The animal portraits began when my sister's riding instructor commissioned a painting of his wife's horse as an anniversary gift. Walter taught me about horses, specifically how to photograph a horse, which is almost as difficult as painting one. This first portrait led to many others, at first in Canada and later in Ecuador where horses and riding are part of the culture. 

As with the portraits of children, it was a family thing, first the horses and then Marley, my sister's funny Portuguese Water Dog who tilted his head at me and the next thing I knew I had a brush in my hand.

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 To commission a portrait of a pet or a horse, click​​