Noodle

Noodle is the pet Beagle/Foxhound cross of a friend. She has a crafty way of looking exceptionally cute or sad when she needs something, but she is quite the wildest dog I have encountered. Until quite recently she would escape at the slightest opportunity and go roaming in the woods (at great risk from cars and badgers) for hours on end. Only hunger and extreme tiredness would bring her home! Sadly she has congenital blindness, so it looks as if her wild jaunts have come to an end. She is a scent hound, and it is illuminating to see her in a relaxed state out of doors. her nose is constantly flexing and twitching as she samples the thousands of messages she can read, but we cannot.

I’m not that keen on portraits, not to mention pet portraits, but Noodle is both wild and tame, so painting her was a pleasure. This was a quick painting, and I suggested that she was sitting on red velvet as something of a joke, considering her nature. I don’t like ‘realistic’ portraits, I can’t see that they do anything for a subject that a photo couldn’t do a lot better. I think I painted a good likeness without being stuffy.

If you like animals, perhaps you might like these koi carp or the symbolism of this song thrush.