Ranch House – Lake House Painting

The following project is one of the biggest I have ever undertaken. It involved several elements, all of which had special meaning to the family and, timewise, took an entire week to paint.

Please be patient when loading this post. It may take a moment or two to load as I’ve included several close-ups for you. (You can click on each image for a larger view in a new window).

We started off with a rough draft of the layout – which involved combining two family properties located in different States. (I would like to thank my dear husband for his help
with the layout. His architectural drafting skills come in quite handy sometimes ;)

Ranch house - Lake House painting

Ranch house - Lake house painting

The family ranch house, located in Arizona, was to be painted toward the horizon amongst a glowing sunset of red, orange and yellow tones.  The barn and 2 of the family horses can be seen in the distance.

Arizona ranch house painting

Arizona ranch house painting

Another special request was to paint a replica of the F3D Skynight jet that their grandfather flew in WWII.

F3D skyknight WWII jet painting

F3D skyknight WWII jet painting

Every little detail of this painting had meaning to the family, right down to the clock on the cottage, the ranch gate,  pickle barrel and the fireflies glowing around the shrubs.

Ranch house - cottage painting detail

Ranch house - cottage painting detail

And last, but certainly not least, we even painted a Seadoo waverunner resting in the boat dock.

Wave runner - Seadoo painting

Wave runner - Seadoo painting

As with most of the digital portraits I do, this was a big & special gift for the family. The client was kind enough to send me the following note recently:

“Everyone loved the painting. It was a big hit and made my mom cry. Thanks so much for working with us on that special project.”

This is why I love what I do. It makes all the time and effort worth while!

Have a great week everyone.

Renée Dawson
http://www.renee-dawson.com/house-portraits

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Team Canada Hockey Art – Martin Kariya

First of all, as this year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank all of my wonderful clients for their patronage. I am at the point now where I am getting repeat business and referrals and can’t thank everyone enough!

It truly warms my heart to know my art is hanging on walls as far away as Australia, across the United States, and from coast to coast in Canada.

There are so many paintings I haven’t had an opportunity to share with everyone yet.  The one I’m about to show you is one of my favorites from several months ago. As most of the digital portraits I paint are given as gifts I often have to be patient and wait until I have approval to post.

The following portrait, of Martin Kariya, was from his time with Team Canada.  The original reference image can be found here and was used with permission.

I really enjoy painting hockey portraits and definitely want to do more.
Team Canada Hockey art - Martin Kariya

Martin Kariya - Team Canada Hockey

Best wishes to you all for a very Merry Christmas & happy New Year too!
Renée
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Canon 7D and 24-70mm f2.8L lens – Test shots

I was long overdue for a new lens and decided to purchase Canon’s 24-70mm f2.8L lens. It arrived yesterday and I couldn’t wait to take it out for a test drive today.
I wanted to share some of my initial shots with you. Some points to mention – I gave myself two rules for this session;
1) NO flash
2) All images to be taken at f2.8 – so I could test the bokeh out.

I created an album on facebook with some test shots;

Just in case the above album link doesn’t work for you I’ve inserted an image below for you as well.
Milkweed
Thoughts thus far…I love this lens! The bokeh at f2.8 is gorgeous. I am in heaven!
Have a great weekend everyone.
Renée
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Designer iPhone 4-4S Cases

Last week I was very excited to see that redbubble launched a new product line – iPhone cases! The following case styles are currently offered:

  • iPhone 4S & 4 Deflector one-piece case. Fits all mobile provider versions.

Needless to say, I got sidetracked going through my photography and art to see which images would lend themselves best to the template. I had a lot of fun with these!

Designer iphone cases

iphone 4 case art by Renee Dawson

Here’s a sampling of some of the cool iphone cases I came up with.

Designer iphone cases

I think these would make really great Christmas gifts, especially for the bird lovers on your list, and can’t wait to create more of them!

Just click on any of the above images to be taken directly to my iphone Gallery.

Renée
http://www.renee-dawson.com

Posted in Digital Art | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sneak Peak – Wines of the Watershed @ Quinte Conservation

Good morning everyone,

It’s finally here, the first annual Wines of the Watershed Gala at Quinte Conservation.

Proceeds from the gala are to build accessible trails. Come out and enjoy an evening of music, wine, cheese, local foods, an art show, and a silent auction.

Here’s a sneak peak at a few of the pieces I’ll have with me today.

Autumn Warbler & Heron - Bird Art
Autumn Warbler & Heron – Bird Art
Simple Pleasures - Digital Painting
Simple Pleasures – Digital Painting

I’ll have a few matted prints, framed prints and fine art cards available.

Hope to see you there!

Renée
http://www.renee-dawson.com

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Pet Photography Announcement

I’ve been promising to fill you all in on one of my newest projects. After a lot of research, reading, studying, soliciting unbiased reviews & feedback, a few years of practice and countless hours playing with cats, dogs, horses & birds I feel I am finally ready!

Ready for what? Ready to hop off that fence I’ve been sitting on and offer on-location Pet Photography sessions in the Quinte Area. I will be offering my services in Belleville, Trenton, Brighton and Prince Edward County.

