Pet portraits for Christmas

I love paintings pet portraits. Why you ask? I love painting anything but I especially love painting things that have meaning and our pets mean a lot to us. I love knowing whoever gets the pet portrait will be pleased as it's a thoughtful and special gift that you wouldn't ever expect. I have two recent portraits to share. One is for my friend Ann to give to her brother, the pugs. The other is a for a customer name Jack and his sister's dog is McFly, a Chihuahua . I did both of these this week and I am painting my husband's bosses dog soon as a thank you for our NY trip. I start with a charcoal sketch then I layer the paint, putting in lights and darks loosely in case I need to move things and I usually do. I LOVE acrylic as you can always just paint right over a spot and start fresh. I have always struggled with proportions and I usually have to adjust things so I am always grateful for the forgiving nature of acrylics. It's so wonderful to have commission paintings to do while I am at the shop. I love to make art and when people come in it's icing on the cake. When it's slow I am 'working' and doing what I love, a win win. I need to get the word out as pet portraits are affordable ($100) and fast, and a true keepsake gift. It only takes a picture so this can all be done via the internet folks. I shall be expanding this aspect of Hip Chick for my next year's goals. As always thanks for stopping by my blog and I really appreciate your support!

Open studios pictorial and Theatre of Dreams

Friday I went to Wendy Addison's studio in Port Costa for her open studios but sadly she was in NY at a promotional event.  I was hoping to get a shot of her in my red tutu for the portfolio...but it was still very stimulating to be in her studio among her incredible art pieces.  I wanted to buy everything!  I did buy a good bit and then saw the foster farm chickens in a red truck parked right in front of my car which made me smile...then it was off to get ready for the weekend....and what a weekend it was!
 
 I LOVE open studios!  The Arsenal is humming with good energy and enthusiastic art lovers and supporters.  It was so wonderful to have all my family and friends come to the shop and support my dream.  Thank you to all of you who made the journey.  It warms my heart to see my favorite people in my studio and then to share my joy of creativity, it is the icing on the cake.  The store feels so good when there are loads of people inside, all ohhing and ahhing and the music is playing....it's heaven.  I saw my peeps, my family, my friends and neighbors and met some new supporters as well.  I had good sales and good vibes and the weekend was a huge success.  The pictures really tell the story.  Saturday Ben (my hubbie) and Alex (our son) came to cheer me on and Sunday Abby (our daughter) and her friend Louise came to join in the fun and take tutu pictures....with their pointe shoes and let me tell you these girls can't take a bad picture.  GORGEOUS!  I feel incredibly blessed to be able to do what I love, create art and have my shop, in a place I love, the Arsenal, and then share it with people I love, YOU all.  It just doesn't get any better than that!