Re-creating

Edwardsville Art Center requested some smaller watercolors to have original art in the gift shop area.  So I went through the inventory I had on hand looking for autumn subjects that could be cropped and collaged from 16" x 20" to create 11" x 14" matted paintings.  I did enjoy re-creating from paintings that I enjoyed creating the first time!  Here are the results.

Athena - Dog Portrait

Painting animal portraits is a challenge because owners know their animals and it's important to catch the likeness.  After painting our own canine family member, Peaches, and the pair of kittens, I was asked to paint a portrait of this beautiful dog, Athena.  The reference photo was perfect inspiration and I enjoyed painting her with what I've been told is one of her favorite toys, a frisbee.  Apparently Athena is dealing with declining health and a friend of her owner wanted to offer her a gift to remember.  I hope when she looks at this painting that it will bring her wonderful memories of her cherished pet.