A Dachshund’s Art Gallery

Since I was just a wee pup I was instilled with a love of the arts. Not only do I paint myself, but I live with some super talented Painting Ponies! And while you might think having animal artists in the family is quite a feat, my mom and dad are no stranger to the arts themselves. My dad is a graphic designer (who spends his free time designing posters that you can purchase HERE) and my mom is a picture framer (check out the shop where I work HERE).

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!

A Dachshund's Art Gallery // Ammo the Dachshund

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

A Dachshund's Art Gallery // Ammo the Dachshund

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

A Dachshund's Art Gallery // Ammo the Dachshund

A Dachshund's Art Gallery // Ammo the Dachshund

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

A Dachshund's Art Gallery // Ammo the Dachshund

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.

A Dachshund's Art Gallery // Ammo the Dachshund

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

A Dachshund's Art Gallery // Ammo the Dachshund

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!

A Dachshund's Art Gallery // Ammo the Dachshund

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

A Dachshund's Art Gallery // Ammo the Dachshund

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.Ammo the Dachshund

Paintings by Ammo the Dachshund

As you know, I have a whole slew of talents – many of which I document on this blog and one of which is PAINTING! I like to think of myself as a mini Picasso, and while I don’t technically wield a paintbrush – my paws are just oozing with talent! Just check out this video of me painting at the Spring Doxie Fest this year:

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!

Paintings by Ammo the Dachshund // Shop Online

Paintings by Ammo the Dachshund // Shop Online

Paintings by Ammo the Dachshund // Shop Online

Paintings by Ammo the Dachshund // Shop Online

Paintings by Ammo the Dachshund // Shop Online

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! Ammo the Dachshund

My Crazy Rebels Custom Pet Painting

Right before Christmas my mom entered a giveaway on the Pawsh blog for a spiffy pet painting made by the fine folks at Crazy Rebels. And as luck would have it, she won! The even better part was that the painting was going to be of me!

So I helped mom look through lots of my photos, and we picked out this silly photo from a few years ago of me in my super hero cape. I thought it would look fun turned into a cartoon style painting.

Crazy Rebels Custom Pet Painting // Ammo the Dachshund

The I headed over to Design Seeds and picked out the blue background color seen in the photo below.

Crazy Rebels Custom Pet Painting // Ammo the Dachshund

And a few weeks later this fun painting arrived at my doorstep.

Crazy Rebels Custom Pet Painting // Ammo the Dachshund

Silly and fun, just like me!

Crazy Rebels Custom Pet Painting // Ammo the Dachshund

Crazy Rebels Custom Pet Painting // Ammo the Dachshund

You can check out all the fun products from Crazy Rebels HEREAmmo the Dachshund

Friday Fetch: Pet By Number from Easy 123 Art

One of the gifts that my mom got this year for Christmas was a subscription to Modern Dog Magazine (a lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions) – it was love at first sight for me. Mom and I quickly poured through the pages and came across some really neat products that we couldn’t wait to share with you!

One of those products was from Easy 123 Art, a website designed to help you create your own paint-by-number kits out of your very own photos. How cool is that!

Easy 123 Art Custom Paint by Number Kits of your Pet // Friday Fetch - Ammo the Dachshund

The website boasts that it’s simple to use kit allows you to upload your own photo, customize it, then get to painting!

Easy 123 Art Custom Paint by Number Kits of your Pet // Friday Fetch - Ammo the Dachshund

Easy 123 Art Custom Paint by Number Kits of your Pet // Friday Fetch - Ammo the Dachshund

These would make great gifts, or even allow you to create a custom painting of your own favorite furry friend!

You can fetch your own paint-by-number kit at Easy 123 Art starting at $49 Ammo the Dachshund

A Painting of My Best Friend Trooper

You might remember that over this past year I’ve been accumulating paintings created by the talented Kim at Yellow Brick Home. First she painted a magnificent painting of me in my super hero cape, then she painted two super cool paintings of my favorite ponies, Minnow, Blitz and Boomer.

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!

