I'm not really into little dogs. Actually, I wasn't into dogs at all until this fellow pawed his way into my heart:
Sorry, got side tracked. As I was saying, little dogs... don't get me wrong, I think there are a lot of cute little dogs, I'm just not crazy about them. That was until I met Onyx.
Onyx was rescued by my wonderful Aunt Peggy. Prior to retirement, she was a property manager for an apartment group in Augusta. From what I recall, this fellow was just left behind when some tenants moved. After multiple attempts to find him a home, she just couldn't hand him over to animal control. That's when he gained a new last name. I fell for his spunky little attitude immediately.
My Uncle Don requested a portrait of Onyx... he gave no request other than that, so I took some artistic liberties. When I began brainstorming about this portrait, one of the first things that came to mind was my aunt's love for chinoiserie. Then I thought about a painting that I did in high school (which was recently recovered). Yes... I liked the colors. Onyx in a kimono? Yes.. that's it. I began painting, but something just wasn't right. Then it hit me...
A Chinese Emperor.
I'm not gonna lie.... a black dog ain't easy to paint.
This is Sophie. Isn't she cute? I think she looks a lot like our dog, Vince, so I'm particularly taken with her. She's got the quintessential "puppy dog eyes". Those eyes that have you concerned that the pup is worried about something or have you feeling bad because they are sad.
This past weekend I took a picture of a painting I did years ago for my dear friends, Leanna & Stephen. This is Tex & Cheyenne 'posing' in front of a barn on their property. 
This guy is the dog-child of Zack & Lindsay Williamson. Steve's portrait was captured wearing some Christmas greenery and fits beautifully in to their holiday decor!
