Dogs and Pickleball

I have been working on this piece for several months and I’m just over the moon with the results and so happy to be sharing it with you.

It’s a story that had a simple beginning. My client asked me if I was familiar with the painting “Dogs Playing Poker”. I was. She was looking for a personal design along the same concept, but with her dogs. I’m still thinking, Sure, no problem.

She’ll send me pictures of the dogs, some are current pets and a few are beloved ones that have passed.

Painting dogs, or any other animals to mimic human characteristics is an art form called anthropomorphism. Seeing the dogs would be sitting at a table, it was still the same position you would see if the dogs were sitting on the ground on their haunches. I’m still comfortable.

This is the point where things took a new, and very challenging change of plans. Her daughter had a new direction to take this. Pickleball.

What??? Yes, pickleball. It’s got special meaning for the family, and wouldn’t it be fun? The dogs playing pickleball. Not all of them. It’s Pickleball doubles, so that’s four and the rest… She sent me a quick outline so I could follow. 

I’m quickly counting. I see eleven dogs, and my brain is frozen at Pickleball.

You know I’m up for a challenge.

I start by getting dozens of photos from my clients. I need all the reference material I can get my hands on. Some of the dogs have passed quite a long time ago, so I don’t have clear faces , nor good images of the entire dog. But I can look at their breeds and then by talking to my clients, learn a little of the facial looks and personalities.

 I started making paper dogs (just like paper dolls for those of you who remember them). The limbs are attached by brads so I can move them. Sometimes, I rely on my husband Hans to get into the pose so I can get an accurate idea of what serving the pickleball looks like. I don’t play pickleball, but I’ve learned a lot as to where feet go, or don’t go and who serves to whom for placement on the court. My clients are always there for quick response and clarification. And finally, I’ve got everyone drawn and sized to put together a layout. 

I also enlarged the sketch to full size so my clients could appreciate the scale. We had decided on a 40” x 60” canvas. Without further ado, here it is!

For a better look, and please do enlarge if you’re reading this on your phone, here they are close-up.

It’s easy to see who’s enjoying their cold beer, but Luca and Oliver are sipping are sipping A”paw”rol spritzers.

I have my favorite. I’d love to know yours.

My clients paid me the best compliment: They told me I had “caught” the personalities of each and every one. The best compliment an artist can receive.

I absolutely adored painting this commission. I will miss seeing their faces on my easel, but I’ve been assured I have visiting rights. It’s always a surprise to find myself facing such a new challenge at this stage of my career, and I have learned so much. I hope I will have more doggy portraits in my future.