Trooper by Yellow Brick Home // Pet Paintings // Ammo the Dachshund

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

Trooper by Yellow Brick Home // Pet Paintings // Ammo the Dachshund

Trooper by Yellow Brick Home // Pet Paintings // Ammo the Dachshund

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.

Trooper by Yellow Brick Home // Pet Paintings // Ammo the Dachshund

Trooper by Yellow Brick Home // Pet Paintings // Ammo the Dachshund

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!)

Ammo the Dachshund

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!

Birthday Week: DIY Pet Birthday Bandana

Birthdays call for celebration, and what better way to celebrate than a spiffy new bandana to let everyone know it’s your Birthday!

Birthday Week // DIY Pet Birthday Bandana // Ammo the Dachshund

And because I want everyone to celebrate with me, here’s a tutorial I created to help you make your own pet a celebratory bandana.

Birthday Week // DIY Pet Birthday Bandana // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Pet Birthday Bandana

Materials:

*some links contain affiliate links

Birthday Week // DIY Pet Birthday Bandana // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 1: Using a ruler and cutting utensil, cut a bandana sized piece of fabric out of your material. We used a bandana I already had as a template, but you can also measure your pet’s neck and add about 4″ to be able to tie it. You might also opt to sew the edges of your bandana to prevent fraying before moving on to step 2.

Birthday Week // DIY Pet Birthday Bandana // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: You will need your HOORAY! stamp for this part (my mom carved mine, find out how to carve a stamp here or find out how to purchase one here). Use your sponge brush to apply screen printing ink or acrylic paint mixed with Textile Medium to the stamp.

Birthday Week // DIY Pet Birthday Bandana // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 3: Stamp your fabric in several places, re-applying paint after each one. Then allow to dry.

Birthday Week // DIY Pet Birthday Bandana // Ammo the Dachshund

Adding another color can add to the overall effect.

Birthday Week // DIY Pet Birthday Bandana // Ammo the Dachshund

And when you are all finished you will have a spiffy new bandana that’s perfect for celebrating my Birthday with me.

Birthday Week // DIY Pet Birthday Bandana // Ammo the Dachshund

Happy Birthday to me! Only 3 more days until I’m officially 4 and get to open all my presents!

 

My HOORAY! stamp was inspired by a post on Squirrelly Minds.Ammo the Dachshund

Flying Hero Shop Launch and Giveaway

Some of you may have noticed already, but I’ve been keeping a little secret for the past couple of months, I’ve decided to open up my very own Etsy Shop, Flying Hero!

Flying Hero Etsy Shop via Ammo the Dachshund

Aptly named after me, your friendly neighborhood flying hero, my etsy shop will be selling cute photographic prints, cards and even calendars (coming soon) with my mug on them!

Flying Hero Etsy Shop

ammo the dachshund super hero

My mom and I have been creating, making, and selling greeting cards in our retail shop for years now – but we decided it was high time we make them available to everyone.

Flying Hero Etsy Shop via Ammo the Dachshund

So if you are looking for a way to bring laughter, smiles, and little dose of cuteness to those that you love, make sure you check out Flying Hero. In the coming months we hope to have more items available for purchase.

Flying Hero Etsy Shop // Ammo the Dachshund

And not to worry, I’ll still be working my painting magic with the amazing Painting Ponies. So if you are interested in original artwork by yours truly, be sure to stop by the Painting Pony Etsy Shop.

ammo the dachshund painting

Now because it’s Friday, and because I’m super excited to share with you the launch of my new shop, I wanted to give you an even bigger reason to smile today. I’ve decided to give away one of my brand-new DREAM BIG prints to one lucky reader.

Dream Big Dachshund Print by Ammo the Dachshund // Flying Hero

**This Giveaway is no longer accepting entries**

Here’s how to win…

PRIZE: One Dream Big Print from Flying Hero
TO ENTER:
 Comment on this post (you must comment on the BLOG – not on our facebook page) with the words “DREAM BIG” and….
BONUS QUESTION:
 Tell me one of your biggest dreams. Maybe you want to travel the World, or go skydiving, or perhaps you want to conquer your fear of heights. No dream is too small!
GIVEAWAY CLOSES:
 Friday, September 7, 2012 at 9:00am EST
NUMBER OF WINNERS:
 One
PRIZE SHIPS:
 Anywhere in the World! Yeah!
RULES:
 one entry per e-mail address. Winner will be selected using random.org (meaning the winner is drawn at random) – and will be announced shortly afterward. Good Luck!

