New Paintings

These are some commissions I recently finished. The above image is a close-up of "Billie" and below are three background versions.

Below is the photo reference

Billie was a rescue dog, found along a road by a woman who could not pass him by. Linda took him home and searched for his owner - who was never found ... and she and husband Anthony nursed him back to health and gave him a wonderful home for the rest of his years. He snuggled deep into their hearts - where his memory lives on.

-
This next painting is of Afghan Hound "Vici"

Above, the matted artwork. Below, the reference photo.

The monkey in the background is his stuffed toy. The dog in the hat is their favorite doggy photo. The painting was a Christmas gift commissioned for Terry and Helen from friend Sandy.

This is what Terry has told me about their dog: "Somebody else's name is on the house title, but Vici the Afghan -- more formally known as Veni Vidi Vici when he's in trouble -- owns the place. He has the run of the house, he has set up his own lure course in the backyard, and he especially is zealous about protecting his owners from dreaded skateboard riders, whom for some unknown reason he decided at a young age he hated. He considers the back seat of the car his domain and he takes it personally when he isn't included on any excursion. He is not a show dog, but he has been to shows, at which his owners realized he never could be a show dog because he doesn't understand why the other dogs are not allowed to or won't play with him. He also is among the few Afghans in history who actually enjoys going to the groomer, perhaps so he can show off. And he likes spaghetti and pasta more than anyone in Rome." Thank you Terry for more info about your afghan, and I am so glad you wrote and told me how much you love the painting!
-
To view more dog art, please visit my website at www.VioletSkiles.com