This is a portrait of a young girl and her Australian Shepherd. The girl's mother requested that I paint her daughter reading the books that she loves, with her constant companion, Dolly. Dolly likes to lie right on top of Marielle while she reads. It was a little tricky getting the pose because they are both sort of whirling dervishes. I finally did a drawing in which Dolly is more or less draped over Marielle's legs, looking out at the viewer. Marielle is looking up but her expression portrays that she is still completely absorbed in the world of the book she is reading- Charlotte's Web of course! Other books by her feet on the sofa are Narnia, The Hobbit, Harry Potter and the Wind in the Willows. And one of her favorite fairies is just outside the window. (http://kathrynfreeman.blogspot.nl/2010/09/portrait-of-marielle-and-dolly.html)