Foxy (2/2000-9/2013)
Foxy was a spunky mix of terrier/spaniel raised by Ritchie. I only got to know her in her later years, but even as an old lady at 13 she was a puppy at heart, racing around and ready to play. She is probably one of the cutest and smartest dogs ever, and as much as we search I doubt another pup could be like her. Fox is a great friend, that although lost will always be with us.
In this pic Ritchie and I spent Thanksgiving in San Luis Obispo, where Fox hiked with us up Bishop's Peak. She was a welcome guest at the hostel too. Everyone liked her so much that they took pictures of her and cut our heads out!!
Fox was such a great dog that she would chew up food for another old dog that was losing its teeth. She used to live outside, but won the hearts of the whole family and made her way into the house. Eventually she had a whole sofa to herself, not to mention rights to the bed!
My reference pic for the painting. We could usually find her lounging outside in a shady spot. Her favorite location was under the bush by the silk tree, which I chose for the setting.
I started with a sketch and painting en plein air. First a simple yellow background was laid down in the negative space.
Moving forward, the bush was painted, then Fox, then the succulents in the foreground. It took a decent amount of work to get Foxy's proportions just right, and to really catch that spark in her eye.
All of the plants were outlined and accented. I love the way this painting turned out with a perfect balance between realism and pattern/design. It was fun to transition from painting the plants with free brushstrokes and working outdoors, to the challenge of painting from a photograph with more specific proportions and complex shapes. Now this little dog is always with us in her special garden!
