Raffle Winner...!

Charlotte Goldman was one of our Raffle Prize Winners from the Grand Opening, she came by to pick it up the other day and was thrilled when she saw her prize...I love a happy ending!

Rusty...

 Doing Rusty's portrait was bittersweet, between the time Rhonda ordered the portrait and I started on it, he passed away...so very sad. So now this Portrait has become a colorful reminder of her very best friend. Rhonda was in town last week, we both got teary when she came to see it, I sent her on her way with a magnet that I had made as a little gift for her to keep until the print arrives to her in California. When I did the sketches I created a younger Rusty, solidly colored and the senior Rusty with the lighter face, I am humbly adding younger Rusty to my portfolio of breeds as the Golden Retriever. Bittersweet.

This is the first order I received for the larger Pet Portrait Print size...it really came out beautifully. I just ordered another to put in my window display with Jack's portrait...this is a good comparison of the two sizes, Jack's Box Frame Print Portrait is 12x12 ($250) and Rusty's Float Back Print Portrait is 18x18 ($350). My deadline for Pet Portrait Orders for guaranteed delivery by the holidays is November 13th...so if you are considering this as a gift please place your order soon! Gift Certificates are also available.

When the party's over...

I'm so grateful for the wonderful turn out we had for my Studio Grand Opening last Friday night! I battled with myself all summer as to when I should have said party...but with juggling all the art fairs and the stress of figuring out this new space I decided to take the good advice of my wise friend Anna Millea and wait until fall when all my outdoor shows were over for the season.

I am glad I did...it was perfect and great fun seeing many of my collectors from over the years and friends and making many new ones. I had amazing help from Amanda Shell of Whirly Girl Designs and jewelry artist, Michelle Rubin. I received lovely surprises: gorgeous flowers from my Mother and my Brother, a wonderful gift of appetizers from Mike Green of the Village Tap (across the street), and treats from Rudy of Rudy's Bakery next door to my shop. The Chamber and other businesses on the street have made me feel so welcome here in Roscoe Village. Here are some photos from the evening...

 

 

Since signing the lease I have learned so much and it has not been
without a lot of growing pains...last spring I referred to the back room
as the Crying Room! I am happy to report that I have not used it for
that since July...things really seem to be turning around. I am so
grateful to have quite a long list of commission orders to fill, so time to get to work! Hope you enjoyed the photos, you can see several more on my Flickr page....and many thanks to Natalie Samp who took them!

CCR Dog Adoption Event at Anne's Studio 8/8/09

At long last...here are photos and hopefully some video from our Adoption Event with Chicago Canine Rescue on August 8th. It was fun afternoon, very hot and windy...but lots of puppy love. We had four very wonderful young dogs here: Kyle, Mickey, Shirley and Jill. None of them were adopted that afternoon but many people stopped and took cards for the shelter which is located just a few blocks away at 2227 W. Belmont in Chicago. To learn more about each dog click here. We also let people know that fostering was also an option, this takes a little bit of the edge off when people are unsure how it would go with their other pets, etc. That's how we started with Alice, and we had such a happy ending. I just heard today 8/18 that Kyle and Mickey are in foster homes and will mot likely be adopted!

Kyle, Shirley and Mickey with wonderful volunteers from CCR.

 
Jill, A coonhound mix.

Kyle a shepherd mix...

 
Suzy taking donations for CCR's upcoming Mutt Strut on September 12th.

 

 

Carbon Black

Just discovered Golden Fluid Acrylics, I've always used Golden Heavy Body Paints but the black does not thin well so I use a different brand...picked this up the other day, I love it - fluid but opaque, perfect for my process...
 

Damen's portrait

I finally got Damen's pet portrait painted today...turned out pretty good! He was found near and named for Damen Avenue here in Chicago so we went with a Chicago street sign green name banner and the road running around his head. He is an adorable looking little guy, I have not met him yet.

Unexpected Gifts...

I received 2 lovely and very unexpected packages in the mail today! Michelle Allen, an incredible artist and blog-o-sphere pal sent me this wonderful handmade snow man ornament complete with vintage bingo card (he is sporting a bingo chip) and other fanciful details, and a greeting card with magnet art attached. I can't believe it because when I read her blog and post about making these I immediately wanted one (and secretly wished I was there helping to make them)...she posted a few in her etsy store but of course they were gone by the time I checked it out. Suddenly I have one, thank you so much Michelle! ...and the whole presentation with vintage bingo card...so cool...and all so thoughtful.

I'll tell you about the second gift that arrived in my next post...

Kongs for Christmas!

I recently sold 2 paintings to a wonderful new customer who happens to work for the Kong Company. As many of you know I've included Kongs in my dog paintings for many years now so I was thrilled to connect with Laura. Ironically, the day the UPS man came to pick up the painting I was shipping to her, he handed me a big box first. It was Canine Christmas here...a box filled with all kinds of Kong products and treats, some we had not seen before like the Wubba, which unfortunately is now over the fence in the neighbor's yard (probably until spring)! The best part was seeing Izzy so excited and engaged with her new Senior Kong and Treats for inside...Thank you Laura!!!  xo Izzy & Alice

these girls love UPS delivery surprises...this is the best they ever received

notice Izzy licking the box of treats in the bottom right photo