Boomer in the Summer Sun

("Boomer in the Summer Sun," 11"x 14",

oil on canvas, private commission)

I've actually painted this fella once before, but was given the opportunity to do a larger portrait this time around and I am really pleased with how it has turned out! Boomer is a much loved Lab from Illinois who loves his oversized tennis ball just slightly more than his naps on the family couch...I had to share what Boomer's Dad, Ray Howarth, shared with me last year about his precious pup:

"They say that the “runt of the litter” is always the last to be picked, but in our case, he was our first choice.
As you can see from Boomer’s expressive eyes, he is truly a gentle soul. The unconditional love he shows for everyone is amazing. He has never met a stranger….everyone is a potential partner in play.
Boomer (whose real name is Spartacus, Hillview’s Boomer Dog!) has one favorite summertime hobby…..figuring out how to get into the pool, which we wisely gated! Woe to the person who accidently opens the door to the house a little too wide when there’s people swimming. We have found out the hard way, it takes boomer about 1.4 seconds from bursting through the door until splashdown! It takes substantially longer to get a lab out of a pool.
Like all of our pets, Boomer has become a much loved member of the family….complete with sleeping on the couch and bed privileges! We look forward to many more years of love and adventure with “our” Boomer."