Stevie - A Miracle Dog and a Champion

Stevie the Wonder Dog and his mom, Jill

Photo from the York Daily Record

Stevie is an exceptional dog. He loves cheese and he loves his mom and he has won so many titles that he has an alphabet soup of credits and achievements after his name. He won again last week at competition in New York where he made the front page of the York Daily Record! The judges didn't know it and I bet you can't tell from this picture that Stevie is blind.

My art Web site was created from Stevie's mom, Jill. Jill is a talented Web site artist and designer. One of the things I most admire about Jill is her absolute love and dedication to her family of large furbabies. Stevie took eighth place among 20 dogs in All Star Obedience, Agility and Rally last week. You can read more about Stevie in the story at this link: http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_10074597

Way to go Stevie and hats off to Jill for all her dedication and devotion to her doggies.

The Second Sanctuary

Sanctuary II

Dallas Arboretum Series

16X20

Oil

Sanctuary II is a warmer version of the painting I completed earlier this summer. Sanctuary I was accepted into the juried art show for the MayFlower Paintout at the Dallas Arboretum. The show will be open to visitors in the DeGolyer House on the Arboretum grounds during regular business hours for the month of September 2008. If you are in Dallas, I hope you can stop by. There were some remarkable artists in the MayFlower Paintout at the Dallas Arboretum this spring and it is an honor to be listed with them for the show.

Howie's Thoughts on Dieting

Howard Pee Pugpants has been on a diet for about 6 months now. While he gets low-cal chicken flavored bits of kibble with healthy veggies added, he gets to smell the Merrick's Texas gourmet gravy-enhanced kibble with dried veggie portions his brother Java and sister Annie are relishing nearby. Life is unfair and the world can be cruel, sometimes, to the Howard Pee Pugpant-ses of the world.

Funny Face Friday

Java Cheesy, Winner of the Bashful
Wallflower, Socially Awkward
Party Attendee Award

Our thanks to Queen BaileyPug, ruler of all she surveys, for awarding Java with the memorable and infinitely appropriate title of the Bashful Wallflower, Socially Awkward Party Attendee. Java Cheesy is always the "odd pug out" at our pug pawties, foster pug reunions, and dog park gatherings. When our little Cheesy Man cannot figure out how to take part in traditional pug behavior type activities, he has no problem playing with his imaginary friend. Java is a love pug, above all else, and his cheesy aroma is particularly attractive to girlpugs who are compelled to wash his face when they meet him, much to his consternation. We sure do love our little funny face clown.

Winnie and Daisy: Calendar Girls for Rescue

Winnifred Wigglepants

The Jiggliest Angel
Photo Taken in the Texas Bluebonnets May 2007
Four Months Before her Diagnosis of Encephalitis

I received some wonderful news last week. Winnie Wiggles, my jiggley angel who went to the rainbow bridge in January 2008, is going to be one of the pugs featured on the SEPRA pug rescue annual calendar. The voting was tabulated over a few months, with each vote costing $1. Each dollar went to SEPRA pug rescue to help this outstanding rescue organization find furever homes for the little ones they save. I was also delighted to see that little Duchess Daisy from Polk County, Georgia, is also going to be featured. She was a SEPRA rescue and now lives in the lap of luxury with her loving furever family. We were so happy to see that this beautiful little pug lady will be in the calendar with Wiggles.

Winnie's Friend Daisy

There is not a day or an hour that goes by that I do not think of Winnie, because she had such a big impact on my life. She was my little velcro pug and rarely left my side in the 3 years I was her mom. I am so thankful for the short time she was with me. I always felt just a little bit like I was in the presence of greatness when I was near Winnie. She was an old soul in a little round body, and so full of love and personality. I sure miss you Wiggles.

Ties to the Past

Ties to the Past

38X46

Oil

This large painting was a commission for a Flower Mound family. Their mother had recently moved into a nursing facility and especially missed her begonias, which grew in front of her entryway under her porch. I really enjoyed creating a tie to the past for a beloved Mom.

My Mom's birthday is coming up in just a few days. I asked Mom what she wanted for her birthday and she said Ham. I'm not going to let her get off that easy... I think I'll bring all three pugs over when we visit her on Saturday. What a rare and wonderful gift that will be. : )

Dancing Flowers

Last Dance

Dallas Arboretum Series

Oil

20X24

Anniebelly's Toy Storage Solutions

Do you ever wonder where on earth the best place

to hide your favorite toy from your stinky brothers might be?

Well I found the pawfect solution this morning.

Mommy's linen closet could sure use a little

straightening, but the floor access is definitely a plus.

I think the scented floral pillow ensemble will be the pawfect

storage location for my favorite muddy wet ball toy, don't you?

Be sure to push your wet muddy toy way in the back behind
all the pillows so it won't be easy for any annoying brother pugs to find.

