Some dogs were born to be around chandeliers and champagne. This one’s dressed to impress, but you know he’d still chase a tennis ball if it rolled past the caviar.

A golden retriever dressed in a crisp white dinner jacket and black bow tie sits proudly at a red velvet-covered table, surrounded by other dapper guests. The backdrop is a lavish, Gatsby-esque ballroom painted in vivid blues and golds, complete with chandeliers and candlelight. The palette is bold — sapphire, crimson, cream, and goldenrod collide in a decadent visual feast. The style is modern impressionism with high contrast and glamor, echoing vintage luxury and playful sophistication.

Charlie is a nostalgic tribute to one of the most special dogs I’ve ever known. He was my childhood companion — a massive German Shepherd with the gentlest heart. Charlie had a protective nature, but what I remember most was his softness, his loyalty, and the way he always made me feel safe. I imagined him one day behind the counter of a classic soda shop, proudly serving root beer floats and ice cream cones, surrounded by laughter, clinking glasses, and good vibes. This painting brings that daydream to life — a moment frozen in time, full of love, warmth, and a little whimsy.

In the painting, Charlie is front and center, dressed in an old-fashioned soda jerk outfit: a crisp white shirt with rolled sleeves, a blue-and-white striped vest, and a bright red bow tie. His floppy pink tongue hangs out joyfully, his ears perked and alert. Behind him, a soda fountain bar is fully stocked with colorful glass bottles, taps, and a chalkboard listing whimsical dog-flavored sodas: Bacon, Beef, Fish... and Shoes. His presence is confident, yet welcoming — just like the real Charlie.

The color palette is bright and classic: warm wood tones, creamy whites, candy-colored bottles, and pops of red and blue evoke a cheerful 1950s Americana feel. The style is highly reminiscent of Norman Rockwell — grounded in realism but stylized for warmth, humor, and emotional resonance. The brushwork is expressive yet controlled, with careful attention to detail in Charlie’s fur and the nostalgic shop setting. It’s a painting that tells a story — not just of a dog, but of childhood, comfort, and joy.

Charlie is more than a playful scene. It’s a loving memory bottled up like a soda on a summer day, ready to be opened and shared.

Aloha is a tribute to one of the most unforgettable military working dogs I ever met during my time on active duty. I didn’t get to work with dogs as often as I wanted, but this one — stationed in Hawaii — always stood out. He had the kind of presence you don’t forget: laser-focused on the mission, low tolerance for nonsense, but would still let you scratch his head if you earned it. He had that "aloha spirit" fused with pure operator intensity — like, “I’ll do the job, but if you get in my way, I’m taking a chunk out of your leg.” This painting captures that duality: calm but commanding, cool but fierce.

The painting features a black German Shepherd front and center, wearing a tactical helmet and plate carrier, with a green shemagh wrapped around his neck. But what really makes the piece pop is his bright Hawaiian shirt — covered in bold red hibiscus flowers — giving the whole portrait a perfect mix of beach and battlefield. His eyes are piercing, steady, and full of personality, holding that classic working dog attitude: professional, protective, and always assessing.

The color palette is vibrant and clean: deep blues in the sky, olive greens in the gear, warm browns and blacks in the fur and helmet, and tropical reds, creams, and blues in the shirt. The contrast between the harshness of military gear and the laid-back island flair gives the painting a playful but grounded feel. Stylistically, the piece blends realism with stylized exaggeration — especially in the gear and expression — making it both character-driven and bold. It’s a portrait of a warrior, a partner, and a dog with serious island swagger.