Elvis

Finished Elvis' pet portrait the other day. It turned out really well! His mom really like it!! :)

I met Elvis 5 years ago, when I first started working at Camp Ruff It. He is such a special dog to me. Helping take care of a dog a lot throughout 5 years is one of the best parts of my job. I get to see them grow up, get to know their personality, bond with and love them like they are my own. I love it.

Next up: I have so many ideas for new projects!! I just don't know which to choose first! :D I'll get back to you on that one!

Bookmarks

A somewhat recent project of mine....These were my place cards for my wedding in August. I made bookmarks using some pink textured paper. I stamped them in acrylic paint with stamps that I have made. I love the way they turned out!

Currently, I'm working on a pet portrait of a Westie named Elvis! Should be done soon!

Been a while

So, it's been a long time since I posted anything. I haven't been drawing much lately. Of course, life has to get in the way. It's hard to drag that inspiration out when I'm constantly exhausted. My day job takes a lot out of me. I love it, but it leaves little time for much else. Hell, I don't even get to see family and friends often. Let alone take on other projects.
With the holidays coming up, I do have 3 requests for pet portraits so far. It'll be nice to do a few again.
Maybe some day soon I can actually concentrate on my art for a while. I'd like to see what happens if it's the only thing I have going on!
For now, I will hang on to my ideas, do what pet portraits I can and see where things lead!

Pictures of...

The Japanese Chin is ChiChi, another dog that has passed. I love how hers turned out. And her parents absolutely loved it.
The horse is Autumn. A former coworkers horse. This is one of my favorite portraits that I have done. I love it! The bottom drawing is Koukla! :)

Time to Create!

Working on some projects today. Thanks to 

http://shelbynycole.blogspot.com/2011/05/create.html?m=1 for this piece of inspiration! 

I am working on an 11x14 pet portrait of a black lab named Gracie. I am just about done with it, just doing the finishing touches today! I will be selling it next week. And then I can move onto my big job and work o n some of the other smaller stuff on the side!

Busy bee time! ♡

Looking Good!

I've gotten a few pet portraits done recently! I will have to post pictures soon.

I also made an unexpected sale! A while back, I did a pet portrait of this dog that passed named J.D. His dad came into work with his new puppy (who is too stinkin' cute by the way!). I tried to give him the portrait as a gift, but he insisted on paying for it! That was not my intention at all, but it was so nice of him. He's such a sweet guy that loves his dogs so much! I am glad I was finally able to give him the portrait and I hope his family enjoys it!

I also walked into work one day and found out that I had 3 inquiries about pet portraits that day!

I have a new opportunity now too! Something a little different and big! I will explain later!      

Things are starting to take off. I'm surprised and so happy that I am able to do this! It's amazing!

Procrastination will be my demise...

I have a giant to do list...and I'm not getting any of it done. There's always a distraction or a problem that arises. I've been so stressed out for the past month or so. I feel like I am stuck in a rut.
It's FINALLY beautiful out, so I need to drag myself out of this and get my butt in gear.
I don't understand how I get so off track sometimes. I always have to-do lists...everywhere. I have a schedule, for every important thing. I need to stop getting distracted! I am so disappointed in myself!
Currently I have....
The Autumn portrait - which is literally so close to done I want to cry that it isn't yet!
I have about 4 other pet portraits to do. I have to work on dad's tattoo still, and start on Sabrina's.
I have Hailey's bridesmaid book to finish and send. I have a few other art projects that I'd love to get done, but I think they are going to have to wait.
I have wedding planning that I really need to work on more - we still have to go visit and pick a venue to start with.
My house needs to be completely cleaned reorganized.
And then there is work - I've got a great summer event that I'm trying to plan, have to get employee reviews done and update some training information. Also, check ALL of our files, re-do some and organize them!
I'm going to collapse just thinking about it all!!!

The New Year So Far...

It's been crazy! I've gotten a lot done and still have a lot to do. I have finished a few pet portraits and have gotten a lot further on a couple others.
We had started art class back up for a little while and now have decided to take a little break again. Especially since I will be super busy planning a wedding!!! Joe proposed!! (don't know if I mentioned this before!) So I'm going be a busy bride to be!
I am going to make a conscious effort to post more. Now that spring break is over at work, I'll have more time to get a bunch done!

New Finished Portrait

And this time it's a person! I pretty much like how it turned out but of course I see things after that I wish I did differently. Heh heh. I'll post pictures of this later.

On another note - I am participating in HOLIDAYS at the HAIGHT! An Elgin Holiday market. It runs the next 2, possibly 3, weekends in December. It's at 166 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120.

I will be there on Friday, December 7th from 4-8pm and Friday, December 14th from 4-8pm. This is my first actual craft fair type event. I'm excited and nervous!

Come see me there!

October!

Oh, I'm such a slacker with posting on here. I really have to work on that. :)
I have gotten another pet portrait done, Theodore. I love how this one turned out. I think it's my favorite portrait that I have done. And it's a cat, not a dog!
I'm in the process of working on a few more right now, the husky is still in progress, Spencer and Autumn. Along with my dad's tattoo sketch, which he was giving me a little shit for. I'm sorry dad, but I have a very limited  amount of free time! Especially last month and this one now, with the Halloween party & such.
I'm working on some awesome Halloween projects right now too. This year our decoration theme is a haunted forest. :) I just need to get paid so I can go get some supplies!
On another, unrelated to my art, note..I got a promotion at work. I am now a manager at the doggie daycare. :) so happy. Last month I got the opportunity to work at an animal shelter, which I loved! But then it got my bosses at the daycare to see how valuable I was there I guess. I talked with them about a manager position, which one boss was like maybe eventually. So I said, ok keep me in mind but I'm going somewhere I can advance. Next day-I'm manager! Bam. So I sadly had to leave the shelter. But I do plan on volunteering! Just have to get through this month. 

The Yorkie Rescue Yard Sale

So, the yard sale went alright. It was a weird venue for my stuff, considering it was a yard sale...but I did hand out a few cards and got a bit of interest from people there. That was all I was really expecting, so yay me! :P

I've got about 4 portraits to do right now and hopefully they will be done soon!

I'm getting my Etsy shop ready for me to start adding my pet portraits up there for sale. And now I've got a bunch of cards and framed work; maybe I'll start getting into some craft shows or something!

Exciting Pet Portrait Opportunity!

Since I started doing the dog colored pencil drawings, I've gotten a few done and displayed at work. There has been a lot of interest from people!
I've already got 5, possibly 7, drawings to do that I will be paid for! And thats just at work, not even the ones i have lined up myself or with help from friends. This is so freaking exciting. I didn't expect to have this much reaction right away!
We finally set the pricing & got a flyer up. I'm going to be selling the 8x12s for $69 and the 11x14s for $99. I'm hoping this isn't too expensive. I don't think it is. From the research I've done and talking to people, it seems like a fair price to me. And also, my bosses are getting commission off of them, for the use of their credit card machine and the "display space" kind of idea, so I have to take that into consideration too.
I love the fact that I have the opportunity to sell my art somewhere & have gotten a response from it already.
I finished the JD picture. It turned out great! I'm very happy with it.
Woo!