People Portraits - a new venture?
Mood:  a-ok

After many years of struggling with drawing the human figure, and after a long period of time never even attempting one, I have finally broken through this barrier, and will soon be offering human portraits as well as animal.

The portrait that I just completed of "Jackson" and his boys (the great dane) inspired me to create more human drawings. The boys in that piece turned out exactly how I wanted them to, and I was extremely pleased at the result. I also have a sample on the site with my hubby holding a bass, a nice catch, and the portrait turned out as well as I expected - encouraging me to attempt more. There is another portrait of my little sister and Brandy, which was my very first attempt last year, a quick drawing, but I was pleased none-the-less.

I am currently working on a piece as a gift, so I will not reveal it's nature, I will only say that I am very happy with the results so far, and think that this is one of my best human portraits yet!  So stay tuned for the revelation of this piece, and many more like it. 

I will be adding a section on the website specifically for human portraits that will be separate from the animal work. These portraits will only be offered in graphite pencil for the time being, as this is the medium I am most comfortable in for this particular subject. 

The below piece is a sample of what is to come, another portrait of my hubby. Please check back for updates on this venture, and to see the new section on the website that will be added soon.

 

 

More PetSmart
Mood:  a-ok

Well, I finally got to see the display in person - very exciting!! So I thought I would share the Oakville PetSmart store's Just a Buck Display.

Here's hoping that they raise some good money for the dogs, cats and other pets that they are helping out with this campaign.

 

 

Make a Donation to PetSmart Charities today!
Mood:  bright

Well, today is the kick off for the "Just a Buck, Change Their Luck" Campaign. Canadian PetSmart stores will have the T-shirts, mouse pads and bags available, or, of course, you can donate on-line.

I thought, what better way to start this off than featuring the proud pet parents. So, let me take this time to introduce you to:

Mr. Pickles parents - Melissa and Justin

I want to thank them for letting me use their "children" as models for the Pickles and Coffee painting. Without them, I wouldn't have a painting - thansk guys!!!

 

 

 

Just a Buck!!!
Mood:  bright

The "Just a Buck - Change Their Luck" campaign starts April 12th at PetSmart, and will be featuring my painting "Pickles and Coffee" on the items available with a donation. The items (T-shirts, mouse pads and tot bags) will be available in all Canadian PetSmart stores, and on-line.

This campaign raises money for homeless pets, spay/neuter programs and pet education, and is an extremely worthy cause - so please take a moment and visit the website and make a donation. PetSmart has saved over 3 million lives, and this campaign will help them to save even more! 

http://www.petsmartcharities.org/donate/just-a-buck.php 

A huge thank you to PetSmart for allowing my artwork to be used in their campaign!!! And thank you to Britta and Cynthia for all their help throughout the process!!

 

 

Is it really THAT time again?
Mood:  not sure

Well, I've gone and done it. With a little poking and prodding from others, I've signed Brandy and I up for the AAC Ontario Regionals once again this year. What the heck, give it one more shot after our disasterous performance last year (which I am hoping we do not repeat). I have lofty dreams of beating last years point collection (I suppose that's really not that lofty - perhaps I should up my goal) and Brandy has high hopes that it won't be 40 degrees C out again. She's not a real fan of the heat - she needs her air conditioning - the Little princess. So here's hoping for better luck this year - although it's in the same spot again as last year, Ilderton Fairgrounds, and on the same sand as last year - yuck! Oh well, I suppose it's having fun that counts ... isn't it?

 I have also been able to finally complete the "Tetra" Series that I have been working on. A trio of Tetras done in acrylic on pre-stretched canvas. The series depicts a Caridnal, Harlequin Rasboras and Rummy-Nose. These can be viewed on my acrylic gallery page, along with more information about these particular fish.
Below is the "Harlequin Rasboaras" from the series. These paintings were fun to create and I used a looser, more pop-art style. I hope that you enjoy them - hubby will be hanging these up in his "fish room" ... formally know as the basement - LOL.

 

 

A whole new world...
Mood:  bright

Well, the business is finally registered and we're official April 1st 2008. This is very exciting, and daunting, but I needed to take the plunge. I will now also be offering design work at my new site:

www.julies-art-design.com

 as well as all my artwork at this site. Things have been coming along nicely and everything is falling into place. This year is defininately one the right track so far. 

