Dee Dee Murry Art Studio

Ready for Action

2010-04-28T11:03:00.000-07:00

Just finished this for the Parklane Gallery Miniatures show in Kirkland. 4" x 6" acrylic on fabriano hot press wc paper. Hallie and I took it up to the gallery yesterday, they already had about 300 entries and hadn't gotten to the mail in ones yet, it should be a really good show if anyone is in the area. Runs May 4-30 I believe.

Three Dachshunds Portrait

2010-04-11T22:52:00.000-07:00

I finished Dee and Dave's three doxie boy's portrait last night. Duggie, Sarge and Looie, 16 x 20, acrylic on board. They were a lot of fun to paint with their colors and markings.

Dachshund Umbrella 2

2010-02-12T11:02:00.000-08:00

Here are the rest of the images. My friends John and Sandy and sister in law Kathy also painted some beautiful umbrellas. It was fun and quite a learning experience.

Dachshund Umbrella

2010-02-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

I painted this umbrella for a wine and arts festival in Salem, Oregon.

Thor

2009-07-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

Here I am with my favorite Friesian, Thor. I have done 2 paintings of him now (more to come), Splash Dance and Shadow Play.

Magic, Haflinger Stallion photo

2009-07-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

Hallie and I went to my cousins tonight for the 4th of July, took a ton of photos of her horses (Friesian, Haflinger, Tennessee Walker, Arab, Warmblood, and thoroughbred). Here is one of Magic, her Haflinger stallion.

Andalusian Stallion 6

2009-06-16T00:14:00.001-07:00

It's been a long and winding road with this guy but I think he's about done. There are things I would have liked to have gone a little differently with him but I am happy with the overall "experiment" aspect of it. It was fun to try something a little out of the ordinary.

Andalusian Stallion 5

2009-06-05T00:12:00.000-07:00

I've been getting some good advice on the mane, for some tweaking that would improve it. So will be reworking it some. Here is a bit of an update though, I had planned to put mane on the near side covering his neck also but realized that would be "mane overkill". So I am going to give him a bare neck this side and just some mane falling over up near his ears. The added whispy hairs on the lit up mane here are just quick photoshopped suggestions I haven't repainted it yet. I have started working in the shoulder area more also. Still a lot to go on the forelock.

Andalusian Stallion 4

2009-06-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

I am really having fun with this. I don't know that it will be exactly "correct" in the end but it's really fun being able to play and experiment and try some new things to see how they work out. Painting "outside the box" a bit. The bright mane is a little scary right now but I have more to do to it and by the time the other rim highlights are put in on top of him I'm hoping it will all balance out.

Little Chickadee

2009-06-01T01:35:00.000-07:00

Just finished this little guy tonight he'll be part of a bigger design by a very talented artist. He has a bit of Disney to him to help him look cheery. Now back to the Andalusian...so I can get back to the dachshunds...:)

Andalusian Stallion 3

2009-05-28T23:57:00.001-07:00

Not much time to work on him today but here is the update. Mainly have been going over (and over and over...)his head. Still more to go on the head though. I'm anxious to get to the mane!

Andalusian Stallion 2

2009-05-27T21:42:00.000-07:00

Not a big change but a couple hours more of refining his face and starting on an ear...

Andalusian Stallion

2009-05-25T23:56:00.001-07:00

I don't like working on more than one painting at a time but I had to start this horse so I would have an entry at the Emerald Downs show this year. I have gotten more done on Duggie the Doxie but haven't scanned it yet.

This is Hostal, a friend of mine's Andalusian Stallion who passed away a couple of years ago. He was amazing...and very much missed. This was from my last photo shoot with him. I wanted to have him back lit to give him a glow that he seemed to radiate on his own. He had a big presence about him. This is acrylic on gessoboard, 11 x 14 and all underpainting so far so a bit in the messy stage.

Dave and Dee no peeking!

2009-05-08T11:40:00.000-07:00

I've been working on the three dachshund portrait. I am posting it here at a risk because I'm not sure if their human parents peek in or not! And I always like to wait until a painting is done to show it to the owners. But I wanted to show this at an ugly stage, with just underpainting going on, when it is at this point there are many hours ahead of blocking and layering, it will get more fun once it gets to the top layers and the details start to happen. I always like to finish the eyes first (the funnest part) so I have something to keep me going thru the tedious parts!

