An important aspect of being healthy emotionally and physically is feeling happy.
For me, feeling happy is allowing myself to connect to and appreciate the world around me.
Creating art and sharing it with the world is an immediate way for me to tap into and share the positive energy that is all around us.
I learned this life lesson of what happiness is and how to feel it quickly from a very unlikely source. The wise soul who inspired me to create my art is my Pug, Emmitt.
Looking at the world through Emmitt's eyes has taught me to live in the present moment and to always find something to appreciate in that moment.
The happiness I feel when creating a painting is fully apparent to me when I step back and look at the new face staring back at me. The face always makes me smile, like I am meeting a new friend.
The most rewarding piece of the process is sharing my artwork with other people and making them smile too.
I love it when I receive letters, pictures and stories showing the enthusiasm and well-being the art brings to them and their families.
The lesson I have learned from this wonderful dog is simple yet powerful...
We are all artists. Whether your craft is painting, crocheting, cooking, gardening or parenting, the secret to a happy, healthy life is to connect with what brings you joy and celebrate it.
My name is Melissa Langer. I am an artist whose passion is to create happiness through capturing the spirit of each dog for people to deeply connect to and enjoy. Please share in on the fun by seeing what Emmitt and I are doing daily on my blog, Life is Art...Art is Life.
Hi Kathy!
Thank you so much! I am honored to be a part of your wonderful and uplifting blog.
Thank you for all that you do!
:) Melissa
Posted by: Melissa | July 15, 2009 at 10:08 AM
I love Melissa's work! My lil angel "Peanut" had to be put to sleep last January. He was a rescue, like the five remaining lil angels we have at home.
I don't know how people can live without having at least two dogs in the house. We've been married for sixteen years and have always had five dogs. We rescue any and all breeds, and those that we can't find homes for, or fall in love with we keep.....that's why we have five dogs that are very spoiled rotten. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I love buying things from Melissa and taking them to the yearly rescue auction in October in OKC called "Puggerfest". It benefits the puggies that are looking for homes. People always ask me where I get the cute pendants or the cutting boards!
Posted by: Kristie Spor | July 15, 2009 at 10:39 AM
I have one of Melissa's prints. I purchased it when my pug Wesley was killed by a groomer by a dryer. Since we have rescued another pug and adopted a few more along the way.
That first print will always have a place of honor.
Keep up the good work Meliisa !
Posted by: Barbara | July 15, 2009 at 11:41 AM
I love melissa's pug (and other dog) works! I'm an addicted pug owner and love the way she captures their personalities! keep creating! (I'm typing with one of my 2 boys on my lap...he frequently hops up unannounced...all 26 lbs. of him!
Posted by: Laura Gliedman | July 15, 2009 at 02:05 PM
I have one of Melissa's paintings on a dog bed. Everyone loves it!
Melissa lives the creative and inspired life that's why she's so happy! : )
Posted by: manon doyle | July 16, 2009 at 03:12 AM
I am a huge fan of ALL of Melissa's work. I look forward to reading her blog daily. Her talant and compassion constantly amazes me and I find her to be a real inspiration.
Posted by: gail trnka | July 16, 2009 at 03:56 AM
Melissa is wonderful. I love her positive, up-lifting spirit and generosity. Thanks for featuring Melissa and Emmitt here.
Posted by: Sue | July 16, 2009 at 04:12 AM
I follow Melissa's blog and am a huge fan of her work!! Everyday she and Emmitt inspire me to live each day to the fullest and enjoy my pug and my family. Melissa is a gift to us all.
Posted by: Jessica Sanders | July 16, 2009 at 04:56 AM
Melissa's work is wonderful, and I am proud to own several of her wonderful creations. Her work gives me inspiration and smiles. She is one of the most positive, cheerful, and upbeat friends I am proud to know. And of course, me and my puggies adore EmmyPants, too, Melissa's puggy muse. xxxooo
Posted by: Nancy Medina | July 16, 2009 at 06:21 AM
I have gotten Pug labels from Melissa and love them all. She is a lady of my heart cause she loves pugs like I do. I have 3 pugs of my own. I wish I could be as talent as she is.
