b'by Linda Metzger, ArtistThe Written WordBy A Visual ArtistHow did you begin your work in pet portraits? In May of 2019, myhusband and I were on our dream vacation in France when a bicycleaccident resulted in an injury to my knee.Further complications ledEvery cover of The New Barkermagazine to a delay in surgery until the fall of that year, and my dear daughterbrought out pencils and paints for me to survive the time of inactivity.has featured an original work of art by a I played around with different subjects and just fell in love with draw-different artist since we published our ing dogs. When the response from friends for me to draw their animalsfirst issue in 2006. We go through great grew, I made the decision to shift from being a physical therapist topains to select the artist whose work becoming a pet portrait artist.will grace the cover. The processinvolves reviewing their work in our Did you have dogs growing up? We had a beagle/Corgi mix namedartist files, narrowing the list of artists Herbie that I loved; he was only allowed inside on very cold nights into a manageable few, then having a Michigan, and only into the tiled mud room.I can remember howconversation with each of them to smart he was, slowly inching his way onto the carpeted floor with justmake sure the fit is right. We also thetipsofhistoesstretchedoutconsider whether the artists schedule behind him to remain on the tile sois compatible with ours. he wouldnt be scolded.Behind every cover, there is a My husband always had dogsstory, around the artist or the subject of growing up, and I dont think wethe artists work. Most are fun or funny lastedamonthintoourmarriagestories. There have been some bizarre before we adopted our first familystories which will never be publicly dog, a sheltie named Lady. Aboutrevealed. Once in awhile, the backstory a year later she was joined by a tri-is heartwarming, which makes working color sheltie named Tramp. Afterwith the artist an even more personal Lady passed away at 12, we added aexperience. rescuedog(golden/corgimix)This issues cover artist, Linda named Kodi and were called to goMetzger, describes her familys 2023 as theadoptdontshoprouteevera roller coaster of emotions. Some hap- Our cover artist Linda Metzger since.Tramplivedtoalmost20piness followed by deep grief as a result and her dog Frankie. years of age, and Kodi was our fam-of losing not one but three loved ones. ily dog as the kids were growing up;As a result, she had not really worked we were all in tears when he left us.He was surrounded by his wholeon her art during the latter part of the family when he died.year. Perhaps the cover art assignment We currently have two rescue dogs. One came into our lives short-would be just what she needed, we ly after we lost Kodi.Sadie was chosen by our adult son who hadboth concurred. Our covers portrait is autism and learning disabilities. He wasnt able to manage her on hisof a beloved dog who belonged to own, and we gladly adopted her.Unlike Kodi, she isnt a Velcro dogMarsha Panuce and her late husband, and will sometimes even slip upstairs when Im working. Frankie wasDon.Donte was so special to the couple, adopted12/29/2023andiscurrentlytetheredtomefortrainingthat his name now graces an animal purposes. He is definitely a Velcro dog and Im getting used to himsanctuary in Myakka City, Florida. being at my side.I no longer question the reasonswhy people come in and out of my life. Describe your studio, what you love about it; how it makes you feel;I simply cherish that they have. the light. I work both in my studio for larger pieces and comfortablyThank you, Linda Metzger and sitting in an armchair in our family room with filtered light shiningMarsha Panuce. Anna Cooke, Editor onto my portable easel in my lap for the smaller ones. The sunlightcominginthroughasmallwindowfacingthewestontomyeaselbecomes my signal that I should be preparing dinner. Light is so impor-tant to all of my pieces; it brings warmth and depth to my subjects.Continued on the following page gwww.TheNewBarker.com THE NEW BARKER 43'