This handsome doxie is Duggie, a wonderful silver dapple with great ears that stick out a bit like the flying nun! I am really enjoying painting these 3 boys! As you can see from the first post of this, we have changed the background color from dark green to these tan tones.

Acrylic on gessobord, 16 x 20.

Along the Rim - Red Fox

2009-04-25T23:46:00.000-07:00

Just finished this little guy, he's only 4" x 6", acrylic on fabriano hot press paper.

Terry Isaac Workshop - Tiger wip

2009-04-19T20:48:00.001-07:00

Here is my tiger as of the end of the 4 day workshop. Still have quite a bit to finish with him. But it was an awesome workshop and as always I learned a lot from Terry.

Hallie at Terry Isaac's workshop.

2009-04-18T20:24:00.001-07:00

Here is Hallie working hard at Terry's workshop.

Terry Isaac Workshop

2009-04-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

Today is day 3 out of 4 of the Terry Isaac workshop. I love Terry's workshops, he is an excellent teacher (and of course amazing artist). I always learn a ton. We are working on an acrylic painting of a tiger head. The days have flown by so far I'll hate to see it end, but looking forward to tomorrow.

Hallie of course is accompanying me and scoring treats off of some of the other students. She's been a very good girl as always. Here is a picture of Terry holding her.

If any artists reading this get the chance to go to a Terry Isaac workshop, please do, you will not be disappointed.

Rusty, chocolate lab commission

2009-04-14T23:39:00.001-07:00

I have finished "Rusty", a beautiful chocolate lab that was commissioned as a surprise birthday gift. I really enjoyed painting him, he has amazing eyes and as you can see he is crazy about his ball. This is acrylic on masonite, 18 x 24.

2008-12-30T21:13:00.000-08:00

A nice article in the Seattle Times, Monday Dec. 29, 2008.

Seattle Times Article.

Three Dachshund Commission

2008-12-26T21:43:00.000-08:00

Here is the rough composition of three wonderful dachshunds, Duggie, Sarge and Looie. I've really been looking forward to this one! It will be 16 x 20, acrylic on gessobord.

Newspaper Article

2008-12-08T17:36:00.001-08:00

This was in todays paper. Another excuse to get Hallie in the news! :)

News Article

Gracie

2008-12-03T11:32:00.000-08:00

Here is the finished portrait of Gracie, a beautiful young Dane. I especially enjoyed painting her, having had a Dane myself a few years ago. I love the breed. I think Gracie has exceptional eyes that melt your heart. This portrait is 16 x 20 acrylic on gessobord.

the Artist's Magazine competition

2008-11-06T13:39:00.000-08:00

I couldn't post this for 4 months now as I was sworn to secrecy until the magazine came out but someone just congratulated me so the December issue must be out.

I won the wildlife division of the Artist's magazine annual competition with Great Gray Hunter, out of over 1600 entries. There were 11,000 entries total in all categories together. That is my biggest win so far.

Here is a bit on the juror, Brennie Brackett, I love her sheep painting on this page.

IALHA Magazine Cover

2008-10-17T21:04:00.001-07:00

My painting "All Would Envy" of a bay Andalusian Stallion was chosen to be on the cover of the Andalusian National Show issue. They also included a very nice article inside. You can see the magazine here.

All Would Envy is available as a fine art print.

Federal Duck Stamp Judging

2008-10-17T20:58:00.001-07:00

Today is the first day of the Federal Duck Stamp judging. They have moved 30 out of the 270 entries on to the second round tomorrow when the winner will be chosen. My entry has made it in the top 30 so far. There are several beautiful entries in there though I have my guesses which will win! (and they aren't mine! :) )

You can see all the entries here.

People's Choice

2008-09-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

I just learned that my painting that won Best of Show in Puyallup, also won the People's Choice award every day of the 3 week show there. And it also sold.

Animals in Montana

2008-09-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

I just got back from 8 days at a wildlife photo shoot in Montana that was amazing. We shot for 4 days, barbary lion, tiger, grizzlies, black bear, wolves, black leopard, cougar, red fox, porcupine, skunk, raccoon, pine marten, bobcat...all were very well trained and loose in the wilderness with us just feet away. They ran and leaped out of trees, wolves howling on a rock with mountains behind them, tiger running right at us, grizzly bear swimming in a river, all with gorgeous backgrounds and beautiful lighting early morning and late evening. I can't wait to start painting! I highly recommend Troy and Tracy Hyde's "Animals in Montana" photo shoot in Bozeman.

