California Dreamin AHCA BC 2009

Last April or so I was asked to draw a logo for the Afghan Hound Club of America Breeder's Cup for 2009. Karen Larsen the Show Chair wanted a theme that had a Southern California feel. What better than an Afghan Hound relaxing on the beach under the light of the moon and stars and of course you have to have some palm trees.

The event will take place April 9, 2009 in Silverado California. The event is once a year, usually some time in Mar., April or May and it rotates to a different region of the USA each year. This is the time for breeder's of this wonderful breed to show their upcoming stars. This years event will be followed by the Afghan Hound Club of Ca. and the 2 days of the Western Hound Association an all Hound show. The venue is fabulous nested in the rolling hills of Orange County. More about this event here: AfghansONLINE.com Home under AHCA Breeder's Cup 2009. This logo will be used for the cover of the premium list and the catalog, also will be used on t-shirts, mugs etc. and all items will be for sale at the show.

In order for the club to raise funds to help pay for the event and the trophies (which they have commissioned me to do), I also painted them an oil painting using the logo as my reference. This painting will be the theme for the trophies and tickets for this painting are on sell now. To purchase raffle tickets go to the following site, AfghansONLINE.com Home press the link in the middle of the home page. You do not have to be present to win.

Until next time, enjoy the art. Terry d. Chacon

"Ethyl" the Pug

"Ethyl" is a recent commission that I just completed for her owner Bobby Unger. "Ethyl" the pug had recently completed her American Kennel Club championship and Bobby's friends wanted to give him something special for Christmas and to celebrate her new championship. "Ethyl" is adored by Bobby and often accompanies him in his van to pick up other doggies that will be boarding at the Shylo Country Club for Dogs. SHYLO's - A Country Club for Dogs

When I was visiting Shylo on my way to the Afghan Hound Club of America Nationals in Detroit, I wanted to take photos of Ethyl for the painting. Her favorite place is to wait at the top of the stairs for her master to come home. The painting originated from one of those photographs. I actually have a couple more that I want to paint this coming year. She is quite a character and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to paint her for this very special gift for Bobby.

Until next time, keep on enjoying the art. Terry d. Chacon

“Gallery 225 Has Gone To The Dogs”

Gallery 225

Gallery 225 in New York City Has Gone to the Dogs! Curator Harv Toback has put together a group of artists and an exhibit that you do not want to miss. This will be a very exciting show.

Tom DeVincentis (who wrote the wonderful book "Tails of the City - Confessions of a Manhattan Pet Vet") will be there for a book signing. Special appearance at the reception, Dave Frei and last year's Westminster Best In Show winner the beagle "Uno".

Of the artists, Terry d. Chacon has been invited to exhibit her artwork in the show and will be at the reception.

The opening reception is Feb. 5, 2009 from 5 to 8 p.m. The show will continue until Mar. 15, 2009.

Gallery 225 is located at 225 west 14th St. between 7th and 8th Ave.

More details and future advertisements will be coming soon!

Until next time, ENJOY THE ARTS! Terry

Happy New Year!

"Happy New Year!!"

In celebration of the New Year a group of artists from the Plein Air Artists of Riverside have met a couple times this past week at the Mission Inn, Festival of Lights, for nightly painting sessions.

As you recall, we were there on the 20th and I have already written about that experience in a previous blog. This week I chose to paint the entry looking north towards the Mission Inn. This is also the valet parking entry and it is very busy as most people use this entrance. The streets were very busy with onlookers and the lights were stunning once it became dark. I had seen the beautiful huge display of Christmas packages through the arch ways the last time I painted there and thought that would be a fun painting. After painting, while driving to a Mexican restaurant, we drove around the back side of the Mission Inn and thought we really need to come back and paint this view. At dinner we all decided we would come back the next day.


Upon arrival on Tuesday we decided a Margarita was in order to celebrate the New Year. We met in the bar of the Mission Inn. To our surprise they were all out of their regular size Margarita glasses and were told they would have to serve us the large size, but at the regular price. Sounded good to us. After indulging ourselves with these huge Margarita's we set out for an evening of painting. There is not much traffic on the back side of the Mission, but the lights are indeed beautiful. They just light up the building. The perfect display was also accompanied by the moon and one star. As I was waiting for the rest of the group to finish up on their paintings, I decided to capture the horse drawn carriage that awaited it's customers on the corner.

Another wonderful evening of painting, the weather could not have been better, the company of artists were great and food at a little Italian restaurant topped off the evening.

The four paintings that I have completed during the Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn will be the start of a series of paintings. Prints and note cards will be available for the next Holiday Season.


I would like to wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. May 2009 be the best year of your life.

