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Sunday, December 29, 2013

Xiao Blue and Haru: The end of 2013

Haru and Xiao Blue

The last piece I completed in 2013.

We are a family (2 kids, 2 parents, 2 grandparents) that loves dogs and, at the same time, has various allergies to animals.  The solution for us was 'designer dogs'.  We first adopted Xiao Blue, an Australian Shepherd and Standard Poodle mix.  At the time of our search my daughter asked her then 3 year old daughter what kind of dog she wanted.  Reply:  BLUE.  So mom searched for blue merl and found our first dog, bred on a Mennonite farm near Hamilton, Ontario Canada.  When he returned to his new home, he was named Xiao (little in Chinese...as was the daughter) Blue.

Years pass and some one...still don't know how it was decided...drove back to the Mennonite farm for a dog companion for Mr. Blue.  His sister Haru (Japanese for spring when she was born) shares the same Poodle father.  Haru's mother is a Golden Retriever.  The two dogs could not be more different.

Mr Blue is incredibly smart.  Understands 100's of words...even in conversation.  While Ms. Haru is a delightful DOG.  Wacky and wonderful.  

This year I decided to gift the parents and kids with the dogs' portrait for Christmas.  The background is a piece of blue fabric that is aptly printed with very faint Chinese characters.

I matted and framed the piece and it now hangs in the family office/study.

Ms. Haru

Mr. Blue

8 comments:

  1. Diane, this piece is gorgeous!! And so sweet of you to create as a gift. Very special!! They must all love it!!

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    1. Thanks! I think they like it a lot. I know for certain that the formerly 3 year old (12 in a couple of days) LOVES it :^)

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  2. Please, please, please bottle some of your fabulously creative energy and send me some -- I do so admire all that you accomplish and the way you embrace your art. It's inspirational.

    Diane

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    1. Thanks for your post, it comes just in the nick of time. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

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  3. What a wonderful gift for your family. I enjoyed your description of the dog's backgrounds and personalities, too.

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  4. What a lovely heartfelt gift for your family! Looking forward to collaborating with you for more fun and creative projects in 2014!

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  5. It's wonderful! How did you ever keep it a secret from the younger artists?

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  6. So beautiful! What a wonderful gift.

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