Digital Age lessens distances

I also forgot to post a thank you to my friend, Nona, who lives in McClean, VA for posting a flyer and business cards at her local dog park. What does it matter if a client lives across the continent or across the street. The digital age makes things so much easier.

More works to hone skills and add to my portfolio

The portrait of Miki was a nice gift (although a little somber) for Christmas. I made three smaller prints for each of my three nephews for their gifts.
Now I knew that this could be the start of a new venture so started practicing with other friends' pet photos. I did Koa, my friend Skip's beautiful and sweet Golden Retriever. Then came Stella, a Malamute/Husky mix (living in in the DC area); Lilu- the Persian cat who lives in Florence, Italy and met through my sister's companion, Alain; Spook, John's sister's cat; a parrot named Lollipop in Honolulu and my latest and first real commission, Rocky. Constant companion to my friend, Carrie's father-in-law. Along this journey, I have learned to tap into the pet's personality with memos from their owners to bring out their likeness and being. I might add too that I've been having fun doing this.
Now all I need is pet owners who want portraits of their pets.
I have been searching online for acrylic business card/flyer holders. Then the next step would be to put them in Veterinarians' offices as well as some pet stores. Never ending tasks....

Out of Desperation

November 2010-
Christmas coming fast and I had been inquiring with pet portrait artists for a commission of my brother's dog, Miki, who had to be put down in October. She was getting infirm and old.
I had the opportunity to see wonderful art on Whidbey Island at a friend's place. After inquiries, I contacted this artist to find out prices etc. and thought perhaps I could afford  Miki's portrait from her.
But reality stepped in. Incoming bills, a retaining wall that had to be built, laid off for 1 1/2 years with no job prospects forced me to consider doing my own dog portrait.
It's funny when push comes to shove, one "gets going" so to speak. I obtained some photos of Miki and using photoshop and whatever skills I had learned in computers as well as drawing and painting, created a nice portrait that would do Miki justice. And so Pet Portraits was born.