dog commissions

i finally have a little portfolio of my dog commissions pulled together to share with you! 

turtle, above right, was my first commission.  i was asked to make a piece (not necessarily of a dog) for an auction that was raising money for a local dog rescue league.  i love dogs, and was up for the challenge, so i decided to paint and donate (i didn't make any money) a portrait of one of the dogs at the rescue.  turtle was one of the dogs waiting for a home, and i just fell in love with her. her portrait became "parts of a typical pooch" in which i labeled her different "parts" informed by this piece that i had done previously.  on the night of the auction i was very nervous, i had never sat through an auction, let alone one that i had made something for! it was exciting and nerve wracking all at once.  my painting of turtle was up for bid at the very end of the night, so we waited a long time to see what would happen.  when it finally came up for bid, people began fighting for her!  it was pretty thrilling!  my painting of turtle ended up raising almost $700 dollars for the dog rescue league!  i was so happy and amazed!  

the portrait scout followed next, for the folks that lost turtle at the auction.  then came olive,who is shown posing with her portrait! olive was created for a friend with an especially fun and whimsical household.  most recently (last week) i finished porter, whose own kitchen has those fun black and white tiles in it just like the portrait. 

i have a few more lined up so far, and have to say that i am really loving these pooch paintings! commissions are tricky, especially of someone's beloved pet, but with each new piece i am enjoying the process more and more.  i still think i like "just painting" for me best, but this is a new way that i am learning to work and i am having a blast.  hope you like them too!  see all images and details bigger here, and of course be in touch if you'd like to see your pal in paint too!  *s