Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Doggie Painting

rhodesian ridgeback"Neuman"

Michael suggested that I post a dog painting to inform that I take commissions for canine portraits. I didn't want to use a previous client's piece without permission, so I really enjoyed creating this one of "Neuman, the Rhodesian Ridgeback". He belonged to a client who hired me to paint favorite horses and people several years ago. While photographing at their barn, I was quite taken by Neuman, having saved the photos of him all this time.

My recollections of Neuman: he was reserved, a bit distant, yet still approachable. He freely growled disapproval of people or events in his space. I avoided eye contact with Neuman, but he was decent with me. Tall, athletic and a strikingly handsome dog, Neuman loved to run which he routinely did to an over-heated exhaustion as portrayed in the painting. Michael thinks I captured his personality of Joe-coolness perfectly.

"If you get to thinking you're a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else's dog around". - Will Rogers


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Neumann immortalized! He is so alive he's drooling on my keypad.
Nice use of background color too.
It's almost like a continuation of the ridgeback coloring.

( my two Crucian mutts, lovingly said, both have Ridgeback in their blueprint so I know that color well)

Terrific quote too.

Your talent is vast, Sharon.

Sharon Crute said...

Thanks Bonnie. The Ridgeback is a very, very cool dog. I'm dogless right now because of my extensive travel, however, this is a dog I'd own. For now, two endearing cats that are low-maintenance and easy keepers.