I may have talented paws (check out my original paintings HERE), but did you also know I have a talented nose? Oh yes, I’ve been working on my original “nose art” (seen above) for quite some time now.

It takes patience and some long long naps on the couch to perfect my technique – and the occasional bunny outside helps a bit too.

I’ve been working on this masterpiece for a couple of months now, and while it’s looking quite swell I know there is still more to add.

After all you can’t rush genius! 

With a love of art spreading across my family, it’s no wonder that my home has turned into an art gallery of sorts. I thought it would be fun to take you for a tour around my home and show you some of the latest and greatest artistic treasures that are currently making my home just a bit more cheerful!

When I attended the Spring Doxie Fest this year I picked up a happy little Dachshund print from artist, Debbie Sampson. Of course mom framed him up in a happy yellow frame that makes him extra cheerful!

where to purchase: [middle] Dachshund Print – [right] Black and White Photograph of Pony

Back in November mom picked up this cute little dachshund print from Kim at Yellow Brick Home. He kind of has an uncanny resemblance to yours truly.

where to purchase:  Dachshund Print

This happy horse head was a Christmas gift to my mom and came from White Faux Taxidermy – and not to worry, he’s completely made of resin (no real taxidermy horses here).

where to purchase:  Resin Horse Head

Of course the ceramic dachshund my mom found at Home Goods last year keeps Mr. Fake Pony company in my office, because everything is better with the buddy system.

These two pieces arrived around Christmas time. One being a rendering of my home by the talented Rebekkah Seale and the other a very special original painting of cows done by the ever amazing Janis Fitch.

where to purchase:  [left] Custom House Watercolor, [right] Cow Painting

Those cows just remind me of how lucky I am to have grown up in farm country, where the smell of cattle and horses are just a few steps out my backdoor. Not to mention those yummy cow pies!

And the last little art trinket is one that just makes me giggle – this sweet little screen printed squirrel from the Land of Nod (meant to be an ornament) is happily hanging on my cork board in the living room. He may not nibble on acorns in real life, but he reminds me that there are plenty of critters just out my back door begging to be chased. Happy Hunting!

where to purchase:  Squirrel Ornament

With all these artists and artistic pieces in my home it’s no wonder that I spend most of my life with a camera in my face. Of course I like to think that I’ll always be mom and dad’s number one muse!

I’m always on the lookout for new artists and art to add to my “gallery”, so I’d love to hear which ones you are admiring currently! Post your links in the comments so we can all check out some amazing art together! Yay for artists!

*all artwork has been custom framed by my mom at Studio 3.

Now I know what you might be thinking, “but where can I buy these fabulous paintings that you made” – have no fear, I’ve recently added several of my creations to the Painting Pony Etsy Shop!

So if you’re looking for something spiffy and colorful to spruce up your walls this Spring then head on over to the Painting Pony Etsy Shop and check out some of my latest work!

And don’t forget, I donate a portion of my proceeds to my favorite animal rescues – so by purchasing a painting you get to help some animals in need! Double win! 

Lately I’ve been busy painting up a storm, readying myself for the Spring Doxie Fest, an event to benefit the dogs that I’ve been asked to attend and perform at.

These magical paws of mine will be painting for a cause on Sunday, April 21st in Bel Air, Maryland for their annual fundraising event.

If you are in the area I hope you’ll stop by and meet me! The event will be held from 11 – 3pm, with lots of fun contests for your dogs, as well as venders and entertainment for all! Find out more HERE.

Here’s a video from back when I first learned to paint:

My artwork and lots of doxie merchandise will be available for purchase at the event. I donate a percentage of all my sales to animal rescue groups.

This year I will be attending this event on Sunday, April 21, 2013 from 11am – 3pm to be hosted by the Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue.

I have been invited to paint and perform during the Doxiefest and I’ll also be bringing along some of my cards and dachshund merchandise.

I’ve already begun working on a new performance, which I hope to have ready for this event.

So mark your calendars, prepare your dachshunds, and be ready for a day of doxie fun this Spring! I hope to see you there!

