9″x12″ acylic, 2012. What a lovely change of scenery! It’s novel and thrilling for me to have the opportunity to paint a beloved pet, and wonderful to see such intelligence and personality gazing back at me. This portrait of Hiyu, who passed two years ago, was commissioned by Heidi as a gift for Hiyu’s owners, Heidi’s dear friends. Heidi tells me that Hiyu was an incredibly sweet, 60 pound lap dog who acted like a puppy to the very end! I had the pleasure of commemorating Heidi’s own pet dog Murphy last year, and her daughter’s adorable stuffed hippo in 2009.
2 thoughts on “Hiyu (Pet Portrait)”
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Holy horses, Jen – you are so flabbergastingly good at capturing the love and humanity and spirit in all subjects – whether they’re really alive or toy-alive. Hiyu’s owners were blown away by this portrait. Her sweet face and those eyes that could (and did) coax all kinds of treats out of the stingiest curmudgeons reminded them of all the wonderful years they had together. Next month’s portrait request will be Curly, our vet’s miniature poodle, who passed away last year with zero – count them, zero – teeth left. I loved that dog. He was the sweetest dang thing. After that will be my (secretly favorite) dog, Asta, who is a rescue of indeterminate age, but we think about 15. She snores, has about 6 teeth, and can’t hear very well, but her sheer force of spirit has just captured my heart. Thanks so much for what you do and how you do it. Your portraits are real and emotional – not kitchy or baby-ish – and that makes all the difference.
I’m incredibly honored to do these portraits of the special animals in your life… thank you for your very kind words!