On the weekend of March 9th Brandy was able to secure her first CPE title (CL2-R) with 4 awesome runs. So, with much thought and discussion (not so much discussion on her part though) we've decided to once again try the AAC Ontario Regionals. I'm quite busy right now, but I at least wanted to give it one more shot, and after this past weekend, the crazy little dog has shown me that she's still got it (when she feels like it) - so officially we will be attending the competition May 23-25/08 in Ilderton, Ontario. 

I have made major changes to my Pet Portrait website to keep with the theme of my NEW Art & Design website. I have also added some prints for purchase that are customizable, so please feel free to take a look on the "Artwork For Sale" page. 

So far, so good for the begining of 2008. I hope that everyone is also having a great start to the year and I'm looking forward to this new business venture.

 

 

Happy New Year!!
Mood:  bright
I just want to extend a Happy New Year wish to all my clients, friends, family and those who just visit my site. 2007 has been great for business and 2008 is starting out with a bang. I've been quite busy over the holidays, extending into the new year. I hope that everyone has great success in the upcoming year, and I look forward to hearing from new and repeat clients. All the best to everyone, and thank you for choosing me as your pet portrait artist!

CARO Rally
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: New title ....

Brandy and I took in our first ever Rally-Obedience trail with CARO. Anne, our instructor encouraged us to sign up - said we should do well. So, we did. 3 rounds of Novice B at Campaign in Georgetown hosted by Rat Pack.  And what a suprise, we walked away with 3 Q's in 3 rounds, 197 points in each round and a new Novice Rally title. I'm very pleased with our performance, and am looking forward to more Rally trials.

I thought I'd add a picture of Brandy with her title ribbon. :)

 

 

Oh, it's been a while...
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: What's been happening

I've got to say, it's been a busy summer and fall. Many trails to attend, many paintings to complete but so little time.

I've decided to focus my efforts on my acrylic work. I am extremely pleased how the final products are turning out, and the process of creating them is more than enjoyable. I've added my favorite acrylic work so far - of course, it's Brandy, who else would it be? But she is my model, though I don't pay her, it's purely voluntary.

 

I'm working on more acrylic portraits all the time, and they will be uploaded as they are completed, so please check back frequently to see what's new.

And, speaking of trails, my little girlie has been doing exceptionally well this year. We are one run away from our advanced AAC title, a few runs away from our first CPE title, and one week away from our first ever Rally-O trial. We attended the JRTCC Nationals in September, met a new friend and her little JRT Prickles, and came away with some good placings in the agility category. And, of course, she needed to pose for come pictures .... she's a ham - what can I say?

 

I also aquired a brand new camera a month or so ago. A Canon Digital Rebel XTi (350D), and man, what a camera! I am extremely impressed with the quality of the shots, and have captured some great action. I'm still learning the ins and outs of this intricate piece of photography equipment, but so far I'm in love. Below are a couple shots from the JRTCC 2007 Nationals. 

 

I'll try to update this in a little more timely manner next time - however, keep an eye on my website as it is updated frequently. 

 

The AAC Nationals, oh and CDDA
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Brandy got her RPT ... Mack did not

This weekend, being the weekend of the AAC Nationals, which we did not qualify for, I decided I would go cheer on friends, and take in the sights.  It was held at Halton Place, a stable that also holds many horse competitions. The grounds were plentiful, and quite nice, but I couldn't get close enough for an great shots .... so the pictures, well, they kind of stink.  I also used my little sisters digital SLR (canon rebel), and normally I use my 35mm Canon Rebel .... I don't know if that has anything to do with the quality, but it will be my excuse for now.

Seeing as how I couldn't get any great pictures, and after watching my friend's Gamlers run, I decided I would go and observe the disc dog trial that was also being held there. Another friend was entered in that, so I took pictures of them for a while.

I became intrigued, and decided, why can't my dogs do that?  So, I packed up all my equipment, and came back to the venue with both dogs.  Brandy, my God, she passes and excells at everything I do with her, so she had no problem gaining her RPT (retrieval proficiency test), and is now ready for competition in the Canadian Disc Dog Association.  Mack, well, I think I maybe set the bar too high - hehe. He did the retreive, but not correctly, so didn't pass. The dog needed to bring the object straight back to the handler, but he decided to do a small tour of the area before bringing it to where I had to stand in a marked box on the ground. He was so close to being able to have some sort of letters after his name .... so close. Oh well, there is always next time. 

 Below are some pictures from the events. Enjoy! :)

 Indy doing her Gamble run - the A-frame seemed to attract her this time.