More details on this event can be found HERE. 

Several months ago Serena from Pretty Fluffy had invited me to join The 13 Project, a wonderful initiative to get involved and help animals! So I put on my cape and decided to be the best hero I could to help the animals in need!

Incase you missed it….

THE 13 PROJECT

The 13 Project is a Pretty Fluffy initiative that involves 13 acts of kindness towards animals before 2013. The goal is to embark on a list of 13 achievable and worthy goals before the year is out.

To join, all you have to do is come up with a list of up to 13 ways you can help animals before the end of 2013. You don’t need to be a millionaire, you don’t need to have a website, or be a member of a rescue organization … all you need is the desire to make a difference. Any little bit helps!

I’ve spent the last few months working on completing my goals, and although I squeezed a few of them in at the very last minute, I love to think I helped make a difference.

My goals for the 13 Project….

1. Make a charitable contribution to some of my favorite rescue groups, as I have done for the past several years, through the help of sales of my paintings and artwork that my friends the Painting Ponies have made.

The Painting Ponies and I made some donations to The Chincoteague Pony Rescue and The Main Line Animal Rescue this year to help some of the animals searching for their forever homes. I like to think that every little bit helps, and I’m happy to use some of the funds from the sale of my products throughout the year to help some of the rescue organizations.

2. Get my photo taken with Santa at a place that donates the profits to rescue groups like I have done for the past 3 years.

I went to visit Santa at my Vet’s office this year in which the proceeds benefited the Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund for the animals.

3. Promote some local rescue group events to all of my followers through Facebook. I have shared a few rescue events with my fans so far, but hope to share even more!

4. Purchase some toys from Planet Dog, where 2% of my sale goes to the Planet Dog Foundation, an organization that helps fund the training and placement of service dogs.

Mom and Dad got me some new toys from Planet Dog for Christmas this year! I’m so happy that through the sale of these items I was able to help some very special service dogs.

5. Share some of the available adoptable dogs (like I have done in the past) at the local shelters with my followers. I shared a few of the adoptable pets at my local SPCA, and I hope to continue to share some of my four-legged friends that are in search of their forever homes.

6. Donate some of my old towels to a local animal shelter. I took a trip to the Chester County SPCA and donated a big box of unwanted towels and blankets.

7. Create Holiday Greeting Cards for my Etsy Shop and donate a percentage of the sales to animal shelters. My 2012 Holiday Greeting Cards donate 2% of all the proceeds to the Main Line Animal Rescue.

8. Promote responsible pet ownership and encourage my readers to spay/neuter their pets.

This particular goal may have slipped through the cracks just a bit, but consider this my public service announcement for 2013! Please spay and neuter your pets! I got the good old snip snip when I was 6 months old and I encourage you to do the same for your pets. We have so many animals that are in need of loving homes, and by having your pet neutered you are doing your part to cut down on the population of dogs in shelters. Check out these great reasons from the ASPCA as to why it’s important to spay and neuter.

9. Donate some of my outgrown sweaters and jackets that I no longer use to a rescue group that can use them for shelter dogs. I sent a donation of sweaters and jackets to the Dachshund Rescue of Bucks County & New Jersey to keep the rescue dachshunds nice and warm. I encourage you to do the same!

10. Create a new page on the blog that highlights ways you can involved and help rescue animals, shelters, and good causes.

Just under the wire I’ve launched a new page on my website! You’ll find my giving back link at the bottom of the blog, which features tips on how you can get involved with helping the rescue animals and how I give back myself.

11. Purchase some Rescue Chocolate as Christmas gifts that donates 100% of their profits to animal rescues.

Mom helped me purchase some rescue chocolate which I happily wrapped and gifted to my friends and family this Holiday season.

*image via Rescue Chocolate

12. Try to promote more products on my Friday Fetch feature that donate a percentage of their sales to animal charities. Since I joined the 13 Project I am happy to say that just about every feature on Friday Fetch has helped out a rescue group/cause with the sale of their items.

