TAF BRUNO is a beautiful red brindle and white bulldog that is also looking for a good home!  He has been lovingly produced with a combination of custom mixed glazes and underglazes, then finished in kiln-fired, diamond tough crystal clear gloss glaze so his beautiful color will never alter or fade as cold paints sometimes can do.  Much work was put into his face: he has one blue and one brown eye, a shiny black nose, and his muzzle is pinked, shaded and mottled.  BRUNO passed through the kiln several times to achieve his final, soft brindling; it is not a garish black but a softer tone that comes nicely through the glaze overlay.   He measures 3 inches tall by 6 inches long. He is quiet, potty trained, and has had all of his shots.

CHACOTEY the wolf is the next in our wildlife series.  He sports magnificent, deep and richly colored tones on his head and back, which lighten to a snowy white throat, chest, belly and legs.  His eyes are his most impressive feature, being extremely realistic, alert, and golden in color.  He is not for sale at this time.

Created for the Dalmatian Club of America’s “Decorated Dals” live auction fund-raiser presented at their 2011 National Dog Show, “La Rana” raised over $200.

Here is the latest dog produced by the TAF barns, one of a short series being lovingly referred to as “Fast Dogs!”  This first little speed-demon is on Nowell’s St. Bernard mold, and is a test model for new glazes and more efficient glazing techniques (hence “fast” dog, LOL.)  Anyway, please welcome little TAF ANGELICA, the sweetest little bright chestnut St. Bernard you’d ever want to see!   Mantled and sporting a pretty white face and forehead, ANGELICA has a shaded and speckled muzzle, lovely black mask with shading going into the lighter hair, shaded black ears, and golden eyes.  This pretty little dog was created with the use of quality art glazes, which were then kiln-fired so the colors will not fade or alter over time.  A perfect display size, she stands approximately 6” long by 3-1/2” tall, and is signed, dated, and marked “test” by the artist.

The next dog in our “Fast Dogs!” series represents one that surely EVERYONE has seen trotting along the roadside at one time or another!  Although the mold used was Nowell’s golden retriever, the artist thought this model was better suited for another purpose.  So now please put your hands together for the lovable little mutt, TAFF GEORGE!  In keeping with his retriever heritage, GEORGE has been glazed in tones of shaded chocolate and gold.  His muzzle is shaded (as actually is his entire body!); his chest and three paws are white, his nose is shiny black (he’s got hybrid vigor, lol) and his eyes are shaded and golden.  Again being a test for a more efficient use of glazes as well as a new glazing technique, he is marked as such and is signed and dated by the artist.  Kiln-fired to preserve his wonderful “muttiness,” he sits a hair under 4” tall, and is about the same length from paws to tip of tail.

Here is TAF NICODEMUS, another in our “Fast Dogs!” series done on a second Nowell’s St. Bernard mold.  As with his sister ANGELICA, this playful fellow is another test for a new and more efficient glazing technique (he’s “fast,” too!).  His body being a deeper shade of brownish red, he sports a shaded and splotched muzzle, shaded ears, and a lovely, shaded black mask that offsets his golden brown eyes quite nicely.  Unlike his sister he is not mantled, but bears a large white neck patch instead.  Approximately 6” long by 3” at the top of his upraised hiney, he is kiln-fired in super glossy glazes so his colors won’t alter or fade over time.  He is signed, dated, and marked “test” by the artist.

Next in the “Fast Dogs!” line is Nowell’s doberman mold glazed to a red doberman.  Please welcome TAF SEBASTIAN, (who is really better looking in person than his pictures show).  As with the case of ANGELICA, GEORGE, and NICODEMUS, this dog was created using a new glazing technique, and with quality art glazes utilized in a more efficient glazing method.  His body is a rich, deep custom-mixed reddish chocolatey brown; his points, muzzle and inner ears are a wonderfully shaded rusty orange, his eyes an intense golden brown, and his nose…  well, let’s hear it for that nose!  (Fanfare, please.)  It’s glazed to a delicately shaded pink, and is really NOT the glaring white blob it appears to be in the photo.  (Also due to the super gloss this little guy sports, the camera had a difficult time picking up his eyes properly.  His right eye is NOT “weird,” but is rather intense, as is his left which you can see.)  SEBASTIAN was kiln-fired so his colors will not fade or alter over time (yes, even that nose, lol!).  He is approximately 5-1/4” from paws to tail tip, about 3-1/2” to the tips of his ears, and is signed, dated, and marked “test” by the artist.

