The personality
Melina was the stubborn yet loyal companion of a dear friend. A large Alaskan malamute with a thick coat and a strong-willed heart, she was both majestic and mischievous. Fiercely devoted to her owner, she still found ways to stir up trouble in the most endearing fashion. She lived in Thessaloniki (with three L’s) and was cherished as a true member of the family.
Inspiration
Melina offered me the perfect chance to return to drawing after a long pause—I hadn’t picked up a pencil seriously since high school. At the encouragement of my friend, I decided to step back into the world of art, and Melina became my muse. With her dense fur and soulful eyes, she seemed to invite being captured on paper, not just as an image but as a spirit.
Idea
When my friend shared a photo of Melina, I was instantly captivated. I wanted to preserve her essence: her strength and loyalty, but also the quiet curiosity shining in her gaze.
Technique
The portrait was created in graphite pencil (Staedtler Mars Lumograph, 3B to 8B) on plain print paper. It was a fairly quick study, completed in just a day or two, and one of my first experiments with negative drawing. Despite its simplicity, it felt like a breakthrough, a small success in reconnecting with art.
Personal Stance
Though I never had the chance to meet Melina in person—she passed away before I could—I still shared moments with her. Over the phone, she would often break into wolf-like howls, and I would howl back. It became a playful ritual. We all adored her deeply, and I remain grateful to my friend for letting me honor her memory through drawing.
Anecdote
Melina’s spirit was as unyielding as it was playful. My friend once discovered a missing chunk of concrete from the balcony floor. The culprit, of course, was Melina—annoyed enough to take a bite out of the balcony itself. She was strong-willed to the core, a dog who lived entirely on her own terms.