Remembering those that touch our lives....

This portrait was done in loving memory of a dear friend and companion. I was blessed enough to meet this sweet little dog before she sadly had to be put down. I love to meet the pets I draw - it gives me a better insight into the animal's character and somehow that enables me to translate their individual personality onto paper.

The Finished Dog Portrait

The portrait is completed - I really hope the recipient will love it! I enjoyed drawing both dogs - both faces are so full of character.

Dog Portrait in Progress.....

Dog Portrait in Progress.... the first dog has been fully rendered and I've finished with the second dog's eyes. I love the way his eyes glow through the page. The eyes are the most important part of the portrait... so much can be told about an animal through it's eyes.

The Beginnings of my next Dog Portrait

My latest portrait.... I just started the shading today - my favorite part - this is where the drawing comes to life and just as Michelangelo "found" The David in the marble so I "find" the subject I am depicting by bringing them to life with shadows and lights on the paper. The aim is to have the subject really come out of the paper in as three-dimensional a way as I can using only two-dimensional tools.

"Friends"

The finished watercolor based on the photo below.  I really like the way it came out... it's bright and warm and as my husband says reminds him of summer. I hope you like it!

Last year I did a photo shoot of this gorgeous Arabian stallion "Aur Elijah" - this is one of the photos with him and his new pasture friend smelling noses. I just love this photo! The photographs I took actually became published in an article by NW HorseSource magazine see it here: http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1k47i/NWHSJanuary2010/resources/10.htm

I decided I wanted to do a watercolor painting from this photo which I have entitled "Friends".... I will post it on my blog shortly.

Chester

The finished portrait of Chester. I decided to paint him in watercolors. Every time I use watercolors I am amazed at it's beauty but also somewhat frustrated by it's difficulty too - it's certainly not a forgiving medium! Anyway, the portrait came out vibrant and was a lot of fun to paint!