Since “Crystal” was a test model for a new technique, she is not for sale.  (Besides, TAF GILGAMESH has taken quite a fancy to her, and fates know we don’t want to annoy him!)  But if you are just pining for her, don’t worry; there is another one in the making!

However, The Kid realizes she cannot keep ‘em all, lol.  SO, if you like the looks of this guy, please consider his brother, the merle Great Dane TAF KHAN (now for sale!).  Every bit of effort and painstaking art work was taken in the process of bringing him to life as was with GILGAMESH; the only difference is that KHAN is merle and white, and not a mantled merle like his littermate, the indomitable GILGAMESH.

CHERRY was brought to life with the use of custom mixed underglazes and quality art glazes.  Her perfectly sized 4.75 x 6-inch frame is finished in a layer of protective, diamond-tough and super glossy clear glaze, which will assure that the richness of her coat will not fade or alter over time.  (Those white spots in her black are due to light reflection: her black is BLACK!)  Please note: her rusty parts are a tiny bit deeper and richer than the camera reveals, but her color is very close to what she looks like in real life.  Signed and dated by the artist, she comes with a laminated certificate of authenticity.

This OOAK wolf, unfortunately, is again NFS.  However, others will be produced using this mold, which stands approximately 8 x 8 inches in size.  Each future wolf will have his own unique color and personality.  Look for them to come!

Perfectly sized at 5.5 x 7 inches, TAF RUDY is signed and dated by the artist, and comes with a laminated certificate of authenticity.

Here is basic dog, elegant in simplicity, and sporting a great expression: TAF ALF!  A Great Pyrenees, ALF really needs no detailed description.  What you see is what you get, lol: he is white, with deeper shading on his underside, ears, and muzzle, and is finished in crystal-tough clear gloss glaze. The expression on his face is just wonderful, that of a dog interrupted by an unexpected noise while going about his general doggie business.  More petite than most of the dogs in the TAF kennels, he stands approximately 2.5 x 4 inches in size.  ALF is signed and dated by the artist and comes with a laminated certificate of authenticity.

Please note: the artist is unable at this point to come by this model again.  Until further notice, this is the only borzoi to be glazed.

Here is a new addition to the TAF kennels: a wonderfully rendered, kiln-fired ceramic Old English sheepdog!  After first being underglazed in custom mixed colors, Nigel was then finished in several tough, shining art glazes to assure permanence to his color.  Those coat colors range from the palest of grays to yummiest of charcoal; soulful brown eyes peep out from beneath his shaggy brows, while his pink tongue lolls with doggy good humor.  And as with his kennel-mate TAF SUNSHADOW (sold) there is nothing about NIGEL to indicate a harsh, painted look; although he has passed through the fire, everything about NIGEL is soft, soft, soft.  Just look at him: you can almost actually feel the floofy, woolly coat of these marvelous sheepdogs!  Besides being as soft as thistledown, NIGEL is petite to boot, coming in at a mere 3 x 3.5 inches in size, he will display anywhere with ease.  Signed and dated by the artist, he comes complete with a laminated certificate of authenticity.  A discontinued, vintage mold.

