When I work with a client, I want to do more than just a visual representation per their request. I like to add some emotion and personality to the finished piece. These two dogs are rescued, they were strays and acquired about the same time. Pepper, the dog on the upper left is the alpha with an attitude. He has never got over his past, needs to be in control, rule his world. Halo, the dog on the right is more like a Tibetan Monk, calm, serene is at peace with the past and himself but if needed can do some damage. He will only take so much gruff from Pepper then strike back with a vengeance. I attempted to put these characteristics into the painting. My challenge was to do something so that years from now when the painting is viewed the personality of the dogs are there, not just the visual representation. So, Pepper is looking majestic like he is in charge of his domain while Halo is calm, at peace, sticking his tongue out at Pepper.