Rosa Canina / The Dog Rose

Rebecca Thomas & Miss Roxy Dog

oils and gold leaf on linen

400 x 500 x 40 mm

2026

I suggested painting my friend Rebecca Thomas's portrait  back in 2024/25.

A few months passed by then we decided to go for it. I needed a project to keep me going through the winter. We met up at Crackington Haven and I took loads of photos of Rebecca perched on a rock beside the sea with the cliffs behind her. I loved the idea of setting Rebecca in a romantic Cornish scene like a siren!

Since last October (2025) I have spent months trying to capture Rebecca's likeness but frustratingly it just wouldn't work out. Usually, once I manage to capture the sitter's eyes the rest of a portrait follows smoothly. However, I just couldn't capture her eyes. After six paintings in, all now destroyed..., I picked up a 50 x 40 cm prepared canvas I had leaning against a wall in the studio and began almost automatically sketching in Rebecca from a photo where she is cuddling Roxy in her arms.  It immediately started to "click" and I realised the whole problem had been that I had been trying too hard to please Rebecca rather than just letting go and seeing where it went & painting freely, pleasing me!

I abandoned the scene at Crackington Haven and a whole narrative dictated itself. I was in a groove and the painting almost created itself all within a few weeks.

It's oils on linen with added gold leaf. I had discussed with Rebecca about depicting her with a nod to Gustav Klimt's portraiture etc.,  ie using gold leaf  ( which can be so dangerous when over-doing it ) and when successful, can suggest sunshine.

I also wanted to combine turquoise and gold adding a majestic tone thinking about Egyptian Art actually... In 1972, I was fortunate enough to visit with the school an exhibition at the British Museum of Tutankhamen's grave goods and was spellbound by Tutankhamen's massive exquisite gold and turquoise mask. It has left an indelible memory forever. Rebecca and Roxy are royals!