Hope you like the new Scottie in the Garden design! I “may” have gone overboard with all the pattern and Scottish references and let me just say that painting Tartan plaid has its challenges! There are four graphic references to Scottish culture… can you name them? A free set of cards to the first person who does!

I love the compact shape of these little dogs and all of the sharp angles in their profile. While playing around with the design above and after posting the Wordless Wednesday post of Oliver yesterday titled Play Ball? I came up with this little design below. Simple, silly and sweet- its just the way I roll. ; )

For ordering information click Here and select a design!            

I’m getting ready for the Allentown Festival this weekend. Shown below are some new paintings/studies that I hope to have framed for the show. Which one is your favorite? They don’t have titles yet… any suggestions?

Well, I have been strolling down memory lane with this one. Truly. I mean, how many kids get to bring a hound home to have her puppies and then get to experience the joy of opening a stall door and seeing a litter of tiny foxhound puppies come bounding out!? Oh, what joy.

Daddy and Jumbo, Kelly and Top, Kim and Signal, Me and Rookie, Momma and Alfie

The cutest ever. So this week has been a sort of “happy time” revisiting for me. Just today I sat and talked with my sister about our experiences and memories of foxhunting in MS. Run-away horses that came from the race track who were hard to handle in the field but eventually made lovely hunters. Hounds… the Walker pair named Mason and Dixon. Too funny.

My memories of the hounds themselves were very sweet, jovial, loving and affectionate. How they listened to the sound of the horn and my father’s voice (the Huntsman).

Its hard to forget the sound of a hound on the trail of a fox, or the shout of a “Tally-Ho” (when the fox is seen). There is barking… and then there is the bay or cry of a hound. Much different.  The heart races… in the horse and the rider at the sound of a hound on the scent.

I recall waiting with a group of 20 or so other riders as my dad “cast” the hounds into a wooded area. Everyone quiet and listening. How exciting it was to hear the cry of one hound… then two… then the whole pack. The horses heads would pop up. Their ears pricked forward… listening.  As the pack opened in full cry, the horses danced- ready to follow.

I have never known of a fox getting hurt or killed when I was younger. It wasn’t until I was older that I hear of how different hunting could be. Our hounds “ran them to ground”… into their holes until another day.

There was the knowledge that if there were no fox there would be no sport. It was all in the chase. There were many stories of fox “playing” with their pursuers, running in circles, confusing the hounds and then going to ground. I hope that sort of hunting can still take place, for the history, the sport and lovely, bounding foxhound.

Ahhh. Paris. I’ve been listening to Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel to get into the spirit as I work… such fun! This design will be available at the Philadelphia Flower Show as a greeting card, blank notecards and perhaps 8 x 10 prints.  Hope you enjoy it!

I love dogs as you might have noticed… but I have a secret. I’m a cat person too! This design is based on my sweet Helen. She is my little companion. Here is her story. The cat in this illustration is a Russian Blue-type breed of cat. I hope you like it! Isn’t her little wren friend cute!? The design will soon be available online in Notecards, Linen Guest Towels, Lavender Sachets, Limited Edition Pillows and Prints.

Take courage…

• a.) you can do it!
• b.) we’re right behind you!
• c.) we believe in you!
• d.) you are stronger than you think.

This design was created as an illustration for an Encouragement greeting card. The front will say “Take courage…” and I am considering the phrases above for the greeting on the inside of the card. I’m leaning towards a. or d. What do you think?

I love this little design. It will also be available as blank notecards and limited edition prints.

Believe it or not the inspiration for this design came from reading “The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett! I was immersed in a story of castles, knights, monks and cathedrals. I especially liked all of the descriptions of the horses in the book;  war horses, coursers or a gentle palfrey.

A number of my customers have mentioned that they were sending a particular design or gift to a friend to cheer them up or encourage them through a difficult time. So, this design is meant to lift the spirits, bring a smile and encourage the recipient to mount up and get on with it (whatever IT may be)! Given these thoughts… which sentiment do you think works best?

Finally. Gracie, our adopted Yellow Lab. She has been on my to-paint list for the past year. One day I will write about that crazy dog but today I’ll just post her design and tell you that the image is titled “Good Dog” because any time that she is not digging something up, chewing up my boots, bouncing off the walls or chasing cats through the house she is a Good Dog. When she is laying quietly on this stylish topiary couch she is SUCH a Good Dog! ; ) Hope you likey!

This design is available online at michellemasters.com in notecards, linen guest towels, lavender sachets, limited edition prints and pillows! Call 888.313.0239 with any questions.

I love the Clothesline Festival. I remember walking the show years ago when I was in college at RIT and being so impressed with the work that I saw. This will be my 13th year of doing the show. The first year I was thrilled to be one of the Merit Award winners- it was just the encouragement that I needed at that time to continue with my painting.

The show is on the grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery in downtown Rochester. The gallery is open to the public during the show upon paying the entrance fee. One of the perks of winning the Merit Award is that you can choose to move to a different (more visible) location in the festival. For the past 12 years I have loved my location, my neighbors, my shade tree and knowing that my customers know where to find me. This year there is a proposed sculpture park that has caused all of the vendors in my section to be relocated to the back of the gallery. I’m kinda bummed to say the least.

#127-  is my new booth number. It’s in the nose bleed section. Please take the time to find me if you are attending the show.  I have lots of new work this year. Shown above is a painting that I just finished last night. I love the abstract quality of it. I took many photos this year at the Walnut Hill Carriage Competition in Pittsford- this is the first of many paintings in a series.

Of course there will also be new topiary designs! See you there!

Are these guys the cutest things you have ever seen?! What personality in those little faces and bodies. The lovely and talented landscape designer Deborah Silver from Detroit Garden Works contacted me regarding doing some custom work featuring her two little scamps. I went ga-ga over Deborah’s beautiful gardens, Italian pots and charming pups. I think my exact words were “Drool, drool”. Poetic, I know. Art is my gift, words… perhaps, are not.

If you are in the Detroit area you should stop by Detroit Garden Works and meet the celebrities, Milo and Howard. I hear they are quite a hit. Customers often visit the store with their dogs… don’t you just love that! I wish I lived closer. They would totally have to kick me out at closing time. Be sure to visit Deborah’s blog Dirt Simple filled with lots of info and garden eye candy. I loved the before and after Riverside landscape project and the Spring pots with pansies and lettuce. Great idea!

The Corgi design will be soon be available in notecards, limited edition prints, limited edition pillows, linen towels, lavender sachets and linen cocktail napkins. See pictures below for references of Deborah’s beautiful gardens and Corgis!

I got alittle crazy and put it all together! Couldn’t help it.