Cockapoo Puppy

The client's only reference was a 3" x 5" faded photograph of her husband's beloved best friend, who lived to be seventeen. The picture showed the dog as a puppy, and was faded and discolored. She scanned the photo and emailed me and this is the result. Elvis, or Elvi, as he was known, looked like a happy little guy.

9" x 12" oil  on canvas

Murphy, A Rescue Terrier

Unlike Dudley, the Springer Spaniel, Murphy is still alive and her owner took a great photo with her iPhone. This painting was done in in two hours and Murphy's owner approved it instantly with the words, "You have captured her personality!"

Murphy is a rescue dog. I am partial to rescue dogs, as I own two of them. They are, it seems to me, more aware of the uncertainties of living on this planet. Most of them have been in a bad situation and they are eternally grateful to have a stable home with you.

Yes, a good photo is worth taking if you want a decent painting. So if there is ever a possibility that you might want a painting done of your pet after she has passed away, make sure you have some clear photos of her taken in her prime.

Murphy 11 x 14

oil on canvas

Dudley, an Irish Springer Spaniel

Another Christmas commission, this is Dudley, an Irish Springer Spaniel who passed away quite a few years ago. He is a gift for someone's sister. Unfortunately she did not have any good reference photographs so I had to use some stock photos from the web to paint the dog. It was a long, frustrating process that reminded me why I usually only do commissioned work from clear, well lit photos. This painting required seven revisions, including one request to put it back the way it was before. Oil painting is not Photoshop and you can't simply hit the "undo" button. I regretted the decision to take this on every time I looked into the poor dog's eyes as he stared back at me from my easel. The suspense about whether my next version would be accepted or rejected did not add excitement to my day; it filled me with a mild uneasiness and an uncharacteristic nervousness when I opened my email application.

Dudley was a semi-permanent fixture in my studio for about 2-1/2 weeks. The painting was finally approved and I have no idea if the portrait actually looks like Dudley or is the embodiment of what several people remember him to be. He is living with his new owner and that makes me happy.

11 x 14 oil on canvas

Custom Dog Painting on Etsy

This is one of the stranger (but fun!) pieces I have done as a custom order on Etsy. The client produced a photo of a dog sitting on a chair in a slightly awkward pose. She asked if I could put the dog on a throne and maybe dress him up like a king. I'll try anything (artistically speaking) once so I told her if she could find me some samples of what she was talking about I would do it. I had visions of hounds playing pool and poker in my head but the job turned out to be simpler than that. I did have a lot of fun creating this piece for Cathy and it is a gift for someone special. I hope they appreciate her ingenuity and my willingness to bring her idea to life. The dog is actually a puggle, a mix of a beagle and a puggle and he is quite cute. I'm showing the painting and the picture of the dog sitting on the chair like a little person that inspired her gift idea. ;)

12"x16" oil on linen