"Izzy" - 11x14" oil on canvas panel

Izzy is an adorable Weimaraner puppy I know. Her happy face and sweet, lopsided smile inspired me to paint this portrait of her.

                                          

Dachshund Puppy - 9x12" oil on canvas panel

Who can resist a Dachshund puppy? Those big eyes and little round head bring out the "awwww!" in all of us. This one reminds me of a miniature my Mom had, named Heidi.

White Poodle - 12"x9" oil on canvas panel

Here is my latest work, the ever popular white poodle.

Flyball Dogs #2 - 9x12" oil on canvas panel

Flyball is a very popular dog sport, which is fast-paced and exciting to watch. Dogs of all breeds can play. Relay teams consisting of four dogs race against each other over a line of hurdles to a box that releases a tennis ball when the dog’s paw presses the spring-loaded pad.The dogs have to catch the ball and run back to their handlers at the start/finish line, then the next dog is                                                                           released.

             I find that the different types of dogs and the great action of this sport give me lots of great ideas for quick and loose oil studies and sketches. This is the second oil study in my series, "Flyball Dogs". It shows a Border Collie, which is one of the principal breeds used in this exciting and fast-paced sport. Here's a look at "Flyball Dog #1,  which has already been sold:

"Baby of Mine" Redux - 9x12" oil on canvas panel

I decided to rework this study because I wasn't really "in love" with the original. I am much happier with the way it looks now. For a look back at the original study and the story behind it, click the link to view the original blog post:  "Baby of Mine" (original)

Jack - 12x16" oil on canvas

Jack was the dog who belonged to a good friend and former coworker. We found him in the employee parking lot one day, the sweetest, most darling little Golden Retriever puppy! I had two huge Rhodesians at home, so I couldn't take him, but my kind-hearted friend took him home and he became a beloved member of the family for 16 years. Sadly, he passed away in 2009. My friend commissioned me to paint him and the photos below are the ones I used to compose this piece. So long, sweet Jack!

Learning Curve - 12x16" Oil on Canvas

I've been teaching my puppy, Ruby, to play Frisbee. She's getting really good at it! Sometimes she misses, but her efforts are extremely focused. Watching her inspired this painting. The Frisbee is going too high, and she jumps and twists to try to catch it. Hence, the "learning curve" - literally!

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July 2010

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"Ho-o-old It!" - 9"x12" Oil on Canvas Panel

I got the idea for this painting when I was trying to teach my puppy Ruby to hold a treat on her nose. I watch videos on YouTube by Zak George, who has a show on Animal Planet called "Superfetch".

I LOVE this kid! He really connects intuitively with dogs. 

Anyway, I learned Ruby didn't like me putting food on her face - even though she'd get to eat it. Whenever she realized I wanted to practice the trick, she'd run out of the room. Maybe I'll try again when she's a little older.

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June 2010

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Painting Contest


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Commissions

Over the past few months I have been busy with 3 commissions, along with my other work for the galleries and the website. These 3 pieces were commissioned by the same family, to whom I am so very grateful for their confidence and their patience. "Lulu and Huey" the 2 dogs, is 12x16".

"Daisy" is 9x12".

The cats, "Charlie, Pete, and TJ" is 12x16". All are oil on canvas panel.

Dock Dogs - Oil Study 1

Dock Dogs is the term used for a popular new water sporting event, in which dogs of all breeds run down a dock or platform and jump off over a pool to catch a ball (distance competition) or to snatch a target suspended high in the air (height competition). It’s great fun to watch and the dogs are TOTALLY into it!

Baby of Mine - 9x12" oil study

While working as a volunteer one day at our local shelter, I went to the visit Jenny, a yellow Lab over 5 years old. I had planned to take her for a walk. Her new roommate was a young yellow male Lab, less than a year old. He looked like he could have been her own son. As I peered into her room, she was lovingly bathing the face and ears of the puppy, who was laying with his head under hers. I quietly observed the sweet scene, which gave me the idea for this oil study. The title, “Baby of Mine”, is from the beautiful lullaby in Walt Disney’s “Dumbo”. 

(It always makes me cry.)  

Mabel - 9x12" oil on canvas panel

Mabel is a sweet little dog owned by Harold. Harold owns Harold's Art Supply in San Antonio, where I go to workshop every week. Mabel is the store dog. She will lay hidden under the front desk and, if you come in wearing flip-flops, she will sneak up on you and lick your toes. She comes into the class to check out everyone. She loves to be carried and cuddled. And she gives wonderful puppy kisses.

I look forward to seeing her every week, and just wanted to paint her. The painting now belongs to Harold and Mabel.

Every Dog has its Dia (de los Muertos) - 9x12" Oil Study on Canvas Panel

I painted this little long-haired Chihuahua in a skeleton costume in honor of Halloween, All Saints Day, and the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). I am hoping to hang this at the SAVA

Art Gallery at River Center Mall in downtown San Antonio. If not there, it will be for sale at River Art Gallery close by.

