Santa's Little Helper
Santa's Little Helper (2016)
24×18¼ Pastel on Pastel Paper
Original is Sold
The holidays can be a busy time. Cooking, cleaning, shopping, parties, and endless gift wrapping, it’s not easy to do it all. It’s important to have someone to turn to during the rush. Even if that someone has limited practical abilities, they can still alleviate some stress, give a comforting cuddle, lend a paw, and just add plenty of fun and joy to a hectic season.
I think it is one of the very first things dogs learn from humans: that the crisp sound of something being unwrapped almost always indicates a delicious treat is in the offing. Working in pastel, I loved creating a cozy, festive glow for this holiday piece. My focus was on capturing the warm, ambient light radiating from the Christmas tree bulbs, reflecting beautifully across the handsome subject's muscular physique and illuminating the alert, hopeful gaze of his canine companion waiting for that ribbon to pop.
