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- Hummingbird
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- Owl
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- Robin
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- Stellars Jay
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- Vulture
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- Goldfinch
They have just commissioned two more paintings, so stay tuned for a Cooper’s Hawk and a Morning Dove.
April 7, 2010
Monkeys from the past…
Monkey Girl
This is a painting I created for my niece, Teagan for her first birthday. I almost always paint in acrylic on canvas, and this is no exception. I’m also a little obsessed with purple flower patterned backgrounds. You will probably see this again… and again.
April 5, 2010
Speaking of owls…
Owl painting
This is a painting I created a few months ago for a client who wanted more realistic birds on canvas for their baby boy’s room. (There were several in the series.) Just interesting to note the style difference between this and today’s owl drawings. Bit different, no?
By the way, I love doing paintings for kid’s rooms. There are more examples on my website, www.mudpuppystudios.com. If your interested, please let me know.
