She's simply "Smush"

"Smush"

8x10

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Smush is a special kitty with 'thumbs' on her front paws. The client wanted to make sure I captured that special feature of Smush's for her portrait.

Waggles

Waggles

16x20 oil on canvas

Waggles is a 17 year old cat who is usually found laid out sunbathing on my neighbor's porch. I thought I would capture this moment and give this painting as a gift for my neighbor who has helped with things around the house.

Donovan

"Donovan"

20x16 oil on canvas

My still 16 almost 17 year old is in that interesting boy/man stage of his life. He towers over me and his father but still delights in doing things kids like to do. I captured him when he wasn't feeling well in this POST two years ago. I captured him in a sketch a year ago in this POST so maybe instinctively I know he's only going to be hanging around the house a couple more years at the most and then he'll be off building a life on his own. I wanted his portrait to be unique and quietly different like he is.

The Challenge....

"Nikko"

8x10 oil on panel

This is a pet portrait for the winner of our local High School Band's fundraiser. The winner, [a band player herself] wanted a painting of her beloved Nikko. I asked if she had any photos of Nikko and she said no because Nikko never sits still and doesn't like to be held. I volunteered to come over and take pics myself.

Nikko is very shy and skittish even around strangers bearing cat treats. The winner and her little sister took turns catching, holding and letting go of Nikko so I could try and get a shot without their hands wrapped around Nikko's body. Nikko went through the cat treats quickly and I was able to get a couple of body shots while he was still for a few seconds. The head was from another shot of Nikko looking at me while little sister was holding him down and I going through my repertoire of my best cat attention getting sounds. So even though Nikko was an unwilling participant, he ended up with his portrait for his sweet owner anyway.

Sweet Madeline

Madeline

8x8 oil on wood panel

I was honored when my friend asked me to paint a little memorial portrait for her friend. They had recently lost their sweet Madeline who was the apple of the family's eye. I can see with that adorable face why they would miss her so.

Carlye and CASA

Another generous Facebook friend allowed me to use one of her photos as inspiration for a painting. This is Carlye. She was photographed at a pageant she was participating in. I was struck by her contemplative mood. Quite a contrast to the Crest White Strip smiles that are the norm for occasions like this.

This is 24x15 oil on gallery wrapped canvas

I attended the SF School of Law Equal Justice Art Show benefiting SF CASA. I didn't know this chapter of the great voluntary organization is the largest in California, dealing with over 1,200 children in Foster Care. I met with a director from SF CASA and told her I would love to donate my painting to their organization. She was glad to accept and said she plans to hang it in their training room along with my story to help inspire the new CASAs.

That made me feel better than winning first place at the show.

This is Morgan

I painted this for a higher end Pet supply store to give her an example of my work. I had approached her with an offer to paint her dog to let her see how my works looks. She saw another dog's portrait but there's is nothing like painting a dog the client is close to to know if the artist is able to capture their furry pal's personality. I used the pose from one photo, th ears from a second and used the third to help me with the fur. She saw the emailed jpg todaynd she thought it was "gorgeous". *phew* I hope to have it hanging in her store to drum up some business.

20x16 oil on wood