Those of you who have spent time with me in person know that Phoebe Rose is always by my side. She goes to meetings with me. She sleeps on my head at night. She naps on my lap while I work on my computer. While I paint in my studio, she waits on the couch behind me until I'm done, then she jumps down and follows me back into the house.
"Yes? What do you want?"
And yet I've never painted a portrait of her! The closest I've gotten is to include her in my St Francis Mandala Prayer painting among the myriad other animals. She never had babies, but I added a little Phoebe to symbolize her inner puppy.
Detail of "St Francis Prayer Mandala"
I've painted pet portraits for others. I love to paint people with their beloved animals—because I love to capture that connection, that pure love. There's nothing else like it. It's like kissing God!
A portrait of Artist Knox and his dog Bumpy Johnson
I think it's time to do a proper puppy portrait. Phoebe deserves a royal rendering of her little Highness. Better to do it now, while she's young and healthy (she just turned 7), and I can still pretend she'll live forever.
Art Heals
Speaking of pet portraits, check out this upcoming class with Hannah Day at Petaluma Arts Center.
This workshop is part of "PAC Academy." It's a two-week series of classes and lectures for pre-teens to adults. We even have two zoom classes. If you're in NorCal, come check us out!
