When I was a young girl, I brought my dog Muffin with me wherever I could, ran to her to soothe my emotional upsets, and confided in her all of my deepest secrets. Never mind the cliché — she was my best friend.
To this day I remain in love with, and deeply connected to, dogs. Pooches, pups, mutts … call them what you will. These creatures’ individual personalities, rich histories, and unquestioning devotion to their human companions, inspire and thrill me.
As an artist, I am fascinated by the incredible variety of canine characteristics. Their differences in head shapes, body sizes, eyes, noses, jowls, ears, paws (not to mention facial expressions, temperament, and propensity for drooling) continually tickle and intrigue me.
I guess you could say I’ve been an artist pretty much from the time I could hold a pencil. My full-time painting career, however, didn’t start until I shared my life with an incredible being named Trucker. I do not have adequate space here to describe this brawny American Bulldog, but I submit the following: strong and confident, all chiseled muscle and bone, my fearless protector and bodyguard, Colonel Bighead, dignified, gentlemanly, a man’s man among dogs. Oh, to be fair, I will add incessant scrounge and avid chippie-chaser. Trucker was always by my side, even at my very first solo art exhibit. In 2007 my dear friend transitioned from this life leaving a permanent mark on my heart.
I currently share my life with a 100-pound American bulldog named Dozer and an incredibly supportive partner named Jim. When I am not in my studio, you will find me out and about in NH usually with a camera strapped around my neck looking for fascinating subjects to paint.
COMMISSION PACKAGES
Commissions will be revealed and featured in Dog Days on Maine Art Hill 2019
TOP DOG $20,000 Only one package sold per year
We all know a Top Dog when we see one – whether they are 19 lb or 250, this animal simply knows how to take up space. Given that, a Top Dog requires a portrait that makes a big statement. The Top Dog portrait is a custom-cut size up to 36 in by 48 in. (That means, it's even big enough to include a couple of canine friends. Because sometimes what makes the Top Dog a Top Dog is having its own entourage.)
LUCKY DOG $12,000
The Lucky Dog is a winner at life. Whether they own their own custom bed or couch or managed to appropriate yours, they simply know how to make the best of everything. At a custom size up to 24 in by 36, the Lucky Dog portrait can comfortably fit a detailed background of one of your pooch's favorite places to hang out (and may even include a canine or human friend that is equally lucky to be their friend).
SPOILED ROTTEN $6,000
The Spoiled Rotten girl or a boy can steal your favorite chair, chew your designer glasses, and redecorate your living room from tufted pillows to a sea of down feathers – all the while captivating your heart (and immediate forgiveness). For the pet that has you wrapped around their paw, the Spoiled Rotten portrait, at 18 in x 24 inches, can comfortably fit a full body portrait (either sitting, lying down or curled up in a favorite chair). The background can also suggest a special place and may even include a favorite toy.
BEST FRIEND $4,000
When the story of who this animal is to you is expressed most deeply in the eyes, then the classic 12 in. by 16 in. Best Friend portrait provides just the right fit. Without the need for background and environmental details, this classic head-and-shoulder portrait (or a full body painting of a smaller dog) is perfect.
