Portrait July 2026: Portrait No. 2
Relection
Love has a way of lingering even when the vessel that holds it passes.
Goose’s memory remains coiled up within corners around the home. His favorite spring toys, dutifully carried from room to room, continue to hold a place in the lives of Stephanie, Dustin, and Goose’s brother, Maverick.
Grief persists in a messy cyclical pattern. It’s an honor to offer another vessel for the love that continues long after someone is gone.
Shared with permission. Thank you for your trust Stephanie.
From Stephanie:
“His absolute favorite thing in the world were the little cat toy springs. He constantly brought them to us to play fetch with ( yes, fetch, his favorite activity) and when anyone came over he always brought them a spring for them to throw for him…”
Goose’s primary reference photo for the portrait. Goose & his bonded brother, Maverick.
Every July, I create a small collection of original portrait studies in gouache. These intimate 4 × 6 paintings allow me to explore new faces, experiment with color and light, and celebrate the people behind each. Rather than accepting commissions for these pieces, I invite applications and thoughtfully select a limited number of participants each year.