Category: Dog Art Gift Guide

Dog Art Calendars

Day 3: Calendars for dog lovers. Order one for yourself too.

One of my favorite calendars this year is the one I helped create. It is a collaboration with Michelle Page and her Nepalese dog sign painters. They provided the vibrant, humorous, and totally original artwork and I put it together and made it available for $19.99 at CafePress.

I am so pleased with the way it came out and that it continues to publicize these artists who were being replaced by computers, giving them new outlets to sell their work to customers around the world. See my earlier post about it, including images of all the dogs/months here.

The Emancipe+ 2009 Pet Calendar features the original artwork of three artists, Heather Christofero, Tim Kerr, and Pat Falconer. Emancipe+ is an Austin-based organization dedicated to preventing animal homelessness and putting an end to euthanasia as a means of population control by providing low-cost or free surgical sterilization of dogs and cats. All proceeds from this lovely calendar go towards Emancepe+’s mission. (Note: some cat paintings included.) Click here to order yours.

Linda O’Neill’s 2009 Dog Desk Calendar is super sweet. With 12 of her wonderful pups it will brighten up any dog lover’s day (and desk). Avaiable at her Abby Creek Etsy Shop.

If you know someone who loves Boston Terriers and Mid Century Modern furniture, here is the perfect gift, Lili Chin’s Boogie On 2009 Calendar. It features her Boston Terrier, Boogie, on famous designer chairs from Eames, Aarino (below), Panton and more. I just love it! Order yours here.

December 4, 2008
Dog Art T-Shirts

Day 2 of my Holiday Gift Guide: My picks of the best t-shirts for dog lovers from around the Web.

OK, first I need to start with my Dog Mom T-shirts that continue to be bestsellers. Seen here, the Boxer Mom women’s short sleeved T. I have many breeds and styles including sweatshirts, tank tops, and plus sizes. Email me to add your breed (no charge and no obligation.)

Jack Russell Skeledog T-shirt, cool and creepy, the best of both. From Skeledog’s Etsy Shop. Dachshund, Poodle, German Shepherd, Greyhound, Golden Retriever Skeledogs are also available.

Shar Pei Santa Hat T-shirt from Purely Pups. They have lots of breed. Find yours here.

The estate of Charley Harper, the renowned Minimal Realist animal artist, must have licensed his work to Old Navy. Three of his images, Bird, Dog and Frog, are available on t-shirts for babies and tots. The Dog reminds me of of Dog Art Today reader Jenn Dixon’s English Springer Spaniel named Patrick.

I discovered the Charley Harper T-shirts on Eleanor Grosh’s blog. She, too, is an amazing Minimal Realist artist. Visit her site for more gift ideas.

The I Heart Tripods T-shirt was originally designed to raise money for Lulu’s mom after Lulu lost her leg to cancer and bills piled up to $10,000. Now, having paid her debt, she donates to other Tripod dogs and owners in need. Cool shirt for a good cause available here. Via PupStyle.

Wolf T-shirt from Foe Paws

Boston Terrier puppy dog T-shirt by Fauna. Available at Design Public.

December 3, 2008
Dog Art Necklaces

For Day 1 of my holiday gift guide, I am featuring some of my favorite dog inspired necklaces.

The Pissing Dog necklace by András Rigler…

funny + charming

funky too

**Update: I just heard back from András Rigler, the Pissing Dog designer, alas, it is only a prototype, and not for sale. I will keep you posted on if or when it becomes available.

Custom Pet Photo Pendants from Mod-Dog. In black + white or color. With the bone charm or not….

So sweet!

Scrabble Tile Necklace from My Creations Plus's Etsy Shop. These pendants are a great deal at $5.50. Buy 2 and get 1 free. There are several dog breeds. Also cats, birds, owls, plants, butterflies and more. Super cute…

Princess Chihuahua

Puppy Love hand stamped sterling silver necklaces on rawhide black or pink cord from Woobiekins's Etsy Shop…

simple + sincere

December 2, 2008
Dog Art Today’s 12 Days of Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule or Kwanzaa Gift Ideas

For the next 12 days I will be featuring creative, crafty, pragmatic or luxurious gifts for the dog lover in your life. I know there is a massive credit crunch squeezing the global economy. But, thoughtful, original gifts don’t need to be expensive. Finding them just takes a little time. Hopefully, that’s where I can help this season. I have been scouting interesting finds this whole year to share with you to make your shopping, shipping and enjoyment of the holidays a little easier.

Feel free to email me and let me know what you are looking for or what you would like to see more of.

