Zazzle Boxer Coffee Mug

I have a few websites that I have uploaded and displayed my digitalart paintings - Fine Art America/Pixels, Redbubble, Amazon Merch and Zazzle. And I promote all of them on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and my Business Facebook page. I’ve also written three children’s books that are on Amazon, and created a few You Tube videos. My Etsy shop is used primarily for custom orders, and my Wordpress website has links to all of this! Whew - it’s like having a full time job. So whenever I get a notice from one of these places, it is very exciting. A few days back Zazzle notified me that someone bought a coffee mug with my black and white pooch on it. All of my furry friend designs are from my pet portrait custom orders. When I get those orders, I need to work with the customer about all the details from start to finish. But when I get these notifications, I don’t need to do anything. What tickles me most is that someone noticed a painting that I created, and liked it enough to purchase it. Out of the millions of options out there, it is really amazing. I certainly couldn’t make a living on any of this, but it’s a great hobby. So thank you for noticing! I really appreciate it. 

https://loistavaf.com/

Etsy Thank You Notes for Digital Art Commissions

Getting thank you notes is always nice. Getting thank you notes for creating art for someone is even better. I've had my Etsy shop for two years called LITDigital Paintings. I love to create custom pet portraits and have had commissions from most of the United States, Australia, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Most of them are pretty straight forward. A favorite photo is sketched and hand painted. Some are a little more involved ... Taking two separate images to create one, or adding names and dates. Just about anything can be done with digital art. It's all created using my iPad, and a lot of imagination.  I gave up my watercolors and pastels to create a mobile studio. I can take it with me whenever we travel. One of the more interesting requests I received recently was to paint two dogs, move them closer together, add a green bow tie to one and a wedding veil to the other. The image would eventually be printed on a cover that would be used as a ring pillow for a wedding. It was a fun project and I am looking forward to seeing the a actual pillow in use at the ceremony. I love the interaction with my customers as updates of the progress are sent, and final background colors are selected. And it's a great feeling to know someone likes what was made especially for them. It's also a way to get my dog "fix." I really love those pooches, and cats, and parrots! Wonder what the next request will be?

The Library of Congress Employee Art Show

This will be the third year that my digital art will be on display - and not just in any place. I work at The Library of Congress and the employee art show in underway starting this week, and ends in April of 2015. There is a reception tonight for all the contributors, but I am still exhausted from our European trip to London and Paris that I'm going to have to pass. Being the first day of work after almost two weeks off, I checked out the exhibit on the sixth floor of The Madison Building and found where my "Bulldog" and "Winter on Capitol Hill" were placed. It hardly mattered where because I'm just so pleased they are available for so many people to see - and for such a long time. It's hard to believe that I only resumed painting again when the iPad came out. If you are in the area, please stop by and visit.  

 

The Dog Memorial Portrait

It didn't start out that way. I opened my Etsy shop two years ago featuring digital art. I grew up on watercolors and pastels, pen and ink, and sketches. But when the iPad came along, my life really changed and my hobby blossomed. It started with a win in The New Yorker Eustace Tilley contest, and featured works in the employee art show at The Library of Congress. Capitol Hill and Washington DC are highlighted in a lot of my art. Three of my children's books feature fish, grandsons, family life, and cities. Trips to England, Iran, and Denmark spark some creativity. But one of my favorite subjects to draw is a dog. So far, I've done quite a few. Several are on display at the Wagtime Shop across from the Navy Yard on Capitol Hill. There is just something about a dog - or a cat. We had two wonderful animals when we lived in Milwaukee. A golden retriever named Natasha and a beautiful Borzoi by the name of Tatiana. When they left us, they took a part of us with them. I guess a lot of people feel the same way. One of the most frequent requests I receive for a custom portrait is of a dearly departed pet. And one of the best compliments to receive is that I captured the spirit of that beloved pet in their eyes. It's so rewarding to get positive feedback on anything, but there is just something special about the bond between a pet and his owner.