Some Pig

"Some Pig" Pastel, 11" x 8.5"

This is "Some Pig"...not in the Charlotte's Web sense, but rather, it started out as a very different piece.  The reference photo was Canada Geese having a swim, if you can believe that, but after fussing and fighting it and not getting anywhere, I turned it upside-down and just started blocking in areas of color, and it turned into...some pig.

Deer In A Field

"Deer In A Field" pastel, 7.5" x 15"

Raccoon With Crayfish

"Raccoon With Crayfish" 11" x 16", Pastel

Piggy

From one of my State Fair pics:

"Piggy" Pastel, 9" x 4.5"

Mini Bulldog in Repose

"Mini Bulldog in Repose" pastel, 18" x 6"

This piece is on display (March 23 - April 21, 2013) at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s 26th Annual International Exhibition on Animals in Art.  This piece won an Honorable Mention and has been sold.

Bulldog: WIP Phase 2

Second layer on Milo the Mini Bulldog...I'm pretty happy with it, so maybe just a few tweaks and it will be done.

The latest version.

Bulldog: WIP

Work in progress: a pastel piece inspired by a photo of my Mini Bulldog named Milo.  The pose fit perfectly into a 3:1 format, which is really fun to work with.

Original photo, cropped.

Initial sketch on gray Ampersand Pastelbord.

First layer of color.

Byrd Avenue

I was walking my dogs one morning when I glanced up at a big, ol' crow perched upon -- what else -- the Byrd Avenue sign in my neighborhood.  Unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me at the time, but I was able to cobble together some photo references taken later to recreate the scene.

"Byrd Avenue."  Pastel, 14" x 11"

Pet Portrait Commissions

Here are a couple of pet portraits completed this year.  The Coonhound Bruno was a friend of mine and my dogs, and was a sudden, painful loss.  I created that portrait as a gift for my friends, to honor his memory.

"Bruno's Last Hunt" Oil, 16" x 20"

This portrait was also done for a friend, and is a memorial portrait of his brother's Bulldog Bosley, pictured in the back.  This will be a Christmas gift for his brother.

"Three Bulldogs" Oil, 16" x 20"

Jack Russell

Not sure how I feel about this one yet...probably since it's much looser than my dog pieces usually get...

"Jack Russell"  Pastel, 12" x 9"

Nisqually Deer

Another work from a photo taken at Nisqually Wildlife Refuge in Washington:

"Nisqually Deer."  Pastel, 12" x 9"

Nisqually Crane

From a reference photo taken at Nisqually Wildlife Refuge in Washington.

"Nisqually Crane."  Pastel, 9" x 12"

Mastiff

A colored pencil portrait of a Mastiff I did to accompany my donation of a portrait gift certificate to a fundraising auction for a Mastiff rescue group.  The auction starts November 24th, and I'll post a link when it begins.

Mastiff, colored pencil, 7" x 5"

Fluffy

"Fluffy," colored pencil on panel, 12" x 9".

The latest in my "Contrary Pet Names" series.

Bruiser

I'm working on a series, "Contrary Pet Names."  This is the first piece, "Bruiser," colored pencil, 9" x 12".

That is one vicious looking Pomeranian, let me tell ya...

Sheep update

Remember this sheep?  Well, I've been playing with it a bit more, messing around with some new materials and techniques...unfortunately the paper warped pretty badly, but should I decide to mat and frame it that should hold it down fine.

"Sheep," 12" x 9", pastel on paper.

Muscovy Duck

I really like how this one came out...do I need to "call an audible" on my State Fair submission?  (I hope I used that phrase correctly...you jocks out there can correct me if necessary...)

"Muscovy Duck," pastel on paper, 12" x 9".

Swan

Swan in colored pencil, 5" x 7".

This piece is available for purchase via online auction: Click to bid!

Sheep

I guess I have barnyard critters on the brain!  Here's a piece I'm messing around with, playing with alternating layers of soft and oil pastel...

Geese at the Fair

Here it is so far...I think I'll leave out the bars.  I need to leave it alone for a bit, but it's pretty much done.

"Geese at the Fair," 24" x 12", oil pastel.