Penny & Octavia portrait in progress 4 - About Octavia: good energy

Octavia’s face finished.

Have you wondered who this young woman is who was such an integral part of “Team Penny”?

Octavia Stensen is Assistant to Andy Linton, Penny’s handler. Before I started on Octavia’s face I asked the Chans to tell me about her. (The portrait was to be a surprise so I couldn’t talk to Octavia.) They described her as a vibrant and amazing young woman. “She’s got good energy”, Greg said. I think that comes across in her face in this pic.

Octavia traveled with Penny for two years while Penny was being campaigned to 66 Best in Shows, 40 Reserve Best in Shows, 35 Best in Specialty Shows, and ultimately Best in Show at Westminster. She cared for Penny on the road, warmed her up and got her ring-ready, looked after her, and slept with her. Theresa said something which I thought was interesting. She said, "Octavia's job was to make Penny feel good about herself."

As a Junior Handler, Octavia won:

🏆 Best Junior Handler at the AKC National.

🏆 Best Junior Handler at Westminster Dog Show.

🏆 Top 10 Finalist at Crufts.

Greg said, “We’ve watched her interact with Penny for the last two years and, setting aside the way she cares for Penny, we see the interaction between the two of them. She’s just a wonderful young woman who’s got a really bright future no matter what she does.”

Later I’ll share some of Octavia’s own words about caring for Penny and their relationship. After the portrait was gifted to Octavia, when I contacted her to ask permission to share this portrait, she told me:

“I cannot express how close I hold this painting to my heart… I loved Penny as my own pet.”

"Penny & Octavia", in progress

Portrait of Octavia Stensen and Penny

(Grand Champion Connquest Best of Both Worlds - Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show 2026)

🎨 Prismacolor pencil on “Honeysuckle” Canson Mi-Teintes paper, 12 x 16 inches.

Commissioned by Greg Chan and Theresa Conners-Chan.

From a photo by Claudia Bibaud