My little Hallie dog got to see a lot of new critters from her perch in the van where my friend and her little dog were watching it all from! Hallie says they grow cats really big in Montana...

Sueellen Ross

2008-09-05T19:17:00.001-07:00

We went to the awards ceremony last night for the Best of Show my painting won (very nice event!!!) and got to meet one of my all time favorite artists, Sueellen Ross. She is so gracious and so nice and I was in awe to see that many of her originals together at one time. Absolutely gorgeous and inspiring work. She was nice enough to hold my Hallie for a photo. So Hallie gets to add Sueellen Ross to her life list of photos I've taken of artists holding her, along with Terry Isaac and Dan Smith. (not to mention Rickie Lee Jones the singer!)

Best in Show

2008-08-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

I just learned that I won Best in Show at the Puyallup State Fair art show. I don't have this years numbers but there are usually close to 1000 entries and about 700 usually get juried in. My little raccoon also won 3rd in the miniatures division (usually around 200 entries).

"Shadow Play" Wins

2008-08-17T21:08:00.000-07:00

My painting "Shadow Play" won People's Choice at the SWW Arts with 143 votes and also first place. Another nice surprise as there were many very nice paintings at the show.

"Shadow Play" wins People's Choice Award

2008-07-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

I was very happy to hear that "Shadow Play" won the People's Choice award in the Washington Thoroughbred Foundations "Equine Art 2008" show at Emerald Downs Race Track in Auburn, WA on July 10 - July 13, 2008. It was a very classy show with a wide variety of art styles, if you ever get the chance to see (or enter!) this show it's worth the trip.

2008-07-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

I just finished "Shadow Play", an 18 x 24 acrylic painting of an Andalusian stallion. I have been wanting to experiment with some dramatic lighting like this.
www.deedeemurry.com

Horses in Art Magazine

2008-07-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

I was very honored (and surprised!) to win a competition with "Horses in Art Magazine" for the cover of their summer 2008 issue with my painting of a Friesian stallion on the beach titled "Splash Dance". They also gave me a full one page ad as well as an article. They did a beautiful job.

Dan Smith Workshop

2008-06-30T11:08:00.000-07:00

I just returned from an incredible workshop at a ski lodge in the mountains near Penticton BC with Dan Smith and his son Adam. I had hoped for many many years to take a workshop from Dan but never had the opportunity. I was not disappointed, I learned so much and soaked in tons of inspiration from his original paintings there not to mention Adams that is one TALENTED kid! The group was limited to 35 students and everyone was wonderful, it was a very inspiring and informative week. I started a painting of a bighorn sheep while I was there and will be posting it when I get it done. I am really enjoying painting it in the new methods I learned. Dan rarely does workshops but if you ever get a chance to go to one, I'd highly recommend it. We got an extra bonus one evening with a visit from Terry Isaac, he lives there in Penticton and is old friends with Dan so he came over and helped on student critique night. Awesome.

The workshop was run by Denise Soule and her husband Jamie with "Wild Streak" who puts on great workshops and reference gathering trips for artists.

Miniature Raccoon

2008-04-27T23:28:00.000-07:00

Just finished this little raccoon. He is 4" x 6" acrylic on hot press watercolor paper. I plan to enter him in the Parklane Gallery miniatures show that I just heard about 3 days ago. Which means I have been working like crazy on this to get it done in time. I am delivering it tomorrow but just read about the framing and I have the wrong kind of frame. So here's hopin' some framer in the area tomorrow will take pity on me and help me get it framed right! :)

Terry Isaac Workshop

2008-04-20T20:48:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a 3 day workshop with one of my all time favorite artists, Terry Isaac. It was awesome! I learned a ton and we worked on an eagle in class. Here is as far as I got with mine, I have more to do with the feathers and to put a background in yet. If you ever get the chance to take a workshop from Terry, I highly recommend it, he is an great teacher, an incredible artist and a really nice guy!

Great Gray Owl Finished

2008-02-21T21:41:00.000-08:00

I have just finished the Great Gray Owl, which I titled "Great Gray Hunter". (spoof off of "Great White Hunter".) It was a lot of long tedious hours to get all those feathers and grass blades but also a lot of fun to do my first owl. As usual I am both relieved to have it done and also going to miss working on it!

