Jemma

29 x 33 cms  1996

Gift

Jemma was the mother of Wally, the black dog I've used so often. Her owner, Sandra's, leg is alongside her. She was diagnosed with a fatal nerve disorder, so I painted her for Sandra before she died. Then they discovered their misdiagnosis and she lived at least another five years.

Dogs are lovely things to paint. Like horses, they express themselves in every twist of muscle.

She has a halo because she was, in her owner's opinion, a perfect dog.