Jess and Karina

 Jessie & Karina         pastel              16" x 18"

This week I learned that dear much loved Karina had crossed the rainbow bridge.   Half this portrait - Jessie only - was posted on January 18, 2011;  Karina's space was just a faint sketch and a note "coming soon".  

My life took some abrupt turns and the portrait slid into a portfolio and waited.  Last night when I heard the news, I took it out - and this morning Karina joined Jess.   So now they're finally together, if only on paper.  Both are Siberian Huskies, Jess with a red coat and Karina a grey.

Below is the photo, their two heads glued together.   I hope the above does them justice.   Laurie, their "parent", lives in California - the original should arrive there sometime soon.   I hope it gives her good memories of her best beloved Karina, and the bond between her and Jess.

Enjoy

Kanja

"Kanja"     pastel      12" x 14"

A handsome, soft-hearted Rotweiler/Shepherd mix.

In case you're curious, it IS different paper from previous post - a greyer tone.      

Enjoy!


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The Essence of a Doodle

 "Sophie, a Golden Wheaten"      pastel         8" x 10"

A doodle by me - you can tell that from the smudges - of Sophie!    The path to the sketch began when I asked for a copy of the screensaver showing Sophie, a much loved family dog.   It came, I sketched, but who knew if it was totally on target.   I sent a photo...apologising for the roughness of the piece.  To my delight it turned out my doodle had captured the essence of Sophie - so a happy ending for me and for the original which is off to a better home than a storage portfolio.

And YES I fixed the smudged coat to be curly...but never took a foto.

I "collect" photos of critters that I may or may not work from.   I like them to come from the owner or someone who really KNOWS the animal - and of course is able to give me permission to do a portrait from the photo.   All of this with the understanding that if I do something (there's no promise I will or by when) I will email a photo of the piece to find out if it really IS the best beloved, not just "a dog" or "a cat".  There is NO obligation to purchase but if someone wishes to, contact me - prices vary and are very reasonable.  Of course, if it's a commission it gets done immediately.  

Sketchbook

Today & Before       Pastel/Color pencil         sizes various

Clockwise from top left:  Jenny - Boy - Unknown Pooch - Jenny pretending to be a plate

The boy is from about 10 days ago when I was working on the Suq in Muscat, the other 3 are from today.   Lots of photographs too of Jenny with legs all twisted up.   May choose one of those for tomorrow.

Enjoy

Fluffy, a Pomeranian

"Fluffy, a Pomeranian"   pastel   8" x 10"

Sadly Fluffy died this past week, of natural causes but still devastating.   Fluffy lives in Beirut, Lebanon, so this portrait has a long way to go before it reaches "home".   He was a rescue by one of the founders of BETA (the only animal shelter of it's kind in Lebanon) and then given to a family member.   BETA are an incredible group and many of their dogs now have homes not only in Lebanon but also Canada and the U.S.  Not just dogs, any animal.

April 20th. 
Fluffy arrived and is hanging on the wall, where he is ALWAYS visible.  I understand, on first seeing in the morning, the picture makes his owner cry - but for the rest of the day, it makes her smile!    And soon I hope it will be smiles ALL the time.


Enjoy!

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Simba the Magnificent

"Simba the Magnificent - Sharpei"   pastel     16" x 20"

Simba means Lion in Swahili.  This Simba is a Longhaired Sharpei, and her mane makes her truly leonine and majestic, perhaps queenly is the word!  I did her portrait (below) in the summer of 2010, the above was a "getting-to-know-you" sketch.   I kept it, almost threw it away, fell in love with it, framed it and hung it...right where I could see it.  This past week I figured she had to go "home" plus I need more space on my walls.  So she's leaving soon, to join her real self. 

A lovely dog, gentle and sweet.  Very Aslan.

Enjoy!

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Sketchbook

A few from the past.
Clockwise from top left:  Jenny-Jenny-Jack-Rockie

Enjoy!

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Sketchbook & 103!

Pastel & Ink

Flipped thru sketchbook from last year.   A few of the finds above.

YAHOO!   Just reached 103 paintings!    One of these four is ONE HUNDRED!