 

P.S. Make sure you head over to Under the Blanket and check out their write-up on my new Etsy Shop! They are oh so sweet that I can’t help but blush! Ammo the Dachshund

Custom Pet Paintings – Ponies and Dogs Oh My!

You might remember a couple of months ago when I introduced my little Super Hero on the Wall – a commissioned painting of yours truly by Kim at Yellow Brick Home.

Minnow the Painting Pony painting by Kim @ Yellow Brick Home - via Ammo the Dachshund

Well, as it turns out, my Painting Pony pals were a wee bit jealous – so never ones to be left out, mom ordered some custom paintings of them too.

Minnow rocked the blue canvas as he reared high into the air – such a classic Minnow pose.

Blitz and Boomer the Painting Ponies painting by Kim @ Yellow Brick Home - via Ammo the Dachshund

Blitz and Boomerang, the inseparable brothers (who couldn’t even be separated for the painting), looked extra cute on their lime green canvas. Boomerang even flashed his famous smile.

Pet Paintings by Kim @ Yellow Brick Home - via Ammo the Dachshund

I don’t know about you, but I think we make one big happy family!

Pet Paintings by Kim @ Yellow Brick Home - via Ammo the Dachshund

I do have a secret to tell you though…….as much as I love ALL of the paintings…..I do have a favorite……can you guess which one it is? Ammo the Dachshund

 

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!)


*I was not paid or perk’d to write this post – I’m just super super excited to share the ponies’ paintings!

My Weekend DIY Dipped Yellow Chair

Sometimes over the weekend I take on a few DIY projects around the house. Mom says I’m her favorite little helper, and pretty much I agree.

ammo the dachshund's diy dipped yellow chair

On this particular weekend I decided to help Mom makeover an old chair we had sitting around the house. The BEFORE was pretty blah, but I knew just what would do the trick after seeing this pretty lady on Pinterest:

Dipped Chairs with Dachshunds

ammo the dachshund's diy dipped yellow chair

So I did what I do best – supervised while Mom taped off each of the four legs with painter’s tape.

ammo the dachshund's diy dipped yellow chair

ammo the dachshund's diy dipped yellow chair

Then Mom gave it several coats of spray paint while I chomped on my ball in anticipation. I would of helped, but as you know, these cumbersome paws can’t exactly work a spray paint can.

ammo the dachshund's diy dipped yellow chair

After a few hours of drying time this baby was ready for a photoshoot, and we all know how I love a good photoshoot!

ammo the dachshund's diy dipped yellow chair

ammo the dachshund's diy dipped yellow chair

My new yellow chair looks fabulous with it’s dipped legs don’t you think? I’m now contemplating painting everything this way……how do you think I’d look dipped in teal – it would be the hot new trend in painted pets. I’m gonna be famous! 

Little Super Hero on the Wall

ammo the dachshund custom painting

You might remember that for Christmas I got a special little gift card from my Mom & Dad to get a custom painting of myself from Yellow Brick Home. Well, a few days ago a little package arrived at my door from the very talented Kim Vargo.

ammo the dachshund painting from yellow brick home

Photo Credit: Kim @ Yellow Brick Home

I couldn’t believe how much it looked like me! Mom says she even captured the special feisty little look in my eyes.

ammo the dachshund super hero

After modeling for a few photos with Mom and sending Kim some of my favorites from years past, I was so excited to see the results. Kim even said I was the very first Super Hero she got to paint! (I’m the cutest too, right?)

ammo the dachshund custom painting from yellow brick home

Mom hung it up in my home office for me, and I really can’t help but stare at it all day long!

ammo the dachshund custom painting from yellow brick home

Oh handsome little hero on the wall – you are just way too cool!

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!)


*I was not paid or perk’d to write this post – I’m just super super excited about my new portrait!