Here is another vintage, discontinued mold: Parker’s dalmation transformed into the most beautiful of English pointers!  “Jerry” is minimally spotted, but liberally freckled, in the deepest, darkest and yummiest of rich browns.  With toes shaded just enough to tell ‘em apart, his life-like eyes look out upon his world with simple, unquestioning dignity.  A full 5.5 inches by 7, he is finished in varying, shining gloss glaze so his beautiful coat not only has wonderful depth, but it will never fade or change in color.  TAF JERROLD is signed by the artist and comes complete with certificate of authenticity.  Let him bring that touch of extra nobility into your own private kennels!  (Note:  there is a slight glaze run under his one ear, but we feel it is easily taken for just another splotch, adding to his unique beauty.  It needed to be noted, however…)

Please welcome the littlest member of the TAF kennels, FIBBER MCGEE!  Created using varying glazing techniques, this lovely little spotted tri-colored basset hound is just cuter than a bug’s ear.  Delicate shading, speckles and spots, soulful brown eyes and shining gloss glazes make him truly a one of a kind dog!  A wee 1.5 x 2 inches long, he’ll display just about anywhere.  (In fact, he might disappear if you’re not careful!)  Signed by the artist, he comes complete with certificate of authenticity.

Look into her deep, brown eyes.  How can you not take her home?

May this dog be with you…

Here is another dog in our “Fast Dogs!” series, the lovable and serene blue merle collie, ANDREW MCGEE.  This dog was glazed on Nowell’s sitting collie mold, and is yet another test for a different, more efficient glazing technique.  Andrew has been glazed in carefully shaded tones of blue-gray and rusty gold, with white markings.  His muzzle is shaded, each black patch carefully applied, and his eyes a soft, kindly brown. Kiln-fired to preserve his unique color, he sits a hair under 4” tall, and is about the same length from paws to tip of tail, and is ready to find a home with you as a faithful and loyal companion.

Approximately 6.5 x 5 inches in size, he is signed and dated by the artist.

In the creation of the next dog to enter the TAF kennels, the artist chose not to alter Parker’s original intent of their wonderful, vintage and discontinued mold. So with no further ado, please welcome TAF DIGGER, a most scrumptiously marked dalmatian!  And although with his myriad hand-applied dots, splotched and shaded undersides and muzzle, pinked flanks and throat, shaded ears and absolutely realistic and life-like eyes he perhaps deserved a more fitting moniker, such as Lord Falloway of Buckingham for example, upon coming to life he just hollered, “DIGGER!”  And so “Digger” he is.   (Perhaps all you dalmatian afficionados out there will understand this meaning; the artist is admittedly at an utter loss about it!)  A full 5.5 inches by 7, DIGGER is finished in layers of shining, tough gloss glaze so his beautiful coat not only has wonderful depth, but it will never fade or change in color. He is signed and dated by the artist and comes complete with certificate of authenticity.

(Click on image for closer views...)

Duncan’s wonderful “spaniel on tummy” is here transformed into a beautiful liver and white cocker, or perhaps a springer spaniel.  Patched and speckled, with the most awesome and lifelike of eyes, TAF RUTHERFORD was created using custom mixed underglazes and crystal tough art glazes.  No further words are necessary to describe him;  we’ll just let the pictures speak for themselves!  Approximately 3 by 6 inches in size, RUTHERFORD is signed and dated by the artist, and comes complete with a laminated certificate of authenticity.  Just look into those soulful eyes; how can you resist them?

Approximately 6 x 6.5 inches, KHAN is signed and dated by the artist. He is guaranteed to be one of a kind; other merle great danes may be produced, but none other will have the same coat pattern as this striking and noble dog.

(The glaze thinned a little in places on this dog; not enough to really distract from his overall looks, but it needed to be mentioned here.)

Please note:  the occasional white speck or spot in the black portions of this dog are due to camera flash.  He is a solid black, and very glossy!

Here is the next dog to enter the doors of the TAF kennels: Parker’s discontinued, hard-to-find free-standing great dane custom glazed to an absolutely one of a kind harlequin!  Following research of the desired color standards for this type of dane, ODYSSEUS had his eyes, inner ears, privates, muzzle and shaded areas underglazed with custom mixed colors.  After careful application of the patches, including a couple ghostly gray ones here and there, he was then finished in tough, crystal clear gloss glaze to assure permanence to his beautiful coat. Approximately 6 x 6.5 inches, ODYSSEUS is signed by the artist and comes complete with a laminated certificate of authenticity.  He is guaranteed to be one of a kind; other harlequin great danes may be produced, but none other will capture the same degree of grace and nobility possessed by this striking and unique dog.

