About the Commission of Kirby
Craig, from the USA, emailed me in 2009 looking to commission a portrait of his best friend, Kirby. He sent some wonderful photos of Kirby out in the field, which were perfect for a pencil drawing. Craig liked the idea of an outdoor scene, as most of the photos he takes of Kirby are outside. He commissioned a 16 x 12-inch pencil drawing, which was an excellent size for a full-body portrait with a background.
Craig has a farm in North Dakota, just below the Canadian border, where he stays for part of the year. His pose for Kirby was chosen from that farm. Craig has no phone, no internet, and only receives a radio signal for about three hours per day. His nearest town is 21 miles away! That is truly rural living.
Craig was kind enough to email me photos of the portrait after it was framed and displayed in his home. He also sent me some lovely emails, which you can read below, along with additional photos of the framed portrait.