BTW, did you know the Twelve Days of Christmas might not just be a rousing Christmas carol but rather, “a song of Christian instruction dating to the 16th
century religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic
teachings of the Faith…a mnemonic device
to teach the catechism to youngsters.” For example, “Two turtle doves” represents the Old and New Testament. ( Read more here.)

Photo credit: Ripley by CastingShadows from his flickr photostream. This wonderful photo is also part of the book Merry Christmas from . . .150 Christmas Cards You Wish You’d Received. It looks cool, perhaps a great gift for someone on your list.

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December 2, 2008
Danger Dog Art Calendar 2009

I am pleased to announce my latest project. Michelle Page, who has turned her love for Nepalese hand-painted “Beware of Dog” signs into an international pet portrait business, and I have collaborated to create the 2009 Danger Dogs of Nepal Calendar. She provided the art and I created the design. We both picked the dogs, which was challenging because she has over 800 photos and each one is as charming as the next.

I was going to just show you some highlight pages, but I ran into the same problem. I love every dog. So here are all the months featured in the calendar:

The calendar is available for $19.99 plus shipping at our new Danger Dogs of Nepal store.

Visit Michelle’s website to see more Danger Dogs and commission a portrait of your pet (cats, horses, chickens, etc are welcome.) Also, visit Michelle’s blog to follow her adventures in Nepal. She is there right now working with the artists and discovering new ones to add to her network. It’s fascinating!

P.S. email me if you would like any of these images added to a t-shirt, mug, or print. I am happy to put these images on other products for free if you are interested in purchasing them.

Related links:

Danger Dogs in the New York Post

Danger Dog Art from Nepal

November 7, 2008
William Wegman’s 2008 Calendars, Christmas Cards and Ornaments.

William Wegman Snow Batty Christmas cards

A lot of visitors to Dog Art Today are searching for William Wegman gifts. So for all you Weimaraner loving Wegmaniacs out there, here are some helpful links for you. It’s not too late to order. Most of Wegman’s items are in stock and ship the next day. Shop now and enjoy your weekend. It’s time to get your “yule” on!

William Wegman’s Man’s Best Friend 2008 Calendar

William Wegman 2008 Puppies Calendar

William Wegman Santa ornament

December 14, 2007
Labrador Retriever Gifts

Ta daaaa! Coming in at number 1 on the most popular dog breed list is the Labrador Retriever. This seems exactly right as Chocolate, White, Yellow and Black Labs pop up everywhere in our lives and our culture these days. In LA they would be the Ford Explorer of dogs; sporty, nice looking, a little large for city-life, and ubiquitous. Also, super sweet. Here are some gift ideas for all the Lab lovers you know.

Yellow Lab greeting cards. I made this collage for my friend Katie. Her dog Wegman is happiest when she’s frolicking with Katie’s 4 children in their backyard. So I put Wegman in a “Magical Garden” of flowers that represent the month each child was born. Katie and her husband Matt’s flowers are included too. And Wegman is overjoyed! Framed prints and other great products with this collage are available at my DreamDogsArt Store.

Does your mom need something new to wear to dog shows this spring? A Labrador Retriever Mom t-shirt would be the perfect gift. Available in lots of colors and styles.

I couldn’t decide which Ken Bailey Labrador Retriever poster to feature so I’ll include them both: Three Lab Bakery and Black Dog Licorice.

Regular Dog Art Today readers know Ken is one of my all-time favorties!

A Sleeping June Yellow Lab mug from Georgia-based artist Will Eskridge would be a great Christmas gift, hostess gift, secret Santa or stocking stuffer. It would be nice to fill with doggie treats for your friend’s pet too!

Amy Reges’s Black Lab Christmas card. Amy has hundreds of lovely designs of Black Labs, Chocolate Labs and Yellow Labs for all occasions. She also offers original Lab-inspired sculptures, jewelry, silk scarves and custom paintings at her OtterTail Art website. Oh, Amy also breeds magnificent Labs on her NY farm — perfect one stop shopping for your dog and your artwork!

Lucky Yellow Lab porcelain ornament. It comes with a red ribbon for tree hanging and it would be perfect for the Irish Lab lover in your life. This image is also available on t-shirts if you’re shopping ahead for St. Patrick’s Day.

Framed Black Lab print by me, Moira McLaughlin. Also available on other products. Or you can get it as a signed unframed limited edition print at my Etsy store. It’s one of my most popular images.

A comfy Property of my Black Lab hooded sweatshirt would be great to wake up to on Christmas morning.

