As most of you know, I haven't painted lately... my last piece was a commission dog portrait in June.
I needed a painting for a show due yesterday - a Service Dog Fine Art Contest for a non-profit organization in California.
I had originally planned to use photos of
local service dogs as the subject for my painting, and Deb Meserve - The Shutter Gallery, Kennebunk - graciously allowed me use of one of her photos of 2 taken when we were at the Seashore Trolley Museum Dog Daze, back in June.
As I researched roles and types and qualities of service dogs, I thought about my own rescue golden retriever, Biscuit - he's my faithful companion - with me where ever I go - he would have made a great service dog.
So I was
inspired to use him as my model. I photographed him in numerous poses, and one thing I
noticed was that he was always smiling – happy to please and serve me.
Here he is in the painting as a service dog "Happy to Serve."
