2026 Trekell Pet Portrait Competition entry

 This portrait of one of Muscovy ducks is my entry for this year's Trekell Pet Portrait Competition.  This competition requires artists to use a special shaped birch panel as the support.  I was relieved the shape of this year's panel was simpler than in previous years, and I felt I could paint what I wanted and not worry too much about how the shape affects the composition.

 The Muscovy is named Laguna.  She is a rather special duck as she has heterochromia - both of her eyes are blue and brown!  She loves her baths, of course, and I wanted to capture her contentedly preening after a bath with water beading up on her waterproofed feathers.  I hope others who see this painting feel the peace I feel when I watch my birds preen.

2025 Trekell Pet Portrait Competition entry

Here is my entry for this year's Trekell Pet Portrait Competition.  This competition requires artists to use a special shaped birch panel as the support.  This time I painted eight of my chickens, some who are still alive and some who have passed, all gathered in a circle with the sun behind them.  Although it was not my original intention, it looks as though it is from the point of view of a bug on the ground.  So I've titled this painting "You Are The Bug."  One of these special hens I have painted several times before - can you spot her?

2024 Trekell Pet Portrait Competition - Second entry

 This is my final entry for the 2024 Trekell Pet Portrait Competition.  I painted my late Boston Terrier, Sissy, chasing a butterfly among the wildflowers.  I have many photos of her trying to catch flying insects and she looked as though she were dancing.

 

2024 Trekell Pet Portrait Competition - First entry

It's time once again for Trekell's Annual Pet Portrait Competition and here is my first entry!  This competition requires artists to use a special shaped birch panel as the support and this time Trekell didn't make it easy!  After a lot of time searching through my photos and editing several of them, I found that my sheep, Muffin's, head fit nicely in this flower-like shape and decided to add a couple chicks on her head to fill the space at the top. 😁

Portrait of Dorie on wood panel

I just finished this acrylic painting of my Boston Terrier, Dorie, for Trekell Art Supplies's 2023 Pet Portrait Competition.  The competition requires artists to use a special shaped birch panel as the support.  This was my first time painting on an artist-quality wooden panel and I absolutely loved it.  Blending was easier than on canvas and I felt I had more control over the paint.  Why hadn't I tried it sooner?!