http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress Pet Portraits, Pittsburgh, Zapata Studios specializes in glamourous portraits of pets & the people who own them. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:47:56 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en [photopress:Mural_Pittsburgh_Zapata_Studios.jpg,full,pp_image] [photopress:West_End_Mural_Pittsburgh_Zapata_studios.jpg,full,pp_image] [photopress:IMGP3547.JPG,full,pp_image] [photopress:mural_floral_pittsburgh_alison_zapata_.jpg,full,pp_image] Early stage of mural process. [photopress:324515023603_0_ALB.jpg,full,pp_image] Evan Schmidt's rain catching sculpture. Amazing! [photopress:593515023603_0_ALB.jpg,full,pp_image] Myself with Linzy Miggantz enjoying the Arty Party As Gary Pletsch moved into his neighborhood, he knew he wanted to make a positive impact on his new community. A contribution to beautify the West End neighborhood is what he wanted ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/murals/garys-west-end-mural-preview/ [photopress:Pet_Portrait_Pittsburgh__Nellie_and_Casper.jpg,full,pp_image] Here I am getting so close to finish.  Nellie, on the right, has a cream based coat.  To make her fur really outstanding, I am layering in the many color undertones such as blues, greens, yellow ochers, crimsons, that I am finding in the the subtleties of her fur.  Later, ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/casper-and-nellies-pet-portrait-in-progress/ [photopress:Pet_Portraits_Pittsburgh_Kim_Reed_1.jpg,full,pp_image] Getting closer to completion. The cats are developing nicely. I am bringing in more purples, roses, and blues. Just a little more definition on these three animals and this pet portrait will hanging beautifully in its new home. [photopress:Pet_portrait_Pittsburgh_Vegas.jpg,full,pp_image] In this painting, Vegas, a Harlequin Great Dane, is seated ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/vegas-sunny-and-pinkys-pet-portrait-preview/ [photopress:Mariann_Geyer__Bucksmall.jpg,full,pp_image] Today I just finished adding the finishing touches to Buck's portrait. I love looking at this painting in the sunlight. All of the colors really radiate beautifully together in the natural lighting. I cannot wait until this painting goes to its owners. I think they ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/works-in-progress/bucks-preview/ [photopress:Pet_portraits__Betsy__Sonny__small.jpg,full,pp_image] I love this painting. Just completed Sonny's portrait this week. The deep orange and red background really give this painting a lot of zest. What a handsome kitten, sure to warm the hearts of his owners for Christmas. [photopress:Sonny_with_his_pet_portrait.jpg,full,pp_image] "Thank you again for the painting, Joe absolutely loves it! ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/cat-portraits/pet-portrait-of-sonny-getting-started/ [photopress:community_art.jpg,full,pp_image] [photopress:painting__endangered_species__tree_frog__zapata_studios_pittsburgh_6.jpg,full,centered] I worked on this beautiful Red Eyed Tree Frog as part of a community mural art piece as a part of the Roving Art Cart with Citipark's at Riverview Park, Pittsburgh, PA. These art pieces are on display at the City County Building in Pittsburgh. ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/art-workshops/the-red-eyed-tree-frog-endangered-species-series/ [photopress:Pet_portraits_Pittsburgh__Sophie_web_image_small_.jpg,full,pp_image] This beautiful pet portrait is of Sophie, a super sweet Yorkie living in Louisiana. The colors naturally appearing in her fur allowed for a great deal of artistic interpretation in adding a multitude of yellow ochers, crimsons, thalo blues, even olive greens. I had a great time ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/pet-portraits-sophie-the-yorkshire-terrier/ [photopress:Pet_portraits_Pittsburgh_Barbara_Charley_two_collies_1.jpg,full,pp_image] Pet portraits: Jeremiah and Dakota, Rough Collies These two absolutely beautiful collies were great to paint. I love the composition with the two collies side by side with the ruby background. [photopress:pet_portraits__pittsburgh_zapata_studios.jpg,full,pp_image] Collie portrait, Jeremiah and Dakota, a work in progress. [photopress:pet_portraits__pittsburgh.jpg,full,pp_image] Jeremiah and Dakota, original photograph. http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/pet-portraits-jeremiah-and-dakota-collies/ [photopress:Pet_portrait_pittsburgh_Neil_Berger_1_2.jpg,full,pp_image] Pet Portraits: Jingles and Charlie, what