Dog and Ponys

Dog and Ponys

With the final touch of an antique wood custom frame, this commission job will be finished and ready for delivery.  The project began with the request for a painting that would celebrate the fond memory of the dog seen here.  After viewing a number of images featuring the collie,  one which also included the three Icelandic ponies living at the farm, was chosen for its' wonderful connection between the paintings' subjects.  Of course, three ponies and one dog equates to essentially fourindividual portraits, each highlighting the unique qualities and characteristics of the respective subject, not a simple task.  The cedar rail fence was substituted inplace of a live wire livestock fence just because I like them and it seemed appropriate.
When accepting and comencing a new commissioned work, I have two main goals to meet.  
First, the painting must exceed the clients' hopes and expectations, and second, it should match the quality and execution of my very best painting efforts, resulting in another worthy edition to my body of work as a painter.