Byron rests in different places around the house throughout the day, following the warm patches of sunlight that stretch through the windows in Joel’s office, the kitchen, dining room, then living room.  This light calms him, soothes his old joints, and makes everything right in the world.

No. 2 in my “Dogs Being Dogs” series.  Boston terrier at Washington Park, Albany.  5×7 Pastel

We met Jake and his family almost a year ago, and we’re glad to have the little guy in our circle of friends.   Jakey sometimes stays at our place when his people are out of town, and Byron visits him when we go away.   Their behaviors and their way of playing are quite different, so it has been interesting to watch the two dogs learn to communicate with each other.  After many walks as a pack, he and Byron are slowly becoming good buddies.  This is very important - single dogs need pals.

Smokey lives in Salem, Oregon, where the winter can be a little bit gray.  No matter the weather, he likes to be outside.  His backyard is his kingdom, and he perches atop the hot tub to keep a close watch on the grounds.

When I asked Reilly’s owners to tell me about his personality, they described his acute awareness of and interest in his surroundings. At home he tends to follow his family around, keeping tabs on their whereabouts at all times. Outside he is curious about the natural environment. Each day, near his home in the Bay Area, he hikes for two hours through the woods with other dogs and his dog walker. Frequently stopping to sniff trailside plants, he has earned the nickname “the botanist.”

A typical boxer, Reilly is a real snuggler. He can be timid and sensitive, but also has a slightly mischievous side that comes out when he’s feeling frisky.

Mackie and Lannie will soon be leaving their home in Oregon and relocating to Texas with their family. They wanted a special painting by which to remember their adventures in Oregon, so I gave them a view of the scenic Pacific Northwest coast.

These two westies have become really good buddies in the last couple of years.  Mackie, on the left, is a very trusting and curious little dog (notice his inquisitive expression).  He made a big impression on a class of sixth graders when he visited them during school.  Lannie, who is younger and a bit unsure of things, looks to Mackie to be the leader, except when food is involved.

A lovable and loyal companion, Sandy has always been the family’s protector. And at nine years old, she still loves to play - she is always ready for a game of hide-and-seek and loves to jump for toys. As you can see from the portrait, her favorite toys are golf club head covers, which, in her household, are not in short supply.

When painting golden retrievers, I am always amazed at the color variation in their coats. For Sandy’s portrait I used many pastel colors, from dark reddish-browns to pale golds and tans, and worked in many layers to create her long, feathery fur. She has an especially beautiful tail, which she always holds high. Her family calls it her “show dog tail.”

Tabi is a little rascal. He loves to chase geckos on the porch at his home in Hawaii. But he’s also a lap cat, and is fondly known by his family and friends as “Lounge Lizard.”

Tabi is also the name for traditional Japanese socks that have a spit between the big toe and the rest, so that they may be worn with thong sandals (for more on that, click here). They are ankle high, and usually white, just like Tabi cat’s “socks.”

In the painting, you can see how certain details really bring out the animal’s personality. During the couple of weeks I worked on Tabi’s portrait, I got to know his features pretty well. I know the shape of his ears, and the curve of his chin. I know about the little pink spot on the first paw pad of his right hind leg, and that he has too many whiskers to count. Without these, Tabi wouldn’t be Tabi. Without the wispy long hairs on his back and chest, you might not know he has a rascally side.