Guardian

Took me several years to paint this one, from initial conception to finished piece. Most of that time was spent waiting for the right moment, however. Once I finally managed to get the photos I needed for reference material, actual painting time was only a few weeks. Waiting for the right gallery to display this one.

Portrayed is a livestock guarding dog, a Great Pyrenees, intently watching a potential threat to his cows, a group of Scottish Highland Cattle, through a gap in the sumac and bramble-shrouded electric fence that surrounds their pasture. After all, who knows what dangers could be lurking in those woods?

I love working stock dogs, and am planning on going to the Leatherstocking Sheepdog Trials in Cooperstown, NY on August 26th. Maybe I'll get lucky and come back with enough reference material for a painting of a working border collie.