"Rhodesian Gaze (Ridgeback Study)," 6" x 8", dog painting in acrylic on board, $199 to the first buyer. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . This piece is almost like an abstract painting, being focused so tightly on the planes of the face. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very statuesque in that their skin lies relatively close to the skull, which is something I had to continually remind myself as I became engrossed in the markings. I used my brushwork not to mirror the markings, but to follow the bone structure. It is especially effective when the paint layers are wet, and can be smooshed (for lack of a more technical term) into each other. And I indulged myself with color on this one. Close inspection will reveal pretty much every imaginable color in here somewhere - daubs and layered hash marks abound. On another note, I shipped my paintings off this morning for the Grand National Rodeo Celebration of Western Art Show & Sale (say that 5 times rea...