I spent many nights sketching little animals like squirrels and birds, mostly from my photos or ones I found online or in magazines.  My co-workers started asking if I could sketch their dog for them.  I sketched quite a few, then explored with watercolor and mixed media for others.  

As I neared retirement, I chose to use colored pencil on suede board to start my new endeavor.  I love the way the colored pencils can be layered on the suede.  The suede board also provides a nice background for the portraits.  I still love using this combination, but I also have started experimenting with other medias and surfaces.  I want to stay fresh and excited with every portrait I do!

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I love getting to know the pets that I am working on, whether in person or additional photos to see their personalities.  I do a lot of memorial portraits so I ask for additional photos of the pet so I can try to get a feel of who they were.  I had one client ask their daughter what she loved most about her dog Pickle.  They sent me her quote regarding the reference photo.  I kept this quote with me while working on Pickles's portrait: "This captures his favorite look he gave me on walks.  Trust, love and companionship with a smile.  That was Pickle."  I felt very close to Pickle by the time I was finished.  

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I strive to capture the personality, not just a likeness, with every portrait I'm entrusted to create.