brandy.

brandy has the most amazing coloring. chocolate cherry spots and a pinky nose.

brandy

acrylic on canvas

2009

mister darcy.

would you believe me if i told you this cat's person is an english professor? shocking, i know.

mister darcy

&

naughty mister darcy

acrylic on canvas

2009

drake.

this guy was photographed by the pool. he's about 13 years old.

drake

acrylic on canvas

2009

though he's old and tired, there's a semblance of contentment. 

khaki.

the first cat of the bunch. this was the funniest looking cat i've ever seen... she has these gigantic eyes that make her look like she's a walking photoshop project.

khaki

acrylic on canvas

2009

i do like the somewhat monochromatic thing going on here.

lilienne & mande

oh, jeez... people and their pets. at least the one on the right looks content. 

liliene & mande

acrylic on canvas

2009

roxie.

ah, another short-haired breed. 

roxie

(pet portraits, 9)

acrylic on canvas

2009 

the glossy coats really do require a completely different method. they also lend themselves more to a modern or abstracted portrait, but i resisted. if the owners don't directly request it, i default to a more traditional and straight forward image.

dante.

a bird! 

don't get me wrong, dogs are definitely fun to paint. but, it was a nice change of pace to paint someone's exotic pet. 

dante

(pet portraits, 8)

acrylic on canvas

2009

i had a bird growing up, and this brought back some fun memories. all bird owners know that they have much more personality than many give them credit for. 

duncan.

this one's a sassy one. when i asked the owner if he wanted me to paint the dog's left ear flipped forward, he said absolutely not. sometimes, those little imperfect moments are the ones worth capturing.

duncan

(pet portraits, 7)

acrylic on canvas

2009

this one i approached a bit differently than the scruffier dogs. dachshunds' fur is so silky smooth and shiny, i opted for more of a color-blocking method rather than a brushy, impressionistic technique. i think i like it. 

max & bucca.

ewoks? almost. 

max & bucca

(pet portraits, 6)

acrylic on canvas

2009

leica.

dogs can be such regal animals, as in this example. 

leica

(pet portraits, 5)

acrylic on canvas

2009

for me, he demands respect. what a gorgeous creature.

dobbie.

mutts are great. i particularly love this guy's nose. 

dobbie

(pet portraits, 4)

acrylic on canvas

2009.

eli.

bulldogs are probably the most fun animal to paint. there's so much personality in their faces, not to mention all of the wrinkles, texture and slobber. 

eli

(pet portraits, 3)

acrylic on canvas

2009

tippy.

another pet portrait. this particular cutie passed away a few months ago. i bet doggie heaven is fabulous.

tippy

(pet portraits, 2)

acrylic on canvas

2009

pet portraits, one.

i'm starting a new series of pet portraits for various friends and colleagues. 

baci

(pet portraits, 1)

acrylic on canvas

2009

animals make much better subjects than people most of the time. it will be a fun project for me to spend a little extra time painting during the week.