Ragland finds dog, paints image

RAINBOW — Natasha Ragland painted an oil portrait of her German shepherd after he died. Most of her life so far has been devoted to studying, performing, composing, recording and teaching music: piano and voice. Now she has a new passion for painting and has already done a number of commissions of dogs, cats, horses and people.

A few weeks ago, a well-cared-for dog showed up at Natasha’s back door looking very lost and lonely. He had no tag on his collar, so she was unable to contact his owner.

Marilee, Natasha’s mom, made some posters with the dog’s picture on them, and when Natasha went to post them around Rainbow she saw a “lost” poster featuring the same dog. When the grateful owners, Robert Hepworth and Catherine Allison, came to pick up their beloved Zeus, they insisted Natasha accept a reward. She said, “I will on one condition. I will paint Zeus’ portrait.”

When Hepworth and Allison replied, “We have four dogs altogether. Could you paint all of them in a picture?” Natasha agreed.