OLIVE

8x16 oil on canvas sold

I don't know anything about Chinese Crested dogs, except to say that they are very happy little pups and they remind me of very miniature ponies. When my client came over on Saturday to pick up this portrait and the portrait of Lizzie, Ranch Girl du Jour, she just happened to have all of her dogs waiting for her in the car. I am so sorry I did not run back in the house for my camera, the ever graceful Italian Greyhound, Grace was in the front seat and 3 petite Chinese Cresteds...or in my opinion, 3 little petite ponies, were in the backseat waiting for hugs, kisses, and words of affirmation...too cute and could have been a great photograph!

I've painted a Powderpuff Chinese Crested before, not really a big deal, just a whole bunch of fur, but a hairless Chinese Crested is something else, most definitely a challenging subject.

BISCUIT

8x10 oil on canvas sold
This was one of my first commissions of 2009. Biscuit is a petite little Chinese Crested with golden locks; she certainly knows she has great hair.  Although beautiful and elegant, she's all dog, one of her favorite activities is chasing squirrels. My very dear plein air painting buddies, Dave & Paula (Mele) Weatherbie, are the proud parents of Biscuit.  

In addition to an accomplished plein air painter, Paula is also a graphic designer. One of her most recent accomplishments was the design and production of a new edition of a book on the artist, Clark Hulings. You can see examples of his superb paintings here.