All I have to say is, I'm in Texas, it's still over 100 degrees here and they are already putting out Halloween and Christmas items on the shelves. I so want to get into the spirit, but this darn heat is KILLING me! With that, I decided to bring some holiday spirit to my site. The Halloween Costume Contest that I really wanted to host last year, but did not get a chance to, is finally on this year. I've already started posting some awesome costume photo's that you can view under the contests tabs. In addition to the FREE pet portrait that I will be giving away at the end of the competition, I decided to thrown some "bones" along the way to some of the other contestants. Especially since the contest is going to be judged by a panel of judges instead of the amount of "likes" on Facebook, I wanted everyone to feel like they were getting a fair chance at a prize. What can I say, I am always a sucker for those who love my art and if I can make people happy by giving them a piece of my art, then I will. It's like a whole school of kids begging for candy and you only choose one kid?!- nope, my contest, my rules :)
In addition to the Halloween contest, I am still running the "Christmas in July" specials, which I think host some amazing opportunities for custom portraits, scrapbooks, picture frames, etc.... With Christmas creeping up, it's a great way to get a head start on holiday shopping and who doesn't love when someone thinks about their fur babies? Those specials are ending August 30th, so only 5 more days to get your orders in.
I've also been a busy bee in the studio this summer. With everyone on break, it gave me some "free" time to work on some special paintings for a local rescue shelter out here, Austin Pets Alive. They recently opened up a new cat location in Tarrytown and I was asked to help furnish their new building with just cat paintings. At first, I can't lie, I was kind of dreading the task since I mainly paint dogs, but once I got into it, I really loved painting the cats and kittens. I didn't realize the amount of color depth they held in their coats and I just loved experimenting with the color palettes. I have six pieces completed so far and two left to go, so I am almost finished with that project. What was so special about this project for me was not only to help draw attention to their new location, but I also got to work side by side with Angela Lozano a pet photographer out here in Austin. We have been putting together a partnership over the last couple of months to work hand in hand if someone wanted to ordered custom photo's and a portrait. To have two different mediums to be able to hang on your walls I thought was just so cool and I have really enjoyed working with her so far. She took some amazing photo's of my two boys, Ruccus, my 12 year old pit bull, and Horton, my newest rescue, a 1 year old shih tzu mix with ewok, lol. I have a link on my home page if you were interested in seeing those photo's. If you follow me at all on Facebook, then I am sure you saw me posting photo's galore like a proud mom!
Some things to look forward to at the end of the year. My Paw Portrait's 2 year anniversary bash- that will be on November 14th- and I plan to make that HUGE!!! Which means, no Christmas contest, but I promise it will be worth it. I will also be donating a 24" x 24" custom portrait to "The Big Give" here in Austin. That is going to be a pretty large event that I am excited to be a part of this year on September 25th. I will also be at the Dogadillo Howl'oween Rescue Spooktacular on October 23rd at The Hill Country Galleria Mall Amphitheater, so please come by and visit my booth if you are in that area. So, lots of events coming up and I am sure some unexpected ones will make their way into my schedule, but I am already planning now for my Anniversary Bash. So make sure to stay up to date on my website especially on Facebook since I am one there pretty much everyday announcing new pieces, new prizes, and new specials. Thanks for following!
In addition to the Halloween contest, I am still running the "Christmas in July" specials, which I think host some amazing opportunities for custom portraits, scrapbooks, picture frames, etc.... With Christmas creeping up, it's a great way to get a head start on holiday shopping and who doesn't love when someone thinks about their fur babies? Those specials are ending August 30th, so only 5 more days to get your orders in.
I've also been a busy bee in the studio this summer. With everyone on break, it gave me some "free" time to work on some special paintings for a local rescue shelter out here, Austin Pets Alive. They recently opened up a new cat location in Tarrytown and I was asked to help furnish their new building with just cat paintings. At first, I can't lie, I was kind of dreading the task since I mainly paint dogs, but once I got into it, I really loved painting the cats and kittens. I didn't realize the amount of color depth they held in their coats and I just loved experimenting with the color palettes. I have six pieces completed so far and two left to go, so I am almost finished with that project. What was so special about this project for me was not only to help draw attention to their new location, but I also got to work side by side with Angela Lozano a pet photographer out here in Austin. We have been putting together a partnership over the last couple of months to work hand in hand if someone wanted to ordered custom photo's and a portrait. To have two different mediums to be able to hang on your walls I thought was just so cool and I have really enjoyed working with her so far. She took some amazing photo's of my two boys, Ruccus, my 12 year old pit bull, and Horton, my newest rescue, a 1 year old shih tzu mix with ewok, lol. I have a link on my home page if you were interested in seeing those photo's. If you follow me at all on Facebook, then I am sure you saw me posting photo's galore like a proud mom!
Some things to look forward to at the end of the year. My Paw Portrait's 2 year anniversary bash- that will be on November 14th- and I plan to make that HUGE!!! Which means, no Christmas contest, but I promise it will be worth it. I will also be donating a 24" x 24" custom portrait to "The Big Give" here in Austin. That is going to be a pretty large event that I am excited to be a part of this year on September 25th. I will also be at the Dogadillo Howl'oween Rescue Spooktacular on October 23rd at The Hill Country Galleria Mall Amphitheater, so please come by and visit my booth if you are in that area. So, lots of events coming up and I am sure some unexpected ones will make their way into my schedule, but I am already planning now for my Anniversary Bash. So make sure to stay up to date on my website especially on Facebook since I am one there pretty much everyday announcing new pieces, new prizes, and new specials. Thanks for following!