“Cherry and Twiggy” watercolours

2016 was a year of secrets!  This long awaited combined 21st birthday and Christmas present was a pleasure to do for an old friends daughter.   It was of all three of her horses she has had since we’ve known each other.  I was honored to not only be part of the secret and be asked to paint her gorgeous horses, but to be able to guide and advise right through to the framing as well.  I’ve yet to see them on display at their home in their hall, but I know the framing has set them off a treat.  So if you need any pictures framed please visit Brian from Thorian Framing. Brian not only is very reasonably priced, but has a real eye for knowing what suits the artwork.

“Chief” 20×16″ watercolour

As mentioned in my autumn news letter, it seemed a long time since my trip to Millan Rural Fair, near Liphook, where I thought I was going to melt!  Here I met Patricia who asked me to paint her daughters lovely black lab for a surprise Christmas present.  A lot of correspondence and detective work later we managed to agree on a final image.  Not being able to take my own pictures of this pet was difficult as there were only original (non digital images) available, but thank goodness for facebook!

Lexi, 14×11″ watercolour

Thank you Patricia for not only commissioning me to do Lexi, but also for being so patient and sending me a picture of her framed.

“Here she is and Nikki is absolutely delighted with her picture. Thank you so much and I hope you had a good Christmas.  Happy New Year……Patricia.”

Since my autumn newsletter I have also completed this commission of the gorgeous Stroller for Lucy, who I met at Sparsholt Christmas Fayre.  What a character Stroller is who demonstrated this at the photo shoot.  Lucy had a real job to decide which photo to use.  I am hoping to do an iPet of the other cheeky photo we captured that day.   Looking forward to maybe having a ride out with you one day Lucy!?

Stroller, 20×16″ watercolour

Thank you also to a fellow hunt member, who won my donation to the Hunt Ball Auction of Promises last year, as he has been the best advert for me since I painted his old faithful Sid.  I am most grateful to David for singing my praises when we are out together.  This has resulted in my next commission which I am very pleased about and looking forward to doing, a horse and a dog for another very lovely hunt subscriber.  I hope I will see them both at the Hunt Ball where I have donated again this year to the Auction.

Finally, I have to say, apart from all the iPets I had to do before Christmas (see here on the right) I did enjoy doing Stan the Man!  Thank you Brenda for commissioning me, I am so pleased your husband liked the canvas print of Stan.

Stan the Man, iPet
“Hi Sue, Thought you’d like to know Stan has pride of place on our lounge wall and all our Christmas visitors loved him. I have given your details to our next door neighbour. Hope 2017 is a prosperous one for you.  Kind Regards, Brenda.”