Category: Dog Art Gift Guide

  • Letterpress Pit Bull Cards

     

    Pit_bull_greeting_cards_1

    Thank you, Jessi McNamara, for letting me know about the new cards you designed in collaboration with illustrator, Stephanie Fitzsimmons, to benefit Even Chance Pit Bull Advocacy + Resources + Rescue.   All proceeds of these beautiful letterpress cards, starring five different Pit Bulls who have successfully been re-homed, will go directly to Even Chance.  Each card also features a word that describes the dog: forgiving, devoted, resilient, charming, and exuberant.  And the 5-card set is presented in a charming cloth bag. Lovely gift for the Pit Bull-lover in your life.

    Order your set at the Even Chance Shop on etsy.

    Pit_bull_greeting_card_2

    Pit_bull_greeting_card_3

    Pit_bull_greeting_card_4

    You may remember Jessi's work from the Even Chance Pit Bull Calendar featured here last February.

  • The Flip Mino with Dog Art

    Flip_mino_disc_dog 

    Disc Dog from DogPlay

    Ta Da!  Day 12 of my 12 days of dog gifts, and I have great suggestion: the Flip Mino with dog art.  If you're not a gadget geek, you may not have heard of this amazing device.  Basically, it's a camcorder that fits in your pocket and allows you to upload your videos directly to the web.  Don't freak out that it sounds too complicated for you.  Several of my friends who are not extraordinarily tech-savvy rave about theirs.

    What I love is that you can now personalize the Flip Mino with and image of your dog (email me and I will do it for free) or you can find one with cool dog art or graphics of your breed at CafePress.    And what could be better for a dog lover than a handy little device that lets you video hours of dog antics and share them with the world.  Not cheap at $179.00 (and $229.99 for HD) but not crazy expensive either for all it can do.

    For more in depth info read Cnet's review.  Or watch Mike Weland, the technology reporter at Free Press, review his in this YouTube video.

    Flip_mino_hd_dog 

    Dog Bones and Paws from OtterTail Art

    Flip_mino_dog_photo

    Eye See You! from Shelter Shack

    Flip_mino_border_collie

    Border Collie from JillyJax Pet Art

    Flip_mino_pekingese

    Pekingese from Maggie Ross

    See more Flip Minos with dog art at CafePress.

  • Pierre Bonnard’s Late Interiors at the Met

    Pierre_bonnard_before_dinner

    Before Dinner, 1924

    Day 11 of my Dog Art Gift Guide:  A trip to the Met to see Pierre Bonnard's Late Interiors.  Yes, this is probably a fantasy gift unless you live in NYC, but a girl can dream.

    The exhibition runs from January 27 – April 19, 2009.   Click here for more information.


    Related links:

    Pierre Bonnard's Dachshunds
    Bonnard's Dog Art Still Needs a Home

  • Dog Breed Ornaments by Mary Ann Varanelli

    784

    Sheltie

    Day 10 of my gift guide was a nice surprise.  I wanted to feature ornaments, but since interesting, artistic, dog-centric ornaments are harder to find than you might think, I was about to give up.   So when Mary Ann Varanelli sent me these photos, I looked no further.  Each ornament is made of hand dyed wool, felted for softness and durability, with glass bead eyes and  eco-friendly fiberfill stuffing.  Super sweet works of Christmas dog art for your tree.

    845

    Rottweiler

    840

    Chinese Crested

    788

    Fox Terrier

    862

    Wire Haired Dachshund

    See more breeds and place your order at Best Friends Studios.
  • Dog Breed Portraits from Ballard Design

    Shih_tzu_print

    Shih Tzu

    I usually like to feature individual artists and handmade items here.  But I am intrigued by this line of dog prints from Ballard Design, so I thought I would share.  First, I think they are very charming.  I like the "hand written" descriptions of the breeds and the neutral colored images against the black frame.   I also appreciate the extensive list of breeds they offer, 98 in total.  And, I am impressed that the artistic husband and wife team, Vivienne and Sponge, turned their artwork into a mass market product line, while still incorporating a cottage industry vibe — each print is hand colored.

    I know a lot of artists read this blog, and becoming a "corporate" artist may not be for everyone, but it's inspiring to see dog art going mainstream and still looking good. 

    (Note: the images became a little blurry when enlarged.  Visit Ballard Design to get a clearer picture.  Also be aware that prints are available online only.)

    Scottie_print

    Scottie

    Basset_hound_print_2

    Basset Hound

    Portuguese_water_dog_print_2

    Portuguese Water Dog

    Cairn_terrier

    Cairn Terrier

    P.S. Since many shipping deadlines are fast approaching, I am speeding up my 12 days of Christmas in order to get the whole gift guide completed by tomorrow (hopefully).
  • Dog Sculptures

    Day 8:  My favorite dog art sculptures for gift giving this season.

    Yellow_dog_crayon_sculpture copy 

    The Yellow Lab Crayon Dog sculpture by Herb Williams made of Crayolas.   OK, it’s $18,000, but it’s brilliant and it smells like your childhood.  From Vivre.

    Welded_dog_sculpture 

    Bruno the Dog made from nuts and bolts from BrownDogWelding’s Etsy shop.  10% of profits got to Home Furever animal shelter and Genesis House women’s shelter in Detroit.  Awesome!

    Great_dane_sculpture

    Great Dane Mother and Pup miniature soft sculptures by Lucy Maloney.  From her Dogartist’s Etsy shop.  visit her website to commission an original.  Truly amazing!

    Clay_dog_statues 

    Gary Steinborn’s Venice Clay Dogs were a big hit when I featured them this summer.  I still adore these guys.

