1023 COMMISSION. KEBBA ‘Guarding the Drive’

Artist Code: 1023. Completed 13 December 2010. Original SOLD. Water colour on Aquarelle Arches 100% hot pressed cotton rag. Unframed size 12″ x 16″. Framed size 20” x 25. 

This wonderful portrait was a 2010 Christmas present for someone’s husband. Commissioner’s lovely comments upon collection of finished painting: ‘I just wanted to let you know how delighted I was with Kebba’s picture.  A and I are staggered at such a magnificent picture. I can’t wait to give it to G.’ …and G’s reaction: he was totally shocked with the painting. He couldn’t believe I had done it without him knowing. He was absolutely delighted with it.

I have also completed another portrait of Kebba, but this time with his two pals: Rego and Maddie. Please see Artist Code 1601 in the 2016 Gallery. (There are no details yet; all artwork completed during 2016 will be added completely to  my website at the end of the year – for now, just the pictures with artist code and title beneath.)

The brief for this Kebba painting was to produce a ‘good portrait’. I visited Kebba’s home and he came to see me also (as I was not sure of his true colouring from the photographs I had taken). I made up the composition using 6 photographs in all. I saw into his friendly eyes, and these were the special part that I wanted to depict accurately. The whole painting revolves around Kebba’s eyes. The Commissioner was very pleased with result.

Poem:

‘Kebba’ means to help a friend
By being there with love to lend
He sits so brave as passing by
He eyes you up with doleful eye
He guards the paving all around
When master comes he’ll leap and bound