Enjoy!

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Daisy - to Sylvie

Pencil & Pastel   9"x12"

Daisy is one of Sylvie's kids.   Very very sadly on New Year's Eve an accident to one eye meant it had to be removed.   (I do not know which one).   She came home last night, after the operation.

So this is for Sylvie.  (Hoping Daisy recovers fast and thinking of you, both.)

UPDATE
Daisy doing well!   In a cone collar for about 2 weeks and not traumatised.   So good news in the end.

Update Update!   Jan 8th
Was over at Sylvie's and Daisy is skittish, playful and racing around the apartment with toys in her mouth.   Awesome!.   



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Daisy takes it easy

Pastel  9"x12"

Daisy was adopted Nov 21st by a good friend.   Here she is on her second day "at home" lolling on an armchair.   She's two years old, has the sweetest character and is just beginning to realise that she has arrived in the closest thing to heaven on earth.   Weighs around 45 lbs, is a mix of Shepherd, Huskie and Bernese...how do they KNOW this?...and the only word on her previous life was "abused".

It's another fast and free sketch which captures the mood of her comfort and I hope gives a hint of her superb markings.

Enjoy


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Ozzie Lights Up

Pastel   8" x 10"

A more regal pose and a fun, loose style - my preference at all times.  Deliciously fast and yet captures the essence of the Oz.   One that genuinely pleases me - I hope it does you!

Enjoy!

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Emma....

Color Pencil  9" x 12"

From the "In the Park" series of photographs:  she hesitated in front of me, and then veered off to chase a leaf.

Enjoy!

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SOMEONE....

Color Pencil  8" x 10"

...was NOT happy about having her photo taken!!    

Typically Ozzie is full of joie de vivre and her fur feathers fly as she prances.    She "pets professionally" meaning she is a therapy dog and visits my mother (and others) every week.   Long story about WHY she is named Ozzie.  Never mind, she is beautiful and very clever.

Enjoy!

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Due to go under the tree..

Color Pencil 8"x10"

The giftee looked at our boy above and said, "It's him!  It's him!" and hugged me.   I guess that pretty much guarantees he'll be under the tree!

Enjoy


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Emma on the run....

 12"x6" Photo

Many have already seen this.   I find it rather special - it captures the incredible beauty of Emma.  Ultimately I like it better than the "jump shots";  they're fun, this is serious!

One amongst 305 taken October 30.

Enjoy!



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Soho and Snow

Color Pencil  8" x 8-1/2"

This was winter 2010/11 (I believe) and Soho's out in the snow, which explains
abbreviated rear leg!   I love the eagerness, the quizzical face and in a split
second you know Soho will be bouncing off somewhere else!   The sketchy
format seems to go with the buoyancy of that moment.


The photo arrived this past February just as life turned upside down.
Almost right side up now - paper, pastels, pencils and enthusiasm for same are returning.  
Soho is a workout sketch - a friend of a friend's dog, sent to me for my "reserve file":
free to use as and when, as long as I let them know it's done.

Enjoy!


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Pure Gold

Color Pencil  8" x 10"

This afternoon's pooch.  A corny title!   

An exercise in restraint.

My rule was - no black, no white, no pastel highlights.  Anything else allowed.  It sorta achieved what I was after.   Eyes are tricky with color pencil since the catch light is not added, it's the white paper carefully preserved as 'white'.

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MY BLUE BED

 

Pastel 14" x 16"

My cousin's pooch, a Staffie, name of Rocky.   He'd retired to his bed when I took the photo and I believe I was spouting soppy rubbish, which turns him dopey eyed and craving a tummy rub.   He lives in the UK, near Cambridge, fields all round for great walkies and (of course) he's superbly spoiled.

Portrait was done summer 2010 but never 'posted' - time it was!

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ARIEL

Pastel 10"x14"

A gentle giant with a dramatically dark coat and silver ruff.    A rescue, Ariel is a lucky and much loved boy who lives in the country with 3 dachshunds as mates (what a crew!) and Diana as Mum.   Portrait is from summer 2010.

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Dreamin'

Color Pencil-Pastel  10"x12"

ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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