"She was always a bit of wild child.  If you've ever read or seen the movie "Marley and Me", it could've been our story with Celis...uncontrollable on a leash, jumping on everyone and terrified of storms.  Celis didn't have a mean bone in her body... she loved everyone and everyone loved her.  She is deeply missed."

~Nicole B. (Celis' mom)

The images below show the progression of Celis's portrait. I generally start at the topmost part of the paper, and work my way down.  I draw in thousands of tiny lines for the fur and several pencil layers of color, starting with the lightest and gradually darkening until I get the color I need to match the animal's fur.
  Eye and ear details are added in as I work on that particular area.  Each animal's individual expression and personality are seen in their eyes. The eyes are the windows to the soul, and I like to spend a lot of time working on this area capturing their own unique personality.

"Words cannot express how I feel right now.  This portrait is so much more than  expected, and everything I'd hoped for.  It's like I can look into her soul.  You have captured the look in her eyes that I miss so much. Again, thank you so much. You have an amazing talent that has brought a sense of peace, I am sure, to many pet owners.  My family will cherish this always. "

 ~Nicole B.