Some pet portraits are just cute paintings, but this one’s really got me in my feelings. . In 2014, I met @vespa030675 and @baileybassdavis when they interviewed me for a job. I was lucky to get the position, reporting directly to Bailey. I was still somewhat green from college, but she quickly showed me what it means to have an incredible boss who you both adore and respect. These traits always motivated me to impress her. She was the ultimate friend-manager hybrid, always going to bat for you, and synonymous to me with her pet name for everyone: “sugar.” I still treasure all of the giggles and silent eye contact we shared during our time working together for almost four years. During those years, I got engaged and married, and Bailey and @jbrittdavis had their precious son. Milestones! 😭 . A few weeks ago, @vespa030675 emailed me to commission a painting of Bailey and Britt’s good boy: JD. “He was her first baby,” she reminded me. I was so touched to be included in the surprise gift honoring JD’s golden years, because I too consider myself one of Bailey’s many babies that she had nurtured in every sense. . Yesterday, before the painting had been given to Bailey, she texted me asking if I could paint JD for a Christmas gift for Britt. Little did she know her closest girlfriends had already had it commissioned, and presented it to her at breakfast today. . These are the kind of stories that make me swell with purpose. I may not always be painting dogs, but I hope to make art that touches those who receive it. Love you long time, @baileybassdavis @vespa030675 @parkplace214 @l_k_garner @jbrittdavis . https://www.instagram.com/p/BoUlYQWn3kB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tjyzp4e3itgb