Tuesday, April 12, 2011

A Dog Named Sam


If you share your home with a dog, you will know just how much your life is enriched - with affection, humor, empathy, playfulness, joy. It's uncanny, magic even, how the dog settles into the comfortable spot in your heart. I went many years of my adult life without a dog. I didn't know it then, but I was a poorer and sadder person. This isn't my dog; Frankie is my dog.

There were three people who convinced me to get a dog. They know who they are. But there was also a dog that convinced me - this dog, our neighbors' ever-present friendly happy lively dog, Sam.

I'm happy with the portrait. I worked from a black and white photo, and I spent more hours drawing than painting, to get the likeness. I always thought it would be difficult working from black and white, but I actually think my colors are better than they would be if I had a colored picture as a guide. I had to think about the colors more and try them out. It amuses me how the unfinished bottom of the picture makes me think of the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington

8 comments:

  1. A portrait full of life! Love the expression you caught Barbara! Love dogs but have not been able to live with one so far :-(

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  2. Beautiful.. and truly is a likeness

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  3. beautiful painting and post. nothin' like a dog, except maybe two dogs. so sincere, so loving. i swore when our lab went that would be it, but these two pugs have taken the pet experience to another whole level! love your work! thanks for your comment!

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  4. You have done a fantastic job with this, Barbara - I especially like the highlights on the fur. Pets are such an important part of our lives!

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  5. Dear Barbara,
    Thank you for visiting my blog. I love this watercolor and the post--ye kne? I'm a crazy dog lover!!! Your blog is full of wonderful paintings, sensitive photos and writings. Please keep up.
    Best wishes, Sadami

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  6. I think you might be quite proud to know that I was sharing your website with a 5 y/o Vietnamese girl, and impressed some little French girls looking over our shoulders..

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  7. Very nice portrait of Sam. You did well working from a black and white photo.

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  8. i love this, it's beautiful...i enjoyed catching up.

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