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SEAN O’DANIELS ART

February 21, 2018 | 31 Comments

FEATURED ARTIST INTERVIEW

Before he was recognized for his uplifting and colourful pet portraits, Sean O’Daniels was a professional concept artist and art director.  He visually developed the backstories for characters in games and film, creating the look and feel of characters and the environments in which they appear.

The inspiration behind the addition of pet portraits was Sean’s rescue dog, Rocky. Until Sean created his series of paintings with Rocky as his subject, he had never considered pursuing his own art.

Sean says,

If you own or used to own a dog, you understand how much they impact our lives. The silent bonds and stories we share with them inspire us to be better people

In between work projects, Sean would paint Rocky. He was determined to capture not only Rocky’s likeness but also, the personality of his beloved dog and everything he felt Rocky represented:  Loyalty (Rocky carried everything, including Sean’s wife’s purse.) Confidence (his short legs and stature never limited him). Most of all, Rocky taught his people to trust, to believe in themselves and never doubt or give up on their dreams.

A Girl’s Best Friend

The last lesson was the most difficult, painfully realized upon Rocky’s passing in 2016.

The night Rocky died I began to paint the stories and personalities of other pups, giving those silent bonds and stories a voice. Other than writers, I don’t know of many others who can articulate what dogs mean to their people.

What about me?

Although he occasionally does use traditional acrylic on canvas, Sean’s primary form of art is digital. That way, pet owners don’t have to commit to a fixed canvas size or high price. The digital artwork, in various sizes, is available to pet owners and other consumers, online. Sean paints and sketches directly onto his iPad or stylus and the process of layering is demonstrated through Instagram videos.

Also on Sean’s Instagram account are the cutest pics of rescue dog, Toby. Chiweenie Toby joined Sean’s family a little more than a year after they lost Rocky.

Digital format gives artists the freedom to experiment and explore but when you work with other mediums, you need a game plan, and it can take months to create a piece. Working digitally is less constrictive says Sean, he doesn’t have to stay within the confines of a reference photo.

When asked about his ‘favourite place to create’, Sean shares that he likes to move around and becomes creatively stagnant if he has to show up and the same place to create. Another advantage of working digitally.

Sean does not just paint pet portraits. For him, it’s all about capturing the character and the story. The ‘narrative.’

To qualify a dog as one of Sean’s subjects, potential clients are asked to share a unique idea about their companion and provide photos that demonstrate a distinguishing characteristic or quality. Once he is ‘jazzed’ about a project, Sean requests a deposit and arranges a further discussion to share ideas and combine elements and explore and develop subtleties that might not have been fully expressed initially.  Anything that will make the piece as unique and personal as possible.

Upon completion of the project, clients choose whatever size of artwork they want, up to 30 x 30.  There are no ‘originals.’ Even when Sean creates an acrylic on canvas piece, he rarely sells an original, so to keep the cost down for his customers.

Some people see their pets as objects. They don’t see their pet’s true personalities, or recognize what they have to teach us or appreciate that they even have a story.  These people just want a picture, and there are a million artists who will just paint a picture for them.

If people aren’t able to convey the narrative, Sean will decline their commission as he does not believe it will turn out well. Some individuals find it difficult to communicate this information.

It’s funny, says Sean, some of the stories we share are maybe not ones we consider unique, but when I get my clients to open up, they tell me things they haven’t even shared with their closest friends. The bonds they have with these animals are unspoken, and during our consultation, it’s the first time they’re sharing with another person.

These are the things that get me fired up and that I want the artwork to express. Each time they show the piece to people, they have a story to share; there’s something in the composition that represents a unique trait (of their companion).

We think our stories aren’t unique. However, it’s amazing how many people visit the site, see a photo, and they get it! They totally get what that dog is about!

Sean was contacted about having one of his pieces licensed to be used in the backdrop of a scene in a movie! The piece was of an Irish Terrier with a pint of Guinness. The subject, a family dog, named……………………………yup, you guessed it, Guinness!

That’s the coolest thing; that people relate to my pieces.

 

Thanks, Sean

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: WORKS OF ART Tagged: Art, Canvas Prints, Featured Artist, Fun, Pet Portraits

K – KILO

April 13, 2016 | 6 Comments

BLOGGING FROM A TO Z

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Meet Kilo, an adorable three and a half-year-old pug mix.

