Nikki
This is my boxer Nikki. It is the only portrait I’ve done in 2009. I lost her perfectly healthy 12 year old mother to bloat in February of this year, and two months later 8 year old Nikki was diagnosed with lymphoma. Life can be so cruel sometimes!
So we spent the summer making each day with Nikki the absolute best day possible. Every day she went for a walk or some adventure. We spoiled her absolutely rotten. On August 18th she passed away. Shortly after I started working on this portrait of her. It took me a little while to finish, but I have to say each time I worked on it the memories took me to a place where we were together again. Sometimes in my peripheral vision her eyes would shift around to another very familiar expression of hers. It was also one of those portraits that just seemed to draw itself. All I had to do was put my pencil on the paper and scribble where the graphite was supposed to go! When I came close to finishing it I felt like I was having to say goodbye all over again… like I lost her twice. It was a very sad, yet very cathartic experience all in one.
She was born in my hands in 2001 and died in my arms in 2009. I miss her terribly.
Someone wrote to me that day and said that “with every joy that passes, a beauty remains”. My goal was to capture that beauty in this portrait.
8”x10” inches
Graphite on Bristol Vellum
Mechanical clutch pencils 2B & H
Nikki belongs to the following groups:
Cats and Dogs (1 artwork per day), Graphite Pencil Artists, Mans Best Friend's (Dogs only), Our K9 Friend 1 image a day (Dogs only), Painted Dogs, Pencil Drawing (2 per 24 hrs), Pets Are Us ~ 2 per day, Realist Traditional Art and Works On Paper Available for sale asGreeting Cards
DevineDayDreams
Wow Laura! what a beautiful portrait and dedication, there is somuch expression int hsi! wHAT A SWEETHEART! i am so sorry you had to let her go! Love to you!!!
Laura J Smith replied
Thanks so much Daisy. Love to you too!
PapasGirl
Boxers are fantastic little people..I raise them, breed them and rescue them..they are the canine clown of the dog world, and at the same time comfort you….
Laura J Smith replied
I’ve had three. They have so much personality they are very human. Mine were anyway. I’m a little afraid to get another one though… they are so unhealthy. Too many back yard breeders not making sure the lines are clean and health tests done. My vet says they are the worst breed for health issues. =(
SandyK
A beautiful tribute to your special girl.
Barbara Applegate
This is beautiful work.
Scott d'Almeida
excellent,
Peter Allton
Lovely drawing,well done.
Angie McKenzie
awesome work!!!
maxy
Aww – exceptional pose here! Wonderful portrait – stunning work!!! Biggest congratulations on this wonderful feature!!! Well done! xoxo!
Jodie Johnson
ahhhhhhhhhhhh, too cute!
amsputnik
Beautiful, beautiful drawing and such a heartfelt tribute-brought tears to my eyes!
Margaret Harris
Ahhh beautiful portrailt Laura…so sad you lost Nikki..I understand what is like to lose an animal you love so much…My dogs are my children…When you said the portrait drew it self that has happened to me too as I have done many graphite portraits…It’s kind of cool when that happens..I believe when you do a memorial piece they are with us when we do it.
Debbie Roelle
Awwww
Evita
♥ Beautiful artwork a wonderful tribute to her memory !!!
she was gorgeous … I feel your loss.. :(
Marlene Piccolin 21 days ago
Oh, Laura…..
My boxer is 9 1/2. I know…. The feeling is there in this portrait.
Thanks for your comment on Snoopy.
lorilee 15 days ago
You have capture her beauty – - – nicely done!!!!
Kay Kempton Raade 15 days ago
You have expressed her personality and beauty. It’s a wonderful tribute. May your next portrait be full of joy!
Ginny York 15 days ago
This is a wonderful tribute to a gorgeous girl and a great work of art. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure looking at this awesome work will give you beautiful memories. That’s something no one can ever take away.