Sunday, February 9, 2014

Rex, An American Bulldog

Meet Rex. My sister's American Bulldog. 87+ lbs...depending on how good we've been at restricting his diet. In June of 2012, my sister was preparing to move back to the mainland US from St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Airlines won't accept some breeds due to their shorter snouts and breathing problems...American bulldogs being one of those breeds. When several of her friends got together to charter a plane for their animals, she knew she had to have him on it. And since she wasn't actually ready to move back yet, my husband and I drove from Texas to Fort Lauderdale, FL to pick him up and drive him back to Texas. We took care of him for a month. I have done many, many drawing of Rex. You might think that all he does is sleep, but that would actually just be the best time to sketch him. If he knows I'm looking at him, he comes to me wanting to be petted.
I love how regal he looks when he crosses his legs.


Was so disappointed when I went off the page, lower left.

Was planning a larger painting, with the quote, "let sleeping dogs lie."

What a great face for drawing!

He moved while I was still sketching.
The only one done from a photo.  Photo taken in Ft Lauderdale, the day we picked him up.

It never occurred to me that I would like this breed. But I LOVE Rex. He is the most awesome dog ever. I know I'm biased. I have had several dogs in my life, great ones even. But I have never had a dog with a sense of humor. Rex is a clown. He loves to make me laugh. You know how dogs will chew themselves...just with the front of their teeth? He does that to me and it tickles. When I laugh, he does it even more. It's like his version of the tickle monster. And then we end up wrestling around. So meet Rex. You'll probably be seeing a lot of him here.

PS  I also updated with my latest addition to the sketchbook Dan and I are sharing.  See the addition at http://2-n-fro.blogspot.com/ .

13 comments:

  1. Love the sketches, Raena! Sounds like a great dog.

    xoxo

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  2. What great sketches! He does look like quite a character and your drawings are very skillful.

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  3. I can see why you fell in love with him! Really wonderful sketches that make me think Rex is going to get up off the page and come over and say hi.

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  4. He's a doll! And you've captured him so well. I love all of these!
    And I thought your sketchbook addition was brilliant. BRAVO!!!

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  5. These are beautiful drawings of this dog Raena!! Really super line work!

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  6. Great work--nice perspectives, too. Animals are such a challenge--I point a camera at either of my cats and they look anywhere but at the lens and then they leave!

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  7. Wonderful collection . . . and a great dog too!

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  8. Love your 4 dog sketch Raena - shame about the missing face, this would have looked great in a frame. I love dogs and when a whole load of fox hounds gathered on a village green near us recently, I was there with my camera, which has resulted in hounds appearing in my current painting!

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  9. Vicki H: He's a fantastic dog!! I wish I could say he was mine. (Though not the FOOD bills!)

    Sandy: Thanks! Character and then some!

    Jane: Thank you! He would if he could...but I have to warn you about the tail! It's a powerfully happy one!

    Pamo: Thanks so much!

    Jennifer: Thank you! I do have a LOVE of line! I need it to be there.

    Melliott: Thanks! I understand! My sister also has a cat and he's the same way. With Rex, if you pay any attention in his direction to him it must mean you want to scratch his back. But if he's sleeping...he's fair game!

    Vicky: Thanks! Hope your moving day went well! Look forward to seeing your posts again, with your location updated, of course!

    Frank: Thanks! I was disappointed too. I thought that I had him all measured in, not sure what happened. Really look forward to seeing your hounds!



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  10. Oops, clicked too soon! Especialy loved the last drawing, he clearly shows how he felt about that plane ride, haha!

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  11. These are fabulous! It's so difficult to sketch dogs, they move so much.

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