All our pets over the years have become important members of the family . Our little rescue dog named Ruby, came from Molly Wyatt’s Cornish rescue centre in 1987. I called them up and asked ‘do you have a short haired , short legged dog that needs a home ‘? “Oh yes” , came the reply , “we have just the dog for you” . Next thing, sitting in our old white van I felt that instant bond, with Ruby on my lap , looking out at the world, it was as if it had always been this way. And so it was for the rest of her life .

Ruby gathered quite a fan club wherever we went, because she was a bright friendly little soul who liked to meet people , and she enjoyed life and any treats they might offer. During these early years I had an Acme studio in Porthleven, where we’d spend our days , when I wasn’t teaching at Falmouth to pay the bills .There , I wrestled with my paintings while she snoozed in the chair, then after something to eat we’d walk along the cliffs, to blow away the cobwebs no matter what the weather.

Self portrait with Ruby-Porthleven – Oil on canvas on board.

During our airing from the studio. Our route would take us past The Ship Inn where their black cat used to torment Ruby by running just far enough ahead and then it would watch us pass from a high vantage point .

Praze Sisters with Ruby .1989. Oil on paper .

When we bought our house at Praze an Beeble , we soon got to know everyone, because you do if you have a dog. Our cottage was also on route to the local shop , a path frequented by village children who would stop to say hello to her , she in turn was happy to gather new friends . These Sisters fell in love with Ruby .

Detail – The Vision . Oil on board .1992

When teaching and painting in Italy, I continued to put Ruby in my paintings because I missed her so much . At that time, I was also away from one of my family who was gravely ill , also recorded on the right hand side of the painting .

Figure with dog Italy. Oil on board . 1992

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Self Portrait with Ruby Sleeping,( Dartmoor)/Oil on board/ 1993/ 21 x 15/NFS

In the summer of 1993 I was offered the opportunity to stay and paint in a cottage on Dartmoor. Naturally Ruby came too, and this was one of the first paintings I made there. It was a time of transition , and I have found over the years that making a self portrait helps me to gauge where I am and whats going on in life , it might be different for other artists , but for me it is a means of considering my place and existence in the world, a form of self reflection , something akin to our ancestors instinct to make Prehistoric hand stencils deep inside caves , it is the marking of a life lived.

Dora’s new patient – Oil on board – 2000.

My Grandmother had a little sister who died as a child. Much of that childhood was spent in hospital because of her poor health. Stuck there, she would help the nurses by taking water to the other patients around the wards until her untimely death, after she caught and succumbed to infection too fierce to fight off.

In this study and painting, I wanted to honour Dora’s memory, and my grandmothers, because she never got over loosing her sister. If she had the modern treatment we have now, she would have lived, and if she had a little dog like Ruby to care for, instead of seriously sick people she may have lived a long and happy life .

Ruby died on the first day of spring her body gave out , her heart failed . Anyone who has lost a much loved animal companion knows the bitter winter bleakness that follows that death, it is quite indescribable. After that, I had many dreams about her returning to me.

Ruby appears in many of my paintings because she was so loved and a part of my life for so long, its that need to catch or relive a moment, or hold onto a feeling which have slipped away.

The paintIngs below tell the story of two of my dreams. In the first I offered her water but she didnt move or take it from me. In the second she looks in at me through a window from outside in the nights cold air , again she was out of reach.

I made many paintings and drawings of Ruby because she had a long and happy life , and everyday I am grateful for all the joy, laughter and fun she brought to us ….. and forever thankful for all the creative inspiration she gave me !

For archive blogs which include Ruby – follow the links below