Abe the Chocolate Lab — A Portrait, a Pub, and a Perfect Connection

One of the portraits I’ve painted is of a rather handsome chocolate Labrador called Abe. Abe doesn’t actually live here in the UK — he’s an American lad! I first came across his photo on a Facebook page that generously shares free reference photos for artists. The moment I saw his big soulful eyes and that glossy chocolate coat, I just knew he’d make a wonderful subject.

After deciding to use the photo, I messaged the person who had posted it — just to let her know I’d be painting from it — not realising at first that Abe was actually her dog! That’s how our lovely conversation began. We ended up chatting all about Abe and his portrait, and she was over the moon to hear that her boy will soon be hanging proudly on the walls of a beautiful old English pub, thousands of miles away from home. It’s a small world, really, when you think about it.

Moments like that remind me how art connects us all. It doesn’t matter if we’re on different continents — our shared love of dogs, of capturing their personalities and quirks, brings us together. Being a portrait artist is such a joy (even if, I’ll admit, it can be stressful at times... that endless chase for “just right” perfection never goes away!). But then something magical happens — a smile, a kind message, or a new friendship sparked through paint — and it’s all worth it.

So, if you ever find yourself in Knutsford, pop into the Rose & Crown and say hello to Abe and the other dog on the wall, our very own Bella. They might not wag their tails, but I promise they’ll make you smile.

And if you’ve ever thought about having your own four-legged friend turned into a portrait, I’d absolutely love to chat. Whether it’s for your home, a gift, or even a pub wall, each piece has its own little story — and that’s what makes this job so special.

Every now and then, a project comes along that reminds me exactly why I love what I do. My latest commission — a series of dog portraits for the Rose & Crown pub in Knutsford, Cheshire — has been one of those heartwarming ones. The Rose & Crown is a cosy, old-worldy dog-friendly pub, the kind with wooden beams and a roaring fire. It doesn’t get much better than that!