Until next time, ENJOY THE ART!
Terry d. Chacon

"Shadow's Story"

A few months ago I was commissioned for a very special painting. Lynda Snyder asked me to paint a portrait of their rescue dog "Shadow" for her husband Dave for Christmas. When Dave was out of the house one day, my husband Eddie and I went over to their home in Grand Terrace to take photos and meet "Shadow". What a character, and what a wonderful story he has. It was so nice to see how well he has adjusted to his new surroundings and how loved this little guy is and it shows!

There are so many stories about unwanted and mistreated animals in this world, but this one has a happy ending. I don't know who is happier the Snyder's or Shadow. I think all of them were meant for each other and this is what makes my job as an artist so rewarding. Congratulations Dave and Lynda for taking "Shadow" into your home and treating him like the special dog he is and for giving me the opportunity to get to know him and paint him.

If you are not in the position to adopt an unwanted pet or pure bred dog, please think of them from time to time and donate to your local animal shelters or your pure bred rescue groups in your area. You will feel very good about your donation, just think your donation helped find "Shadow" the home he deserves.

Until next time, Enjoy the Art and "Shadow's story" below. Terry

(Be sure to share Shadow's story with your family and friends)

SHADOW’S STORY (written by his new dad Dave)

As near as anyone could determine he was born in December 2006. For us (Dave and Lynda Snyder) his story begins at the end of August 2007. The interval in between is mostly mystery although he sent pictures of a barren yard near a construction site to animal communicator Dr. Monica Diedrich.

August 2007. It had been 7 months since the Snyder’s beloved Tramp succumbed to a liver autoimmune disease. It was time for another rescue, time for a companion to 10 year old Australian Shepherd Brenna who was beginning to show her age. Enter Petfinder.com. Countless rescue group and government shelter sites were perused. Suddenly Lynda said “Look at this one.” The picture had been posted a mere 2 hours earlier on the San Bernardino County Devore shelter website. “Can we go see him?”

Within two hours we were outside his kennel as he kept pushing two smaller terrier mixes away from the fence. His fur was horribly matted, resembling the coat of a shedding buffalo. Later we learned he was infested with fleas and ticks. But inside that coat was a bundle of exuberance, energy, mischief, and love just waiting to be expressed. He licked our hands, and our faces, if we got them next to the wire. He was clearly sending a message. Dave looked right into his eyes and asked, “Do you know something we don’t know?” Immediately there was a resounding bark. The deal was sealed. We had just chosen each other, for better or for worse.

He had been found by animal control running loose near I-15 in Fontana. He could not be adopted out until the next day and there was still the matter of Brenna and whether they would get along. The next day we showed up a half hour before opening, wanting to be sure we were first in line. He overwhelmed Brenna who tried her best to get away from him. While Dave balked, Lynda said they would be fine.

And they were, eventually working out the living arrangement between them. They have 2-3 play sessions each day now during which it is very evident Brenna is still top dog. Brenna has renewed vigor and now acts 3-4 years younger than before he arrived.

And how did he become “Shadow” since his original name was not known? Several names were tried without response. So since he followed us everywhere we tried “Shadow” and he responded. He now responds to Shadow, Shadster, Shad, Shaddie and Shadillac. It is a joy to take him for a walk or a ride in the car and watch faces light up. Shadow, the social butterfly, energizes people in the community the same way he energizes his forever home.

Christmas 2008. The last present is handed to Dave and he is told to close his eyes and reach into the bag. He pulls out something wooden. He opens his eyes and stares in disbelief at a portrait of Shadow painted by our friend Terry Chacon. He is touched to tears. Lynda slowly leafs through a 2009 calendar of Terry’s portraits of animals. Dave thinks “Wouldn’t it be something if Shadow was in the calendar?” Then there he was surprise number two. “Wow.” Then surprise number three. Terry, without knowing its significance, had chosen him to represent August 2009, the second anniversary of his choosing his forever family.

(As fate would have it, I did not know that Shadow was picked up by the Snyder's from the shelter in Aug. of 2007, and now he is Mr. Aug. in my 2009 calendar of Pet Portraits. Here is an email I received from Dave yesterday-

Terry:

I am totally at a loss for words. The portrait of Shadow is beautiful. My description, in Shadow's Story, of getting the present really says it all. You and Lynda have given me one of the most memorable gifts of my life. Thank you.

We will try to send you a picture later today or tomorrow.

Dave

what a great story!)

"Santa Has Arrived" Mission Inn Riverside, CA

"SANTA HAS ARRIVED"

Night Painting at Mission Inn in Riverside, Ca. I missed the first opportunity to paint with the Plein Air Artists of Riverside group on Dec. 10 for a night painting and I was bound and determined I would not miss last nights opportunity. As you recall when we went on our yearly trip to Catalina Joan Coffey and I decided to do some night paintings. It was so much fun that I could not wait for the opportunity again.

