Champ

"Champ"  ●
This is Champ, he is an show winning Irish Setter.  Actually, Champ represents several, in a long line of show winning Irish Setters.

This piece was commissioned as a birthday gift for a dear friend's step-mom, Wendy.  
Wendy shows Irish Setters in shows, competitions and obedience trials. From what I understand Wendy has had a long history of "Champions'.

Not only are Setters beautiful dogs, they are energetic, intelligent, affectionate, loving, high-spirited and full of energy. They love family time, whether indoors or out, and they get along famously with children and other pets. They have no real  guarding instincts, however.

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"Champ" started out as small wooden dog form found at a local antique store.  
This is what he looked like when I first saw him.

After few weeks with me, he transformed into a pup full of boisterous energy and whimsey. 
It turns out that Irish Setters want to be involved in everything you do. This one apparently got into a few of the 'stashes' in my studio when I wasn't looking . . . when he came out he was all "bling-ed up and fancy".

Champ sits on a silver trivet. The trivet sits atop a smaller silver tray, which sits on a mini turntable lazy susan, so he even spins!

The birthday celebration was this past weekend, and from what I understand, "Champ" was received with open arms, and he won the heart of the birthday girl!

Thank you Tracy!