Beautiful Pastel Portraits

Capturing the Spirit, the Grace, and the Beauty

Miss Maisy Work in Progress

The initial sketch of beautiful Maisy

 

Laying in the background

 

Adding detail inch by inch, layer by layer...

 

 

This is "Ivan"

Pastel on Velour

11 x 14

I absolutely loved painting this adorable little Appaloosa foal Ivan. His owner contacted me and informed me that her husband would be getting it for her for Christmas as a "surprise." Well, of course she knew about it, she had even sent me the picture of him! So, through some scheming in the end, we still did end up surprising her, and her reaction was photographed and then sent to me with her beautiful reaction about the portrait:

Talk about shocked!!  Alicia - you truly have a God gifted talent.  You guys really tricked / shocked me.  I believed Joe when he told me the picture wasn't ready in time for Christmas and that was no problem. Very anxious to see the finished product, but I was willing to wait.
 
Then....................what a surprise of my life to see the absolutely gorgeous painting of Ivan and in a frame also!  I will never be able to put into words how many emotions ran through me as I saw the picture of Ivan you painted.  When my Mom handed me the info about your paintings with your business card, I thought "How does Mom know about Alicia?  Am I going to get a gift certificate from her? Now, I'll have two of the paintings".  I was just blown away when they brought out the painting!  As soon as I upload the pictures you'll see the expression on my face.  Not only have you captured the true look, expression, and colours of my beloved colt you painted the most perfect background and topped it off with an absolutely perfect frame!!
 
The picture I gave you to paint was the first time we put "Ivan" - "The Prince of Abbyko" out in the large outdoor paddock to run with his Mamma.  I'll never forget the feeling of excitement as I watched him float through the air and curl that darling little tail up and over his back.  You've captured that moment so perfectly.  One that will always be near and dear to my heart.
 
Thanks is not enough!  There are no words to express my gratitude for such an excellent job.
 
 
This is the best reaction I, as an artist could ever hope for. The fact that I can do what I love to do more than anything, and evoke these emotions in people through a 2 dimensional painting is more rewarding than anything I could ask for.

Another Golden

I love Golden Retrievers, so when I get the opportunity to paint them I have alot of fun!

This is going to be a painting of Fallon. Her story is heartbreaking, as her life ended so soon at only three and a half years old.

Fallon's owner and breeder has made a memorial page dedicated to her on her webpage:

CLICK HERE TO VISIT FALLONS MEMORIAL

Fallon was a great mother to her puppies, and an absolutely beautiful dog. Her owner wanted to show this in her painting, so we decided to create a combination portrait.

There will be a head study and beneath that, Fallon with her puppies.

Here is the progress:

16 x 20 Pastel on Suede Matboard

After blocking in the initial underlying colour, I begin to add shadows. Then, I go over each section with lots of detail with both sticks of soft pastels and pastel pencils.

Fallon looks so happy in her photographs. I really wanted to capture that "spark" in her eyes. She looks so smart, energetic and full of life! I'm having alot of fun with this portrait so far.

The completed portrait of beautiful Fallon and her puppies.