Mission Inn is famous in our area for their Christmas Festival of Lights (see a photo on this page) Mission Inn - Festival of Lights and this year they have really out done themselves. People come from all over to take advantage of this beautiful sight. Here is another article that tells a bit more about the Mission Inn that you might enjoy reading. Holiday light display makes California hotel a must-see - USATODAY.com

A group of artists met on the corner by the Metropolitan Museum in downtown Riverside and set up for a nights painting. Adeola Aryeloja and I had not painted in the previous outing so we were not aware of what was going to happen. Not shown in the photo are Katherine Lundgren who took the photos and Sharon Vandermeiden, Pat Ford who came later. Luz Perez kept telling us just sketch in what you want to paint and wait for the lights. She warned us that we needed to be prepared, as the darker it gets the brighter the lights become. So I quickly sketched my scene and waited for the moment. Oh my word! It was unbelievable. Not only was the scene breathtaking with color, but I could not believe how dark it was. I had purchased a Mighty Bright light for lighting on my easel and my painting. This little light came in handy on my palate but because I was set up under a corner lamp it was too bright for my painting. So I turned that part of the light off, it actually has 2 lamps on it which I am sure will come in handy if I don't set up under another type of lighting. I continued to block in colors as I saw them, as there were no details, just shapes of bright colors and darks. What an experience. The one thing that I really was not prepared for was how cold it would become. I found myself shivering, and really unable to put my brush down on my palate.

Our friends Pat and Lily came by and Lily said put your hood on that will help keep you warm. I guess I was at the point of freezing and could not think for myself. The hood did help but boy will I be more prepared the next time. We painted for about an hour and everyone seemed to be happy with their paintings. you can see by the photo how dark it is and yes, the lights is about all you see.

We met at a local Mexican restaurant to talk about the painting event and share some Christmas stories. What a great group of artists I paint with. We have decided that if the weather is good on Dec. 29, we will meet again and capture another painting of the beautiful Mission Inn. I am already planning my attire so I won't freeze.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Holiday Season. My son Matthew will be home on Tuesday and my brother Bob and his wife Betty will be here early Christmas morning. On Christmas eve we will have a few friends over for Posole and home made Tamales from Eddie's sister Mary. This get together has been a tradition at the Chacon household for many years and we enjoy sharing it with our friends. I love the holidays. I would like to wish everyone a Wonderful Holiday! Everyone stay safe and enjoy your friends and families.

Until next time, ENJOY THE ART! Terry d. Chacon

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AKC Eukanuba Invitational 2008

Eukanuba 2008 in Long Beach, Ca. I thought you might like a little insight into my other life as a breeder of Afghan Hounds.

This year we arrived on Wed. to take in some of the all-breed dog shows prior to the Eukanuba Invitational and get Apache ready for the show.

On Friday night was the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation Gala reception, dinner and auction. The photo is of the painting "Life is Grand" I did for the CHF to raise money for the health and research of pure bred dogs. I congratulate the winner, thank you so much for your generosity to this great cause and hope you will enjoy the painting for many years to come. Here is a copy of the Gala list of auction items that was made into a beautiful booklet for everyone in attendance to take home and keep. http://www.akcchf.org/pdfs/events/2008_gala_auction_items.pdf


Visit the following link to find out more about the Eukanuba Invitational Dog Show and all the winners at http://www.akc.org/ . The following link will help you understand what all goes into getting a dog qualified for this event. Dogs from 52 countries were represented this year. http://www.akc.org/

Apache getting ready for the big show.


















The next two photos were of the actual dog show. Our judge Mr. Ewe Fischer from Germany awarded Ch. Abaca ShaCone Native Spirit otherwise known as Apache to his friends Award of Excellence which also comes along with an invitation to Crufts Dog Show in London 2009 and 2010. Thank you Mr. Fischer for this award.

The last photo is of Apache and my friend Wynne Kalish from Miami. Every year at Eukanuba they have "Meet the Breeds". Each breed recognized by the American Kennel Club is represented. You get a small space to show some materials of your breed, talk with the public about your breed and they like you to have the dogs there also. Apache was a little reserved on the floor with everyone petting him, and Bob Stein suggested we put him on the table. Oh man, once up on the table he became the king of dogs. He was a big ham and took photos with lots of people including children. He would paw at them if they didn't give him enough attention.

Eukanuba is a fun event, if you have not gone, mark your calendars for Dec. next year and be sure to attend. I am sure your favorite breed will be there.

Apache all tuckered out after a big week at the dog shows! Hummmmm I think I see a future painting in this photo!!!!!

Until next time, enjoy the photos and the Afghan Hound Apache!

Terry d. Chacon