Paintings With Soul

"Nikki and Yori," 12" x 16," done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a chow mix and a German Shepherd Dog. This is a commissioned portrait, and as such, is heading to a new home next week. However, inquiries on how you can get something similar may come to me . I started this one a little before 11 am (and that doesn't count the groundwork done prior to picking up the brushes, learning about the animals' personalities, reviewing photos, and putting a composition together) and just signed it a little bit ago. Granted, there was a break to pick the kids up from school and to inhale some dinner, but for the most part, this painting was done in one sitting. One nearly 11 hour sitting. Add the 2 hours of computer work I did earlier, and that's an honest day's work!! I LOVE days like this, and have enough adrenaline to start another painting tonite, but think I'll punch out and spend some time with ...

"Goin' for a Ride (Molly)," 6x8, commissioned pet portrait, mixed breed (chow), private collection (thank you!). I was especially moved by the letter that came with my client's stack of reference materials. She outlined the details of Molly's life - found wandering on a golf course, and moved from one household to another, ultimately landing in theirs at 9 months of age. The only child in a military family, Molly moved many times, leaving multiple friends in her wake, and eager to make new ones. When she passed away last year at the age of 10, she was mourned literally all over the country. She was special and wonderful to so very many. And Molly's spirit continues impacting lives. Because, with the purchase of Molly's portrait, monies raised for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary officially topped $1000!! Overall, the Painting a Dog a Day project has raised $1653 for animal welfare - that's a lot of kibble!! I am so thrilled that you, my readers, have supp...

This is Tina, several portraits of her. The more traditional one featuring her face. "Tina," 4x5, commissioned chow pet portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, private collection. And a still life comprised of her dog tags strung together from that now familiar nail in my studio wall. "Tina's Tags," 4x8, still life composition built of dog tags and licenses, acrylic on canvasboard, private collection. My client contacted me mid-summer about painting a traditional portrait of Tina shortly after having to say goodbye to her dear girl. The earliest I could schedule Tina was this week, which happened to be that of her 12th birthday. Karma at work. The dog tags came along several months after the portrait was scheduled, shortly after I announced my intention to paint canine related still lives. I held the tags in my hand, and knew there were two portraits to paint. I need to send a special thank you and hugs to my client, who despite expecting just the one painting, has em...