Commissions etc.

Here are some of my recent commissions

DRUMMER AND FUDGE - GOLDEN RETRIEVER AND CROSSBREED



TOR - BORDER COLLIE

THORN - FELL TERRIER

RUBY, TILLEY AND DAISY - MINIATURE DACHSHUNDS

SOCKS - GSD/BORDER COLLIE

Well it's been a busy few months not only with commissions but other things too. The run up to Christmas was very hectic as Dad was in hospital for a month and with it being over a three hour round trip to visit added to the stress. I mnaged to get all my commisions completed on time though.....phew!!Christmas went by at a great speed and was over and done with in a flash. It didn't seem there was any time at all between putting all the decs up and then taking them down. We had a good time though spending time with family and friends.

Hopefully the New Year will bring plenty of work my way. I've had a long overdue price increase. My prices had remained the same since 2006 so I thought it as about time they went up. I've also had to increased the postage and packaging charges to cover costs.

Busy, busy, busy

Yet again it's been ages since I've updated my blog....sorry!! As well as being pretty busy with commissions, both Mum and Dad have been in hospital on seperate ocassions and very sadly our youngest Maine Coon, Finn, was taken ill very suddenly and unfortunately we had to have him put to sleep at the end of August. So life has been very hectic and stressful for a while.

I've been working on alot of portraits that have to be kept under wraps for a while but here are three of my recent pieces that I can show you.

First is Lily a beautiful chocolate English Cocker Spaniel. Lily was commissioned by some of the staff from Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire for Lady Cholmondeley's 90th birthday. She was delighted with the portrait and it now hangs in the Library at the Castle.

LILY - ENGLISH COCKER SPANIEL



Indy and Dory were commissioned by the same client. She wanted them on individual portraits and I completed them a few weeks ago.

INDY - HUNGARIAN VIZSLA



DORY - LURCHER TYPE

Some of my recent commissions.

CHARLIE - SPRINGER SPANIEL
This is a memorial portrait of Charlie who sadly passed away a few weeks ago. it was quite a large picture at 15x18 and I was very pleased with the finished result, as was my client. The photo that I worked from was of Charlie after he had been for a dip in the sea. This is the first time I've drawn 'wet look' fur.



PEGGY-BORDER COLLIE/LURCHER
Peggy was one of my 'secret' commissions. She was given as a gift last week and now has pride of place on the lounge wall in her new home. I loved the angle of this piece, looking slightly up at the subject, which worked well.



ROLLO-SPRINGER SPANIEL
This is the second portrait I have completed for this client. The first also being a Springer called Digby who was Black and White. Another 'secret' birthday commission.



DACHA-SIBERIAN HUSKY
Dacha was the winner of the Buxton pet show 2010 and I donated a portrait to the winner. I've only just completed it as Dacha has been troubled with illness this past year and her owner was waiting to get a 'happy' photo of her for me to work from. She went to her new home last week.

MINSTREL-HORSE
This piece was quite a challenge as out of all the animals I do I am less familiar with horses. Four people commissioned me to do this portrait as a Birthday gift for their friend.

Lance

Long time no blogging again......sorry. Time is just running away with me. I've still been working on 'secret' commissions until this one of Lance a stunning Border Collie. I've really enjoyed doing this portrait as the photo I had to work from was amazing. He'll be winging his way to sunny California very soon.

Next it's another 'secret' portrait and then it should be a Husky and then a Springer Spaniel, both of which I can show.

Some of my framed portraits

Here are some of my framed portraits that I have displayed in my home. Quite an awkward shot to take and some , unfortunately, wouldn't fit in the photo.

Stuff

Well I've finished the Border Collie/Lurcher portrait and the lady who commissioned me is over the moon with it, so much so she wants her own dogs doing( the BC/L is for a gift). I'm really pleased with it and can't wait to show you all, but I'll have to be patient :-))

Next is a horse. The photos are fab and I should be starting it shortly but again I can't post progress pics as that is also a surprise gift. I may do some breed examples in between using the ref. photos that I took at Crufts. I did outline an Italian Spinone a while back so might finish that one.

Apologies for the lack of blogging but I just haven't had time. Below are the portraits I have worked on.

Ghyll - Smooth Haired Collie
Bumble - Pomeranian
Honey - Boxer

My next commission is a Border Collie/Lurcher cross. Unfortunately I can't show progress pics as it's for a gift.

TYSON AND HONEY FRAMED


HONEY WITH HER FRAMED PORTRAIT


HONEY


BUMBLE


GHYLL FRAMED

GHYLL