a handsome pair! [photopress:Pet_portraits_pittsburgh_Charlie__s_preview.jpg,full,pp_image] Portrait work in progress. [photopress:Good_pic.jpg,full,pp_image] Original photo [photopress:IMGP2414.JPG,full,pp_image] Original photo http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/cat-portraits/141/ [photopress:Pet_portraits_Monty__s_final.jpg,full,pp_image] Monty's pet portrait final image. In this painting, I really wanted to highlight all of the subtle tonalities of color in Monty's fur- alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, a variety of blue. I love his expression. [photopress:Pet_portrait_pittsburgh_Monty__s_preview.jpg,full,pp_image] Monty's pet portrait preview [photopress:Pet_portrait_pittsbugh_Monty_1.jpg,full,pp_image] The very beginning stage [photopress:Pet_Portrait_Pittsburgh_Monty_3.jpg,full,pp_image] The original photo http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/montys-pet-portrait-preview/ [photopress:Pet_Portrait_Pittsburgh_Bailey_1.jpg,full,pp_image] Bailey's final pet portrait. [photopress:pet_portraits__Pittsburgh__Kate__s_Bailey.jpg,full,pp_image] Bailey's preview clearly shows the next step to be painted, her body area. The background will have a overcast of hunter green allowing the under painting of lime yellow to shine through around Bailey's face. [photopress:Pet_portraits__Pittsburgh__The_Queen_Pose.jpg,full,pp_image] I used a combination of these two photos to create ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/cat-portraits/baileys-pet-portrait-in-progress/ [photopress:Pet_Portrait_Pittsburgh_Bridgette_1.jpg,full,pp_image] Bridgette's final portrait [photopress:Pet_Portrait__Pittsburgh__Joette__Bridgette.jpg,full,pp_image] Bridgette is looking quite lovely here with a fuller coat and a beautifully warm background. I have been layering in some crimson and yellow ocher tones in the background to surround Bridgette color to reflect her sweet and warm personality. That is exactly what is needed in ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/pet-portraits-bridgette-a-work-in-progress/ [photopress:Pet_Portraits__Pittsburgh__Beth_Page_two_cats__small.jpg,full,pp_image] Alice and Trixie [photopress:Pet_Portraits__Pittsburgh__Beth_Page_Cats__small.jpg,full,pp_image] Beautiful Tabor http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/cat-portraits/alice-trixie-and-tabor-kitties/ [photopress:Horse_painting_pittsburgh_1.jpg,full,pp_image] This lovely horse is a painting for my friends, Mara and John Roberts at Sterling Printing. This past summer I had a wonderful visit to their barn where we had a blast photographing the horses. I am completely inspired to do a series of horse paintings. Here is some ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/paintings/horse-painting-portrait/ [photopress:Pet_Portraits_Pittsburgh_1.jpg,full,pp_image] So, how does a photo go from a photo to a full fledged painting you ask. Well, this is a super condensed insight to inside world of my easel and hours and hours of meticulous labors of love. It all begins with a good photo. This ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/the-anatomy-of-a-pet-portrait/ [photopress:Pet_portrait_community_art_pittsburgh_1_2.jpg,full,pp_image] [photopress:Community_Art_pittsburgh.jpg,full,pp_image] Yes, do not attempt to adjust your screen. That is a giant letter D with dogs painted on it. This summer I was asked by Citiparks of Pittsburgh to create a nifty design for an eight foot high giant D as part of their Storywalk celebration in Frick ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/art-workshops/the-letter-d/ [photopress:Patricia_Janesway_Butterfly_1.jpg,full,pp_image] Looking good! I added the antenna, the final layers of burnt sienna to the dark area in the wings, filled in the blue/gray "wing drops" at the bottom, and gave a final layer to the background to this commissioned butterfly painting. Here is a bit of background information on this ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/butterfly-painitngs-series/butterfly-painting/ [photopress:Pet_portrait_pittsburgh__Magnum_and_Pixie_final_changes__small.jpg,full,centered] I love this painting. The loose brush strokes and uplifting colors create a fabulous composition of Pixie and Magnum. I made a few subtle changes since the last update. Magnum's fur around his eyes and bridge of his nose are much softer now. His back paw ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/pet-portrait-pittsburgh-pixie-and-magnum/ [photopress:Pet_portraits__Pittsburgh__Winston_and_Sienna.jpg,full,pp_image] These