3 Chihuahuas'

These three little guys were quite a challenge. 

The photos from the client were not ver clear. 

I love to get the eyes right first. If that happens the rest kind of follows right along. 

These are each 9 X 12 Acrylic on canvas. 

The nice thing about 3 separate instead of all 3 together is you have options for hanging. 

"Annie"

A watercolour portrait of Annie. 

This dog was a beautiful show dog and is missed by her owner. 

He commissioned this portrait so he could see her often. 

13" X 17" 

"Jiminy Cricket's Birthday Surprise"

This is our wee rescue dog Jiminy. 

His story is being included in a new book
being published by a group in Kansas City. 

It is a book about animal rescue and is going to be full of stories about animals 

who went from brokenness to forever homes. 

There will be before and after pictures along with their story,
 and a painting of course! 

I am so excited to be able to participate in this worthwhile project. 

This painting is watercolour and is 10" X 13". 

"Cairo and Sophie"

Two new pup portraits for a family who lost them both within a month of one another. 

The first little guy is Cairo and the second one is Sophie. 

I had fun with the backgrounds once i figured out what it was i wanted there. 

Both are acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. 

24" X 30".  

"Morning Star II"

I've painted this sweet girl a few times now from different angles. 

She is a commission for a lady who wanted her for a special spot in her home. 

I was not sure if it would work using red here for the background because there 

is a fair bit of red in the subject, but i really like the outcome. 

Hopefully the client will agree!

Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. 

22"X28"

"Hulahen"

This is little "Hulahen". She belonged to a young gal who owns six of these delightful creatures, 

the Boxer. 

She wanted a reminder of how sweet this girl was and to be able to see her often. 

Watercolour on Arches, CP paper, 14" X 14". 

"Lola"

I love the names people give their dogs. Lately it seems they are using more human names. Brian, Jimmy, Stewie, Ricky and such. Not so much any more the old traditional dogs names. No Bowsers, Fidos, or Lucky's.  I think of their names as i paint. This girl had an especially suitable name. She seems so sad, distant but wise. Her name means "sorrow".  I'm sure she had a bountiful supply of love to lavish on her owners. I loved painting her. She is such a beautiful Boxer. Watercolour on Arches paper, 16" X 16".

"Lexi"

Meet Lexi. She was a very sweet intuitive gal i am told. 

Her owner is involved with Boxer Rescue and had fostered over 100 dogs while Lexi was with her. 

She told me Lexi had an ability to be able to help the other dogs with whatever issues they may have had to deal with. She was more than just a dog but a soulful spiritual being almost in the way she 

was. Needless to say, her master was devastated when Lexi finally had to go. 

This painting was commissioned in honour of the special Boxer she was. 

Watercolour on Arches C/P paper. 16"X16".  

"Alexis & Ivan"

One more puppy before Christmas. 

This is a commission 12" X 14". Watercolour on Arches 300lb. CP paper.

It looks like they are having a wonderful time. 

I love the Boxer because they enjoy so much 

being with their people and playing. 

They actually think they are human. 

We won't tell them otherwise. :)
Shhhh!!

"Izzy"

"Mali"

This is Mali. She is a recent commission from a lady who wanted to give Mali's owner, her sister, a special gift for Christmas. Mali has passed on to the 'Rainbow Bridge" this year. I very much enjoyed painting this beautiful pup and had real a sense of her spirit as we worked. She was most likely a gentle sweet girl, I believe. When doing a dog commission, I like to paint the eyes first.

This way, Mali could participate in the process and keep me company as we worked.

I love my job. :)

This is watercolour on Arches 300lb. CP paper. 19" X 27". 

"Eddie the Third"

This would be the 3rd version of this fabulous animal. I painted him facing the other way in watercolour and then in acrylic and now watercolour again. Each version is quite different. I suppose it would be safe to say this is my favourite model thus far. Transparent watercolour on Arches 300lb. cold pressed. 

"Jenny"

This is Jenny. A new puppy portrait of a lovely girl. Sadly Jenny passed on just a short time ago. I'm hopeful this painting captured Jenny's personality and will be forever a gentle reminder of a loving  companion. 

"Reba and friend"

A new puppy portrait of two cuddly Boxer puppies. 

They must be best friends. 

Watercolour on Arches 300lb. CP paper. 12" X 16" 

"Bronte"

This is Bronte. A lovely Beagle belonging to a fellow in Australia.  I've been fairly busy lately with dog portraits and have a few more to finish, hopefully before August. This little girl took a while for me to complete because i was just not able to see a finished image clearly for some reason. Today it happened and we had a grand time together. I asked little Bronte to lead the way and she did! The rest as they say is, "history". Watercolor on Arches 300 lb. cold pressed paper. 18" X 18".

"Tyra"

A wee Boxer pup i did for a friend who does great and wonderful work for Boxer Rescue Canada.
She does not have this little girl anymore as she has already lived her life and left a lot of broken hearts behind as is often the case. Watercolor, on Arches, 300lb. CP paper. approximately 10" X 14". 