Premier dog artist Stephen Huneck’s limited edition giglee print, Sticks. A stunning Black Lab image with a timeless — and quintessentially holiday — message of peace.

November 16, 2007
Yorkshire Terrier Gifts

Yorkshire Terriers are the 2nd most popular dog breed in the U.S. But if you know a Yorkie you’d believe they’re number 1. They are surprisingly vocal for such little dogs. No other breed can get a word in edgewise. Here are some perfect gifts for the Yorkie lover in your life.

Ken Bailey is one of my favorite contemporary dog artists. He combines everything I love in his work: dogs, food, bold color and simple design. His Peanut Butter Yorkie poster is absolutely adorable!

Show your allegiance to team Yorkie with a Property of My Yorkie baseball cap in khaki or white.

Gorgeous Yorkie ornament from an original painting by my sister Sheila Cameron. I love the sweet, soulful eyes! It’s made of porcelain and comes with a red ribbon for tree hanging.

Sheila also designed this Yorkie Christmas card. If you ever met her Yorkie, Danny, you would understand the irony.

Feel free to challenge me on this, but Yorkie owners might be the most obsessed dog owners I know. I’ve heard of several with entire rooms devoted to Yorkie decor. If you know a Yorkie interior designer, this Yorkie pillow might be the perfect addition to his or her home.

Super cool screen print long sleeved Yorkie t-shirt from Alfie & Rex. Yorkie owners don’t just wear pink!

Yorkshire Terrier print from digital artist John W. Golden. Cute but not cute-sy.

Another Sheila design. “If think I’m a diva, you should meet my Yorkie” apron. Get cooking in Yorkie diva style.

November 15, 2007
German Shepherd Gifts

German Shepherds are the 3rd most popular dog breed in the U.S. This surprises me since I don’t know anyone who owns a German Shepherd (like how it’s all about me). But I trust the American Kennel Club’s statistics. And I trust that the German Shepherd owners are out there looking for Christmas gifts. So here are my picks:

Anne & Florent oil painting by Dog Art Today favorite Rachelle Oatman. Available through Dog Art Dealer Jaynie Milligan Spector. Obviously a mixed marriage.

Stunning White German Shepherd ornament. Made of porcelain, it comes with a red ribbon for tree hanging. From the White German Shepherd Store.

German Shepherd wired sculpture from Green Piece Wire Art. Also available as a topiary, in case you want a German Shepherd to simply stay in your yard and look pretty.

A German Shepherd herds his flock of sheep on this darling long sleeved t-shirt. Available in lots of great sizes and styles from Karen Hocker Studios.

Experts say not to give a puppy as a Christmas gift. But it’s soooo fun! If you do it this year, be sure to include the “Bible” of dog training, The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete, who have been breeding German Shepherds for over 20 years. I used this book to train and understand (the Monks are big on understanding your dog, which I love) my Dachshund. I wonder if that’s why he thinks he’s a big dog?

Another great gift for a new puppy owner, a German Shepherd Men’s Fleece. You’ll need it to keep warm while you’re outside trying to understand why your dog won’t do her business. You asked nicely.

Hand carved German Shepherd portrait by Michael John dePierro. Visit his Parts of a Larger World to custom order one of his sculptures of your pet. He does people too.

November 14, 2007
Golden Retriever Gifts

The 4th most popular breed in the U.S. is the Golden Retriever. A sweet one named Hazel lives next door to me. This Goldie gift post is dedicated to her.

Golden Retriever coaster. Image by me, Moira McLaughlin, entitled Bliss. I was inspired by David Hockney’s swimming pools. See it on lots of other products too.

Wonderful Golden Retriever photo by Virginia-based artist Jill Beninato. A photo session with her or one of her digital dog portraits would be a great gift this season!

“Good as gold” Golden Retriever greeting cards from Mod-Dog. Perfect sentiment, beautifully rendered!

A set of 8 Golden Retriever buttons. Recycled into wearable art from a 70s booklet. From Art4Milkbones.

Give the people what they want. This simple design always turns out to be a best seller. I highly recommend it for the Golden Retriever lover in you life.

I love this print entitled Abstract Yellow Dog. A sleepy Golden Retriever taken with a manual camera and some dodgy film, it’s totally old school. Discovered in Mellen’s shop on Etsy.

Awww! A handmade Golden Retriever dog leash hook. Another work of art from Art4Milkbones

Super cute Golden Retriever Christmas cards from Nothin’ Butt Dogs. Yes, they specialize in dog butt artwork : )

November 13, 2007