Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: A painting of baby Rowan

Friday, August 17, 2018

A painting of baby Rowan

I remember meeting Rowan like it was yesterday. The first time he looked at me I melted. He is a wonderful dog. It was very exciting when his owner expressed an interest in having me paint him as a baby now that he is a veteran.

My husband and I have paintings of our dogs when they were pups. There is something special about having the adult painting of a dog and seeing our dogs as they currently are, but there is something that is very heart warming about capturing those priceless moments when they were wee ones.

A number of photos were considered when approaching this painting. The direct eye connection with the viewer that was captured in this baby photo really touched me. I knew it would make a great painting. So glad Rowan's owner agreed.

Rowan's owner offered to share with us a little bit about her special boy - here is a peek into this special dog, Rowan....

Rowan (AKA Darnella’s Autumn Riverdancer CGC) came into my life on a cold December day in 2008. Arriving on a flight from hot and sunny south Florida, this scared 12 week old puppy landed at O’Hara Airport to snow and cold. The Chicago cops who helped me load his crate into my van thought he was a blood hound puppy. Fortunately, his half-sister Katie welcomed him immediately into our small family with only a touch of the diva. His show career never materialized but he is all and more that an Irish Setter companion should be. He is so sweet, gentle, and loving. He was a perfect therapy dog for my mom before she passed at age 97 - always gentle and loving. He was a favorite at her nursing home before she passed. He is, without a doubt, my Heart Dog and a Velcro boy to boot. He is facing some serious health issues right now but I am hoping we still have some good times together.

Thank you to his owner Cindy for having me paint him again and for sharing his story with us!

http://www.dawnsecord.com/commissioninformation.html

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