"Pug" 8x10 Graphite and Charcoal

This handsome and charming fella is my pick for Day 18.  

"Shih Tzu" 8x10 Graphite and Charcoal

Playful and intelligent, the tiny Shih Tzu is Day 17 of the 30-day Challenge

"English Springer Spaniel" 8x10 Graphite and Charcoal

Cheerful and affectionate, the English Springer Spaniel is Day #16

"Grandchildren" 8x10, Graphite and Charcoal

Day #15 is a departure from the pups.  This is a commission I completed in August for a lifelong friend of my husband's.  These are two of his grandchildren, aren't they cute?  

"Beagle" 8 x 10, Graphite and Charcoal

OMG I love Beagles, and the puppies are the cutest.  I used to have a beagle mix that died a few years ago and broke all of our hearts.  He was the cutest, and I'll hopefully be able to post a portrait of him this month.  But in the meantime, here's this puppypost.  

"English Cream Long Haired Dachshund" 8 x 10 Graphite and Charcoal

Pint-sized dog with a loving personality, the English Cream Dachshund is my pick for Day #13

"Siberian Husky" 8x10 Graphite and Charcoal

The strong and gentle Husky 

"Jack Russell Terrier" 8x10 Graphite and Charcoal

Here's a fun little fella for you.  The energetic and clever Jack Russell is my Day #10 pick!

"Tibetan Spaniel" 8x10 Graphite and Charcoal

This little fella is called a Tibetan Spaniel.  I had actually never heard of this breed, so had to do some research.  My friend, Marlene, has one of these playful little dogs. I can't wait to meet him in person!  

"German Shepherd" 8x10 Graphite and Charcoal

"Boxer" 8x10 Graphite and Charcoal

Energetic, playful, fearless, the boxer is my pick for Day 7 of the 30-day challenge.  Week 1 is in the books!  Only 3 more weeks to go! 

"Golden Retriever" 8x10 Graphite and Charcoal

This Golden has no idea how pretty she is!  I love this breed - so kind, gentle, and intelligent.

"Bernese Mountain Dog"

Day 5, the Bernese Mountain Dog is strikingly beautiful, affectionate, and powerfully strong.  I want to pet him!  :D  

"Labradoodle" 8x10 Graphite and Charcoal

"Good Morning!" from this cheerful and happy little dood!  The loving labradoodle is my pick for day 4 of the challenge.  Hope you like it!  

"Border Collie" 8x10 Graphite and Charcoal

The intelligent and athletic Border Collie is my pick for Day #3. I'm falling in love with all of these beautiful dog breeds! 

"Lab" 8x10 Graphite and White Charcoal

This kind and gentle lab is my pick for day 2 of the 30-day challenge.  I'm just getting started, so I hope you enjoy these daily posts.  
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"Yorkie" 8x10 Graphite and Pastel

I am participating again this year in Leslie Saeta's 30-day art challenge.  The goal is to submit a new piece each day for 30 days. Inspired by my recent dog portrait, I decided to start out with pups! So, day  1 - this little Yorkshire Terrier.  What a little cutie!  

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​Meet this pretty little Boykin Spaniel named Sugar. This was my first pet commission, and I was so excited and nervous!  It was long distance so the owners, Craig and Robin Street, sent me several photos and described her to me over the phone. I sent them a photograph of the finished portrait, and they seemed to be very pleased with it, and even had already had prints made of it so they could hang more than one!  

I was not familiar with the breed and the owners explained that the color is known as “liver,” which is kind of a chocolate brown.  I learned that the more photos I can get the better because Sugar’s coat in each of the photos looked like a different color!  She was almost red in one of them, very dark in another, and a light brown in a third photo.

Staycation Sketches, #3 of 3:  Michelle Wie is such a beautiful golfer and inspiration.  Enjoyed doing this sketch of her on toned tan paper with graphite and white charcoal.

Staycation Sketches, #2 of 3:  Tiger Woods. He changed the game of golf! 

Staycation Sketches, #1 of 3: Jason Day, Australian Pro Golfer!  This Memorial Day weekend, Guy and I stayed home and relaxed.  I enjoyed the opportunity to continue my series of golfers.  I've been learning a new technique of using graphite and white charcoal on toned tan paper.  I love the effect, especially the way it appears to be reflecting the sun, so perfect for golfers!  Hope you enjoy these.

Part 3 of 3 from my vacation. We've been able to spend a week here at Fort Morgan, Alabama and rest.  We both needed the time to clear our heads and slow down.  Here's a little Rickie Fowler for you.  I like him:  Good golfer, good person.    

Part 2 of my sketches from our vacation at the beach.  We are at Fort Morgan in Gulf Shores, Alabama, which is very peaceful and secluded. This is Jordan Spieth, three-time major winner and all around good man!  

My first full week vacation in four years!  All Guy and I did this whole week is exactly whatever we wanted.  Which mostly was low-key.  A little beach time, golf, sketching, and guitar-picking.  Here's my drawing of my beloved. More to come!