two are just so adorable. I intensified the background color and added more yellow to the green above the dogs while adding reflections of the yellow/green in the blue ground below. Also, in this painting especially in Sienna the darker dog, her fur has a velvety ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/130/ [photopress:macaw_art_5__pittsburgh.jpg,full,centered] This summer, I have been working with the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts to create the Endangered Species Community Art Series. This gorgeous macaw painting was created by participants at the North Side Community festival. Adults and children had the opportunity to paint on a giant pre-drawn canvas ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/art-workshops/beautiful-macaw-north-side-festival-july-28-2007/ [photopress:Zapata__Sea_Turtles__Community_Mural.jpg,full,centered] I love this mural. Sea Turtles are very special. They are endangered species with such gentle souls. I love learning about them and watching them swim. They are so graceful and serene. I designed this Sea Turtle mural in a paint by number fashion with no ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/art-workshops/sea-turtles-community-art-mural/ [photopress:Bisbee.jpg,full,centered] It turns out that Bisbee's family really likes the colorful painterly background. That is great. I have also added more body to Bisbee's coat and deeper, darker tones in the shadows of the fur. I also added the white highlights to Bisbee's chin area. What do you ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/works-in-progress/busy-bees-big-portrait/ [photopress:Merry_Final_in_Pink_1.jpg,full,centered] [photopress:pp_1_2.gif,full,pp_image] A painter's work is never done. After much consideration, I decided, along with Merry's owner, that this painting really needed to have more pink. Merry really loves pink and the painting simply would not be complete without it! So, I went back to the easel and added ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/merry-pics-a-work-in-progress/ [photopress:Baby_Portrait__Pittsburgh__Mila.jpg,full,centered] This little cutie is Rock Enzo. This painting is of him after just being born. Wow! And yes, he had that much hair! This painting is intended to be a gift to his mother for her birthday. Coupled with the fact that this ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/works-in-progress/baby-rock/ [photopress:Zero_3.jpg,full,centered] Zero, the Bull Terrier, was painted as a gift from my friend Leighann of the dog barkery, WAG, in Shadyside, Pittsburgh, for her friend, Richard, of the South Bank Gallery in Pittsburgh's South Side. This charming Bull Terrier was captured in bold and florescent colors creating a uniqueand interesting ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/zero-the-bull-terrier-captured-in-a-very-chic-painting/ [photopress:Grandma.jpg,full,centered] This collage is of my Grandmother, Connie Trenga. She is such an amazing and strong woman. She is from a school who still believes you should get to know your neighbors, send them plates of dinner when you have plenty to give, and take time out to talk ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/collage-works/collage-works/ [photopress:Custom_Pet_Portrait__Pittsburgh__Zapata_Studios_1.jpg,full,centered] Tula, the finished work. I think this painting is especially endearing. It must me the warmth of Tula's eyes. The yellow background really showcases the warm browns in Tula's fur. This is a great piece. I cannot wait for her owner to see it in ... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/lovely-tulas-pet-portrait-preview/ [photopress:Custom_Painting__Pittsburgh.jpg,full,centered] See the process of this painting. http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/works-in-progress/covered-bridge-proposal/ [photopress:Bulldog_Dog_Portrait.jpg,full,centered] Josie, the gorgeous bulldog mascot of MCN Salon in the Strip District of Pittsburgh. Zapata Studios, Pittsburgh. See Josie's portrait in progress and her big night at the Carnegie Museum of Art.... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/bulldog/ [photopress:Pet_Portrait__pittsburgh__Sophie2_1.jpg,full,centered] Finally, the finished pet portrait of Sophie. Now this painting is on its way to Harrisburg to suprize its new owner. I am anxious to hear the reactions! Interested in seeing how this painting developed... http://zapatastudios.com/wordpress/dog-portraits/sophie-pet-portrait-pittsburgh-zapata-studios/