Today the Official Bloomsday 2021 Souvenir Poster was unveiled. One of the local tv news channels, KREM was there and did a good five minutes on it. They mentioned my name, and not in the way most people who know me assumed and expected my name would make the news. No, they named me in a good way. It’s official! Now they HAVE to pay my bill! Unfortunately, I missed the live show as I …
Was Larry the Best Dog Ever?
While he was with us, we had no doubt that Larry was the best dog ever. Time (and several newer dogs) have tempered that sentiment somewhat. It’s not that Larry has gone down in status, he’s simply got more competition. Larry was our first dog. We were married in the fall of 1992. In the spring of 1993 The Missus brought Larry home. At the time I was just starting my home-based design studio and …
New! Kung Flu Anal Swab
It seems counter-intuitive to test for a respiratory illness via the outpipe, but it makes sense from a certain point of view.
Bella and Maggie, a Christmas Commission
Another Christmas commission pet portrait; this time of two lovely Labrador Retrievers, Bella and Maggie
Life Is Better With Hobbies
While attempting to survive the demise of Western Civilization, there’s no reason not to keep busy.
Our New Pledge of Allegiance
As I busy myself trying to finalize a big poster, here’s a special note from The Ministry of Truth.
Brooks and Roscoe
A Christmas commission. Using separate photos as reference images can sometimes be a challenge.
Warning: Bonehead Move in Progress
After 35+ years in the industry, you’d think I’d be smart enough to avoid doing something this stupid. You’d be wrong.
Cole, a Curly Pet Portrait
This is Cole, a particularly curly – and happy – fellow. This regular commission came to me in late October, just before the Christmas rush, so I’m including it in my Christmas commissions list anyway because once I finished it, the orders came pouring in. The client only supplied one photo, not normally a good thing. But in this case it was a clear, well-lit photo that I was able to work with. In order …
Characteristics of an Initiation Ritual
It may sound esoteric and overly intellectual, but pay attention, because we’re living through it right now.Comments are open! Please add yours below. About the Authortopdog TwitterTopdog is Steve Merryman, an artist, writer, and dog lover. An accomplished traditional artist, Steve also accepts commissions for digital hand-painted pet portraits. In his spare time he enjoys the quiet of the forest, hikes with his dogs, reading actual books, and continuing his Don Quixote-like quest for the …










