Painting not testifying

I was scheduled to testify in a murder trial yesterday. 

My contribution to the prosecution's case is extremely limited - "I heard shots" - but I've been stressing over it. After a short trip to the barn to feed and check on Sage, I hurried back to my house and waited to be called.

While I was waiting, I decided to paint.

The day before I left for California, I'd put a third and final coat of oils on Raaja. This meant he was ready for details, which is the the part of painting I like best. I blocked in the markings and painted his eyes.

Then, since the district attorney's office still hadn't called, I started refining the markings.

Eventually, of course, they did call. It turns out they failed to seat a jury, and we are going to do this all over again today.

Sigh.

But also, every cloud has a silver lining. Raffle Raaja is all but done.

There are a few areas here and there that could use a little clean up, but nothing major.

If there was a show tomorrow and I was inclined to participate, I would absolutely bring him. He's that level of doneness.

I love this model's twisty pose, but it makes him hard to photograph.

Ditto, his black color.

I swear there is some shading, it's just really hard to see.

That wasn't how I'd planned to spend yesterday, but it worked out. Hopefully, today I will actually make it to the courthouse and fulfill this particular obligation. If not, I guess I can always paint something else!