“Piggy”

Oil on canvas, 24”x24”

This is Piggy, my beloved dog who passed away unexpectedly a few years ago. For a long time after her death, I couldn’t even bear to look at photos or videos of her, the loss was too sharp. It took a couple years before I could tentatively browse through photos. I painted this before she passed away, though I didn’t realize at the time how little time I had left with her.

The moment in this painting came while she and I were waiting in the car for my stepson (her favorite person) to get out of school. I was feeding her popcorn and filming as she ate it. After every bite, she would look up at me with those big, wide, beautiful eyes. The painting came from a still frame of that video. I left the background black so nothing could pull focus from her. It’s just Piggy, being my little Piggy, enjoying her popcorn and waiting for more.

Today, this painting hangs in a veterinary office in New Jersey. I hope it offers a moment of connection to anyone who sees it, a reminder of the bond we share with our animals, and how they stay with us long after they’re gone.

My husband pictured with Piggy the painting, and Piggy the dog. This photo is hard for me to look at because it was days before her passing.