Art281

Last Sunday, October 11, was the Art281 Show at My Place Restaurant on Hwy 281. What a day! It was cold and rainy-drizzly  the entire day. And I had an outdoor spot! My husband, Dan, (I put him through the wringer, poor guy!) help me put the tent up in the rain, but I couldn't put my art out. Fortune smiled on us and an indoor spot became available in the old Casey's Dance Hall. So we lugged everything inside.
The SAGAG (San Antonio Glass Art Guild) sponsored the show. I was amazed at all the beautiful and imaginative things these artists create with glass and stone and metal. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. The lunches My Place delivered over to us were Dee-Lish-Us!
The entertainment provided from numerous Performing Arts and Dance Academies was also a treat!
I made several new friends and a few commissions, so I considered the day a pleasant success!

River Art Show and 2 New Oil Studies

We were set up in the La Villita Assembly Hall. This is me at my booth on Saturday.

I rearranged my booth on Sunday so I would have more room to do demo work (my set-up is in the lower right hand corner) and draw people in closer to the artwork.

On both days we finally received our desperately needed rain here in San Antonio, although it did affect the turnout somewhat. Sunday we had more people wandering around to view all the fabulous art and jewelry and sculptures.

Several people inquired about having paintings of their pets commissioned. The kids were the most fun, though. They are always drawn to the dog paintings and like to just stand there and look and look! Some will just start telling me all about their animals or watch me draw or paint and ask questions.

I did finish two new oil studies while I was at the show. They are available to purchase safely and securely through PayPal on my website mariannehinojosa.com for just $48 each. They are 9x12 on canvas panel, and I used conte and pastel to draw and then painted them with oil paints. They are quick, simple, and fun to do!

            "Privacy, Please!"

 9x12" Oil Study on Canvas Panel

      "Clean Up Your Room!"

 9x12" Oil Study on canvas panel

"NEW! Original Studies"

"Original Study - Gus" 9x12" oil and pastel on canvas panel

I am trying something new. I love to draw! I draw better than I paint. But I love to paint - in oils.

So I have combined the two in this style of quick and loose "studies" on canvas panels. I have really been trying to find my "style", or "handwriting", or creative impetus, and this has really been a huge leap for me. I started off with - what else? - my most beloved subject. My eternal Muse, Gus. I plan to do more studies, as they also provide a more affordable way for people to own my art. I am accepting commissions, as well. I am going to be posting them for sale on my website, so check out my website now and then!

Comfort Fall Art Walk

On Saturday, September 19, I participated in the first annual Comfort Fall Art Walk in the beautiful Texas Hill Country town of Comfort. It's lovely, picturesque, and FULL of antique shops. My tent was set up in the driveway of Blackbird Antiques in the Historic District. The shop is owned and run by Karen Frias, who proved to be a very friendly and helpful "Hostess". She comes to work every day with her two little Pugs, Molly and Hudson. They are just too adorable, and sleep on little antique beds in the shop. I did a lot of "schmoozing" with them - they give such wonderful puppy kisses!

My husband , Dan, sacrificed his whole day to help me - Thank You, Honey! Besides helping with the unloading, setting up, and reloading, he visited with the shoppers, scouted out the surrounding artists, and brought me lunch.

Many people inquired about getting portraits of their own pets, and showed me pictures and shared stories about their "little darlings". I really enjoyed it and got to visit with some dogs walking their People around!

I had a table set up with a bowl of candy for the folks and natural biscuits for the doggies. In the photos you can also see the painting of the duckling I was working on, as well as a pastel I did on a piece of sketch paper of my boy, Gus, from a photo. (It's to the right of my blue photo album, under my bag of Oreo cookies!)

Now I am getting ready for the River Art Show which is in San Antonio October 3 and 4. it's in the Historic La Villita District, and I will be in the Villita Assembly Building. I'll be back soon with photos of some different things I am trying out!

"Pedicure" 9x12" oil on Raymar Linen Panel

I've been experimenting with Conte, charcoal, and pastel pencils this summer. I really love to draw, and I draw better than I paint. But I love colors and oil paints. So I've been working on different ways to incorporate the two into a style that I enjoy and find satisfying. I really believe I'm on the way to discovering my "real" style. The next few posts will show the results of my experiments. This painting was inspired by my cat, Gabriella. We had her front claws removed, but left her back claws. She likes to groom and pull on them with her teeth when we settle down to go to sleep. I like to watch her - she seems to enjoy it so!

Pensive (Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy) - 9x12" Oil on Raymar Canvas Panel

Originally, I had been working on a larger painting of my Hanna from a sketch I drew of her shortly before she passed away. I was having trouble getting her head the way I wanted it to look, so I thought I'd try a smaller version first. Then, as I was painting, I saw the puppy! She was just there on the canvas, waiting for me to bring her out! I tried to keep it very simple and loose, not wanting to have it end up looking overworked and "tight". I am happy with the result!

Sunburst Sea Horse

This little painting was done on a 6x8 canvas panel. I started it several months ago, then put it away to work on something else (a dog painting, I'm sure....). I totally forgot about it! I have finished it and will probably take it to hang in River Art Gallery.