SOLD!!

Here is another very striking dog: Parker’s discontinued, hard-to-find free-standing great dane custom glazed to an absolutely one of a kind harlequin!  Following research of the desired color standards for this type of dane, XERXES had his eyes, inner ears, privates and shaded areas underglazed with custom mixed colors.  After careful application of the patches, he was then finished in tough, crystal gloss glaze to assure permanence to his beautiful coat. Approximately 6 x 6.5 inches, XERXES is signed by the artist and comes complete with a laminated certificate of authenticity.  Guaranteed to be one of a kind; just look at that noble expression!

Yet another striking dog joins the TAF kennels: Parker’s discontinued, hard-to-find free-standing great dane, now custom glazed to an absolutely one of a kind brindle! A great deal of work went into the creation of this magnificent dog.  Initially begun with custom mixed underglazes, he was carefully brindled and detailed.  His inner ears were shaded, and he was given a white patch low on his chest along with white toes on his forefeet. After these initial steps, the desired richness, subtle shading and depth of color was obtained by the application of four different art glazes. Finally, he was finished in tough, crystal gloss glaze, so his color will never fade or alter over time. (The camera was having a field day trying to capture the rich depth of color on this dog’s coat, and ended up delivering somewhat “glarey” photos that are a teensy bit lighter than the actual dog.  LEONIDAS is very, very close to the photos in appearance but has a more deeply colored muzzle, ears and undersides.)  Approximately 6 x 6.5 inches, LEONIDAS is signed by the artist and comes complete with a laminated certificate of authenticity. Guaranteed to be one of a kind; just look at the alert expression dancing in his eyes!

Sitting here so patiently waiting for a new home is the newest little sweetheart from the TAF kennels: a lovely little black-masked fawn Pekingese, TAF MEE SHEE. Wishing to underscore the flowing nature of her beautiful coat, The Kid chose once again to create this little lady using the equally flowing wonder of various quality translucent art glazes. MEE SHEE’S “coat of many colors” is a subtle blend of buffs and rusts, grays and dusty blacks, with nary a speck of white, all covering a one-time custom mixed underglaze base.  This unique lovely’s coat was then protected beneath a further application of crystal-clear gloss glaze before she was kiln fired a final time, lending her a rich depth of color that will never fade or alter over time as acrylic “cold” paints tend to do. The end result? What you see here: a definitely one of a kind, very realistic, and – due to the nature of the one-time custom mixing of materials used in her making -- never to be repeated dog!  Perfectly sized at 3.5 x 4 inches, MEE SHEE is signed and dated by the artist, and comes complete with a laminated certificate of authenticity.

We said we’d be making another blue merle collie, and (drum-roll, maestro…) here she is!  Please welcome the latest dog to join the TAF kennels, Alberta’s standing collie custom glazed to a beautiful and extremely unique blue merle.  TAF AURORA is something to behold, with her soft golden points, white ruff, undersides and feet, and of course her drop dead gorgeous spotted and patched blue coat!  Her eyes are a soft yet alert amber brown, and her golden areas, inner ears, and muzzle are lightly shaded.  But let us return to that blue merle coat of hers, absolutely, uniquely one-of-a-kind, with each patch and dot painstakingly applied.  (Even her test counterpart CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION has a coat unlike hers, and he’s a blue merle collie too!)  “Aurora” was created with custom mixed underglazes and quality art glazes, all topped with shining diamond tough crystal clear gloss glaze.  Thus her gorgeous, gorgeous coat will never fade or alter over time as non-glazed figurines are wont to do.  Coming in at a petite 4.25 inches tall by 5.5 inches long, she will easily display anywhere you would like to place her.  She is signed and dated on her belly (etched into the bisque) and comes with a laminated certificate of authenticity.

