Perhaps...

What makes a good portrait?  Is it all about what I want?  Or, is it all about what the client wants? In this case the client is my very particular designer daughter, who as a rule, differs in taste. Difficult to stay on track when you are trying to please both. It's best to stay as objective as possible, while at the same time holding on to the little piece of your heart that fell in love with the comp in the first place.  As I've said before many times, commissioned portrait art is not for the weak. Now add that to working for a family member!

Its Sunday am. What should I paint next?

this is Linus, my daughter's cat. Lazy, even in play.  You may have seen him floating over Central park in  "Flying Dream."  Anyway, I owe Meghan a portrait for creating and maintaining  my Pepper Portraits website.  I think I might add a ball-bell toy in the far right corner.  What do you think?

Ears to be the cover of JAVMA June 15th edition!

JAVMA, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association has chosen Ears for their June 15 2013 edition. This is my second cover for the journal.  It is so much fun to have a magazine delivered to the vet office where I work, featuring my painting!

Don't blow it!

With one painting awarded Best of Show, Judges Award and People's Favorite; the same painting reproduced into giclee with four prints already sold; another painting used on the cable show BAR RESCUE;  an artist demo on landscapes published in Ann Kullberg's Colored Pencil Magazine, and yet another painting to grace the cover of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, one could say that things are going well for Pepper Portraits LLC.  Yet, I've been doing this long enough to realize that a cluster of good fortune usually comes after months of drought and grueling work. Maintaining momentum is the trick.

This piece launched my career.

This is "Rude," pronounced Rudy.  He  belonged to a veterinarian for whom I worked many years.  The little 8 x10"painting was a thank you gift for allowing me to advertise my work in the office.  The piece was later chosen to be the cover of JAVMA (Journal for the American Veterinary Medical Association.)   One of my more popular images, I have sold many Rude prints.

Accepted!

I am very proud to announce, Who Rescued Whom is accepted into the prestigious 26th International Exhibition on Animals in Art, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge LA.  Out of 426 pieces entered into this show, 75 were chosen. This is one of my favorite paintings. The lighting, the subject and a hefty sprinkle of luck came together to create this image.
Wish Willy and Tucker luck on their trip to Louisiana!