Blue, started

Blue never fails to elicit a smile from me.  Even when I’m having an annoying day, I get to Blue’s house and can hear the thumpthumpthump of his tail on the other side of the door, waiting for me to open it.  Once I do, he explodes out of it, bouncing like rubber in fits of joy and laughter and wriggles.  Blue is a Pit Bull and, as such, is on the receiving end of a lot of fear and misunderstanding.  But Blue and I let them think what they want – we go on to have a super fun and happy and friendly time.

Bed Head, almost done

There were two things that I was trying to capture in this portrait: (1) the truly epic proportions of Matt’s bed head, and (2) his facial expression – which combines a sleepy acquiescence to it, and the laissez-faire, self-deprecating seriousness with which he stands there, displaying it in all its glory.  To me, that is what made it so funny.

I must admit that I failed on both accounts; but – ah, well – it’s my first oil portrait of a person, and I had a blast doing it.

 

I still need to do the glasses, so it’s drying, for now.