Tazo’s Pet Portrait

BY ERICA ERIKSDOTTER

My client rescued Tazo when he was only 8 weeks old. A golden/lab and rottweiler mix, his love and relationship to my client and his daughter ran deep. Tazo was so gentle and patient with his daughter, and above all he was her protector: “From the minute we brought her home from the hospital, he knew what his job was, to be by her side.”

This painting and healing journey the process took on was meaningful for both father and daughter, who loved Tazo so much. They had 15 years together and on the evening he passed away is when my client read about my work in the Washington Post. It was meant to be. Unbeknownst to me, I finished Tazo on the anniversary of his passing.

We decided on a lighter charcoal background with a smooth gradience taking his fur colors, my client’s decor and Tazo’s essence into account.

LOVE NOTE

“It looks absolutely wonderful. I can’t believe it’s the end. I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us mourn our loss. I can’t articulate how much I appreciated your kind words as we worked through the process as I shared memories and photos of him. I feel that you know him as well as I do and you captured his essence in the painting.”

– N.J. of Virginia

DETAILS

Medium: Acrylic on canvas. Sealed with matte varnish for protection.
Size: 18 x 18 inches (46 x 46 cm)