Showing new paintings, and latest news.

My lovely greyhound Yoga recently had tenotomy surgery to 5 toes affecting 3 paws to relieve the corns he had been suffering with. At the initial consultation he had all four paws x-rayed and the orthopaedic surgeon said he had injuries to the ligaments in his paws consistent with competition sighthounds. He has a toe missing on one of his back paws and this was confirmed as an amputation, probably due to a corn! I was also told the tear to his neck and shoulder muscles is something we have to live with.

The tenotomy surgery has been a success for Yoga and he is a different greyhound. He moves so much better, I don't have to be searching for the softest ground to walk him on any more. During his short recovery while he was confined to minimum exercise at home, I searched Yoga on greyhound-data.com and I easily found him! I did not see any other greyhounds called Yoga! His microchip and previous owner in Spain were a match. I found that he is an Irish greyhound, with no trace of galgo Espanol in his blood. Further to this, there are photographs of Yoga with his owner together with trophies they had won. The environment they are photographed in looks like hare coursing country, therefore I conclude my lovely affectionate couch potato greyhound was a very successful coursing greyhound in his previous life.

This information has helped to explain his injuries and his reactiveness to wildlife and cats! It is nice to fill in the gaps about his background. I only wish this information could have been passed on with Yoga so he did not have to suffer as much as he did while we tried to find out why he was limping.

Yoga has inspired my current series of paintings: Invictus. I think you will understand why I chose the title of the series.

I received an email that went like this:

"Dear Louise,
Congratulations! Your painting, "Into The Light", was an award winner in the November 2025 BoldBrush Painting competition.
"Into The Light" was awarded the honor 3rd Place - Abstract by Thomas W. Schaller (award-winning artist, architect, and author based in New York City)."
.
My description of the painting is below:

This reminds me of a brindle Galgo Espanol I once knew...

Emerging from a dark place where their beauty, sensitivity, elegance, faithfulness, loyalty was never appreciated. To step into the light, into their forever sweet life, where they will be appreciated, loved and live happily ever after.

I always like contrast and the thick black paint was perfect for depicting the idea of rescue dogs who come from a dark place and find their forever homes, (more photographs of the painting below). This original artwork is for sale and you can find it here on my website by clicking the link:  https://www.louisecharles-saarikoski.com/workszoom/6313985/into-the-light#/

I will have an open studio event again this year for Taiteiden Yö on Thursday 14th August!

Doors will be open from 16:00 - 19:00.

Address is: Solvikinkatu 10 B, 00990 Helsinki, and my studio is at street level.

There is plenty of street parking and good public transport connections.

Original paintings and prints are on display with prints at special event prices.

Hope to see you there!

If you cannot make it on the night, contact me so you can arrange to visit at another time.

Also, my online print shop has 15% off all orders until 14th August to coincide with this event!

For some reason, some Galgos can wait an incredibly long time to find a home.  No matter how sweet and affectionate they are, they still get over looked...

More photos of this painting are below!

The price includes EU sales tax (where applicable) and shipping by courier to Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. For other countries please contact me for the shipping costs. 

Any import tax/excise duty is to be paid by the purchaser.

The painting is sold unframed.

A wonderful project to work on of this greyhound trio, that had to be kept secret as it was a wedding present.

My client wanted an abstract painting of her three rescue greyhounds, and we discussed what she wanted by email. It is always interesting to me to know which of my paintings a client likes because this give me an idea about what they are expecting in their own painting. In this case it was clearly abstract and then we discussed the colours she wanted.

These three hounds have their own Instagram account, so I felt I got to know the three different characters while creating the painting.

If you are interested in commissioning your own custom painting, you will find some information on my website, which includes a price guide by clicking this link >>>

The way she quietly watches you...

A close-up depiction of a grey faced brindle greyhound with expressive eyes in a slightly abstract style, blending soft pinks in the background. The brushstrokes and color palette give the artwork a raw and emotional feel. The perfect combination of greyhound and abstract art. The combination of pinks and greys make it ideal to be a focal point in any room.

The painting sold but is now available printed on canvas in my print shop. There is an unframed and a framed version.

And if you would like to browse the whole collection of prints click here >>>

We have just made a short move to a new location. We are only about 300 metres from our old studio, so why the move?

I would have been quite content to stay where we were. We had more than enough room, quiet, close to home and very nice neighbours. The only downside was that we could not be seen from the street. This meant it was difficult for those coming to collect paintings to find us. It was also a challenge for the courier who collects paintings from us several times per month. All was fine if it was our usual very nice UPS driver, but if he was on holiday.... well it was difficult and rather stressful. Likewise to get deliveries was the same challenge. However, we had managed and would have continued to do so.

Also, I rely very much on Instagram for my sales of both paintings and prints. You may not have noticed, but Meta who owns both Instagram and Facebook had a major outage a few weeks ago, which meant both platforms were down for several hours. Me, like many millions around the world, thought I had been hacked! This is a constant threat and forced me think that although convenient it is not so good not to rely on the Internet so much for my business, and makes me very happy I have made the move. Having a physical store front plus the Internet gives me much greater flexibility now and in the future.

It was through word of mouth, I heard a place around the corner at street level was about to become available to rent! I was able to arrange a quick viewing with the current tenant, and decided I should take it. I immediately contacted the building's manager and negotiated the contract for the space.

So here we are, currently a bit of a mess but soon to be sorted.

Below is a location map and we do actually have a view of the sea, which of course is amazing. We moved in on 29th April 2024 and the place does not yet feel like mine, but that will change as the weeks go by and I get painting!