My work here is done...hey, is this a great place for a

nap far away from Howard Stinkypants, or what??

Mr. Dog, A Forgotten Pug

Mr. Dog of West Virginia

On his way to his new foster home with

Chad and Gabby, after 5 years alone in a yard.

You're probably wondering how such a good looking fellow like me would ever slip from somebody's mind, aren't you? My foster mom and dad sure are. This morning when I woke up, I had to nibble my leg just to see if I was dreaming - I woke up indoors for the first time in 5 years.

This time last week I was in the YARD. The yard was my home and just about the only place I knew. It was very quiet in the yard, someone would run a hose and fill my water bowl and put some dry kibble out for me once in a while. My feet itched alot, and that helped me to pass the time. I kept little scratchies on the wooden fencepost to keep track of the days, but pretty soon I couldn't find a blank space to leave a daily scratch so I just gave up.

The last time I was indoors I was just a little pug puppy. I know I was terribly cute then, everyone said so, but the humans must have got tired of me because I was out in the yard before I knew it. I think this lady who found me might be an angel. Maybe I am in heaven? She has a soft voice and acts like she loves to pet me. So I am either dreaming or in heaven.

They are trying to think of a name for me now. I think Ferdinand might be nice. Or perhaps Rockefeller. Something subtle and understated. For now, I think I'll go over there and take a nap on that soft rug. Maybe that cute little girl puggy, Tulley Belle, will come sniff me again. She is about the nicest smelling thing I've ever met, aside from this new fancy kibble I'm getting.

Thank goodness for the lady. I think she loves me. How could that be, I am just Dog, after all? One thing I know for certain, I hope I never wake up in the yard again.

Orange Iris

Orange Iris

8X8

Oil

Annie Goes Gallery Hopping

Whenever mommy goes to a gallery to change out her art,

she always takes me, Anniebelly. Because I am a pug of discerning

taste and impeccable fashion, unlike Howie, who would probably raise

his leg to a Rodin sculpture the moment he gets past the guard...

Afraid of Heights...

I was puttering around in the studio this evening and stacked some paintings on a shelf. I just happened to place the painting "Moonlight" on its side and realized it looks almost like a painting in that direction, too! It makes me a little dizzy from this perspective, like it is a path on the side of a cliff.


Here is Moonlight as it was intended to look...

And here is Moonlight on its side. Makes me dizzy!

Havin' a Pawty Fur Emmitt-Pants!

The Birthday Pug Himself - Mr. Emmitt

Howard would like to recognize his distinguished friend

Mister Emmitt who turns 12 years young today,

with a little song: *Howie clears throat*

Happy birthday to Emmitt-Paaaaants

Happy birthday to Emmitt -Paaaaanttttts

Happy birthday dear Emmitt-Paaaaannnttttssss

Happy birthday tewwww yewwwwww!

*Howie ties apron around neck

and holds out his empty plate for cake*

We love you Mr. Emmitt! Woof on over to his

mommy's blog to join the pawty today! *Annie

dances around and does the mashed potato*

Official Mushroom Inspector Java Cheesy

Java Cheesy inspects some nifty new garden mushrooms.

Mom said Aunty Kim made these in her

studio - Kim Norris Pottery, with her doggy assistants!

Annie prefers her mushrooms stuffed

with cheese and capers.

Winnie's garden has some new spots

of color, and mushrooms that never

need watering! Thanks Kim!

The Gathering

The Gathering

Dallas Arboretum Series

11X14

Oil on Linen Board

Every now and then I get the urge to check the web traffic on my art web site, mainly out of curiosity to see who is visiting and what new search engine happened to stumble upon a little ole obscure Texas artist and her puggy-nacious assistants. Well I just thought I was obscure. You see, I am a ROCK STAR in South America. A few months ago, someone posted a picture of my Spring Garden painting on her blog. I don't know what she was saying, but a lot of people were reading it and are still reading it, months later. This month someone in Puerto Rico posted one of my sunflower paintings onto their blog. If I spoke the language, I'd send a note saying thanks for the free publicity. So, whoever you are Gracias! Muchos tacos por tu con all yer muchachos!

Howard Pee Pugpants' Tips on Hatwear

From the Easter Collection

From the Shower Collection

When You're in the Mood for Cross-Dressing


Sleepytime SnoozeWear

When You Feel the Urge

to Release the Inner Cowpug

For a Day at the Ballpark
With Dad

When You've Had Enough

It's a Ruff Life Workin' in the Studio All Day...

Almost annually I am asked to post more pictures of my famous puggy assistants, so I am yielding to these incessant requests. You can see why I would be hesitant to share photos of such harsh working conditions. Usually at some point in their shift, one or more of my studio assistants will abandon the plush comfy-ness of their pug-urpedic lounger-beds to reposition themselves strategically in front of the easel. This ensures that I must step over them to dabble some paint on the canvas. Best of all, every piece of art that leaves the studio has a secret ingredient - just a little pug hair in the paint at absolutely no extra charge.

