Sadie 

Lucia Heffernan painted "Sadie" using oil on canvas, a traditional medium employed to capture the essence of her canine subject. Heffernan's choice to paint animals, particularly in human-like poses or attire, invites us to reflect on our relationships with them, and how we project human qualities onto the non-human world. Her work taps into our cultural fascination with pets, and the emotional bonds we form with them. Sadie, with her earnest gaze and delicate collar, embodies both vulnerability and dignity. Heffernan captures the way pets are integrated into domestic life and often become integral members of the family. "Sadie" speaks to how pets offer companionship and emotional support, and serve as mirrors reflecting our own emotional landscapes. The painting invites a contemplation of our shared vulnerabilities and the quiet joys of companionship, prompting a dialogue about empathy, connection, and the stories we weave into our lives through our bonds with animals.