If you are familiar with Helsinki you can see where we are located (we are already marked on Google maps)! Here we are quite visible because we have display windows and door to the street.  The address is: Solvikinkatu 10 B, 00990 Helsinki.

Future plan is to have a regular opening time, and also be open by appointment. Perhaps we will also be part of Helsinki's Night of the Arts in August with an open studio event. Watch this space!

Tenshi made herself comfy immediately!

This is the second abstract galgo painting I ever created once I realized I could communicate more in this style than by painting realism, and I was so pleased when a 'Galgo person' bought it.

This year I had a surprise phone call and was asked if one of my paintings could be used for the packaging of some dog shampoo. I was interested to know which the company would choose... And it was this one - Wheel of Fortune! 

Interestingly the person who bought the painting  Wheel of Fortune, is the founder of the charity  May's Galgo Rescue, and they have been chosen to benefit from all sales of the shampoo from July to December. Small circles, wheel of fortune, or coincidence? You never know what fortune is coming to you next!

The all natural handmade shampoo is made in Finland by Kaurilan Sauna who ship internationally.

Holiday time here in Finland and a chance to enjoy summer long evenings and beautiful flowers... It is quite common at this time to see ladies and girls wearing flower crowns, so why not dogs... 

I wanted to keep the painting light and misty, and the long face a galgo (Spanish greyhound) appearing as though she might be wearing a veil. 

This painting is available as a fine art print in two sizes. Click this link for all the details!

Summer Memories

(detail)

Standing steady and sniffing the air, who has just passed through? Was it a hare, fox or surely a deer as the nose is lifted so high. This painting is inspired by my own Galgo Espanol, so it was extra special to receive the following email:

"Dear Louise,
Congratulations! Your painting, "Something in the Air", was selected as part of the FAV15% (jury's favorite 15% of the entries) in the May 2023 BoldBrush Painting competition.

Thanks so much and congrats again!
Sincerely,
The FASO Team"

The painting is at the moment still available. If you would like to see the details, click here >>>

A pair of Spanish sighthounds with the title Always Together.

This has been a very popular painting not just because there is a white and a black greyhound, but also the colors have appealed to a lot of people. Therefore I am very happy that it has reproduced very well as a print!

If you would like to see photos and information on how to purchase, please click here >>>

A pair of galgo Espanol, Always Together (more images below).

I remember before adopting my own galgo I was advised by several very knowledgeable people to "adopt two", because they would be happier than being an only dog!

I have to admit I usually take notice of experts. However, as a self employed artist with an unpredictable income, to go from zero to two dogs was a big ask. Therefore, I waited patiently for some months until one seven year old, brindle female came up for adoption, described as relaxed, suitable as first galgo and 'could possibly be an only galgo'. And this was my lovely Tenshi,! She is as described and seems to not be interested in other dogs. But I must admit with what I know now, I think she would be happier if there was another galgo in our home.  Therefore, if your are thinking of adopting a galgo or a greyhound, and I fully recommend, remember to adopt two, or at least two... or  preferably three.... 

For the details about the painting click here >>>

I will have a new selection of galgo Espanol and greyhound prints coming in the Autumn 2022 from some of my new paintings created this spring. See those selected below. I am expecting them to be available in September. The best way to be informed when they are released is by becoming a subscriber to My List. Click this link to join>>>

Crossing

Follow Me

Fly High

The most reliable way to be informed when these new fine art prints are ready is to be on My List! And you can subscribe here by following this link >>>

And if you would like to browse the currently available you will find the information here >>>

I have enjoyed painting with a green and pink colour palette since the start of the spring, and including it with my greyhound and galgo Espanol paintings. 

Even before I actually saw any green growth this year, I started mixing different shades of green in anticipation. I went back to an idea I had last year with the painting spring fever (see below). I do not use green too much in paintings so it was nice to observe all the greens in the forest where we live and as spring arrived, that very special fresh (spring) green! However, my favourite shade has been the greyish green which has gone so well with the pinks I have used as with the painting Patience above.

That said, with summer holidays fast approaching I am already starting to think about the colour palette I should be using as we head into autumn. Watch this space...

The easiest way to be kept informed of new paintings and fine art prints is to subscribe to my email list and you can do so here >>>

Spring fever is available as framed canvas print,

Click here for details >>>

On the one black, one white greyhound theme again.

Always good to have more than one greyhound. There is always a leader and I have again used the lighter coloured sighthound stepping out in front, although they are both quite confidently trotting in the same direction.

Most of my sighthound paintings are inspired by my galgo Espanol whose favourite pace is a brisk trot when she is on the leash. I love to watch her smooth, flowing action and how she covers the ground so easily.

I have chosen brighter colours for this painting. The painting needed something to contrast with the strong pink and that is why I added the bright green.

For all the details about this original oil painting click here >>>

An abstract greyhound painting with choice of color to give a spring vibe, after what seems to have been a very long winter.

It had been many months since taking my galgo Espanol (Spanish greyhound) to the dog park due to snow and icy conditions. So our recent visit with the sun shining it was wonderful to watch her run. Despite lack of practice she easily stretched out her long limbs covering a large amount of ground with one stride and without even trying. She did not go top speed, just showed she was built to run and that she is very good at it.

I videoed her as I often do and watched frame by frame to get this inspiration for the painting. Observing the order of the legs, as the last fore foot just leaves the ground before the moment of suspension and on to the next long relaxed stride...

This painting was sold before it was finished, while it was still on my easel!  If you would like me to paint something similar for you please get in touch: [email protected].