Gracious Gretchen

"Gretchen"

20x16 oil on gallery wrapped canvas

I've been painting but was not satisfied with anything that I thought was post worthy.  How excited was I when I learned a winner of my donated pet portrait for my local SPCA's fundraising auction contacted me with an adorable furry family member to paint.  The winner is going to make this a present and asked if I could make it larger than the size she won for the auction.  We agreed the 20x16 was going to make a wonderful gift.  I decided to use a head shot from one photo and the body pose from another.  I smiled through out the whole painting process because who wouldn't love this adorable pooch!

Sunflowers for Hailee

"Sunflowers for Hailee"

16x20 oil on gallery wrapped canvas

(click on image for enlarged view)

The Beautiful Bride

I was contacted by a friend for a special request. We had met in High School which is located in Japan on a US Army base called Camp Zama.  We have not seen each other in over 40 years but reconnected thanks to Facebook and our alumni association.  His daughter was getting married in September and he asked if I could paint her favorite flower as a wedding gift from her parents.  I thought it was an amazing idea but then I felt the terrific pressure to make the painting as special as the sentiment behind the gift.  My friend and I worked out a few preferences but he left it primarily up to me.  It took about 3 weeks to bring it to a point to where I thought it was finished.  I hand inked a dedication to their daughter on the back of the canvas and shipped it off crossing my fingers.  My friend and his wife approved but we had to wait a couple more weeks until the wedding.  

A couple of days ago, he was kind enough to take the time in the hustle and bustle of reception and aftermath to snap a pic and then later send it to me saying that she "loved it."  I told him that the honor and pleasure was all mine for letting me be a part of such a special occasion in their family's life.  

Daisy

"Daisy"

20x16

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

This was a gift from his parents for a young man's  11th birthday celebration. When he unwrapped it, his mom reported the first thing he said about his precious companion is, "She got the ears right."  Daisy supposedly barked at this image probably because it is bigger than her compact self.  

For the Frida of it

Frida

12x9

oil on canvas paper

After doing several pet portraits I had the need to paint a humanoid.  I decided to whip out a quick study of one of my favorite artists Frida Kahlo. *phew* Now I feel better.  On to more pet portraits!

Daisy and Chase

Daisy & Chase

7x14 oil on canvas

(click on photo to enlarge)

This was another fun commission for a birthday surprise gift for my client's friend.  Daisy and Chase seem inseparable in the set of photos I was forwarded  so I wanted to convey that they were "best buds".

"Last Two"

10x10 inches

oil on panel

I've been working on  a couple of commissions but these last two tomatoes just called to me when they were sitting on the kitchen counter about to be sacrificed for my dinner salad.  They were yummy...

"Taro & Poi"

20x16

oil on canvas

I've had issues with my computer but am finally relieved to be able to start posting after acquiring a refurbished unit.  This was a fun commission .  The photos of Taro [the dog] and Poi [the cat] were varied so I ended up using a composite of two.