**Click on image for full details**Pet Portraits - Pet Photography

Pet Portraits – Pet Photography

At some point in their journey, every artist, every photographer out there has been at the stage I am at right now. That point where you need to transition in order to keep growing. It’s scary, it’s exciting, it’s exhilarating and I can’t wait to get started!

I also want to thank everyone who has been so helpful & supportive along my creative journey. I’m not sure I would have made it this far without you!

Renée
http://www.renee-dawson.com/pet-photographer

Posted in Pets, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Fall Landscape – Abstract Painting

I had a Corel Painter marathon over the weekend. I lived & breathed landscape painting.  I painted landscapes until my eyes hurt. <not kidding>

Because I tend to be quite detail oriented I find abstract artwork challenging. I really want to step out of my comfort zone and try more & truly admire the artists who can put artwork together based on light, shadow & color to form a pleasing piece of art

I’m not sure if I’m finished with this particular abstract painting or not. I may do something with the shadow areas under the yellow trees and add a bit more negative space in the background. I’ll be sure to post an updated picture of the final version.

Fall landscape - Abstract Painting

Fall landscape - Abstract Painting

In the meantime I am enjoying this journey, and am quite pleased with my color palette and the way the water turned out on this attempt.

Have a great week everyone! Why not step out of your comfort zone and try something new :)

Renée
http://www.renee-dawson.com

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Curious Twins

When I ventured out to do macro photography today this was the last thing I expected to capture!

I was sitting in the shade, on my little stool, very intently watching a milkweed bloom for activity when I heard a little fffffffffffffftttttttttt behind me.

Ever so slowly I turned around to see what was behind me. My heart started to pitter patter with excitement when I saw what it was. Then panic set in as I had my flipping macro lens on. Not the worst thing in the world I suppose but I also had a diffuser on my flash and didn’t have time to remove it (so I could lock it down) and obtain a faster shutter speed.Twin Fawns

Twin Fawns

Photo taken with Canon EOS 7D & Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. SS 1/250, f/10, ISO 250.

These two little sweethearts were very curious about me, playing about, not the least bit concerned about my presence. (Mind you…I kept as still as I could.)  This experience totally made my day!

Have an awesome weekend everyone!

Renée
http://www.renee-dawson.com

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Jumping Spider with Robber Fly

I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend. Before the heat rose to a ridiculous temperature this morning, and I was wearing even more air than I was breathing, I ventured outside to do a little macro photography. It’s not often the breeze settles down enough up here on the hill so I take advantage of it whenever I can.

Here’s one of my favorite macro pictures of the day. A jumping spider eating a robber fly. <click on image for larger view>Jumping Spider eating a Robber Fly

Jumping Spider eating a Robber Fly

Photo taken with a Canon EOS 7D and Canon EF 100mm f2.8 macro lens.  Hand held.

Renée
http://www.renee-dawson.com

Posted in Macro Photography, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Befriending an adorable Northern Bobwhite

About 2 weeks ago, June 7th to be exact, we had a unique visitor in our back yard. A baby something-or-other is what we called it as it followed our resident chipmunk around the yard, trying to get the maple keys out of his mouth.

My husband and I got quite the chuckle watching this little bird follow Chippy around the yard.Chipmunk & Northern Bobwhite

Chippy & Billie

When a new bird (a bird I’ve never seen before) crosses my path I get quite excited. It always sends me on a quest to learn everything I can about it. My mother helped identify our new visitor as a Northern Bobwhite. Based on the buff markings around her eyes I believe she is a female.

I started off calling  her Bobbie but have since switched to Billie. Billie just seems more fitting.
Billie - The Northern Bobwhite

Billie – The Northern Bobwhite

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, and information contained on <this page>, the Northern Bobwhite is endangered Provincially and Nationally and receives protection under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007, which protects it from being killed, harmed or collected.

Upon further investigation I was also told that this little quail most likely escaped from a collector as they no longer exist (in the wild) in our region. (That region being Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada – for my  non-local readers). I contacted a nearby poultry farm, as well as a Veterinarian’s office, and neither knew of a local collector or farm that raised or bred quails.

I’m not sure if I’ll ever know where Billie came from or how she came to be in my yard. I can say, however, that I have thoroughly enjoyed her daily visits. Of all the places she could have ended up, she landed in MY backyard. God works in mysterious ways doesn’t he. You see, I love birds…they are a big part of who I am and I reap great joy out of watching their activities, photographing them or painting them.

My daily routine has been adjusted to accommodate Billie’s daily visits. She usually calls on me at least once a day. I go running with a little seed cup, sit and keep her company, follow her around the yard, and give her a little pet every now and again – which she loves by the way! Renee & Billie - the Northern Bobwhite

The neighbors must think I have officially gone crazy. (Or maybe they are used to my odd nature shenanigans by now?) With the long grass as her camouflage I’m sure all they see is me walking around the yard talking to myself and sitting for countless hours staring at the ground or a tree.Renee & Billie - The Northern Bobwhite

Renee & Billie – The Northern Bobwhite

Somebody, somewhere, has misplaced an adorable little quail. If you know who, please contact me – unless they raise them for Thanksgiving dinner or for game hunting. In that case, don’t bother as I’ll protect her with my life.

After all, she’s been officially dubbed my backyard BFF.

Renée
http://www.renee-dawson.com

Posted in Birds, Random Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments