Charcoal commission of "Cabot", better known as "Cabs"

For those of you not entirely familiar with my artwork, I also do charcoal portraits. I just finished this head portrait of "Cabs", who is a very handsome appaloosa horse. Oh, those spots! Every one of them has it's own place.

His owner, Nancy, tells me before she aquired him he had flunked out of "coon huntin' school" in Arkansas. (I can't stop giggling as I write this) I wonder what's required with the graduate program? He's older now and has been a reliable "steady Eddie" trail horse for Nancy for years. With increased bouts of colic and old age creeping in, Nancy was smart to call me when she did.

That's something for potential clients to always think about. Get those photographs and the artist out there before it's too late! People assume they have good reference photographs when they don't. Frequently, the portrait's quality will improve with better photos taken by the artist.

I just sent a photo of this to Nancy to make sure she was pleased with it before she paid the balance and she made my day with this response:

"I LOVE IT. You have captured his look, especially his eye perfectly. I am so happy I had you do his portrait, it's so much more personal than a photo, and I will treasure it and my memories of him every time I look at it, thank-you."