13. Encourage others to get involved with the 13 Project! I’ve been pinning and sharing the 13 Project with all my fans!

I hope to continue my efforts with this wonderful project, because there is always something that can be done to help the animals that we love.

And to all the animals out there looking for forever homes I send all my love. xoxo.

Thanks to my talented Uncle Taylor and Depthink Productions, we began filming for the DVD this past summer, and I’m so excited that it’s finally ready to share with everyone!

Check out the DVD Trailer:

ON THIS DVD

Trainer, Kyley DiLuigi, introduces us to Super Pony, the alter ego of the talented Chincoteague Pony, Minnow! Watch as he shows us some of his favorite trick performances, many of which have been performed at expos, fairs, schools, and even the Annual Chincoteague Pony Penning. Several performances also include Minnow’s lovable sidekick, Ammo the Dachshund, as well as other members of the Painting Pony crew. In addition to 5 featured videos, this DVD also contains 2 bonus videos: a visit to Iron Horse Farm, home to the Painting Ponies; and a talk given by Kyley about everyone’s favorite Chincoteague Pony, Misty of Chincoteague.

PAINTING PONY

In 2007, Painting Pony was founded when Kyley DiLuigi decided to bring her paints from art school out to the farm where she kept her 14-year-old pony, Minnow. That cold winter day Minnow became the World’s First Painting Chincoteague Pony as he created his very first masterpiece. As it became evident that Minnow had a gift that he truly loved, the paintings he created began to pile higher and higher. Feeling the need to share Minnow’s art with the world, Kyley started PaintingPony.com and the rest is history!

The Super Pony DVD is approx. 20 minutes and is available for purchase at $12 on PaintingPony.com

You’ll get to see performances by me and Minnow as well as me and my buddy Trooper. You even get to see me paint!

There is still plenty of time to order your copy for Holiday Gifts!
As a special gift to all my followers, enter code FREESHIP at checkout to receive free shipping on your entire order! (domestic orders only).

Snag your copy HERE. 

A few weeks ago Serena from Pretty Fluffy had invited me to join The 13 Project, a wonderful initiative to get involved and help animals!

Incase you missed it….

THE 13 PROJECT

The 13 Project is a Pretty Fluffy initiative that involves 13 acts of kindness towards animals before 2013. The goal is to emmbark on a list of 13 achievable and worthy goals before the year is out.

To join, all you have to do is come up with a list of up to 13 ways you can help animals before the end of 2013. You don’t need to be a millionaire, you don’t need to have a website, or be a member of a rescue organization … all you need is the desire to make a difference. Any little bit helps!

I’ve spent the last few weeks working on completing some of my goals, so I thought I would give everyone a little update on my progress so far.

My goals for the 13 Project….

1. Make a charitable contribution to some of my favorite rescue groups, as I have done for the past several years, through the help of sales of my paintings and artwork that my friends the Painting Ponies have made.

2. Get my photo taken with Santa at a place that donates the profits to rescue groups like I have done for the past 3 years.

3. Promote some local rescue group events to all of my followers through Facebook. I have shared a few rescue events with my fans so far, but hope to share even more!

4. Purchase some toys from Planet Dog, where 2% of my sale goes to the Planet Dog Foundation, an organization that helps fund the training and placement of service dogs.

5. Share some of the available adoptable dogs (like I have done in the past) at the local shelters with my followers. I shared a few of the adoptable pets at my local SPCA, and I hope to continue to share some of my four-legged friends that are in search of their forever homes.

6. Donate some of my old towels to a local animal shelter. I took a trip to the Chester County SPCA and donated a big box of unwanted towels and blankets.

7. Create Holiday Greeting Cards for my Etsy Shop and donate a percentage of the sales to animal shelters. My 2012 Holiday Greeting Cards donate 2% of all the proceeds to the Main Line Animal Rescue. The more you buy the more I can donate!

8. Promote responsible pet ownership and encourage my readers to spay/neuter their pets.

9. Donate some of my outgrown sweaters and jackets that I no longer use to a rescue group that can use them for shelter dogs. I recently sent a donation of sweaters and jackets to the Dachshund Rescue of Bucks County & New Jersey to keep the rescue dachshunds nice and warm. I encourage you to do the same!