Here is a little charmer up for your consideration: a lovely little parti-colored Pekingese, TAF WEI WEI. Wishing to underscore the flowing nature of her beautiful coat, The Kid chose once again to create this little lady using the equally flowing wonder of various quality translucent art glazes!  Of coarse, The Kid didn’t want her soulful brown eyes to flow (nor her cute little nose!) so they were brought to life with the use of other quality glazes and underglazes. “WEI WEI’S” unique, lightly brindled coat was then protected beneath a further coat of crystal-clear gloss glaze before she was kiln fired, assuring that her wonderful colors will never fade or alter as acrylic “cold” paints tend to do over time. The end result? What you see here: a definitely one of a kind, very realistic, and never to be repeated dog!  Perfectly sized at 3.5 x 4 inches, WEI WEI is signed and dated by the artist, and comes complete with a laminated certificate of authenticity.

Please say “hello” to the TAF kennel’s latest addition: TAF XIAO PING.  A most striking and unusual little dog, this saddled Pekingese was designed with the intention of her becoming an “artsy” little gal, and so was created (for the most part) with the flowing wonder of quality translucent art glazes!  As these types of glaze tend to flow and move more so than others, the artist purposely chose them to underscore the living movement which flows in her beautiful multi-colored coat.  Of coarse, The Kid didn’t want her soulful brown eyes to flow (nor her cute little nose!) so they were brought to life with the use of other quality glazes and underglazes.  “PING’S” unique coat is kiln fired and then protected beneath a further coat of crystal-clear gloss glaze, assuring that the wonderful colors will never fade or alter over time, as acrylic “cold” paints tend to do. The end result?   What you see here: a definitely one of a kind, never to be repeated dog!    A petite 3.5” x 4.5” she is signed by the artist, and comes complete with a laminated certificate of authenticity.

This one may be tiny, but she’s mighty!  Here is Gare’s teensy weensy pekingese mold glazed to a lovely red and white, TAF PO-PO.  One has to look at her closely to see the subtle work done on this perky little pretty: using custom mixed underglazes, PO-PO was subtly shaded in her white areas with the yummiest of cream.  Her red was likewise shaded, ever so subtly, before she was finally finished with a combination of tough, glossy art glazes to assure permanence to her pretty little coat.  An itty-bitty 2 x 2.5 inches in size, PO-PO is tiny enough to display anywhere… but charming enough to stand out in a crowd.  Signed and dated by the artist, she comes complete with a laminated certificate of authenticity.

SOLD!!  Off to Spain!

There is absolutely nothing “rough” about this beautiful rough coated collie!  This 4.25 x 5.5 inch Alberta model has been glazed into a rare – and SOFT! – blue merle and white.  Her expression is soft, her patches are soft… no harsh “painted” look on this one!  Light shading brings out the realism in her muzzle and brown eyes; her toes are softly shaded as well.  Finally, being a blue merle and white, her patch colors were custom mixed, in order to create that creamy, soft “dilute gene” effect.  The patches were then in themselves lightly shaded, before she was finished in crystal clear (and TOUGH) gloss glaze.   (And yes, the tiny black dot on her muzzle was MEANT to be there!)  “TAF Sunshadow” comes complete with a laminated certificate of authenticity, and is signed and dated by the artist.  A very unique, one of a kind dog!

Here is a lovely blue merle collie, just waiting to come home to you.  Curio-sized at approximately 3 x 4 inches, Merlin has shading where appropriate, lifelike brown eyes, and a wonderful patched and blotched multi-colored coat typical to this color.  Finished in shining gloss glaze, he is signed by the artist and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Sitting as pretty as a picture is discontinued X-Mold’s lovely little sitting collie, here glazed to a rich dark golden sable with the deepest of brown eyes.  “Gwenny’s” flowing coat was created using multiple glazes and underglazes, and finished with shining gloss glaze so her color will never change or fade out over time.  A petite 3.5” x 4” in size, she will display anywhere, is signed by the artist, and comes complete with certificate of authenticity.  Most definitely a one of a kind dog!