Great Gray Owl WIP 3

2008-02-15T14:53:00.000-08:00

Another update. Lots of feathers! I still have a lot to do on everything below his neck.

Great Gray Owl WIP 2

2008-02-11T14:12:00.001-08:00

Here is an update on the owl. Mapping in all those feathers took ages but now back to the fun part of painting in details. This photo is showing it more red than it actually is.

Great Gray Owl 1

2008-02-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

I have been working on this Great Gray Owl. It is acrylic, 18 x 24 on Gessobord. Still a lot of work to do on the face, and once the owl is done there will be a lot more grass all around him. I have been wanting to paint an owl for a long time, and finally have the chance. Great Grays have such interesting dinner plate faces!

Koda finished

2007-12-07T03:05:00.001-08:00

I think I am finished with Koda's portrait. I'm going to sleep on it tonight and get a fresh look in the morning before signing it.

Another Koda update

2007-11-30T00:17:00.000-08:00

I am really enjoying painting Koda, she is such a beautiful dog! Almost done with her head now, then I can start the rest of her which won't take quite as much time a I won't have to work around eyes and nose and such.

Koda Update

2007-11-19T21:42:00.001-08:00

It doesn't look like much progress but there are a few more hours into this now.

Koda Portrait progress

2007-10-30T00:35:00.000-07:00

A few more hours into Koda's portrait.

Koda, Australian Shepherd

2007-10-30T00:32:00.001-07:00

I have started a commission of a beautiful red tri Australian Shepherd. The painting of the blue merle, Buster, is Koda's "brother". I am really enjoying painting Koda so far.

Bruin for Trouble at the Art Show

2007-09-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

I entered Bruin for Trouble (see in earlier post below) in my first juried mini show where it won first over 206 entries. It also sold. Red arrow is pointing to the painting. I think I'm going to like painting miniatures! :)

I also entered and was accepted into the show (148 were juried in out of an entry of 218) with my original of "It's a Big New World Out There" (see www.deedeemurry.com/dogs.htm). It also sold. This mixed media painting of a dachshund pup is about 13 x 17 and is available as prints.

An aside note, this was the first time in 18 yrs (I believe) of entering the Federal that I didn't get my entry done in time. I was happy with the ducks but struggled with the background as I did not have any reference for that and was trying to conjure it soley out of my head. It was looking good but then took a turn south when I tried airbrushing a new color of green over it. And not enough time then to fix it and finish.

I'll be starting earlier next year!

Mallards Update

2007-08-06T01:18:00.000-07:00

I am working on the drake now, he still has a long way to go but getting there. The hens reflection looks a little out of place yet, it should all fit together better once I get some details into the water.

Bruin for Trouble, finished

2007-08-06T01:08:00.000-07:00

I ran out of time on this as it has to be framed tonight (or should I say...this morning, it is 1:15 am). I would have liked a few more days to finish it but this will have to do!

Your eyes aren't playing tricks on you...there is a puzzle design overlaid on the image. I have had my art work stolen several times and being sold on eBay and Cafe Press, copyrights are too easy to remove, so I am experimenting with this puzzle design.

Bear and Crow progress

2007-07-31T00:29:00.000-07:00

I am working on this one at the end of the day when I am burnt out from painting on the ducks. So it's coming along slowly but getting there.

Acrylic Mallard Duck Painting

2007-07-25T23:57:00.000-07:00

I am doing my famous "wait unti the last minute to start the duck" trick. It has finally hit me this is due in a couple of weeks and I need to get cracking. So I've put the bear aside to work on this. It is acrylic on gessobord, 7" x 10".

The mallard hen is about 85% complete. I will tweak and adjust her after I get things painted in around her and can compare values, etc.

And yes, awl theze phethers r hawrd on mi eyes...

Bear and Crow

2007-07-21T23:56:00.000-07:00

A little further along now. I've added some washes to the bear and started working up some detail all around a bit. Still a long way to go though.

Bear and Crow acrylic painting in miniature

2007-07-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

I was taking photos of this snoozing grizzly when a crow landed on the rock next to him. The bear woke up and stared at the crow as if he wasn't quite sure what to do about it. The crow ignored the bear...maybe he thought he was part of the rock.

What happened next was somewhat exciting. But I will leave it to your imagination to finish the rest of the story. :)

I am painting this one in miniature, 4" x 6". Acrylic on hot press WC paper.