This has been my busiest and most productive yet with so many different commissions taken on and social engagements too I have found Christmas has rather crept up on me so with a week to go I am yet to start on the decorations and gifts. However I have now just about finished everything with the last few to be delivered tomorrow. Hopefully I will not be spoiling any surprises by showing you some of my latest ones! A merry month to you! X

My busy season is upon me with my Christmas commissions arriving even earlier this year. I have some lovely subjects to be working on, new prints at the framers and lots more...

This beautiful old girl is my friends dog who I can't wait to meet in December when we visit. I used the garden setting of the photo to inspire a more colourful abstract effect.

Next in contrast a deep sided canvas and dark effect seemed to compliment the portrait of this beautiful Newfoundland/Great Dane called Yogi Bear! He certainly suites his name doesnt't he.

Blade the Rotty completes a series of paintings I have been working on this year. Such stately dogs! I love painting them so much.

This little beauty has just returned from the framers it's under glass so excuse any reflections, but I do think it looks stunning and is designed to hang with a previous commission so was framed to match. I made a "spacer" around the edge to allow the glass over the oil painting without touching it.

Lastly, I couldn't resist showing my painting of an Albatross flying across a choppy sea which I have just finished. It's pretty big at over a metre wide and is still drying back. I made the background up, but the bird shows a Royal Albtross, not a pet, but holds deep meaning to the person who commissioned him. I hope he loves it, I'm proud of how this one turned out.
Well, time to get back to my easel. Bye for now!

This one is an impressive husky like breed I think. The owners say his parentage is a bit of a mystery so not pure Husky maybe. You see here my second painting and a view. I was less keen on their chosen photo.

I love to get the highlights in the dog's eyes so of course I really love the results of my painting session here. The natural colours in the background compliment the portrait well I think.

Oh and last but not least is the final version of the lovely Poppy on her red patterned background as with all poppies, red definitely suits her!
See you next time! Have a lovely creative week xx

This is my latest painting based on Cornish beach life. Lots of noise and fun chasing, barking running in and out of the surf chasing sticks and seagulls! The painting shows off one of my favourite breeds the English Bull Terrier chasing a black tipped full up into the air on Porthcurno beach.
£120 39cmx44.5cm

And lastly if you need a bit of luck my other painting on the go is this little beauty. Gosh the patterns have almost driven me to distraction! But I'm nearly there maybe more to do on the eyes. The owners of this painting will have had value for money on the hours I have spent on it!!!!

Just taking a break to show you my portrait of Dot who is nearly finished and hopefully will make a great surprise gift for Valerie's husband next month.

This is Valerie's photo of Dottie which she asked me to base the painting on. You can probably spot a few changes here this is to ensure I get a good view of Dotties expressive eyes and a good focus on Dottie rather than the busy patterns around her. The choke chain was left out to simplify things and I moved her front paw so the nothing would be left out of view if I zoomed in.

New to my website this week is the opportunity to keep a little piece of art on you at all times! Or how about having your pets portrait made into a beautiful bespoke piece?
I have used real silver settings and cabouchon glass to really set off my oil portraits the pendant size is just 1 inch across. They come gift wrapped with a lovely silver chain (18").

This is a painting I have been working on for a while legs not quite there yet, but it's looking good I think. There's an art competition on the go at the Sock Gallery in Loughborough which it's going in to. Wish me luck...

Nero has been a lovely challenge for me this week. You can see the start here, getting his expression right and the light direction. I'll talk you through the stages here. Or have a look on my other pages to see my dog prints or contact me to arrange a commission.

At this stage I am looking at the over all effect, I want the background to stay simple if possible. This painting is to go with the painting of his sister Raven, so needs similar colours.

Getting there, time to see what his owner thinks... wish me luck!

Hi there! I write to you today from my garden where everything is looking lush an green, sun's shining and I'm enjoying being outside after quite a busy few weeks of painting and selling. It's so nice to be able to talk to you I hope this finds you well...
Here in sleepy Melton I have been adding the finishing touches to my portraits of "Rottys", a beautiful greyhound a little grey rabbit and a loyal canine paratrooper!

Above is my stand at the garden centre each Saturday you can see the finished portrait of Raven the Rottweiller which went down well (fortunately)with her owner,Helen. More commissions rapidly came in! One of which is Grace...
You may be able to make out the first stages of my greyhound commission "Grace" on my easel. Below is the final version. Although there's a story about that..

While I was waiting for the client to come to view the portrait at my stand a little girl ran up to the painting to "stroke the doggy" her little fingers grazing down the recently varnished surface of the painting! I'll have to watch out in future! Must be getting too good! Lol!

Next Mr Button a real cutey and a great idea for a leaving present for a colleague who has him as her house pet. It made a lovey contrast to paint something tiny for a change.

Last, but not least is this beautiful Belgium Shepherd; the faithful companion to Chris who came to see me back in October.
As a paratrooper Chris has had a long association with training dogs to be used in combat zones such as Afghanistan many of whom have saved the lives of civilians and soldiers. This courageous dog Pegusus took part in many missions with him parachuting with his handler into dangerous areas and even has is own award and by the regiment. He is now enjoying a lovely retirement. This painting is a celebration of a hero dog!

Hello everyone, just having a break from drawing to show you what I have been working on today. This is "Raven" a beautiful Rottweiller and my next commission. At this point I am going through the process of drawing and shading and also working on showing the dogs personality by really close observation from all the photographs the owner has provided. It's going to be a really lovely painting I think. Once I've finished this stage I will be sending the pic to the owner so that she can check all is ok, after that I will be able to add more colour.
I will be able to work more freely because I will have almost learnt the contors of Ravens face and can simplify things a little while still keeping the resemblance accurate.