"Deja"

I painted this little girl for a friend. Sadly she is no longer with us. In memory of Deja.

Watercolour on Arches C/P paper. 10" X 14".

"Boomer"

What a great name for a dog, especially a Bernese Mountain dog. This fine fellow is a commission requested by the dog owner's Mother for her birthday. Hope she likes it! Acrylic on canvas. 18" X 24".

"Tega"

I had donated a pet portrait to "Boxer Rescue Canada" for their Fall auction fundraiser and the winning bidder receives a portrait of their beloved dog. This boy belonged to the lady who won the auction. He is a pure bread male Boxer named Tega. He is no longer with us. I used a photo she provided. This is watercolour on 300 lb. Arches C/P paper approximately 18" X 22" .

"Pequito #2"

This is a new version of Pequito. I did not think the bedroom was quite in line with the pup on the first version. Sorry Vincent but i had to take some liberties with your beautiful work and jam up the colours a wee bit. I'm feeling much better about it now as there is a unity that was lacking in version 1.

Oh, but acrylic is just so much fun.

"Pequito #1"

Here is my first foray into the world of "acrylic". I have to admit it was a lot of fun and cannot wait to begin another. I like the fact you can correct things and move them around as you go. Not so with watercolour of course.  I loved the freedom it affords.

This little guy is a Christmas gift for his master. I need to put the finishing touches on him soon as the 25th is coming fast! 24" X 24"

"Beau"

This is Beau. A beautiful Labrador that sadly is no longer with us. I so enjoyed painting this one and hope to have captured the dogs very special personality. Watercolour on Arches 300lb. cold pressed paper.
24" X 24" .

"Pals"

These puppies belong to our vet. She has been so good to us with our own two, i thought it would be nice to do a painting for her. She gave me a black and white photo to work from and also a couple of others to get the colours. At first i was not sure how to deal with the little black guy as he was mostly in shadow and hard to see. This one and the previous one, "On High Alert" are going to her on Monday. Commissions are always a wee stressful as you never know if they will be well received. Watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper. 16" X 22".

"On Alert"

This beautiful fellow was a commission for a veterinarian. The pet was not well and sadly had to be put down. The vet wanted to do something nice for the owner and had me do this painting for her. I'm hoping it has the essence of the dog as i did not have a very good photo to work from. You can see the photo in my previous post. This is watercolor on Arches 300 lb. CP paper.  

"New Commissions"

I have not been here for a long time and thought i might get started again with these photos of a couple of commissions i have received. The photos are not the best, but i hope to be able to work with them and come up with something that is satisfactory. I say they are not the best

because the eyes are not clearly visible and i will have to be inventive. I believe the eyes to be so crucial to any portrait whether it be a person or an animal. 

I can find some dogs similar to these on the internet and use the eyes from those. 

Hope to have something posted here for you to see soon. 

By for now and Happy New Year all! 

"Jimmy"

This little guy is named after my brother-in-law. I quite like my brother-in-law and i quite like this painting! Smushy faced dogs are great to paint as the lines and wrinkles make for an interesting end product. I love building these from start to finish. Watercolor on Arches CP paper.....

"Soda"

Watercolor on Arches 300 lb. cold pressed paper. It is fun to try and capture their personality. I feel i've succeeded if i can look at the painting when done and get a sense of what the dog is like. I think i have a good feel for what this little guy is all about. Sure do love those wrinkles! Perfect for cuddling.......

"Pezzo"

Today, I am very sad. We had Mr.Pezzo euthanized this morning. I am at a loss and feel i am missing my best friend just now. He was really my sons dog but i just loved this little guy so much. He was there for me during some very difficult times in my life. I could always count on him for an understanding glance or an affectionate nudge. We walked the hills together for hours at a time when my days were bleak. He and I spent many New Years eves together as my son was away or celebrating in his own way. I loved the time we spent together and consider those evenings to be my most enjoyable. I am not sure what else can compare with how difficult this was. I've watched helplessly as the mother of my children died. I was there with my Father as his life ended and also for my Mother as she took her last labored breath. The pain of this is as great as those times. This morning we all walked into the hospital together, Mr.Pezzo trusting and comforted by our presence. We came out alone and without the once confident swagger of our faithful friend and companion. He was affectionately called many things. Mr. Poo, Mr. Pooper-de-doos, and Pezzo. He is now a memory and there will never be another like him.

"Qanuk"

A wee painting of my Boxer, Bella when she was a pup. Quanuk means snowflake in Eskimo. I thought it was suitable for our Bella. She now has spots all over her though. When she was a pup she was pure white. This is watercolor, on Arches Cold Pressed paper. 21 " X 23".

A Lovely Couple"

A commission i did recently for some nice folks. They wanted to give this to their grandparents for an anniversary. It was great to be a part of it. Watercolor on Arches 300 lb. Cold Pressed paper.