Large Weimaraner and My Boxer Dog Sarge, the Male Model

Large Weimaraner Portrait and Sarge

I recently painted a large portrait of a Weimaraner mix and to show the scale, I found it really funny how he almost seemed to be trying to imitate the pose!

I really enjoyed painting the Weimaraner mix, my most popular sized portrait is 16 x 20 and he was 24 x 36"!

He was a wedding gift from a groom to his bride of their beloved pet, so it made it extra special!

Their color is so unique, there is an almost purple cast to their gray fur.  And this guy also sported a snazzy blue bow tie!  His eye color is also unusual, so fun!

Here's a close up:

Weimaraner Mix Oil Painting

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

A Snapshot of My Pet Portraits

Pet Portraits by Me, Philadelphia Area Artist, Robin Zebley

Here's a little sampling of my pet portraits, I made a treasury of them on Etsy in my Vintage Shop to show my visitors the other side of my life!  It shows up in my profile.

It's not clickable, so if you'd like to see it "live", click ---> Pet Portraits!

It's funny how I look at these and remember little details about what I was doing and what time of the year, the client who commissioned it, and the animals themselves but never the names!  Except for my own Sarge who is 3rd, second row, I have no idea what these pets are named.  I do remember the little girl on the bottom because she is a niece of mine, isn't she a doll? 

So, gearing up for the busy Christmas Portrait season ahead, and looking back down memory lane at just a few of the precious faces I've been honored to capture in portrait.  Many of them were gifts, and I also remember the beautiful emails I've received from the recipients.  It's how I know for a fact that it's a most treasured gift and one they will love forever!  I am so honored to be a part of that exchange of love!  Robin

Juggling, childrens portrait, dog portrait painting, woodblock print & marketing

Still on the easel is this painting of a little mutt (I love mutts!) on a retro orange vinyl ottoman.  My dilemma is needing a name for this piece, so I am asking my Facebook fans to help.  It's one of the little things I never thought about when I decided that, in addition to my pet and childrens portraits, I'd paint, draw and print pieces to sell at shows and at my Etsy Store.  Speaking of which, I am trying to keep my head down, so to speak.  I've never worked without deadlines before, never.  And then there's the marketing, updating the online sites, looking for shows and galleries that would be a fit.

It's a juggling act that all artists do.  I'm convinced the better you are as a juggler, the better chances for success you have.  Until of course, you're so successful, you can hire people to do it for you.

Back to the dog, I really enjoyed painting the retro, mid century modern ottoman.  I can always put a dog on a carpet or grass, but I really like dark backgrounds with just a hint of something in the back (can you see the curtains?) and well lit foreground.  I see some tweaking, so hopefully will have this guy off and dry and varnished at the same time I have a name!

I've been approached recently for shows and gallery shows.  It's hard to figure out what would work for me, so a lot of thinking and investigating to do.  The important thing for both of those, of course, is to be ready.  So I've been keeping my head down and working.

At the same time, you know I love commission work.  I love collaborating with my clients to create the portrait of their dreams.  It's such a thrill to be chosen and I will never take that for granted.  I'm glad people like my style and how I approach my work.  I'm in the middle of one of a darling little girl, I'll be showing you her in a day or so.

AND, I have a woodblock print of a pug I've been DYING to get to.  Wood is cut, drawing done, new set of my favorite knives bought (I like disposable ones), just need to do it! 

Do I sound like I'm complaining?  The only complaint is the number of hours in a day.  I want to do it all even more!  It's so important to make the most of each minute.  But that's true for all of us, isn't it? Whether you're an artist or not?

Hey, about that name...suggestions welcome, here or HERE.  My Portraits site is http://robinzebley.com/.  Thanks for visiting my blog, I really do appreciate your visit, and I LOVE comments! Robin

Yorkshire Terrier Pet Portrait - Tanker

Here's Tanker, an adorable little yorkie who is the subject of this Christmas pet portrait commission!  I "painted" him in colored pencil..prismacolors and colorsofts on 16 x 20 Mi Tientes pastels paper.  I love his little face, his mistress claims it looks just like him, and the way his fur is cut so that it covers his ears!  He loves to chase backyard birds so I put the birdfeeder in his portrait to make it more personal!

I'm artist, Robin Zebley.  If you'd like more basic info on me and my art, here's my pet and childrens portrait site and for the most current info, Fan me on Facebook, where in the coming weeks, we'll have some fun goings on!  Thanks for visiting! Robin