"Listening for Master's Cue" is a commissioned portrait completed December 2008. This 18" H x 24" W work was executed with colored pencil and water soluble wax pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord. The water soluble capacity of the pencils and pastels was used extensively to create large areas of color.

Missy is a captivating shelter adoption who is dearly loved by her family. Half an hour of photography seemed like five minutes. As is so typical, one of the last photos I took of her became the basis for the portrait. She was clearly comfortable playing the game with the stuffed ball, and the lighting pouring into the family room onto this brightly colored carpet, with the white cabinetry behind her, is just lovely. All manner of local color bounced off the white wood and Missy's white coat. I pushed that local color in all the reflected light to the limit to create energy in the painting. The energy of the colors and the lighting, together with the alert posture of Missy's head, give the entire piece vitality.