A Peek Into the Studio Today

Yesterday was the Dad's birthday, so the Puggies are all exhausted this morning. They entertained guests last night, including their little neighbor friend Sweet Pea the Boston Terrier. The studio is filled with the sound of snoring so it's the perfect time to get some work done!

Bea and Paige

Bea and Paige

Rescued Beagles

18X24

Oil

Puggy Pooltime

Winnie and her Pool Boys, Summer 2007

Howie has a swimsuit malfunction...

Java puts on his big boy britches and tries
to figure out how to get the treat...

Open, open, open...

Winnie says a jiggley girl's gotta have just the right pug-kini to

show off all the rolls and rolls of loveliness...

Splishin and Splashin

Splash at the Dallas Arboretum

11X14

Oil on Linen Board

Splash is a second painting that was selected by jurors for the Dallas Arboretum DeGolyer House Show in September. This is the first time I've ever had art accepted into a juried show. I'm so excited I think I will find a fountain somewhere today and hop in. If it's as hot as it was yesterday, I bet I can get just a whole crowd of folks to join me.

Exciting News...

Sanctuary - Selected by Dallas Arboretum Jurors

for the DeGolyer House September 2008 Show

MayFlower Paintout

Oil

16X20

I just received some wonderful news! The Dallas Arboretum jurors have selected two of my paintings for the September Art Show at the DeGolyer House. Sanctuary and Splash were selected and will be on display during the month of September as part of the Arboretum's MayFlower Paintout Show.

A total of 35 artists submitted works they created during the MayFlower Paintout for potential selection in the show. If you had occasion to be in the gardens in May, you might have seen an artist or two set up on-site dabbling away with their paints in the sunshine. We were required to begin our paintings on the Arboretum grounds during the month of May. This was my first time to paint plein air (well, except for the day my artist friend Judy let me paint in her front yard and we fed her doggy assistant Stella popcorn and met the neighbor doggies, but that's another story...). This is also the first time I have ever had work accepted into a juried show. I hope if you're in the Dallas area in September, you'll stop by and see the show. I can hardly wait...

Unfair Things I've Said About Howie...

Howard reminded me last night that I have on occasion made comments about him that were not completely complimentary. After all, even the president of the Puggy Badness Club accidentally has a good day once in a while, and can be very helpful around the house. He insisted I share these pictures that demonstrate the good side of the Bad Boy.

Howie helps with the dishes...

Howie helps make sure portions are fair at mealtime...



Howie assists with bedmaking activities...

Howie finds new uses for Dad's favorite slippers.

After all, even a slightly bad puggy needs to be able to look at himself in the mirror with a clear conscience once in a

while, if only to notice how handsome he is...

Safe Passage

Safe Passage

Dallas Arboretum Series

Oil

20X24

My artistic friend Judy Mackey and I head out in a few hours to drop off our paintings for the juried judging for the Dallas Arboretum Art Show. I have one frame that is REALLY heavy, so I'm dreading having to carry it across the gardens to the gallery location. Maybe I should stop whining and just rent one of those little wagon thingies they have at the front reception area.... Wish us luck! They announce the paintings that will be accepted on July 21.

Howie Hosts a Foster Puggy Reunion

Java Cheesy: Aunty Joan's tie looks awfully

spiffy on me for the pawty, doncha think?

Howard Pee Pugpants: How am I sposed to pee on stuff with

Mister Pug if I have to wear this fancy getup I asks??

Anniebelly: Mommy, I can't find my pearls!!

The boys are gonna be here any minute now....

Annie, Howie, Bentley, Mister Pug, Java and Oscar

line up to taste Chef Carlos' spaghetti sauce.

Mister Pug: So, you're the famous OscarPants who woofs for eggs?

OscarPants: Yes, and I hear you're the famous

Mister Pug who likes to leave prezzies in the kitchen!

A puggy voice from under the table says:

Hey, why are all the hoomans gettin' apple pie ma???

We thought this was sposed to be a pug pawty!!!

Java Cheesy says, That's just the right

spot Aunty Jennifer!!!

Ambassador Howie gives Aunty

Julie some slathery kisses.

After dinner, a pug just needs to relax and unwind, says Mister Pug.
Daddy Don makes the pawfect pillow fur all that unwinding...


I give this foster puggy reunion two toes up
and circle snaps, says Oscar. Next time, if maybe they

can serve some scrambley egg, it would be jest pawfect.

Oscar Woofs for Treats

Mister Pug aka SmarteePants Shows Off
His Repertoire of Puggy Tricks