About the Commission of Maddie and Jacob
Gill Smitherman, UK, contacted me via email in 2012 to ask if I would be able to draw two Flat-Coated Retrievers, Maddie and Jacob, at 16 x 12 size. Their actual breed names are Benvellyn Opal JW and Sh Ch Benvellyn Nehprite Jade of Seaheart. I was delighted as I absolutely adore the breed and was really excited to get started on the drawing.
Gill emailed me a few lovely photos of Maddie and Jacob, however, the nicest photo of them was one where they were sitting together looking in the same direction. After speaking to Gill, we decided that it would be best to have one single portrait of them both together rather than two individual pet portraits.
The portrait was commissioned as a surprise gift for Gill’s family, and as I have drawn a number of Flat-Coated Retrievers for clients, I am fairly well known in their circle. So everything had to be kept under wraps until the portrait was presented.