Bertie’s Pawtrait: A Neighborly Connection Turned Art

PAWTRAIT of the month: BERTIE

If you’ve read my story before, you would know the beginning of this project was actually me painting/ drawing my neighbours’ dogs as I missed my own one so much. Therefore being actually commissioned by my neighbour in this very estate that I live in, means a lot to me.

Now back to Bertie’s PAWTRAIT. Bertie’s mom contacted me through instagram as she read a post that I shared in the community facebook page that I was taking Christmas commissions. I received a few images from her, and then a few more, as a dog artist I know so well that picking THE PHOTO is just not possible.

I looked at all the photos she shared. I know he is a cheery boy, but somehow the dark hair around his eyes make him look so serious, just like those black faced Belgian Malinois. So, I turned on a dancing beat in my studio (also known as kitchen), making sure I am loosened up throughout the process. I enjoyed painting it so much, especially his ears, it almost felt like combing them with ink brushes. In order to keep him look more cheery and less grumpy, I left an extra bit of white around the eyes to keep it bright. What do you think? 

Oh! Just so you know, I actually bumped into Bertie and his dad having an afternoon walk while I was delivering the PAWTRAIT right to his house! He gave me a friendly sniff, probably not knowing this guy was carrying his own handsome portrait! 

Thank you for trusting me to make this PAWTRAIT for Bertie!