FRANKIE #14/50

8x8 oil on canvas nfs

At four months of age, she found herself abandoned at a dry cleaners. A young man went to the dry cleaners, saw her, went home...and as we all know, could not get her out of his mind or perhaps his heart. The Veterinarian explained her age, her mixed breed status...Australian Shepherd plus Something Else...there were no explanations for her missing tail, her eyes were crystal blue, her heart was strong, but the young man already knew that because already their hearts were one, and one more thing...she was deaf. More than likely, she had been thrown away because of her deafness, but the young man did not care, he brought her HOME and loved her. Frankie was brought home to live with Lucy, you can see Lucy here. Frankie and the young man had to learn how to communicate, and Lucy had to learn how to accept Frankie's natural instinct to herd. All was learned and they lived happily ever after until a few weeks ago...for some reason, Frankie only lived to be four years old. She is buried amongst her favorite day lilies... the same day lilies she like to trample to make a soft bed. Rest in peace, Frankie, you were the best dog ever.

JESSIE, FLYBALL CHAMP

8x16 oil on canvas, sold
I normally do not do this, but I am posting this commissioned portrait before my client has seen it for herself (hope she does not mind). I painted Jessie this afternoon and am very happy with this portrait, she has the most beautiful fur and very bright watchful eyes. I apologize for the glare on the picture, I'll have to reshoot it after it has dried. 

Not too long ago this same client sent me pictures of her dog wearing a Santa hat, she did not want a painting of her dog wearing the hat, but I loved the shot and she gave me permission to paint it for my portfolio...long story short, she loved it and bought it anyway.

Last week she sent me more pictures of Jessie and requested a painting of Jessie with her all time favorite toy, a frisbee. Lee was so kind as to allow me to select the canvas size and gave me free reign to change the color of the frisbee, it seems Jessie has frisbees of all colors. Well, I didn't change the frisbee color because I loved the pop of lime green, what I did change was the dead grass in the background. If you look closely you can see Jessie's tongue and fur from her ear through the frisbee, that was my most difficult part of the painting and as scared as I was to attempt the translucent feel of the frisbee, it was actually very easy. I hope it comes across as translucent...it does to me. 

I've also posted a photo of Jessie from one of her most recent competitions, doing what she loves best! Somewhere below in an earlier post, is the post of Jessie wearing her Santa hat. Just recently Jessie placed first in her division and will be attending the Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship...way to go Jessie!