10. Create a new page on the blog that highlights ways you can involved and help rescue animals, shelters, and good causes.

11. Purchase some Rescue Chocolate as Christmas gifts that donates 100% of their profits to animal rescues.

12. Try to promote more products on my Friday Fetch feature that donate a percentage of their sales to animal charities. Since I joined the 13 Project I am happy to say that just about every feature on Friday Fetch has helped out a rescue group/cause with the sale of their items.

13. Encourage others to get involved with the 13 Project! I’ve been pinning and sharing the 13 Project with all my fans!

I still have a ways to go to complete my list, but I’m making good progress! I hope you’ll join me in The 13 Project! I’d love to hear your ideas of animal kindness too, post links to your list of 13 goals in the comment section below so that we can all share and get inspiration on how to help more animals!

And to all the animals out there looking for forever homes I send all my love this Thanksgiving and every day. xoxo.

Then I realized I needed to make sure my bestest friend in the whole wide world wasn’t left out of all the fun! He is my best friend afterall. So just last week Trooper’s painting from Yellow Brick Home arrived in the mail!

It was just as glorious as I had imagined – especially since I had made sure he sent in the very best pictures of himself.

Of course I couldn’t let Trooper steal the spotlight for very long, and I photo bombed pretty much all of his photos that my mom took of him.

That’s what best friends are for!

You can get your own custom pet paintings from Kim @ Yellow Brick Home (make sure you tell her the cutest Super Hero EVER sent you!)

Disclosure: I was not paid or perked to write about Yellow Brick Home, I just think Kim’s paintings are oh-so-cool!

P.S. Did you see that I wasn’t the only one that dressed as Wile E. Coyote for Halloween this year? My Canadian Pal Crusoe, the Celebrity Dachshund also broke out his Wile E. Coyote for all his fans. Although I hear he’s also having trouble with his Acme Rocket…..I knew we should have gotten the warranty!

THE 13 PROJECT

The 13 Project is a Pretty Fluffy initiative that involves 13 acts of kindness towards animals before 2013. We have exactly 13 weeks left of this year, so what better way of embarking on a list of 13 achievable and worthy goals before the year is out.

To join, all you have to do is come up with a list of up to 13 ways you can help animals before the end of 2013. You don’t need to be a millionaire, you don’t need to have a website, or be a member of a rescue organization … All you need is the desire to make a difference. You can even make your list just one goal – or 3 or 5 things. Any little bit helps!

My goals for the 13 Project….

1. Make a charitable contribution to some of my favorite rescue groups, as I have done for the past several years, through the help of sales of my paintings and artwork that my friends the Painting Ponies have made.

2. Get my photo taken with Santa at a place that donates the profits to rescue groups like I have done for the past 3 years.

3. Promote some local rescue group events to all of my followers through Facebook.

4. Purchase some toys from Planet Dog, where 2% of my sale goes to the Planet Dog Foundation, an organization that helps fund the training and placement of service dogs.

5. Share some of the available adoptable dogs (like I have done in the past) at the local shelters with my followers.

6. Donate some of my old towels and clothes to a local animal shelter.

7. Create Holiday Greeting Cards for my Etsy Shop and donate a percentage of the sales to animal shelters.

8. Promote responsible pet ownership and encourage my readers to spay/neuter their pets.

9. Donate some of my outgrown sweaters and jackets that I no longer use to a rescue group that can use them for shelter dogs.

10. Create a new page on the blog that highlights ways you can involved and help rescue animals, shelters, and good causes.

11. Purchase some Rescue Chocolate as Christmas gifts that donates 100% of their profits to animal rescues.

12. Try to promote more products on my Friday Fetch feature that donate a percentage of their sales to animal charities.

13. Encourage others to get involved with the 13 Project!

I hope you’ll join me in The 13 Project! I’d love to hear your ideas of animal kindness too, post links to your list of 13 goals in the comment section below so that we can all share and get inspiration on how to help more animals!