Showing new paintings, and latest news.

Galgo with a Pearl Earring - Fine Art Prints now available

1/28/2020 12:32:01 AM | By Louise Charles-Saarikoski | Comment on this

I have seen many versions of Girl with a Pearl Earring by Dutch Golden Age painter Johannes Vermeer (painted c. 1665). Some of the examples have included dogs and I decided to do my own version and include my adopted galgo Tenshi as the 'Girl'.

I enjoyed the challenge of fitting the head of a greyhound under the headscarf and deciding where the all important pearl earring should hang. During the painting of this I kept it on display in my studio window and it was interesting to see the attention it got.

I was very happy when I received an email from someone interested in buying it even before it was finished. I was even happier when this same person bought it and the painting lives in the same area as my studio :)

This painting has been so popular and I was asked to paint a second painting which now lives in Texas, USA. The title of the second is Tenshi with a Pearl Earring!

There are prints available of the first version from my Etsy shop SaarikoskiArt>>>

Finnish Lapphund by Louise Charles-Saarikoski

1/17/2020 12:21:21 PM | By Louise Charles-Saarikoski | Comment on this

A Father and his young son came into the studio to order this Finnish Lapphund as a surprise Christmas gift for his wife.

We went through the photographs and chose the most suitable together. Although I have a dog with very short hair, I do like painting long thick hair. There is something very luxurious about loading a brush with plenty of paint and watching it build both colour and texture at the same time.

The white on the muzzle really popped against the black fur making it look 3D.

If you would like a portrait but cannot come to the studio, don’t worry! We can choose photos via email. Use the 'contact' tab in the menu at the top of the page. Distance is no object! 😊

"I got this painting from my husband and son, best gift ever! We love our dog Lulu. ❤️ The painting is beautiful! Thank you, Louise!" - Kaisa, Helsinki.

Nala - Whippet portrait by Louise Charles-Saarikoski

1/8/2020 12:45:43 AM | By Louise Charles-Saarikoski | Comment on this

“The most beautiful, and thoughtful gift I’ve received ever! Thank you for the portrait, love it ♥️”. - Pia , Helsinki, Finland

This is a portrait of beautiful whippet Nala. I received the order well in advance of Christmas for when it was to be given as a gift to her owner. In the photograph I was sent Nala was 'back lit' as a beautiful sunset over a lake was in the background. This meant she appeared quite dark in the photo. However when I asked for more photographs, I was quickly supplied with further photos so I could see Nala's colour and her gorgeous whippet eyes properly, and it turned into a very successful painting. It was wonderful to paint the delicate pinks and blues of the sunset over the lake as the perfect backdrop to this pale coloured whippet.

Those of you who know me, know I have a thing for sighthounds and I have a galgo Espanol (Spanish sighthound). Therefire may be you can imagine how excited I was to get the opportunity to paint Nala in such a beautiful and dare I say typical Finnish scene. A whippet next to a Finnish lake, the perfect combination!