Kilo’s person Susan shares his story:

We started fostering him in August 2014 from a lovely organization called ‘Homeward Bound Rescue.’ His foster person of 2 weeks could no longer care for him. He had been through at least three homes before the first foster, so we were number 5. We eventually adopted him, as he became part of the family.

He is funny affectionate and he makes us smile every day.

Kilo arrived poorly house-trained, poorly socialized and very anxious and reactive. However, he has always been the biggest love-bug with the family. He lives on my lap or beside me and gives the best pug hugs. He loves to play games, get massages and chew his toys.

His favorite things in the world are food and me, so I have used positive reinforcement with love, praise, toys, and treats to train him. Kilo is now crate-trained, mostly toilet-trained, and knows approximately 30 tricks and behaviors.  He needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation between snoozes (snoring). We walk, play and train for at least ten minutes every 2-3 hours most days. He still sometimes lacks focus and a reliable recall but every month he gets better. He is a very athletic resourceful jumper and will steal food and “treasure”. Kilo’s definition of food is quite broad and occasionally includes dirty tissues. He likes to check through the recycling and hoards any empty plastic bottles.

Kilo does not like strangers, the mail person or other dogs. However, we have had several breakthroughs the last three weeks. He attended Canadian Pet Expo for an hour and was very well-behaved. Linzy even taught him to ride her skate board. He also had a relatively successful walk with Aria’s puppy Beau and visited his only friend Stan’s house last weekend and was amazing!

Kilo makes my life better and I couldn’t imagine it without him now.

RESCUES ROCK!

 

Click to read more about Kilo and Talent Hounds!

Thank you Susan & Kilo,

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Categories: WORKS OF ART Tagged: A to Z Challenge, Pet Portraits, Rescue

KEVIN SARASOM – PET PHOTOGRAPHER

January 8, 2016 | 41 Comments

Off Leash Studio

We recently had the pleasure of meeting, and working with Kevin Sarasom, of Off Leash Studio during the filming of our PetSmart commercial. Kevin is the very talented and professional man behind the lens. After briefly composing ideas in his mind, he shared his thoughts and invited feedback from me, the pet parent. Perhaps knowing a bit about Henry, Reese and Ricky helped with his creative process. Mostly, I think it was Kevin’s easy going attitude; his ability to wait patiently for his models to become comfortable, open up and show off their personalities.

We are delighted to share with you some of the fun images from Off Leash Studio (recognize anyone?)

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What inspired you to become a photographer and, in particular, to specialize in pet photography?

I’ve been a cinematographer for 5 years now and I realized that I’ve got a knack for making things look good, and I love animals. I had a vision to produce really high production value in the photos while capturing unique expressions or showing personality.

Natural, outdoor environment, home (of pet), or studio. Why is that your preference?

We only shoot in studio, at Off Leash Studio

As a volunteer, shelter photographer, I know how amazing it is to connect with the animals. Please share with us one of your most magical experiences (and photograph from that session, if possible)

They are all magical experiences! This is Tyson and Abby. They were especially awesome.

Tyson and Abby - Off Leash Studio

Tyson and Abby – Off Leash Studio

All time favourite photo – why?

Frankenstein – the first photo ever, that inspired the rest

Any ‘Oopsie Daisies’ during a shoot?

Nothing a pee pad can’t take care of.

Do you have a favourite species, breed, or age group to photograph?

Great Danes.



Do you have animal companions? Please tell us about them?

I have a pet corn snake, Clarisse. She’s awesome and will soon be featured!

Camera and favourite lens (why)?

Canon 5DM3, 50mm 1.2 – The shallow depth of field!

What, in your opinion makes a great pet portrait?

If it tells a story, it’s a great portrait.



What tips and suggestions do you have for shelter workers wanting to create a flattering photo for each pet’s adoption profile portrait?

A diffused light source. If you have a flash, point it towards and bounce it off a piece of paper.



Off Leash Studio specializes in capturing your pet’s unique personality.  Using cinematic lighting techniques honed through years of experience shooting portraits, the style we aim for is classic and modern, with a fun twist.   We love to meet new pets, discover their personalities, and capture all their wonderful expressions.



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Thank you for sharing with us Kevin. The Parker Pack are thrilled with our Off Leash Studio photos!

To view more of Kevin’s work, please click to visit Off Leash Studio

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Categories: PHOTOGRAPHY Tagged: Pet Photography, Pet Portraits

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