Libby’s Portrait Takes Shape

Doesn’t she have a sweet smile? She fills me with Awwwwww! The clients wanted me to make a few adjustments for the portrait, including adding her ears at half-mast, and cleaning up the tear stains below her eyes. I also opted to remove the collar hardware and her body as it extends behind her head, …

“Alex”: A Christmas Story

Steve and Gayle are artists in their own right.  I’ve been honored to be asked by their friends to do two memorial portraits for them (Sadie, and Katie), so when their daughter, Rachel, asked me to do another of the legendary Alex, I was thrilled.  I had a crush on him that was tragic: I never …

Timber, completed. #10 in the Spring Portrait Marathon

Timber (borzoi) 8" x 10" acrylic on canvas panel © Xan Blackburn 2014
Timber (borzoi) 8″ x 10″ acrylic on canvas panel © Xan Blackburn 2014

Cole (greyhound), #9 in the 2014 Portrait Marathon

"Cole" (greyhound) 8" x 10" acrylic on panel, © Xan Blackburn
“Cole” (greyhound) 8″ x 10″ acrylic on panel, © Xan Blackburn

#4: Cash’s Portrait

"Cash" 8" x 10" acrylic on canvas panel © Xan Blackburn
“Cash”8” x 10″acrylic on canvas panel© Xan Blackburn Chris’ greyhound, Cash, at age 10, is on her second life!  That’s pretty good for a spooky grey, I’d say!  She had a bad reaction to routine shots, actually died, but was brought back to life – a modern-day miracle!  And, a gorgeous, blue-brindle gal, to boot. …

PM #2: Stella – done!

Stella greyhound portrait
Stellaacrylic on Aquabord8″ x 10″© Xan Blackburn I think I’m done with Stella.  I hope Lynn agrees! As it’s Memorial Day weekend Saturday, my husband and dogs are all wanting dinner, and I’m rather hungry myself, I’ll just show you some progress pics to show you how I got to this point.  Enjoy! Stella’s reference …

Stella, the Sleeping Beauty

Stella greyhound portrait in progress
Stella – work in progress, stage 3acrylic on Aquabord8″ x 10″© Xan Blackburn Stella, the sleeping beauty!  Okay, she’s not sleeping in this portrait, but her owner tells me that she sleeps a lot, and sent me several photos of her in that state.  Sounds like a greyhound to me!  (Contrary to popular belief, greyhounds …