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

Sushi, #6 in the Portrait Marathon

"Sushi" 8" x 10" acrylic on Claybord, © Xan Blackburn
“Sushi” 8″ x 10″ acrylic on Claybord, © Xan Blackburn Sushi!  Isn’t sushi supposed to be something created quickly, from fresh ingredients, beautifully presented?  Well, Sushi’s portrait took me a whole week, but, I hope she presents well anyway.  I’m pleased! Sushi is a breed mixed to perfection for her active family.  They take her on …

#5 in my Portrait Marathon: Puff the kitteh

Puff 10" x 8" Acrylic on Claybord panel © Xan Blackburn
Puff10″ x 8″Acrylic on Claybord panel© Xan Blackburn Eponymous Puff looks quite … stern.  Laura says he was a fearless guy, despite the fluffy fur and name, who taught many the greyhound just what cats are all about.  Lived to a grand age of 19 1/2, too!   Puff’s portrait was based on a photo …

#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. …

Red the whippet: #3 in the Portrait Marathon

I think I'm done ... 8" x 10" acrylic on panel © Xan Blackburn
I’m pretty sure Red’s portrait is done.  I’ll sleep on it (not literally – that would not be comfortable at all!)  Since it’s almost 9:30 at night, and tomorrow is Chris’ greyhound, Cash’s turn at the Marathon, I’ll just give you a gallery of progress pictures to look at.

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 …

PM – Luki’s portrait complete

Luki's portrait complete
Luki acrylic on panel, 8″ x 10″ © Xan Blackburn Delicate Luki!  I really enjoyed building up these hot and cool layers to create this pup’s portrait.  It feels like that may capture her personality, in a way, maybe echoing her own internal contrasts.   I only took a couple pictures besides the final scan …