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“English Springer Study (Lewis),” 6x8, English Springer pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (thank you!).

Lewis is 13 years old, and has a rare bone disease. This will be his last summer. His family is doing their best to make it as memorable as all the others, even going so far as to get a special “cart” so that he can still join them on their walks.

They requested a portrait that would remind them of his squishy smooshy droopy face. I cropped in tight to get his eyes, and just the upper edge of his nose, as though his face was cupped in their hands. The scale of this painting is such that it is fairly close to lifesize, yet still remains intimate. A good starting point for recalling such a dear companion and friend.

(On an odd note, this piece reminds me of that sad clown painting that hung in the back hallway of my childhood home. I wonder whatever happened to that painting….. it terrified us in the half-light, and probably ultimately ended up as a prop in a bad B horror flick!).

But back on track here.

I want to dedicate today’s painting to all the Lewis’s we’ve known in our lives. And to all the ones that will pad along into those hard to fill footsteps, trying their best to measure up to their precursors, but instead forging their own distinctive path to the center of our hearts.

Thanks again for your time in looking and reading along.
And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family. I love that you forward them around – thank you!
Will be back tomorrow,
Kim

PS I guess I fell back into that black and white familiar guise again. Only one other black and white guy this week – I promise you a greater color range to come!!

Kimberly Kelly Santini
http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/
distinctive pet portraits
& 4-legged paintings

http://www.paintingadogaday.com/
come. sit. stay.
enjoy the art.

Founding member of the Canine Art Guild
http://www.canineartguild.com/
the gateway to canine art on the web

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