Posted by: Donna Posey | July 16, 2009 at 06:50 AM
I, too, love Melissa's pug art, and her blog posts always make me smile and sometimes downright laugh out loud. She and Emmitt are a joy to know. They always brighen my day. :)
Posted by: Sharon | July 16, 2009 at 09:20 AM
I am a Melissa and Emmit fan too...me and Ruby that is! My Mom was so excited when I sent her one of Melissa's puggy paintings and charms for her birthday. I don't know anyone who doesn't look at her work and just smile!
Thanks Melissa...keep doing what you are doing!
Michele (and Ruby too!)
Posted by: Michele | July 16, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Melissa is sooooo furry talented!
We enjoy her khreations furry much!
Tank woo fur featuring her here and fur sharing Handsome Emmitt too!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Posted by: Khyra | July 16, 2009 at 12:06 PM
We are fans of Melissa and Emmitt too - we always feel so good after seeing their posts. Life is meant to be happy and they know how to make it happen.
Posted by: The OP Pack | July 16, 2009 at 01:53 PM
Melissa is the best! Her paintings are true works of art and they make everyone feel good. Her Pug, Emmitt's special spirit shows through all of her wonderful art!
Posted by: Linda O'Neill | July 16, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Melissa and Emmitt rock!
Posted by: Punchbugpug | July 16, 2009 at 07:26 PM
We are also a Melissa and Emmitt fan. Melissa has one of the biggest hearts on the face of this earth. Not only does she make smiles happen when we see her new painting and art work, but she shares her process on how to do it. She shares so much with those less fortunate. We are inspired by both Melissa and Emmitt to keep on trying. We have some of her pug cards and one of her prints. Every time we look at these, it reminds us how happy Melissa has helped us to be. We are so thankful our paths crossed.
Tweedles and moms
Posted by: tweedles and georgie | July 16, 2009 at 08:09 PM
You gotta love Melissa's work (and blog). Besides - who can resist a pug?
Ane
Posted by: Ane | July 17, 2009 at 02:35 AM
We have several items with Melissa's prints at home; that way we can smile on every corner of the house. I love the fact that she is not only creative with her wonderful paintings, but also creative to be able to incorporate them in such a variety of products it is almost impossible to resist having them all. My wish list of Melissa's store keeps always growing! My pug needs a new bowl now. Maybe a new bed in a couple of months?... her creativity is amazing! And best of all, she shares wonderful thoughts and ideas with all of us, just like the one written above.
Posted by: Sandra & Coco | July 17, 2009 at 04:04 AM
I love Melissa's art and philosophy. It's so cool to see her featured here and getting well deserved recognition. Hello to Emmitt!
Posted by: Amy | July 17, 2009 at 12:02 PM
CLEARLY commenting because I adore Melissa's work! So glad you have it featured!
Posted by: Kelly J | July 17, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Paco and I are HUGE Melissa & Emmitt fans! You inspire me daily - and Paco hopes someday to be as great a dog as Emmitt! I love how generous you are with support and comment, and how unbelieveably CREATIVE you are! You GO girl... be happy!
Posted by: Kelley MacDonald | July 17, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Wow, fantastic giveaway! Thank you so much for even having a giveaway like this.
Posted by: Jess | July 17, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Melissa - You are a very creative dog lover and love your work! We all can learn so much from seeing our world through a dog's heart and feel life with their souls. I love starting out my day with a cup of coffee in my Puggle mug you made and enjoying the beginning of each new day in the simple style they do!
Posted by: Cheryl Fournier | July 18, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Good work,thanks for sharing this information!!!
Posted by: Buy Viagra | July 23, 2009 at 04:05 PM
Wow Melissa - your work is beautiful! What a talented woman you are! Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Posted by: Patti J. | July 29, 2009 at 01:28 PM
Great post by one of my favorite artists. Thanks for featuring Melissa, she is a generous soul that puts everything she has into her art and her life.
Posted by: Rebecca Collins | June 22, 2010 at 01:32 PM