I really enjoy painting commissions because it has such profound meaning for my clients. The bond of love between us and our four legged friends is so great. Although sometimes it stretches me artistically, it also brings me great joy! One of my dear collectors asked me recently to paint a memory from her childhood. She showed me an old black and white photo of her when she was 16 years old riding her beloved horse Tony. He stood at 17.2 hands and was quite the hunter-jumper show horse. She described to me what her hair was like, the colors of her clothing, the place where she lived on her family’s farm in Missouri. She still thinks about Tony to this day. I delivered her painting to her last week and she really loved it, exclaiming, ‘Oh I am young again!’ Her childhood friend will always have a very special place in her heart.

