painting the birdbath...part 2: glorious color!

Here's the color portion of this story...spent a week deliberating if I should have 3 different color schemes/tiers and in the end stuck with it. In the past I would have done a coordinating border like the black and white bones I did in the 'Suite Chicago Dogs' set....but since this is one single piece and that was 4 separate pieces opted to try something different. It might look a little odd here, but wait until you see it with the black outlines painted in....stay tuned!

Actually going home to finish it tonight as I have to deliver to the autobody show in Westmont that is doing the clear coating...wish me luck!

...and it won't fit through the studio door!

Drove out to Westmont yesterday to pick up the fiberglass hibiscus bird bath I've been commissioned to paint for the In Bloom Public Art Project on display at Oak Brook Center this summer...I knew it probably would not fit in the truck with the topper. Luckily an angel stepped in and was able to help us hoist it up to the roof and we bungeed it down. Made for a suspenseful ride back into the city on the expressways. Upon arrival at my studio, it came down off the truck easily, but no matter how we angled it, just would not fit through the door! It's currently sitting in my entryway...I had thoughts of painting it out there but am leery of vandalism, so will most likely port it home to my garage to paint. Stay tuned!

Anne's Pet Portrait Debut on 190 North....Watch the Live Podcast!

Check out our fun feature from ABC Channel 7's 190 North Television Show! It turned out great thanks to the wonderful interviews with my customers  and their pets (Cris & Kaaren & Tango and Sarah & Bear), and all the great folks and camera crew at 190 North, thank you Janet & Holly!! Sadly, Bear, the sweet Bernese Mountain Dog in the segment passed away a few weeks ago...so honored to have created his portrait and that he's also immortalized on film. He was beloved by everyone in the neighborhood.

Please contact me if you are ready to order a Pet Portrait!

The other wonderful part of this feature, it aired the night before my 44th birthday...a lovely gift!

Happily Ever After...

VanSluys

This Custom Narrative Commission Print was a gift for newlyweds Katie & Tim. It features their Chicago neighborhood, Lincoln Square, their house, their beloved beagles: Nigel & Zoe, their love of travel and Mini Coopers (he races) and the site of their recent wedding ceremony: the Natural Bridges of Santa Cruz, in California. They received a Gift Certificate and were able to collaborate with me on the design for a most meaningful and vibrant work of art!

Katie & Time came by the studio this afternoon to pick up "Happily Ever After". And on that subject, they are currently fostering Kaylee (see below) a very sweet Beagle here in Chicago that needs a home. Please contact the number below or visit FoundChicago.org if you think you could give this wonderful dog a 'happily ever after', too!

4 Legged visitors to the studio...lead to exciting news!

This little cutie is Jack, he came to the studio back in January with Susan who brought her dogTuesday's portrait in to be featured in the 190 North tv shoot which will air this Sunday!

I also got to meetBarkley whose portrait I did back in December, his owner Tom brought his piece in to be featured as well.

We did part of the shoot atTango's house in Bucktown: Unfortunately I don't have any other photos from the day of the shoot...but it was great fun! I'm nervous but very excited to see how it all turned out...tune in to 190 North at 10:35pm on Sunday on ABC Channel 7 in Chicago!

Southern Style Cookin' & My Art...

Wishbonereception

Don't miss my Art Reception at the Wishbone on Lincoln next Thursday, February 17th...with Complimentary, fabulous, Southern Style Appetizers. Come by to see my latest paintings and prints hanging for the month of February and have a drink...then stay for dinner, or at the very least, have a cup of their amazing Seafood Chowder. We'll be in the bar area from 6-9pm....I would love to see you!  3300 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago....c'mon out, I promise you will warm up once you taste this food and see my art!

A Narrative Portrait of Alice...

This is the long overdue Narrative Portrait that I'm working on of my dog, Alice....

The image below was my initial sketch. There are so many silly things about her, it was hard to narrow it down, but I think these translate well:

King Kong and the Godzillas...

 

This portrait evolved from my sprained ankle incident back in October. As I lay in the bed of my pick up with ice on my ankle waiting for my pal Stephie (Angel Food Bakery) to notify her staff that she was taking me to urgent care, I met Dave Clayton...he was visiting from Brazil and said 'hey, you do the pet portraits...you've got to paint my pugs!". So I did, and now this painting resides in Brazil. Godzilla sadly passed away so we gave him a halo, King Kong, of course, got the crown and Space Godzilla is from Brazil, so he got the Brazillian Flag. I love how this turned out...let me know if you have a pug you would like me to paint!