Friday, November 23, 2012

"Beau"



I think the name may be short for beautiful which is so appropriate. Sadly he is no longer here. I know first hand how a dog can occupy our hearts filling every crevice of our homes with their special love. Loosing them becomes so difficult then. I love this poem by Gene Hill.




"When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself.

He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.

His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever—in case I need him. And I expect I will—as I always have. He is just my dog."
Gene Hill

This painting is a commissioned piece as a gift for Christmas for the owner. I do hope to have captured the personality of their beloved companion. This is my hope when doing these.

I so enjoy painting dog portraits and found that to be especially so for "Beau".

Watercolour on 300lb. Arches cold pressed paper. 24" X 24".


17 comments:

  1. Beau probably stands for Beau-tiful Eyes, isn't it ?!! :0)
    Great portrait!
    Thank you,
    Irina

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    1. Irina! Thank you. You are most likely right. Beautiful eyes it is.
      Thank you for stopping by.

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  2. I'm sure Beau's owners will be thrilled with this gorgeous, character filled portrait. You've done a sterling job, Ross. xx

    PS: my first dog returned safely with me from the Looe holiday :)
    We lost her at 18 years old.

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    1. Thank you Pat for your encouragement. I love the word "sterling". Haven't heard it for a while now. :)

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  3. The painting is delightful. If I was the owner, I would be so pleased with the painting. Once again, stunning colours! I love the perspective. To me, it looks like you captured the personality...the dog looks very kind and friendly.

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    1. Hi Reneee. Thanks so much for your kind words. Yes, i believe the dog was very kind and friendly. I did not know him personally but from what the owner told me he was very loved and also loveable. I do hope they appreciate the freedom i took with colour. One never knows.

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  4. Beau looks like someone I wish I had met, so I'm thinking this will be a success with the commissioners! Thanks for your visit to my blog and your oh-so-kind comments.

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    1. Hi Elizabeth. Yes, i think i would have liked to meet this guy in person. labs are such a handsome breed. Commissions are always a wee bit of a challenge as you never know if they will like what you've done. I am hoping.

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  5. Beau is certainly beautiful and I love his eyes. The owner will be thrilled I am sure.

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    1. Thanks so much Christiane. Great to see you here. Thank you for your encouragement as well. Your comments give me the confidence i need to present this. :)

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  6. Hi Ross. You really have captured all the love and sweetness of a yellow Lab. It truly is a beautiful and joyful portrait!

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  7. Hi Kathryn. Thank you for your visit and for your inspiring words. When i work so closely on a painting perspective seems to get out of whack. It is nice to hear what others have to say and motivates me to press on.

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  8. Love this painting of Beau. It is a living dog rather than a copy of a photograph. I especially adore your quirky town and country paintings. Will be following your blog. Waiting for the next masterpiece.

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    1. Thank you Polly for your encouraging words. One never knows as the work is so close to us as we do it. I am always a bit fearful when done to show it to the client. Thankfully there is this great world of bloggers and fellow artists such as yourself. Hope to have another painting to post soon.

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  9. I didn't get to see Beau before you had to remove him but look forward to seeing him when you repost - from the comments you've had it sounds like a wonderful portrait - I've recently done a commission of a black lab which I can't post for the same reason but will post after Christmas - dogs are one of my favourite subjects to draw/paint - love your work and following

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    1. Hello Sharon. So nice to meet you. Thank you for following my blog. I enjoyed visiting your own and seeing all your lovely paintings. I will look forward to seeing your Black Lab when you post it. Perhaps we can do an exchange? :)

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    2. Thanks for visiting my blog Ross, looks like we share the same love of colour!!! This one, I adore, you have captured the "essence" of him and it looks like one of those which painted itself, rare when it happens (at least for me!!) but oh so rewarding!!

      I also see you have boxer dogs, while we don't have any ourselves, my father's family have always kept boxers and my sister has had four...they have Mum and daughter, but sadly they have just lost daughter, I did a portrait of her not long before she died which is on my blog... we didn't know she was ill at the time so really glad I did it when I did!!

      Am following your blog now, some beautiful work Ross will be good to see what you get up to!!

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