Toby - Eleven years later

Eleven years ago I photographed this purebred Tonkinese, Toby for a magazine article about boarding.  The owner of beloved Toby recently sent me the photograph that was in the article and asked if I could create a painted piece for them to hang in their home.  I was thrilled to take on the challenge.  Even though I had photographed the original image, it wasn't a "portrait"  but more of an environmental piece to showcase the boarding establishment.  After a few days of playing with what sort of "look" to go with, I decided the simpler the better and went with just a portrait of Toby - no props.  He is beautiful enough without any extra elements incorporated into the painting.

From the owner Susan "Toby is gone now, but this art piece greets me every day.  I smile and remember all the years of love we shared."