    Helen_musselwhite 

    Daphne in the Woods, remarkable paper artwork, handcrafted by British artist Helen Musselwhite.  Order this one or commission your own.    Via If It’s Hip, It’s Here.

  • The Dog Bailout Gift Card as Seen on Oprah

    Oprah_shelter_ dog_gift_card 

    Oprah and her Lange Foundation gift card via Oprah.com

    Day 7 of my 12 Days of Christmas, Kwanzaa, Yule, and Hanukkah Gift Guide (for those still counting).  Today, I give you the gift that caused a sensation when Oprah featured it on her Investigation of Puppy Mills show last year…

    The Doggie Bailout from the Lange Foundation.

    $75 will save dog (or cat) from the L.A. City Animal Shelters.  The gift's recipient will receive a photo of the dog you rescued and a story about the pet from founder, Gillian Lange.  The donation goes towards the shelter "bail-out fee", medical care, and other kennel related expenses. You are also invited to stop by the kennel and inquire about specific dogs who are in need.

    Here is an excerpt of the letter Oprah received from Salina, a blind Cocker Spaniel chosen in her honor:

    "One morning last week there was great excitement. … One of the dogs
    had heard an officer say that someone from Lange Foundation was coming
    to choose a dog in your honor. I shared in the excitement, even though
    I knew the dog chosen would not be me. I was old and I was blind. I'd
    lived for many years in the yard of my owner's home. They never paid
    much attention to me. I did have my own doghouse, and that is where I
    spent most of my life, especially when I could no longer see.

    "When the foundation arrived, I tried to look my best as I knew it was
    my fifth day at the pound—my final day. The lady slowly walked up and
    down the aisles. I could sense that she was sad, and I heard her say to
    the kennel man, 'I wish I could take all of them.' She passed by my
    crowded dog run for the third time, and then she stopped and said, 'I
    think I'll take that one … I'll take the blind one.'"

    Oprah was so moved, she immediately wrote the Lange Foundation a check for $10,000.

    With this card, you truly are giving the gift of life.  And after all we have seen, don't dogs deserve a bailout too this year?

    The Lange Foundation also reminds dog lovers to think of them when your are out shopping this season. They are always in need of the following items:

    • Any kind of canned dog or cat food
    • Hills Science Diet A/D (special formula available at vets offices)
    • Hills Science Diet I/D (special formula available at vets offices)
    • Light Food 
    • Leashes and collars
    • Dog and cat beds
    • Cat trees
    • Indestructible chew
    • Toys (Nylabone)
    • Cow Hooves
    • Advantage
    • Frontline
    • Kitty Litter (preferably the clay formula)
    • Veterinary Supplies (call us for more details on what we use)
    • Towels, sheets, and blankets
    • Office supplies

    For more information call: (310) 472-7727

  • Dog Lover Gifts: $20 + Under

    I really do believe it's the thought that counts.  Don't go crazy this season.  Spend what you can and wrap it with love.  Here my thrifty but fabulous dog-centric gifts…

    Beagle_cowl

    The Beagle Cowl.  What could be more chic?  $10 from kconwayshop's Etsy shop.

    Dachshund_soap

    Le Dachshund Soap might be too pretty to use.  $20 from wishingfish.com.

    Jacquie_lawson_e_card

    Give a subscription to Jacquie Lawson e-cards, the best cards on the web.  1 year, unlimited cards, for $12.

    Dog_biscotti

    Doggie Biscotti.  Banana and peanut flavored.  Yum!  $5 from BenAndDutchess's Etsy shop.

    Mod_dog_collar

    The Mod Dot dog collar.  $14.99 from luckyfiona's Etsy shop.

    Black_lab_note_cards

    Black Lab personalized note cards.  Other breeds too from BellaBluedesigns's Etsy shop.  $15 for 10.

    Dog_art_print

    Two Dogs Sleeping on the Beach linocut from AntheaArt's Etsy shop.  $18.
     

  • Pop Dog Collages by Michel Keck

    Dog_art_german_shepherd

    German Shepherd

    Day 5 of my Holiday Gift Guide, and I intended to present an array of dog prints.  But then Michel Keck’s work showed up in my inbox this morning, and I couldn’t get past them.  I’ve featured may pop artists and many collage artists, but she is the first pop collage dog artists I’ve found.  I really like her work and I thought you would too.

    Her open edition prints range from $35 -$399 depending on size.  They are available here.

    Dog_art_golden_retriever

    Golden Retriever

    Dog_art_greyhound

    Greyhound

    Dog_art_labrador_retriever

    Labrador Retriever

    Dog_art_boxer

    Boxer

    Learn more about Michel, a prolific, self-taught, Midwestern, dog-loving artist, at her website and blog.

    P.S.  I have more prints coming in the next few days, too.

  • Dog Leash of the Year

    Found_rope_leash wp_IMG

    It’s Day 4 of my Gift Guide for Dog Lovers and I am only featuring one product, the Found My Animal Dog Leash.  You can Google for hours and find thousands of leashes, but this one is my favorite.   It is the brainchild of Anna Conway, who asked her fisherman brother-in-law to make her a leash for her new rescued pup. 

    Then, she decided to make them available to honor other owners of rescued dogs.  She added a numbered brass tag with the word “FOUND” to symbolize each dog’s uniqueness, and tweaked the dimensions for small and large dogs.  And, she pledged 25% of the proceeds to the Louis
    Animal Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to spaying/neutering
    and providing homes for animals who have not yet ‘found’
    their people.
       It’s also the perfect leash for vegan owners who eschew leather.  Win/win/win/win.

    Order yours at Found My Animal.

    Found_rope_leash_2 wp_IMG

    Click here to view their photo gallery of rescued dogs with their Found leashes.  Adorable!

    Via PupStyle.