Drawing Dogs at the Botanic Garden

“I just love the challenge of drawing portraits,” said Michael Beickel while drawing a caricature at Trails ’n’ Tails, the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens’ annual celebration of dogs. “I try to capture the essence of a dog. It’s very satisfying and more difficult because dogs don’t sit still.” The event, which allows one free admission per leashed dog, is full of fun-filled canine activities, raffles, and, of course, lots of dog treats. A vendor at the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show, Beickel has been drawing all his life and working the Trails ’n’ Tails event for the last four years. A dog person himself, Beickel and the event are a perfect fit, as he explained, “I have two pure white huskies at home, Kona and Shasta, my true loves.”