Margaret&Scout

Margaret&Scout, originally uploaded by debifitz.

pastel on suede bd.
private collection
20"X26"

http:www.djfitzgerald.com
http://www.facebook.com/D.J.Fitzgerald.Art

This is a portrait I did back in 2001 for a client that became a good friend. In this business you meet a lot of people... most good, a few... not so good, and some that end up becoming a part of your life. Margaret become a part of my life. Over the years I have done a lot of work for her and other members of her family. Some of my favorite pieces are in her collection! Whenever I was in North Carolina I would try to catch up with her. Always saw her at the horse shows... she is one of the few sane (as sane as horse people can be!) people I know at the horse shows! Sadly, Margaret lost a long battle with breast cancer yesterday. This is the very first piece I did for her. And to this day it is one of my very favorites... mostly because it perfectly conveys her love for her horse, Scout. She has had many horses in her life, but Scout stayed with her even when he had to be retired because of EPM. Where most people donate their horses to make room for the new ones, she kept him. I had the privilege of photographing Scout a couple of months ago with the friend who has adopted him from Margaret. Margaret wanted me to do a portrait of them because they had helped each other through some rough times. I got to see Margaret for the last time on that photo shoot. I knew it would be the last time I would see her... Margaret, your courage, strength and grace has truly inspired me to try to be a better person. You will be missed!

Pebbles

Pebbles, originally uploaded by debifitz.

pastel on Clairefontaine PastelMat
private collection
8"X11"

http://www.djfitzgerald.com

This is a quick one I have done for a friend to give a friend for all her help with a wedding. So it is a surprise... but I think I am safe to post it here. I don't usually do pastels this small.... head shots of dogs and cats are about the only subjects I would consider. It is just too hard to get the details in that small on anything else. When you put in as much detail as I do, the smaller sizes are harder to do. And I really can't charge more for them... but I should! So I don't advertise this size. But I really like the way this one came out... very sweet. I have actually done this dog in a group when she was much younger. It is nice to see a portrait of her at this age. I think my friend will be touched.

Usher #3

Usher #3, originally uploaded by debifitz.

pastel on Clairefontaine PastelMat
private collection
19"X26"

Been away for a while... two business trips with two sets of company in between. The trips were good... lots of good photos to work from for clients. I also took a bunch of pics of my friends Ron and Danny for their 2013 calendar cover. I am really excited about the this next one. But I am sworn to secrecy... they want to surprise everyone!

I have actually finished up a few portraits around these trips and will start posting them in the next few weeks. I am working n a large complicated oil painting right now... but I will try to take some progressions of it for future posts.

About this one... three time's a charm! This is the third time I have tried to do this portrait for this client! Through a major comedy of errors... mostly my fault and missed communication and paper malfunction... I have had to do this one 3 times! I will have my finger's crossed for the next 2 days until I hear whether or not she likes this one! And I am going to say a little prayer that it gets there alright... bad karma around this commission!