Portraits, paintings and drawings
Rufus, a 2 year old cocker spaniel has to be one of the most delicious dogs I have ever known. So amenable, obedient, so eager to please. And entirely focussed on his master, Simon. His coat was as soft as silk. But the most enticing thing about him was the length of his eyelashes. I … Read more
I absolutely loved this commission. On paper it was potentially full of complications. Portraits of 2 brothers – one of 15, one of 9. The 15 year old is very much a young man, tall and long-limbed and rather camera shy. The 8 year old – a chorister at Salisbury cathedral – is a young … Read more
Scrumpy is the first small dog I have ever owned. I had never particularly liked small dogs, preferring instead the big labs. But then I met her mother, Scrappy, the most heavenly long-haired jack russell. (You can read all about her here) and my canine tastes changed irrevocably. Scrumpy, Scrappy’s daughter from a 2nd litter, was … Read more
Sian de N burst into my life when she turned up for a head and shoulders sitting, bringing her devoted border terrier, Dolly, along for the ride. Sian is one of the most fun and energetic women I have met in years and we hit it off famously and felt like old friends within … Read more
The Story This was a really enjoyable and unusual commission. I was contacted by Helena’s grandfather, Peter back in October, 2014. About 100 years ago, in the early 1900’s, Helena’s great-grandmother, Beatrice Irene, was painted at 7 with her dog, a terrier, by the renowned Edwardian portrait artist Edmond Brock. Three generations later and at … Read more
The Story Scrappy is responsible for my having 2 Jack Russell terriers. For two reasons. Firstly, historically, I had always had big dogs. Didn’t really ‘do’ small dogs. Ankle-biting yapping things that follow big bottomed handsome women of a certain age, as far as I was concerned. Then I met Scrappy. And within minutes I knew without … Read more
Small in stature, but by no means small in personality – quirky and quite delicious – Gracie and Mollie were a joy to draw. I felt that pastel was the more suitable medium here for these two dogs as their energy, characters and hairy coats are better represented by a pastel portrait drawing. Normally, with dog portraits, I draw just the … Read more
This is a canine portrait of Chilli, a heavenly springer spaniel dog belonging to very great friends of mine. It was commissioned for a surprise 50th birthday present. I was forewarned that Chilli is not fond of the camera so made sure we did as much decision-making as possible before bringing my camera out. But … Read more