Please welcome the latest edition in the Two Acre Farms barns: a fluffy little Himalayan kitten, TAF MEI LING!  Much work has gone into creating this cutie-pie: custom mixed underglazes were carefully applied, shading and mixing as the work on her progressed, until the coloring of a sable pointed kitten was achieved.  Specifically, the dark areas are primarily on the toes, the end of the tail, the teensy little muzzle and nose, and ear-tips.  From these points the colors used gradually lighten to the yummiest of pale buffs, which in turn blend into near white.  Brilliant blue eyes complete the figure, which was then finished in crystal tough glossy clear glaze, assuring her coat will never fade or alter over time.  A definite one of a kind work, MEI LING is a delicate 4.5 from ear-tip to rump, and 3.25 inches tall.  More than ready to come play with you, she is signed and dated by the artist, and comes complete with a laminated certificate of authenticity.

 At a petite three inches in size, JASMINE is primarily white with golden and black spots.  Her tail and head sport the most color, but she is liberally spotted on her back as well.  Each different color was produced first in different underglazes, then topped with different art glazes to create a final product that is both rich and has depth.  Her little nose and inner ears, as well as the undersides of her hind paws, are pinked.  Finally, JASMINE has the most brilliant turquoise-ringed, apple green eyes.  MMM… yummy!  As with all of The Kid’s ceramic creations, JASMINE is finished in shining gloss glaze to permanently protect her color, and is dated and signed by the artist.

What a little cutie-pie!  Here is a little Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, simply begging for his tummy to be rubbed!  Nicely shaded in all the right places, this guy possesses the BIGGEST of soulful, brown eyes!  Finished in shining gloss glaze, he comes with certificate of authenticity and is signed by the artist.  Approximately 3 inches long.

Here is the next lovely dog in the TAF kennels, a beautiful black and white Boston terrier, TAF ROSEBUD.  This pretty little dog sports more detail than one would think for being simply black and white: her muzzle is delicately, lightly pinked then shaded.  (Several images were taken in the attempt to show this, as the camera just didn’t want to capture the pinking.  The image with grayer background is without flash, and the ones where the coat appears darker are with a flash.  And rest easy, this dog is BLACK.)  Her nose is shiny black, with shading extending upward from it.  Her big brown eyes are fairly luminous, again being lightly shaded for realism.  She sports pink and grayish-black mottled privates, not shown in these images.  Finally, her markings are not simplistically mirror-imaged, but true to life, as would be found in the case of a real dog.    TAF ROSEBUD was created with both custom mixed underglazes and then finished in tough, shining gloss glazes to protect her color forever.  Sitting approximately 3.75 by 4 inches overall, ROSEBUD will display with ease, is signed and dated by the artist, and comes complete with a laminated certificate of authenticity.

Let him come guard your kennels; from the look in his alert, chestnut eyes he is more than eager to do so!

Off to France!

Here is something you don’t see every day: TAF’s latest dog BAXTER, a Chesapeake Bay retriever!  More work than initially meets the eye went into his creation so the finished dog would meet the correct color standard of the breed, which ranges from straw-gold to chocolate brown.  BAXTER is of the reddish-chocolate variety, with a mauvish-pink nose and amber eyes.  After first being underglazed with custom mixed colors, BAXTER was then finished in three crystal tough art glazes, so his coat will never alter or fade over time.  (Please note, any apparent white spots are camera glare coming from his shining coat; there isn’t a lick of white on this dog!)  Signed and dated by the artist, this one of a kind dog comes with a laminated certificate of authenticity, and stands approximately 5 inches tall by 7.5 inches nose-to-tail tip.

X-Mold's beautiful setter is transformed into a GORGEOUS Gordon setter... well, actually THREE of 'em. Here the artist used a combination of glazes and underglazes to create fine detailing, and to lend depth to the richness of these dogs' coats. Tri-colored eyes, feathering, toes outlined, and finished with a glossy glaze, "MacDuff" and his clones prove stubborn to photograph. THEY ARE SO, SO SHINY! A delicate 3.5 x 5 inches in size, these setters are the artist's first COMMISSIONED WORK.