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Part of the appeal of the trip for me was dog time! Diane's Golden Retriever bitch Java came along. She is a good traveler and a pleasant companion. She's bright and interested in her surroundings. She is also well trained by Diane. But mostly she is very loving. She is never happier than when she sits next to someone who is petting her. It is a very healing experience for someone who has just lost her favorite furface.
I did a number of sketches of Java during the week I spent at Grand Marais. It was difficult shifting gears from Malamutes to Goldens. First you have to discover how those darn floppy ears attach to the head. Then there is the problem of how to render a body covered in curly red locks. (Java is a beautiful Field Golden. They tend to be thinner boned and darker colored than their show-bred Golden relatives. Obviously they are more beautiful!) And finally there is the problem of finding points of reference on a basically monochromatic animal. There is good reason for sensible artists to live only with black and white animals! Above is a quick sketch made using watersoluble colored pencils. We're not there yet, but we are getting close. |
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Illustration © 2003 Roz Stendahl; All Rights Reserved |